Septo-turbino Plasty

[Kevin Judy and Emma]

I've been sucking wind while hiking since I started. I think it is partially due to the fact that I can't breathe through my nose. The problem is mostly on the steeps and I usually recover pretty quickly, though it makes it hard to keep a pace I am content with.

After another winter spent on antibiotics due to sinus infections I opted to have my nose "fixed". I'm in my second full day of recovery. The splints in my nostrils are exceedingly annoying and I won't go into detail about the drainage.

Has anybody done this and has it improved their breathing while hiking?

It's too late to tell me, "Don't bother." Thanks.

KDT

 

[the_swede]

Rarely do I breathe through my nose while engaging in physical activity; it feels perpetually stuffy and I don't get enough throughput. So, I just use my other breathing orifice.

Maybe you just need to do some cardio?

 

[Grayjay]

Got a deviated septum "fixed" a few years ago, and it has greatly improved my overall breathing.

 

[Little Rickie]

I've been sucking wind while hiking since I started.

Maybe you just need to do some cardio?

Improving my aerobic fitness has been a long had road for me. Gains are hard to come by and conditioning is lost quickly but I persist.

 

[Kevin Judy and Emma]

Cardio

At 49 I'm still playing ice hockey year-round with people 1/2 my age. I'm hiking mountains on a regular basis, 2-3 times a month, 10-20 miles, 4-5000' elevation gain, all weather. I'm in pretty good shape, not great, but pretty good. The problem is breathing. Can't breathe through my nose. Runners and other athletes breathe through their noses. I can't. I'm just curious if this surgery has helped others, like Grayjay.

KDT

 

[Sasquatch]

After a little "incident" when my septum became deviated, I noticed it was hard to breathe through.After surgery(and healing) I regained normal function. However if you are used to mouth breathing only you will find that the nose doesn't supply the same amount of air. But the scent of pine, flowers, dinner,etc. will be much more noticeable and enjoyable.

 

[Kevin Judy and Emma]

Breathing

I'm just hoping to breathe normally again. I haven't in so long I don't know what it's like. My septum became "deviated" 3-4 times when I was much younger. Hockey, car accident, fight...

Your story, along with Grayjay's, gives me hope. Now, if I could just get these splints outta my nose! Wednesday morning! C'mon, Wednesday!

KDT

PS: Great meetin' you guys at Barnes last weekend. Would like to get Carter and Tucks on the trail with Emma!

 

[Nessmuk]

Has anybody done this and has it improved their breathing while hiking?

Five years ago I had the same problem. Constant sinus infections, antibiotics cleared it up for a couple of weeks and then right back again. The doc said the surgery would change my life. It did.

By far the worst part is the 3-4 days with packing in the nose. Impossible to breathe at night through my mouth without waking up every few minutes when my lips shut off the air supply. I used a short plastic tube with teeth grips cut into it. It worked pretty well. Once that packing is removed you will feel like a new person. And another terrific bonus....your sense of smell will return.

 

[Sasquatch]

Just to clarify, for normal, resting conditions you should have no trouble breathing solely through your nose. Hiking the castles you may go back to mouth inhale/exhale.
It would be great to get all the dogs out someday.
The recovery period sucks! But worth the suffering.

 

[Kevin Judy and Emma]

More encouragement!

Thanks, that is more encouraging news!

Believe it or not, I can get some air through my nostrils. I'm not sure how much packing there is. They used what they are referring to as "splints". Each day it is a little easier to tolerate, but still not much fun. I've slept better each night, as well.

The worst was the first night when the oxycodone made me sick to my stomach. I stopped using it and have been getting by on tylenol. Obviously, the pain is not too intense or I'd need the stronger stuff. Just mostly a "discomfort" thing.

"The recovery period sucks! But worth the suffering."

I guess that was the phrase I was waiting to hear!

KDT

 

[Kevin Judy and Emma]

Nose

Well, I had the splints out yesterday morning and immediately felt better. When I walked out into the waiting area somebody's coffee hit me like a truck.
"Wow, I remember that smell! It's coffee! I haven't smelled that since I was a kid!" It's funny how smells transport you to a different time and place. I was immediately back in my boyhood home with family at dinner time.

The last 24 hours have been spent getting all the junk out of my sinuses that was trapped there by the splints. I can breathe 100% better than I could before this procedure, so I guess it worked. Will test things out Saturday in the mountains!

Feeling much better and trying to forget the discomfort of the past week.

KDT

 

[Sasquatch]

It's amazing how far into your head thay can shove a pair of tweezers!

 

[Kevin Judy and Emma]

Brain

All I could think of for the past week is the Simpson's episode where they find the crayon in Homer's brain. Once it's been removed he becomes a Rhodes Scholar and everybody hates him for being a know it all. In the end he shoves the crayon back up his nose.

KDT

 

[WhiteMTHike]

After another winter spent on antibiotics due to sinus infections I opted to have my nose "fixed". I'm in my second full day of recovery. The splints in my nostrils are exceedingly annoying and I won't go into detail about the drainage.

Has anybody done this and has it improved their breathing while hiking?

It's too late to tell me, "Don't bother." Thanks.

KDT

I was going to look into something like this because I spent a couple of winters in a row on antibiotics due to sinus infections. However, I went for an allergy test instead and now go for allegy shots on a weekly basis. An ENT also suggested that I get a humidifier for my bedroom, which I did and I use it all winter, it's helped trememdously as have the shots.

I've heard of people having the procedure that you just had done and I've heard the success rate is very high. If your sinus problems persist after you've recovered you might want to go the route that I did. Most likely you'll be fine from here on though. Best wishes.

 

[BobC]

It's funny how smells transport you to a different time and place.

The only downside here is that now you'll be able to experience the sweet smell of yourself and fellow hikers after a day out on the trail.

 

[Kevin Judy and Emma]

Sweet smell of...

This thought has occurred to me. AT hikers will be even more fun.

KDT