SEPTOPLASTY?

Anyone had surgery to correct a deviated septum? How long were you out of the h2o? Is it harder to regulate your exhalation on face-up SDK's than it was before? I had the corrective surgery for the twin sister problem - enlarged turbinates which basically creates very tiny nasal airway passages (I was always a mouth breather until this surgery that I had last year). :eek: My surgeon almost fully removed the *enlarged turbinates.* I had to stay out of the water for 8 weeks last year. But, I was allowed to start walking for exercise (even w/ light weights) after 4 weeks. All I can say is that the surgery was completely worth it as I can breathe correctly now through my nose (on land). Finally! I'm not sure if it's anatomical or psychological or both, but I feel I can do everything better now in the water - including holding my breath longer and performing better SDK's on front and back. No issues whatsoever in exhaling in the water. I saw a time improvement across the board in my races and during practices 5 months post the surgery (went lifetime masters bests). For a surgical procedure, it was quite painless and easy. Do you need to undergo the surgery?

Good old *** Red in a pot, bring it to a boil then a tent over it and breathe in the fumes. My Italian friend's mother told us about this in 1944, ever after that it was red wine in the humidifier, clears everthing up. Those old Italian treatments were the best eg if you have the runs a tablespoon of flour in a glass of gingerale. My grandmother (Italian) swore by three medicines: red wine, blackberry brandy and gingerale. For colds, coughs, fevers etc, drinking a cup of hot red (preferably homemadde) wine would cure what ails you. For muscle strains, cramps and other musco-skeletal disorders, a shot (or 2) of blackberry brandy. Any type of gastro-intestinal disorder brought out the gingerale (altho the flour addition is a new one for me). For headaches brought on by the "evil eye" however, no cure but the "praying over the cup of water and oil" would suffice.

I have the allergy and deviated septum issue too. For years I struggled with sinus infections after every cold. At the time I thought it was because I wasn't swimming, but all of you now have me convinced that wasn't the issue. Anyway, I read somewhere that some doctors recommend guaifenesin. On the label it says "helps loosen phlegm (mucous) and thin bronchial secretions to make coughs more productive." That's pretty gross, but it does seem to keep the sinuses from getting impacted. I've tried both the syrup and the 12 hour time release tablets, and had good success - in other words, no sinus infections for a few years. YMMV (Your mileage may vary)

Do you need to undergo the surgery? Here is my situation. I've developed tons of allergies over the years, and due to a deviated septum, have narrow sinus issues. This causes blockage, and leads to frequent sinus infection. I have had good success treating the allergy part of the equation with NAET, but still even a minor cold will usually lead to infection. One ENT suggested that I treat this condition with anti-histamines and steroidal nasel spray (to be taken regularly for the rest of my life). This seems unreasonable to me (I will spare forum readers my anti-pharm rant). Its hard to find an 8 week window...maybe September

Here is my situation. I've developed tons of allergies over the years, and due to a deviated septum, have narrow sinus issues. This causes blockage, and leads to frequent sinus infection. This is me exactly, down to the deviated septum. Since 35 or so, I have been plagued with periodic sinus infections and allergies, which have escalated the last two years. I was utterly allergy free before the children/35+ years arrived. I am told this sometimes happens to women at my age. Not enjoying it. Swimming seems to aggravate it. I am now getting weekly allergy shots since September. I'm not sure if they help or not yet. Whenever I get a cold, it turns into a sinus infection too. Almost inevitable. Dave, do you not ever take antibiotics? I am very anti-surgery unfortunately. Not on principle, but because I don't see how I could manage it with my schedule. Also, over 8 weeks with no exercise? That sounds so horrible. I also am certain it would take me longer to recover than Kristina. "Recovery" time is virtually never accorded busy moms. The older you get, even if you are in good shape, the longer the recovery time and the harder it is to regain hard won fitness. Marketing of drugs seems to have skyrocketed. It seems I can't watch TV at all (not that I do much) without seeing commericals for all sorts of drugs from sleep aids, to allergy meds, to anti-depressants, viagra, etc. Not a fan. Barb: I agree a little defense of the medical profession is needed here. Of course some people need to take meds to live normal and healthly lives. All drugs are not toxins. Not all doctors are scrip crazy, although I am aware of some that seem to be. I am glad they are helping you!

I have also had sinus problems and have a deviated septum. I am also a 'mouth breather' for the most part. I can breathe through my nose, but can't always get enough air, I always sleep with my mouth open. I NEVER suffered from allergies until I moved to South Texas (I have lived all over the country), but have had them really bad here. Anyway, several years ago, my dentist, who told me about the deviated septum after routine x-rays, told me about a 'netti pot'. He said it would help my sinus infections, which were also numerous. The netti pot looks like a ceramic 'Alladin's Lamp'. This may sound gross, but I fill it with the hottest water I can stand and a pinch of kosher rock salt, lean over the sink, and pour it in one nostril, turning my head so the water pours out the other nostril. Once the water is gone, I refill it (with more salt) and do the other side. Usually, more than water comes out (the gross part), but I have not had a sinus infection since using the pot! I have since read about them while reading about Indian traditions such as Yoga. I bought mine from a holistic doctor (I did not see him, but his office sells them). I have since seen them for sale in places like natural food stores. I used it a lot for the first few years, whenever I was congested or sneezing a lot. However, I rarely need to use it now and only use it to clean the spores out of my nose during allergy season when I am sneezing a lot, or when I begin to get congested. Thought this may be worth a try before you have surgery and need to take 8 weeks of "down time'. :)

... 'netti pot'.... during allergy season when I am sneezing a lot, or when I begin to get congested. My yoga teacher was constantly advising those of us with allergies to use the netti pot. Perhaps I should and see if it helps me to avoid the sinus infection(s) I always seem to get between November and March.

My yoga teacher was constantly advising those of us with allergies to use the netti pot. Perhaps I should and see if it helps me to avoid the sinus infection(s) I always seem to get between November and March. It really works and is not a 'foreign substance' in your body. :2cents:

Here is my situation. I've developed tons of allergies over the years, and due to a deviated septum, have narrow sinus issues. This causes blockage, and leads to frequent sinus infection. I have had good success treating the allergy part of the equation with NAET, but still even a minor cold will usually lead to infection. One ENT suggested that I treat this condition with anti-histamines and steroidal nasel spray (to be taken regularly for the rest of my life). This seems unreasonable to me (I will spare forum readers my anti-pharm rant). Its hard to find an 8 week window...maybe September Ah ha. We are similar then. I had terrible allergies since age 6 (highly allergic to dust and dust mites - they are everywhere). My nose was always congested, I was sneezing, and I had post nasal drip all the time. Fun, I know. I went to an allergist apecialist and from ages 9 to 18 I took antihistimines daily along with getting two shots every 1 to 2 weeks (depending on where I was at treatment). So, after 9 years of treatment, I was "cured" but left with enlarged, inflamed turbinates resulting in narrow breathing passages. As a kid, I just took the antihistimines as I was told, but now I regret it as who knows what the long term side effects are for taking a toxin (I call any drug a toxin) for so many years. Plus, I was tired on a daily basis, I feel because of the drugs. My ENT as of recent did the turbinate reduction and post 1 year later I have no negatives to report. My surgery was last September and I was doing best times at the meet I went to in Feb. I too did not want the surgery done (due to it interrrupting my swimming and it being a general annoyance); however, I'm thrilled I did it as the results (being able to breathe and even hold my breath better?!) are far beyond my expectations. My ENT has done lots of septoplastys and reductions on many athletes and swimmers. It's a tough choice, I know. I've never been *under the knife* for anything else. Key is to pick the right surgeon. Allergies are tough to deal with!! Best of luck to you! If you have any other questions, please feel free to PM me. I was on pain medication for only 3 days and I had no pain. I went off it right after those 3 days.

My friend Mike had the operation and kept out of the water for 8 weeks. But I suggest you follow the doctors orders. He found it much easier to breathe and did not suffer from hayfever after. I would try other devices first somthing like this???? images.google.ca/imgres