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karihager1982 · 04-21-2006, 06:49 AM

Hi there. This is my first time to this board. Sorry if this gets a little long.

I am here because I believe that I may have a deviated septum. Ever since I was a young girl (probably around age 10 or so) I have always had problems breathing out of my nose. (I am now 23 years old).

I've had frequent nosebleeds since childhood, but my parents seemed to think it was because of the ever changing weather up here in Michigan. I still have nose bleeds, though not as severe. I have also been suffering with sinus headaches 2-3 days per week.

I can remember when I was younger, I felt as if I was going to panic because I couldn't breathe well enough through my nose. That's when I pretty much started breathing through my mouth. Over the years, it has become second nature for me to breathe through my mouth almost constantly.

There are times that I do breathe through my nose, but I notice after a few minutes I have to breathe through my mouth because I feel as if I'm not getting enough air. (And my breathing gets really loud through my nose).

And if I attempt to take a deep breathe just through my nose, I quickly have to breathe through my mouth because I'm not inhaling enough air through my nose and I feel like I am going to panic.

There is one thing that I have noticed about my nose and breathing problems... Sometimes I can breathe out of the right side of my nose while not on the left side of my nose. And other times I can breathe out of the left side of my nose and not the right side. And when I am upset or crying, I cannot breathe out of my nose at all. But since I was a child, I have not been able to breathe out of both nostrils at the same time.

These are things that I have noticed over the past 13 years. Mostly I've learned to deal with it all, but over the past few months, it has really been bothering me.

I have made an appointment to see an Ear, Nose & Throat specialist in two weeks so hopefully they can see exactly what's going on.

I do have one question for those of you who know about this condition. Can a deviated septum cause you to breathe out of the right side of your nose while not on the left side...and other times to breathe out of the left side of your nose and not the right side? Almost like it switches back and forth?

Thank you so much for taking the time to read!
Thanks in advance for any replies!

2catfans · 04-21-2006, 10:34 PM

Hi Karihager,
My nose was broken when I was 15. As a result, my septum was deviated to the right. I couldn't breathe out of the right almost all of the time. I had no trouble breathing out of the left side. I never had it switching back and forth. My doc found a bone spur while doing surgery to correct everything. He said it was most likely the cause of my migraines, which I have had since my early 20's. Your nose bleeds may be from low humidity. That's what mine are from and have been since I was a young girl. I use a humidifier and that takes care of my nose bleeds.

squierme · 05-02-2006, 04:19 PM

I've had the same problems as you kari since i was about 12, I really hate the breathing problem switching from nostrel to nostrel & even not being able to breath at all. I really have this problem when trying to goto sleep.

I went to a Ear, Nose & Throat specialist about a week ago & was told i have a 100% blockage from my deviated septum on my left side. My health insurance is going to pay for my rhinoplastie next week to correct the problem.

I've lived with this problem for a long time and can't wait to be able to breath again & get my nose fixed.

Do you have health insurance?

let me know how the specialist visit goes for you.

DJBucs2005 · 05-27-2006, 01:01 PM

Chronic health problems are just seemingly endless. It starts to feel hopeless after a while.

I've had this same problem, and totally thought it was purely an anatomical problem, because I experienced this ever since getting hit in the face with a basketball and had a very severe nosebleed. I must admit, I don't actually REMEMBER getting hit in the face with a basketball or the exact moment, because it is fuzzy, but I remember a severe nosebleed and that is when I started experiencing problems breathing through my nose. That is why I thought surgery I had would correct my "breathing problem" as I have so long referred to it. It is so very ambigious, but I don't know how and the HECK to narrow it down because I am not getting the answers I am seeking from doctors!!

I had surgery to remove my tonsils, adenoids, a somnoplasty (shrinking the tissue at the back of my tongue) and deviated septum corrected, referred to as septoplasty, and my turbinates corrected.

However, I STILL have congestion through my nose!! I have these same cycles as you do. One piece of advice: Buy a small N O T E B O O K (3 x 5 in.) or whatever you prefer and keep a health log. Do not worry about what others think. Those who are going to criticize you for such small matters (for keeping a health log)..their opinion probably shouldn't matter to you anyways in most cases. Keep track of your symptoms.

I know I have this problem. A doctor may ask me "Do you have this symptom or that symptom" and I honestly do not know. I would have to already have that symptom in mind, and then if it occurrs, I would then notice it. I dismiss things quite easily and I do not do drugs or drink, but I really seem to have a poor memory when it comes to things like that. I can't remember if I have trouble with X or with Y. That is not for EVERYTHING, but it's for the more subtle symptoms.

It is also great to have a health log just to keep track of your symptoms you ARE aware of, so the frequency and severity does not escape your mind and you can feel more confident when going to the doctor and looking him straight in the eye and say "Yes, THIS is a problem", and "So too is THIS."

Here is some text that may help. Scroll down to "Nasal Swelling". This text is not all-revealing, but it is a start to help your understanding of your body. Do not be afraid to look up the terms. It is quite a bit, but you can get through it. I'm sure you are a competent and intelligent person.

[url]http://www.webmd.com/content/article/4/1680_51935.htm[/url]

I too live in Michigan.

Best of luck to you fellow Michigandeer!

~Dave

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