ANA Discussion Forum
Post-Treatment => Facial Issues => Topic started by: epodjn on June 12, 2009, 05:46:44 pm
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I haven't seen this problem addressed yet but I am having a lot of problems breathing at night. I didn't have any problem before surgery. I asked the surgeon about this and he said I didnt have a colapsed nasal passage but as soon as I lay down I can no longer breath out of the AN nosrtil. After a while it starts affecting the other side and then I end up breathing out of my mouth. I wake up gasping for breath because my throat is so dry. The only thing I have found that helps at all is the Breath Right nasal strips. They help a little but don't take care of the problem totally. If I lay on my AN side so gravity is pulling that nostril outward then I can breath pretty well but that give my a headache at my scar site. But if I use them and sleep on my back then I can usually sleep ok, at least for a few hours. Does anyone else have this problem or have any ideas of what to do about it?
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hi epodjn, try using those 'breathe right' nasal strips - they work great ! If I didn't have to wear the eye bubble every night I'd still be using them.
At 1st I thought it couldn't work but low & behold, it does !
To a good nights sleep, always good thoughts, Nancy
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I don't have breathing problems, but I can look in the mirror and see that my left nostril (the side with paresis) is flatter than the right one. I certainly think that facial paralysis could cause a difference in breathing. This might sound crazy, but try shifting the breathe right strip so that more of it is on the paralyzed side so that it pulls it open further.
Sara
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Yes, they do help. I've been using them for a while now. I figured it out on my own. My surgeon just kind of ignored my concerns about not breathing at night. I'm just wondering if there is anything else I can do or anything better than the Breath Right strips. I still wake up several times a night because of breathing problems but not nearly as much since using the strips.
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Good idea. I'll try it tonight and let you know. Thanks!
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The nasal strips are the best you can do for this. If your nasal passage gets dry- swab a little Vaseline inside the nostril with a q-tip. The dry throat is because you are a mouth breathing- at night.
If you wake up, in the night, it could be from gagging. The tongue is tied into the facial nerve. Your tongue could actually be falling to one side and making you gag- causing you to wake .
Have you tried a memory foam contoured pillow? This contours my neck to maximize my airway.
Here is a random department store link (with a photo)- to show you what I mean.
http://www.target.com/Memory-Foam-Contour-Pillow/dp/B000MM9IZ4
Although I am not 100% since the surgery- know that this issue improved as I regained some facial function.
I think I may also have some allergies. Some nights I take Benadryl before going to bed and this helps me tremendously. Have you tried this- at all?
DHM
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Yes definitely my nose is stuffed up on the AN side too. I believe its from that side drooping because when I asked the doctor he lifted the skin up by the under eye( like where your sinanises are ) and I could breath, its so exasperating to have this issue with all the other ones. I thought of the strip and now that I know it works maybe Ill give it a try. Good luck, Good thing we all have each other. :)
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i mentioned this prob. to my ent, he had a look up both nostrils and prescribed a nose spray for me which has helped, he said it looked like i was getting polys. also a dry month can casue you too wake up gasping my dentist recommened stimultating tablets for the month.
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I loved the breathe right strips also but the clear ones don't stick very well and can be quite frustrating. Keep that in mind when you purchase yours.
Michelle ;D
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I loved the breathe right strips also but the clear ones don't stick very well and can be quite frustrating.
Wash the nose before applying. Sometimes something like a cotton ball soaked with either rubbing alcohol or clearasil to wipe the oil off the nose will help. My problem with the NON clear ones is that when I take these off - my skin goes with it (Ouch). This is why I use the clear ones for "sensitive skin" but just use alcohol to remove the oils before placing the strip on- so it will stick better.
DHM
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I tried several of your ideas over the weekend. I like the clear breath right strips, but as someone mentioned, they don't stick quite as well. I tried the tan ones also. They are a bit larger and they do take the hide right off you when you try to peal them off. Back to the clear. Next i tried what someone else suggested, putting the strip more to the AN side. That helped a little but my nose is fairly small so there wasn't a lot of room for adjustment. But all in all the strips do help more than anything else I've tried. It's good to know this may clear up as some function returns. I also noticed over the weekend that I have a very small bit of movement in my smile/cheek on my AN side. No one else has noticed so I guess it's not all that big. I'm going to keep my mouth shut and see how long it takes for someone to notice.
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I also noticed over the weekend that I have a very small bit of movement in my smile/cheek on my AN side. No one else has noticed so I guess it's not all that big.
BIG to us! Yeah! Celebrate!
DHM
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That's great news!! YEA!!
K ;D
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Great idea about the alcohol.
YAHHHHHOOOOOOOOO for tiny movements - more is coming your way!
Michelle ;D
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Thanks for all the congraulations and positive thoughts. No one but you guys knows what just the tiniest bit of movement means.
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I think the day I first was able to get my lips to actually purse around a straw... and suck apple juice we had a big ole party here on the forum. Didn't we Nancy?
These millimeter milestones must be celebrated.
Heres to another millimeter of progress to you happening in the next few days to come too.
Cheers,
DHM
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epodjn,
So sorry you are having these problems. Have you ever been checked for "sleep apnea"??? Just a thought especially with your description. You might mention it to your doctor if things don't improve?? Good-luck
Jackie
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No I've ever thought of sleep apnea since I didn't have any problems breathing at night before surgery but I will say something (again) to the doctor. Thanks to everyone for your joy and enthusiasm over my tiny bits of progress. As you know even though they are tiny they are BIG to us. But no one really understands that outside of this dear group of friends. I'm so glad I found this group!