I cant say weather my sinus problems ( all my liofe and Im 57) were due to my deviated septum, But I have recently been to an Ear, nose and throat specialist that my primary sent me to due to chronic obstructive sleep apnea. My nostrils did teh alternating clog thing a lot of times too, but again, I dont know if this is due to the deviation, or what. I had an option of using a CPAP machine for the rest of my life, or having the corrective surgery. I chose to get it corrected. The surgery included the deviated septum correction, the uvula and soft palate thinned and tonsils removed, ( yep, all at once) this was a real experience, but I am now day 18 post op. The nasal splints came out at my 2 week check up and even though I guess its still probably too early to tell, I can tell you Ive never breathed so clearly as I have these last few days. I just couldnt see using a machine every night if I could get it corrected. My ENT said there was a 50-60% success rate, so I went for it. Having it all done at once is misserable, mostly for the first 5-7 days ( especially the first 3) but its slight improvement daily after that. The septoplasty itself actually wasnt painful for me. The plastic splints are uncomfortable, and they stay in for 2 weeks, but thats about it. Not being allowed to blow your nose for 2 weeks was no picnic, but It really wasnt painful, at least for me. That was good, because the UP3, ( soft palate and uvula thinning) and the tonsils ( also lasered off) made up for the pain the septoplasty didnt cause. Just to share, hope it helps.

Wow, the symptoms you have described could have been wriitten about me! I am scheduled for surgery for a deviated septum and nasal blockage that changes from side to side daily. After reading your message, I am very optimistic that I have made the right decision to go ahead with the procedure. I have been dealing with this for 10 or more years and finally I found and ENT that would actually listen to me. So glad I came across your posting. Congratulations, and thanks.

I hope you have the luck I did. It is supposed to have a 50-60% success rate my surgon said, so go with that and good luck. I hope you are as fortunate as I was. I am now 6 months past and doing great. I had sleep apnea, remember, not just a deviated septum. My ent said teh deviated septum did contribute to the apnea, though. Best of luck and keep us posted as to how you are doing. It is a lot of pain, I wont fool you, and I have a high pain threshold. But If you can survive the recovery period ( 2-3 weeks) You will be ok, and I will pray that your success is as mine has been.

From what an ENT told me the nostrils naturally switch sides to be open on everyone....it is a cycling if you will...i can't believe no one mentioned this....no medical person anyway.....I believe that is the natural order of what our noses do, switch sides....now that being said...I know what it's like to not breath out of one nostril, I have a deviated septum too, and I can tell you, it gets worse with age, in early 50's and just found out last year about it....the strange part is that even with the deviated septum, when it's the left's side turn to be open, it is....so perhaps the switching is natures way of helping us breath...who knows

Did any of you find that if you laid on a side while sleeping or laying on the couch that the blocked nostril would always be the lower one? I can get the blockage to switch in the matter of a few minutes at most. If so, then this all describes me too. Its annoying at worst and doesnt affect my daily routine, yet.