Question About Nasal Septum Deviation

[bluefortress]

If a CT scan shows that your nasal septum ‘deviates to the right’, does this mean that the left or right nostril is narrower?

I’m not sure if say the left side on a scan is the same as your left side

Also if a deviated septum is not operated on can it get worse over time? Or will the septum remain throughout life?

My nose has recently started to whistle on the left side and my breathing sounds a bit like darth vador

[anneasquith]

Sqad, you are needed :-)

[tomus42]

A septum deviated to the right would mean the left nostril was bigger.

Like if they said there's cancer in your right lung, it's your right not theirs.

[bluefortress]

Tom thanks the answer sounds so obvious when you put it like that lol

Too much overthinking on my part

[bluefortress]

Even though the right nostril tends to get a lot more blocked congested, it seems to be the left nostril that is whistling and making me sound like darth vador when I breathe. I am on intranasal steroids I might just give in and take the prednisone

[Sqad]

The right nostril is your problem.

The "whistling" may indicate that you may have a hole in your nasal septum caused either at your initial o/operation or due to steroids.
Your nose will continue to be a problem ,I fear.

[Sqad]

Both sides could be your problem, as the right side is narrower, the left side will enlarge to compensate.
You need an ENT revue.

[bluefortress]

Oh right thankyou. I have never had surgery but I have had rhinitis and intermittent polyps since 2010 so have been using nasal steroids since then, they help a lot but still don’t fully manage the symptoms tbh, the drops are better than the sprays. I had a camera up 4 months ago and was told all looked ok, I think the waiting list for ENT is these days is about 8 months.

If it is perforated it is better to keep taking or stop the drops and let the inflammation get worse until a review?

[Sqad]

If the septum is perforated it is perforated so in my opinion I would continue the intranasal steroids.
The sooner you see an ENT surgeon the better.

[bluefortress]

That makes sense, thanks. I will try to see one privately if the cost is not too much

I have had a look and one place quotes £150 for a nasoendoscopy however the consultation is £200. In general do you have to have the consultation first or can you opt straight for the endoscopy?

I could ring them but would rather ask my daft questions on here

[Sqad]

No, the ENT surgeon decides as to the necessity of naso endoscopy.

[bluefortress]

Ok, it would be good if regular/annual checks of the nose were available for those on long term nasal steroids but they just tell you to take the sprays/drops indefinitely and that’s that

[jno]

you should be able to ask for an annual medical review

[bluefortress]

That would be ideal Jno but I’m in the UK I highly doubt the NHS would let me see ENT every year just for a check up. Not sure how far gp’s examine noses