Mixed Test Results

[Pdm62068]

I have sleep apnea. I was diagnosed 6 years ago I don't remember those results. I was non cpap complaint and I finally had a child and I'm just tired,run down and I'm on 43. I'm mildly overweight 235lb 5 11 1/2 --- anyway,I found a local doctor who does the davinci robot surgery but it's only for tongue based obstruction. I went to him and he ordered a sleep test and did the endoscope down my throat. He couldn't see my vocal cords ( he said I moved slightly during scope ) but he said I have massive amounts of tissue at the base of my tongue and this is exactly what the robot was designed for. I had my results -- mind you I was soooo sick when I went to this sleep study I had a cold that required antibiotics and I was sick for 2 weeks. The night of my study I was kinda lucky because previous and next night I has to have a 101-102 fever I sweated like I was running those nights. I thought I slept mostly on my side where basically I stopped breathing 5 times an hour I know which is mild and on my back I woke up 19 times an hour which is moderate. I followed up and basically he said I was a go for the surgery that I'm a perfect canidate. His surgical scheduler was out 2 days last week which I left a message and then called this am and she was on the phone and I left another message. I got mad and called at 3 and she answered and basically as no clue who I was lol so much for messages. She went to pull my file and she said Anthem has strict protocol on approval of this surgery. She read the 1st part of my file and was like it only says 5 times an hour and I told her yeah on my side but on my back it's 19 times an hour. She proceeded to give me the bull that oh I can submit it and it's maybe 50/50 they approve. She said if the didn't that the Dr would call personally anthem to the person who made the determination and explain why I need the surgery. I shouldn't have even asked this lady anything other then submit it because now I'm mad as anything because this dr said everyone who's had the surgery has had life changing experiences. I want to know does anyone know which numbers the insurance companies use ? The side number or the back number which is higher ?

[ChicagoGranny]

Wow! I have to say I do not know anything about surgeries for apnea, but surgery for AHI of 5 on your side sounds really extreme. Maybe cut-happy doctor who gets a (you know ) from using his new robot and his three-hour course Robotic Surgery for Beginners?

What about just sleeping on your sides only with tennis ball trick?

You say mildly overweight? BMI calculator shows 32 which is obese. Obese is greater than overweight.

How about losing weight and sleeping on sides?

[ChicagoGranny]

I am still amazed.

he said ... this is exactly what the robot was designed for

I bet he tells that to all his patients since he received his shiny new robot.

Boys and their toys.

[Pdm62068]

5 on side and 19 on back

[DoriC]

I'd want to know a lot more about this Dr's credentials, his training in this procedure, how many surgeries he's done, long-term results, failures,etc. I would certainly get a second opinion or maybe a third. Also you should have received a copy of your sleep study results and prescription. Maybe you were non-compliant because you weren't given any useful information or support in learning about OSA, and adjusting to your machine and mask correctly. It sounds like you have positional apneas. It takes time and patience but it could change your life. I'd suggest you do some reading here about tips on sleeping on your side and all the success stories on this forum. Good luck and keep us posted.

[ChicagoGranny]

5 on side and 19 on back

What's the problem with just sleeping on your side and losing weight and keeping that knife-wielding robot and his randy doctor at bay?

[archangle]

Really, REALLY, really think long and hard about letting some surgeon cut on you for sleep apnea. A lot of surgery patients have really regretted it afterwards.

Ask a lot of questions about recover time, possible after effects, etc. Find out exactly what he's going to cut on.

Get opinions from a doctor who isn't going to make money off the surgery.

Remember that if CPAP doesn't work, you just take it off, put it in the closet, and you're done with it. Surgery has long term after affects.

However, you may have some unusual conditions that will benefit from surgery. If you have strange lumps in the throat, etc., it may be a good idea to remove them. Some people do benefit from surgery for CPAP. Be very careful if it's what they call the UPPP procedure.

[kteague]

Just a thought, is there any chance that having the testing done while being sick with a cold, which is often accompanied by inflammation and swelling, could have compromised the accuracy of the test?

When making your decision about where to go from here, in addition to factors others have given you to consider, do consider that while you may benefit from the surgical procedure, it may improve but not resolve your sleep apnea, leaving you still needing treatment.

Have you had a recent sleep study? Maybe that would give you more information to factor into your decision.

[ChicagoGranny]

She read the 1st part of my file and was like it only says 5 times an hour and I told her yeah on my side but on my back it's 19 times an hour.

Re: new robotic surgery
by Pdm62068 on Sat Feb 25, 2012 9:42 pm

I'm having the surgery in 3 weeks. The surgery is only useful for tongue based obstructions. It doesn't work for any other types of sleep apnea

I wonder what happens to some of these people?

[chunkyfrog]

Tongue surgery?
OMG--have you read the possible side effects?
You'll definitely lose weight after--WHEN YOU CAN NO LONGER TASTE!