Post-Tonsilectomy Results--Getting Better and Better!

[socknitster]

Just an update for those following my progress.

When I was diagnosed with OSA, my pressure was set at 16/12 bipap.

I learned I had silent GERD and started taking prilosec otc and saw my 90% pressure go down a bit, but not much.

Then I had my humongo tonsils out on July 30, 2007.

Since then I have seen my 90% pressure go down over time, lower and lower. And my AHI has gone down a lot too. It was always around 2 or 3, now it is an average of 1 or less. One night last week it was 0.5 with 0 obstructive apneas!

With the lower pressures, aerophagia has become a thing of the past. I am so grateful that I can now sleep on my side again! My new enemy is rainout! I used to be able to keep my humidifier at 5 and now I have to keep it at 2 or 3 or wake up with cold water dripping in my nose.

I have been finding every time my ahi gets really low, I decrease the minimum pressure on my bipap auto by 1 cm water and the upper number comes down with it--amazing. I have done this twice in the last few weeks.

First, my pressure went from 10/7 to 9/6 around the 19th of last month when I decreased the minimum pressure (exhale relief on a bipap) from 7 to 6.

Last night I decided my numbers were so good I would lower it to 5 to see what would happen. My 90% last night was 8/5. AHI=1.5. It only went up to 9 for a few minutes over the whole night. It is practically a freaking straight line on the daily details. I can hardly believe it!

On wednesday I get my newly adjusted TAP appliance to try and I am really hopeful that I might get off cpap now if I can tolerate the TAP. (This is an oral appliance--from an oral surgeon who specializes in Sleep medicine.)

However, since I can now sleep on my side, I really don't care either way. I will be happy to use cpap if I need to. My biggest concern was getting pregnant and not being able to sleep on my side. In the 2nd and 3rd trimester the weight of the baby can press on an artery when you sleep on your back, causing oxygen deprivation in the child that is dangerous. Because of terrible aerophagia, I was confined to back sleeping until now. Yippee! Expect to hear about a positive preg test sometime in the near future!

My health has done a complete 180 degrees. My bp has gone down to normal levels. I haven't lost weight yet (I haven't tried, but intend to start soon--so far I have been trying to do all the stuff at home cleaning, organizing that have been let go for 5 years!) but I am so energetic now and my mood is better. There is finally nothing stopping me from having another child and I am sooooo happy. So is my husband. I am not too tired to pay attention to him anymore if you know what I mean!

Bottom line. I'm not telling you guys this to gloat. I'm telling you because you all need to know that there could be things you can do to lower your pressure needs and be more comfortable on cpap! I never would have guessed that a tonsilectomy could make such a freaking difference for me! The recovery was not pleasant--it was a rough two weeks. But the REWARDS since then have made it sooooooooooooo worth it! If you have a high pressure and big tonsils, talk to your ent about this. Seriously. It could change your life for the better too. It is a short term nightmare that leads to long term health benefits.

Jen

[kteague]

Reading a good report like yours is like a breath of fresh air (pun not intended but it works). We'll be watching for the next episode of this mini series. Congratulations!
Kathy

[tangents]

Good for you, Jen! So glad to hear that your struggles are easing up. It broke my heart to think of you sleeping on the recliner at night. I hope the road ahead is smooth, paved, and downhill!

Sweet dreams,
Cathy

[NeedinZs]

That is all wonderful.

Congratulations to you AND your husband!!!!

It is refreshing to hear some good news and results!!

Keep up the good work!