Please sugest a mask

Hello:

I've posted here before. I have severe sleep apnea and i'm not treated cause i don't tolerate cpap, neither does it help me sleep better when i use it. I've been suffering with sleep apnea for almost 2 decades. I just turned 40. I'm not over weight. I live in Colombia, South America. After realizing that either i've had bad luck or there is not support with cpap and sleep apnea here i went to the US and same thing. Titration charts say my apneas are corrected, but i feel like hell the next morning. And again there's no follow up, cause i have to return home. I've decided use CPAP again cause i feel either i'm going to go crazy or die (i'm already starting to have metabolic syndrome symptoms), but again i'm having the same issues as always: air leaks and terrible uncomfortableness cause i have to adjust the oro-nasal mask that i use so tight so i don't have the leaks in my eyes. Nasal mask which i started with a long time ago didn't work cause i had mouth air leaks through my lips (i had to tape my mouth shut). The point of this post, besides explaining my situation is to ask if there is a particular mask for people like me who have a prominent/deep nose root. I couldn't stand nose pillows or hybrid masks cause i have rinitis. I just realized perhaps oro nasal masks are hard to fit cause the face is so irregular and there's more stuff to cover with the masks. This time i'm really trying with cpap, but i feel i haven't found my mask. Is there one for me? How do i find it? Is there support for this? I have complex sleep apnea and use a RESMED VPAP ADAPT SV. Thank you very much for any help.

John.

Johnny Bravo wrote:Hello:

I've posted here before. I have severe sleep apnea and i'm not treated cause i don't tolerate cpap, neither does it help me sleep better when i use it. I've been suffering with sleep apnea for almost 2 decades. I just turned 40. I'm not over weight. I live in Colombia, South America. After realizing that either i've had bad luck or there is not support with cpap and sleep apnea here i went to the US and same thing. Titration charts say my apneas are corrected, but i feel like hell the next morning. And again there's no follow up, cause i have to return home. I've decided use CPAP again cause i feel either i'm going to go crazy or die (i'm already starting to have metabolic syndrome symptoms), but again i'm having the same issues as always: air leaks and terrible uncomfortableness cause i have to adjust the oro-nasal mask that i use so tight so i don't have the leaks in my eyes. Nasal mask which i started with a long time ago didn't work cause i had mouth air leaks through my lips (i had to tape my mouth shut). The point of this post, besides explaining my situation is to ask if there is a particular mask for people like me who have a prominent/deep nose root. I couldn't stand nose pillows or hybrid masks cause i have rinitis. I just realized perhaps oro nasal masks are hard to fit cause the face is so irregular and there's more stuff to cover with the masks. This time i'm really trying with cpap, but i feel i haven't found my mask. Is there one for me? How do i find it? Is there support for this? I have complex sleep apnea and use a RESMED VPAP ADAPT SV. Thank you very much for any help.

John.

Hi John,

Have you seen an ENT about optimizing your nasal breathing since you mentioned having rhinitis. Might help with mask comfort issues.

Am I inferring correctly that you have similar problems to me regarding full face masks? I can't find one that fits without massively tightening it prevent leaks which leads to great discomfort.

I greatly empathize and hope you can find a solution.

49er

HI

I have a friend who was on cpap for many years. He went to a dentist who made an oral device which got rid of the apnea. He is Dr Peterson in Long Island New York.Tel 15165365777.

I intend to try homeopathy for my apnea. I heard that sulphur helps a lot. Best wishes.

Hi - Go to Cpap.com and look at the full face masks -

https://www.cpap.com/cpap-masks/full-face-cpap-mask.php

You'll see for each one there are reviews, pictures, etc. to give you a good idea of what's out and new now, and you can then come back here when you have i.e. 3-5 choices and we can help to answer more questions for you.

Please don't think I work for the company (just a patient here like you) but they do have the most options so you can see what's available.

Hi all:

I didn't think i would get any replies. Thanks guys.

Julie, I think i already tried all the masks. And a lot of them i've bought from that website, so no worries there.

I started with the nasal ones with Resmed's Activa (mouth leaks). Then i tried the nasal pillows. Don't remember the names (mouth leaks). Then i tried the hybrids (rinhitis). Then i tried the full face masks starting with Resmed's Quatro, which i thouth were the ones for me because of the mouth leaks, but then i had to deal with the mask's leaks. Specially around the nose on the eyes. Lately i've tried F&P's nasal pillow Pilairo (mouth leaks), Respironic's full face FullLife (mask leaks and irritation on my nose root), Sleep Net's full face Mojo (mask leaks, and a terrible irritation on my forhead with the gel there), and even tried F&P's only oral mask Oracle. I couldn't even fall asleep with that one (nose leaks).

Right now the full face masks that i have (FullLife, Mojo, and Quatro) are making me have these irritations on my forhead or in the root of my nose, depending on the straps system. Plus the mask leaks. And you know how it's like a vicious cycle cause when the cpap knows that you have air leaks it blows more air, causing more mask leaks.

So i think tonight i'm gonna go full circle and try again Resmed's nasal Activa and tape my mouth shut. i remember that kind of worked before. Wanted to continue with Quatro again. I know I used that one a lot before, but i lost it.

I can't see the previous posts now, so i'll just answer what i remember i read. Yes, i have irritation and discomfort either on my forhead or in the root of my nose because in order to not have mask air leaks i have to pull the mask straps so tight. Now I think that's the problem with full face masks. They solve the problem of mouth leaks, but then you have the mask leaks, cause they're so hard to adjust depending on your face's shape and the type of mask and mask straps system.

For the person who recommended the dentist. Thank you very much. I do believe a lot in dentistry to treat sleep apnea, because i've used it a lot. My dentist have saved me from dying, i think, cause even though i'm pretty bad, i'm worse when i don't sleep using anything at all. That's how severe and far gone untreated my sleep apnea is. I sleep with actually 2 dental devices at the same time. And this is custom made: one that opens my mouth a little (to address the soft palate collapse a little) and pushes my lower jaw forward (to address the tongue collapse a little). And I also use a device I bought on the web called aveoTSD that goes inside the previous one and sucks my tongue out of my mouth a little (addressing the tongue collapse a little too). They do help a bit, I can feel it, and like i said without them i'd be either crazy or dead, but i'm still pretty bad. Not treated.

I also sleep with an orthopedic neck so my chin doesn't fall down closing down my airway, AND in the middle of 2 triangular cushions so i try to sleep on my side and not choke so much. I've found for me sleep position is key. Even though i choke in every position, on my back is the worst. Before apnea i was always a stomach sleeper. No wonder.

Right now i'm trying to use all of these at the same time with CPAP. After a lot of research i know that everything you can do to help yourself, the apnea, and make room in your airway is valid.

I do have to say though, that i do have acid reflux, a chronic digestive/bloating issue, and a severe sleep delayed phase syndrome. i basically stay up all night and sleep in the morning. That's how much my sleep architecture has been destroyed by the sleep apnea. That's why i have to take those high dosis of sleep aides to fall asleep. So, it's all been a vicious cycle and now i haven't had good sleep hygene for years. Sometimes i feel reflux by itself closes down my throat by the irritation. And needless to say from all of this i have depression and anxiety.

I'll try to contact that dentist. I am up for maxillo mandibular advancement surgery this year. My ensurance already approved it (a group of ENTs and sleep apnea doctors studied my case and approved it). So, because of my residing chin, the oral devices and their approval, i must need the surgery. There's been a long study for this and I know there's a risk of it not working, but at some point I'll have to make the decision.

So how can homeopathy help sleep apnea? I have been prescribed sulphur for my chronic digestive issue several times.

For now i'm just trying to make it through these months till surgery using CPAP again.

So, again, is there follow up from ensurance companies or cpap providers to help you get adjusted to cpap and cpap masks in the US? Or maybe support groups? I just read the headline of a post here about the importance of team of experts helping you. I have to read that one. I think i haven't had that and i think i need it.

Thanks you all very much and sorry for this long post.

John.

Johnny Bravo,

How has your nasal optimization issues been addressed since you mentioned having rhinitis? Personally, I would make sure that was addressed with either medications or deviated septum surgery/turbinate reduction before going with the MM advancement surgery that is alot more drastic.

Also, having Gerd that hasn't been addressed can be a hindrance to successful pap therapy.

Homeopathy does not work for sleep apnea. Please ignore that poster and don't waste your time with it.

I apologize if I am repeating things you mentioned previously.

49er

Johnny Bravo wrote:Hi all:

I didn't think i would get any replies. Thanks guys.

Julie, I think i already tried all the masks. And a lot of them i've bought from that website, so no worries there.

I started with the nasal ones with Resmed's Activa (mouth leaks). Then i tried the nasal pillows. Don't remember the names (mouth leaks). Then i tried the hybrids (rinhitis). Then i tried the full face masks starting with Resmed's Quatro, which i thouth were the ones for me because of the mouth leaks, but then i had to deal with the mask's leaks. Specially around the nose on the eyes. Lately i've tried F&P's nasal pillow Pilairo (mouth leaks), Respironic's full face FullLife (mask leaks and irritation on my nose root), Sleep Net's full face Mojo (mask leaks, and a terrible irritation on my forhead with the gel there), and even tried F&P's only oral mask Oracle. I couldn't even fall asleep with that one (nose leaks).

Right now the full face masks that i have (FullLife, Mojo, and Quatro) are making me have these irritations on my forhead or in the root of my nose, depending on the straps system. Plus the mask leaks. And you know how it's like a vicious cycle cause when the cpap knows that you have air leaks it blows more air, causing more mask leaks.

So i think tonight i'm gonna go full circle and try again Resmed's nasal Activa and tape my mouth shut. i remember that kind of worked before. Wanted to continue with Quatro again. I know I used that one a lot before, but i lost it.

I can't see the previous posts now, so i'll just answer what i remember i read. Yes, i have irritation and discomfort either on my forhead or in the root of my nose because in order to not have mask air leaks i have to pull the mask straps so tight. Now I think that's the problem with full face masks. They solve the problem of mouth leaks, but then you have the mask leaks, cause they're so hard to adjust depending on your face's shape and the type of mask and mask straps system.

For the person who recommended the dentist. Thank you very much. I do believe a lot in dentistry to treat sleep apnea, because i've used it a lot. My dentist have saved me from dying, i think, cause even though i'm pretty bad, i'm worse when i don't sleep using anything at all. That's how severe and far gone untreated my sleep apnea is. I sleep with actually 2 dental devices at the same time. And this is custom made: one that opens my mouth a little (to address the soft palate collapse a little) and pushes my lower jaw forward (to address the tongue collapse a little). And I also use a device I bought on the web called aveoTSD that goes inside the previous one and sucks my tongue out of my mouth a little (addressing the tongue collapse a little too). They do help a bit, I can feel it, and like i said without them i'd be either crazy or dead, but i'm still pretty bad. Not treated.

I also sleep with an orthopedic neck so my chin doesn't fall down closing down my airway, AND in the middle of 2 triangular cushions so i try to sleep on my side and not choke so much. I've found for me sleep position is key. Even though i choke in every position, on my back is the worst. Before apnea i was always a stomach sleeper. No wonder.

Right now i'm trying to use all of these at the same time with CPAP. After a lot of research i know that everything you can do to help yourself, the apnea, and make room in your airway is valid.

I do have to say though, that i do have acid reflux, a chronic digestive/bloating issue, and a severe sleep delayed phase syndrome. i basically stay up all night and sleep in the morning. That's how much my sleep architecture has been destroyed by the sleep apnea. That's why i have to take those high dosis of sleep aides to fall asleep. So, it's all been a vicious cycle and now i haven't had good sleep hygene for years. Sometimes i feel reflux by itself closes down my throat by the irritation. And needless to say from all of this i have depression and anxiety.

I'll try to contact that dentist. I am up for maxillo mandibular advancement surgery this year. My ensurance already approved it (a group of ENTs and sleep apnea doctors studied my case and approved it). So, because of my residing chin, the oral devices and their approval, i must need the surgery. There's been a long study for this and I know there's a risk of it not working, but at some point I'll have to make the decision.

So how can homeopathy help sleep apnea? I have been prescribed sulphur for my chronic digestive issue several times.

For now i'm just trying to make it through these months till surgery using CPAP again.

So, again, is there follow up from ensurance companies or cpap providers to help you get adjusted to cpap and cpap masks in the US? Or maybe support groups? I just read the headline of a post here about the importance of team of experts helping you. I have to read that one. I think i haven't had that and i think i need it.

Thanks you all very much and sorry for this long post.

John.

Have you considered using e.g. Pad-a-Cheek liners to help with the skin irritation?

And I definitely agree with not wasting your time or money on homeopathy, if for no other reason than apnea is a 'mechanical' obstructive problem and 1,000 times diluted anything will not address that.

I'm sorry you're having so many issues and hope they improve. I see that you at some point tried taping your mouth, and I also see you've had some frustrations with full face masks (FFMs). Have you by any chance tried a FFM and partial taping at the same time? If you have, sorry and please ignore this.

I had a lot of frustrations with nasal pillows and nasal masks, and couldn't find one that worked for me. Then, when I started using a FFM (the Quattro Air), I had problems with leaks around the mouth, burps of air on the seal that would wake me up, and irritation across the nose. It often seemed like the mask was either too tight or too loose, and waking up to adjust the mask over and over again was self-defeating. I also tried pad-a-cheeks, which are great, but they didn't work so well for me.

Ultimately, I stumbled on the following system that works very well for me: the Quattro Air FFM; tightening the seal on a slant; using a partial mouth taping system; learning to breath a bit differently while using the A-Flex system on a 1 setting; and learning to sleep in a relaxed state with my tongue placed up against the roof of my mouth. That last part is described elswhere on this site, and took a little getting used to, but now I do it automatically and comfortably without thinking about it. All of this works very well for me almost all of the time (nothing's perfect, not even my sleep pre-apnea), and seems to elminate dry mouth, waking up, and leaks. I get amazing sleep now, with all of its benefits!

1. Somewhere on this site I read advice that in sealing the Quattro Air, the trick seems to be sealing tighter on the lower portion of the face and less on the top. So it's somewhat at a slant, with the top portion being sealed across the nose just tightly enough to prevent leaks at the top and blowing of the air into the eyes, but not any tighter than that (initially I would just automatically tighten both the top and the bottom straps equally, without really thinking about it): '

(nose)
(mouth) /

I tend to tighten the bottom portion a bit more, so that it slightly presses into my cheeks. (I also wear a dental mouth guard from my dentis from my pre-apnea days to prevent teeth grinding), and the whole thing works pretty well.

2. As I said, the "tongue placement" trick is described elsewhere on this site.

3. Breathing differently: My machine uses the A-Flex system; different machines use other systems. All of them aim to lower the pressure just a bit on the out breath, so it's a little more comfortable exhaling. From a yoga/meditation technique I learned to inhale "normally" and consciously like I do when I'm awake, but then to exhale a bit less consciously than normal: the sense of droppng the breath, of just letting my lungs collapse on their own by suddenly relaxing and exhaling (but without forcing it). To put it a bit differently: during the day, I often slowly inhale, then slowly exhale, sort of controlling both in the same way; I'll do the same while exercising, though with quicker and more forceful breaths. I've learned to relax and sleep with an exhale that is not controlled in the same graduated way, but that consists of a sudden collapse of the lungs and the air being expelled more quickly (but not in the controlled way that one might do while exercising, for example).

And below is what I do with the partial taping system. Good luck and best wishes!

*********

For my FFM (full face mask) use I found it started working a whole lot better when I started using tape. For me, the "partial tape method" solves most of the issues with "mouth breathing" and "draw drop," which interrrupts the seal of a FFM (full face mask) because my face changes shape when that occurs and the seal is broken. It's not for everyone, but here's what I'd suggest:

Some people end up using chin straps with FFM's. I tried and disliked chin straps. I have now been using surgical tape for about a year now, and it has worked wonders and works very well for me. I use silk surgical type tape you can get off of Amazon, 2" wide. There's also a 1" wide version. If you gently pull it off in the morning, there's usually no problem. Just type something like "3M-Durapore-Silk-Tape 2 inches x 10 yards - box of 6" or the like on the Amazon site. For me, it works very well with a full face mask (FFM) -- the FFM helps prevent pressure problems if my jaw does open slightly, and the tape substantially prevents my jaw from dropping and also thereby keeps my face largely in the same "position" as I fall asleep (thereby avoiding the inevitable leaks that can occur when your facial shape changes from the point of initial placement/tightening of the mask). .

I was actually worried about not being able to breath with the tape if there was a shut-down. I've found that this set-up, however, offers very few worries:

For the silk tape, apply a 2inch wide strip vertically from a spot just above your upper lip (the indentation just below your nose) down to just under your chin (with your lips closed and your jaw in a comfortable place). As you bring the tape and press it underneath your chin, "fold" the edge back on itself (maybe a 1/2 inch or so) so that the edge hangs a bit from your chin -- makes for easier removal in case of emergency. Because it's only 2 inches wide and vertically placed, your entire mouth is actually not taped -- you can, in a pinch, breath around the edges -- and the silk tape itself I've found by accident (in opening my mouth with it being placed) will also let a little air in if you open your mouth forcefully. In short, it doesn't take too much force to maneuver or breath around the silk tape, but at the same time the tape seems to mostly keep my jaw from dropping when I relax and fall asleep, which is the whole point. [The setup also seems to work best when combined with the technique, described elsewhere on this site, of learning to relax with the tip of your tongue against the roof of your mouth as your mouth is closed, which "seals" the mouth from the nasal passage and helps prevent dry mouth]. (In placing the tape, I've also found it helpful to focus on firming the contact with the skin at the point below the nose and under the chin more than the lips, which seems to leave a little area of the lip region feeling less taped, if that makes sense). [To remove with less "tear", try pulling up vertically from underneath the chin till you reach your lip, then pull across "horizontally" for the remainder.]

The usual caveats about making up your own mind about this, considering safety issues, etc. apply, of course. But frankly, I'm surprised more people don't do this.

Julie wrote:Have you considered using e.g. Pad-a-Cheek liners to help with the skin irritation?

And I definitely agree with not wasting your time or money on homeopathy, if for no other reason than apnea is a 'mechanical' obstructive problem and 1,000 times diluted anything will not address that.

I would also recommend trying liners, Pad a Cheek fits on the mask and stays until you need to wash it. Remzzz are placed on mask each night. For me they make the mask more comfortable and decrease leaks. You can also cut one out of an old soft cotton tee shirt where it is a little bigger than the area of the mask that touches your face. Also here is a link about mask fitting. https://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/tamin ... e-quattro/
Several have used the nasal pillows or mask with mouth taping and those with nasal problems have described nasal cleansing before bed. You can do a search of these on the site and come up with ideas.

Cloth masks are the softest, most flexible masks around.
Circadiance has free 30 day return policy for the three styles of Sleepweaver masks they sell.
If you have not tried one, it might be the ticket.

Hi:

Thanks for sugesting those cloth masks by Circadiance. I visited their website and they look great. Also the Pad-a-Cheek website has some accessories that look great.

So, i kind of don't know what to write without sounding crazy and depressed.

Last time i visited doctors for my MMA surgery, they each had a different opinion about my nose. Some think i should have my devisted septum and turbinates reduced and other think it's a functional problem and i should leave my nose alone.

Same thing with my GERD. I haven't been able to manage it. It kind of runs in my family. I have it real bad and it's like a chicken or egg thing with sleep apnea. And again the doctors disagree on this one too. All they do is do endoscopies on me, tell me i have chronic gastritis, give me Nexium and send me home. Am i supposed to take Nexium for the rest of my life? I tried it, not long term though, and it didn't work.

Right now the 2 full face masks i have (the full life and the mojo, i get big leaks with both. I didn't understand that poster explaining the tape procedure with the Quatro. And i don't have the Quatro. Thank you very much by the way for that long, detailed post. I understood half of it cause english is not my native language and i'm not in the US where all those products are. i live in south america.

I was kind of exited to try again my old activa mask and tape my mouth shut, but then i'm lacking the part to connect the mask to the hose. I can't use it.

So basically i'm very lost and depressed. i'm spending all day in bed trying to sleep off my exhaustion but i wake up more tired.

I feel i need 2 things: an emotional/psychological support group, and another one to guide me and help me use my CPAP. Is there such a thing online for the first one? I feel like this forum is the only thing that gets me connected to real life or any kind of help and hope.

So i guess i'll just keep on trying to use these masks i have with the leaks until i go to Bogota and visit my cpap provider and probably by the Quatro and learn how to use tape to avoid leaks. Or buy those pad-a-cheeks products online.

Thank you all for helping, and sorry for disappointing you.

John.

Have you looked into having a Nissen fundoplication procedure (Google it)? It has helped many people with intractable GERD, people I know who were on Cpap. And I don't believe in taking e.g. Nexium (or any other similar thing) for life - I think they create their own problems eventually (but sure keep the Rx companies rich).

I'm not sure online psychology is the way to go either... better to find someone local who you feel comfortable with - and give them a chance to help, but if it doesn't help within a reasonable amt of time, find someone else.

So, i kind of don't know what to write without sounding crazy and depressed.

Totally understandable that you would feel this way in light of your situation. No need to apologize.

Last time i visited doctors for my MMA surgery, they each had a different opinion about my nose. Some think i should have my devisted septum and turbinates reduced and other think it's a functional problem and i should leave my nose alone.

Did the doctors who think this is a functional problem want to go straight to MMA surgery? Did they provide a reasonable explanation as to why the nasal surgery wouldn't help?

How do you feel about your nasal breathing as if there is a split decision between doctors, you have to break the tie unless you want to seek another opinion.

Same thing with my GERD. I haven't been able to manage it. It kind of runs in my family. I have it real bad and it's like a chicken or egg thing with sleep apnea. And again the doctors disagree on this one too. All they do is do endoscopies on me, tell me i have chronic gastritis, give me Nexium and send me home. Am i supposed to take Nexium for the rest of my life? I tried it, not long term though, and it didn't work.

Google low carb site and Gerd. Many people have found this greatly helps without having to take medicine.

Thank you all for helping, and sorry for disappointing you.

Why would you be disappointing us? If you're disappointed in your lack of progress, that is totally understandable. But if anyone is disappointed from reading your response, then they have a problem. Don't take an unfair burden on like that.

49er

Thank you 49er and Julie for posting (and all of those who have):

I did have the nissen fundoplication surgery for my hiatal hernia and reflux and i think it didn't work. Unfortunately my reflux symptoms are mostly respiratory. My throat closes down, i feel a lump in my throat, post nasal drip, chest tightness, and chronic bloating in my stomach, which presses up against my left lung and sometimes i get shortness of breath from this (since before the surgery).

I want you all to know that even though i haven't used CPAP long term, i have tried to look for help. I've been to almost every good sleep apnea doctor here and even in the US. I took a sleep study in Columbus, Ohio and a titration study in Stanford, California. I don't know if i'm a bad patient and i haven't followed through (because of poor adherence to cpap and exhaustion), or if i haven't had luck with doctors or if i'm a difficult case.

Ok i'll brake it down with the nose issue so it's more clear.

I've always had an irritable nose, colds, sore throats, and sinus problems since i was a kid. I remember feeling my nose burning when i was a kid. And i still do sometimes. My mom tells me that when i was a kid there was a time when i got sick so much and often from colds that i wasn't growing. She got worried and took me to one doctor who sugested romoval of the tonsils and another who sugested an antibiotics treatment.

She went for the antibiotics. Now i think i probably had breathing problems in my sleep since back then. I remember i had night terrors and couldn't sleep. I couldn't sleep alone. And I also think now the tonsils removal should have been probably the way to go, after all i've read and heard from doctors.

I think i have non allergic rhinitis. I don't have rhinitis fits caused by an allergen like dust. But i was diagnosed once in Cuba with allergy to dust myths. I am sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity. My nose il almost always congested, even without a cold.

I visited 2 doctors in Bogota sleep apnea surgery. Any. Mostly soft tissues with ENTs cause that's what they do. And ENTs are who treat apnea the most. One of them is an ENT woman who did a video of my airway. I posted it on you tube at:
It showed i collapse everywhere (soft palate and tongue) bad. It kind of makes sense since my last sleep study results show i have double or triple severe sleep apnea (never heard of that term before) and how bad i feel.

She wanted to cut everywhere in my airway (soft tissues): nose, soft palate and tongue. Which i thought was good. After my research i know that the more agresive the better, sleep apnea surgery wise. But i know those surgeries are so painful and risky that i didn't have it. She agreed with a video and report endoscopy of my nose i had done by my ENT here in the town that I live. My nose needed surgery (deviated septum with hypertrophic turbinates).

So my sleep apnea dentist recommended another ENT and i saw him. He wanted to do the genioglosus advancement with hyoid suspension surgery alone. Actually those are 2 procedures in the tongue base. He thinks sleep apnea happens mostly in the tongue. He said I didn't need nose surgery. He said my nose problem was functional.

But i know, and i agree with you, cause i follow and i've seen both Doctor Steven Park in New York and Doctor Kasey Lee in Stanford, that the nose has to be addressed to help sleep apnea and cpap treatment.

So because i know sleep apnea surgery is so controversial and risky, i decided to not go with either of these doctors. So my dentist, who had been pushing MMA for a while mentioned Doctor Cesar Guerrero in Venezuela, according to him the best surgeon on the field in latin america. I emailed him and he had moved to the US. He recommended my current surgeon, a student of his.

I'll see her this thursday for imaging tests for the surgery. If i go through it, it will be in may, because of the waiting line (my ensurance will cover it). So i guess i have time to think about it, clear the nose issue doubt, and help myself with CPAP, which i never do. I feel MMA is the best option for me after a long study of seeing different doctors, having images taken and thinking of what seems to be better. I figure that the soft tissue surgeries can be just as painful and not necessary as good with results. And the dental devices i sleep with help somehow. So this is not a rush decision and i don't even know if i'll have it yet.

I wish i knew about cpap treatment, masks and air pressures as much as i know about sleep apnea surgery.

Thank you for helping and making me feel comfortable writing here. I just don't wanna sound like i don't wanna help myself or i'm a lost case, even though i know this health issue has affected me psychologically a lot.

Thank you again. So, guys. Just out of curiosity. For those of you who are doing well already sleeping with your cpaps: why do you go in here and help people out like me ?

John.

I agree that following a low carb diet helps tremendously with acid reflux!!! I can't stress that strongly enough. Acid Reflux will cause your broncial tubes to swell and make it very hard for you to get air to your lungs. I was on Nexium 2x per day but for the past month I have went on a low carb diet and was able to decrease it to 1x per day. Hoping to get off it altogether.

If you find a dentist that supplies you with an oral device make sure you get a sleep study done to make sure it is working. I had been diagnosed with mild sleep apnea, got the oral device and then three months later got another sleep study done. Not only did the device not help but my sleep apnea was now severe. Once on CPAP my symptoms have resolved. I believe the oral devices have a very low success rate.

Hoping you will find a solution to the issues you are facing. Don't give up.