Surgical solution (?)

FYI

http://missoulian.com/mis-hea-apnea-sur ... 86ac9.html

FYI? I hope not. The procedure, whether or not it's now been improved on, may work for certain people, but the information in the article otherwise is wrong - there was no mention at all that the 'only' 30% who supposedly use Cpap are doing it not because it doesn't work, but because no one has helped them with Cpap, something this forum does extremely well for those lucky enough to find it. And what about people whose OSA is not caused by anatomy (small jaw structure, etc), no mention of them either! And saying the 'only' other option was tracheostomy? No wonder people get scared off even thinking about getting any help! With stories like this out there, it's a wonder anyone ever tries Cpap or questions reasonable alternatives.

Julie wrote:FYI? I hope not. The procedure, whether or not it's now been improved on, may work for certain people, but the information in the article otherwise is wrong - there was no mention at all that the 'only' 30% who supposedly use Cpap are doing it not because it doesn't work, but because no one has helped them with Cpap, something this forum does extremely well for those lucky enough to find it. And what about people whose OSA is not caused by anatomy (small jaw structure, etc), no mention of them either! And saying the 'only' other option was tracheostomy? No wonder people get scared off even thinking about getting any help! With stories like this out there, it's a wonder anyone ever tries Cpap or questions reasonable alternatives.

Agreed.

msla wrote:Agreed.

Why did you post it then? The link you posted is to buy the image??? rather than the actual link to the article itself.

As an FYI, it looks msla made a mistake in posting the link which is no big deal in my opinion. Here is the correct one:

http://missoulian.com/lifestyles/health ... c85fa.html

Regarding the 30% figure Julie, you make a good point. But my guess is that even if people find this site and get help in optimizing their therapy, there are still going to be people who greatly struggle with it and need alternative methods. As to what that figure is is open for debate but none of us can absolutely say for sure what that is.

Frankly, as one who is still struggling with pap therapy in spite of that one good day I had a few weeks ago, I welcome as much information as possible regarding alternatives. So I greatly enjoyed this article.

49er

Good points 49er.

I was told by 2 doctors that the surgical solution was to remove my uvula and tonsils which did Jack squat for me...

I hoped I could avoid being stuck to a machine by getting surgery. Now I just choke a lot.

jlaw3x7 wrote:I was told by 2 doctors that the surgical solution was to remove my uvula and tonsils which did Jack squat for me...

I hoped I could avoid being stuck to a machine by getting surgery. Now I just choke a lot.

I am so sorry to hear this. I am curious, did these doctors do either a nasal endoscopy or a sleep endoscopy to see where your obstructions that would enable them to decide if removing uvula was the best option for you? And even if it was, it seems that removing all of it is extremely excessive as I thought most doctors only trim part of it.

Also, did these doctors encourage you to try cpap first? Just wondering.

49er

Yes, they both did nasal peeks. I was told that surgery would definitely fix my snoring and 80 percent chance fix OSA. I told them I preferred surgery to a life connected to a machine If it fixed the problem. Unfortunately, the only thing it fixed was a hole in the docs pocket.

jlaw3x7 wrote:Yes, they both did nasal peeks. I was told that surgery would definitely fix my snoring and 80 percent chance fix OSA. I told them I preferred surgery to a life connected to a machine If it fixed the problem. Unfortunately, the only thing it fixed was a whole in the docs pocket.

Wow is all I can say.

49er

49er - I'm surprised at your surprise at the outcome of that surgery... it's been discussed many times here and the consensus is that it's so not something that should be done if getting rid of Cpap is wanted. All it seems to do is create new problems and more difficulty with Cpap, rather than anything else.

Julie wrote:49er - I'm surprised at your surprise at the outcome of that surgery... it's been discussed many times here and the consensus is that it's so not something that should be done if getting rid of Cpap is wanted. All it seems to do is create new problems and more difficulty with Cpap, rather than anything else.

Sorry, I didn't make myself clear Julie. I am surprised that two ENTs could do a nasal endoscopy and conclude that the uvula should be completely removed. No offense but it seems they must have been drunk while doing the exam. No, having that surgery would definitely not be my choice even if I was out of all other options.

49er

jlaw3x7 wrote:Yes, they both did nasal peeks. I was told that surgery would definitely fix my snoring and 80 percent chance fix OSA. I told them I preferred surgery to a life connected to a machine If it fixed the problem. Unfortunately, the only thing it fixed was a hole in the docs pocket.

I guess the general argument that surgery doesn't work is fully supported. So sorry you went through this and it failed.

My sister was able to end her relationship with a Cpap after surgery for a deviated septum and a 30 pound weight loss. I, on the other hand, lost 35 pounds and my apnea became worse. So, even if you do similar things, it might not work.

SewTired wrote:

jlaw3x7 wrote:Yes, they both did nasal peeks. I was told that surgery would definitely fix my snoring and 80 percent chance fix OSA. I told them I preferred surgery to a life connected to a machine If it fixed the problem. Unfortunately, the only thing it fixed was a hole in the docs pocket.

I guess the general argument that surgery doesn't work is fully supported. So sorry you went through this and it failed.

My sister was able to end her relationship with a Cpap after surgery for a deviated septum and a 30 pound weight loss. I, on the other hand, lost 35 pounds and my apnea became worse. So, even if you do similar things, it might not work.

SewTired,

I don't think anyone on this board has an absolute monopoly on the truth as to how effective surgery is because there just doesn't seem to even be any good studies out there. Sorry, anecdotal experiences pro or con do not count.

Personally, if I were to go this route, I would want a sleep endoscopy to see where the obstructions were to make sure that the surgery being proposed is appropriate. And then I would make darn sure the surgeon I was considering answered all my questions, particularly how he/she defines success rate and is this person getting these figures generally or from his/her own patients. Hopefully, that would maximize the success rate, whatever it was destined to be.

By the way, in a month, I am going to have a sleep study to see what my AHI/RDI is after deviated septum surgery in March. Let's just say I doubt I will be losing my bipap for various reasons. But I am happy your sister got to lose her cpap.

49er

And the letter to the editor from a Md. http://missoulian.com/news/opinion/mail ... 7394c.html
I find the rebuttal of the original article accurate and agree with Dr. Holle's conclusion.