My journey thus far...

Hello,

I have not been on this site in a LONG time, too long in fact. I was diagnosed with OSA in 2004, AHI of 37 in REM, 23 non REM. I was in my early twenties, recently married, and CPAP was not an option. I mean I had no choice but to use it, but the fear of it destroying my marriage cause me to seek surgery. So, in 2005, I had my UPPP w/deviated septum surgery. This surgery caused the worst pain in my life, and it did nothing to help my sleep apnea. 50% chance to "cure" it (or reduction in apneas by 50%), but no idea 50% could make it WORSE. As such my AHI rose to 57. I was on CPAP for a while trying to adjust to it. Oh and I mean I have always been 100% compliant whenever I was on CPAP.

Anyway, 2009 I had my MMA/GA...where they moved my jaws forward 1/2 of an inch and took my chin out, rotated it, stuck it back in to pull my tongue forward. 90% success rate. After the surgery, life was great, I was cured, or so it seemed. Important to note my lower airway was just 2mm before the MMA. A couple years in fact passed with no CPAP. But then it came back, CPAP I mean.

Next surgery I had was in 2013, and I had a turbinate reduction/sinus surgery and probably some other stuff. Again, that surgery went well, seemed to be cured. But then what the hell it came back after about a year! On CPAP again, with my pressure increasing nearly 100% (8cm to 14cm), and learned it was fighting a lower airway diameter of 4mm (reduced from 11 from MMA).

What is my problem with CPAP? Not compliancy issues. Its that it does not work. My doctor explained to me that 50% of 100% compliant CPAP users feel better. The other 50% feel not better. I must be in the latter group. In other words, still tired, still headaches, still sleepy. I plan on having a fourth surgery soon, called Inspire. This is where a pacemaker is installed and you tongue is shocked to keep it from closing. I am excited for this procedure, 85% success rate. And as a controls engineer, it makes sense! The crux of this procedure, and this is doctors orders, I have to be off CPAP for a number of months. Do not ask why please. But what was bad has turned into worse...my crazy snoring, my intense headaches, my crazy mood swings, just not good. I feel alone like this is only my battle to fight. A doctor needs to tell me I am definitively cured.

Anyhow as I said been away a while, thought I would introduce myself.
Josh

BTW my most recent AHI is 19, not too bad I guess but wrecking my life. And I have had about 8 sleep studies, and many more are coming, no joke! PM me and I can explain.

Thanks

Josh,

I wish you all the luck in the world with the Inspire Procedure. I looked into it but unfortunately, didn't qualify due to not having the type of obstruction that would best respond to the procedure.

Have you had a sleep endoscopy yet to see if you qualify?

49er