I have been using CPAP for 2 1/2 months and it has been somewhat succesful helping me with my sleep apnea. I am still pushing my doctor to get me in and evaluate if I'm a good canidate for other alternative treatments. I might consider LAUP (laser assisted uvuloplasty) if I'm a canidate.
I am asking for your opinions and information. Thank you
Investigating alternative treatments?
8 posts
• Page 1 of 1
Throat surgery I've been told is very painful and has a recovery period of two weeks. It's so painful to eat that people lose up to ten pounds. One woman told me that she popped Percocet for two weeks and slept.
In the end, surgery is only about 50% effective. (I'm not sure if that means that 50% don't benefit at all or the average reduction in apneas is 50%). So after the surgery, you might still need the CPAP machine.
During my titration test I went from 80 apneas / hour to 40. I'm having trouble getting used to the machine, but assuming I do and my score is still 40, surgery is a definite possibility to get further improvement. I'm sure I will still need the CPAP machine.
In the end, surgery is only about 50% effective. (I'm not sure if that means that 50% don't benefit at all or the average reduction in apneas is 50%). So after the surgery, you might still need the CPAP machine.
During my titration test I went from 80 apneas / hour to 40. I'm having trouble getting used to the machine, but assuming I do and my score is still 40, surgery is a definite possibility to get further improvement. I'm sure I will still need the CPAP machine.
-
rested gal
- Posts: 12883
- Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2004 10:14 pm
- Location: Tennessee
Dave, this is just my personal opinion - I'm not a doctor or health care professional of any kind...
Before I contemplated surgery, I'd look into the TAP device (Thornton Adjustable Positioner.) I've been reading lately about some very good successes with the TAP - worn at night to keep the lower jaw moved forward, clearing the airway for some people. I think information about the TAP is at http://www.amisleep.com. If you visit the talkaboutsleep message board, a poster nicknamed PaulY has posted the full results of his "before and after" PSG sleep studies. Another poster named "Debbie" who was completely unsuccessful on cpap therapy for a year got a TAP, had immediate improvement in the way she felt. Her subjective feeling was followed up with an overnight recording pulse oximeter showing her oxygen sats at night to be normal again.
I'm not saying the TAP is for everyone or is a way for most people to get off cpap therapy. But, it seems to be worth considering before turning to surgeries that don't usually have very good track records, could not be undone, and might even make cpap therapy more difficult if it turns out that person still needs to be on cpap.
Before I contemplated surgery, I'd look into the TAP device (Thornton Adjustable Positioner.) I've been reading lately about some very good successes with the TAP - worn at night to keep the lower jaw moved forward, clearing the airway for some people. I think information about the TAP is at http://www.amisleep.com. If you visit the talkaboutsleep message board, a poster nicknamed PaulY has posted the full results of his "before and after" PSG sleep studies. Another poster named "Debbie" who was completely unsuccessful on cpap therapy for a year got a TAP, had immediate improvement in the way she felt. Her subjective feeling was followed up with an overnight recording pulse oximeter showing her oxygen sats at night to be normal again.
I'm not saying the TAP is for everyone or is a way for most people to get off cpap therapy. But, it seems to be worth considering before turning to surgeries that don't usually have very good track records, could not be undone, and might even make cpap therapy more difficult if it turns out that person still needs to be on cpap.
-
loonlover
I too think it is important that you investigate all the non surgical methods that may help with your apnea. A dental device may just be the answer. I have a few friends for which it has worked. However if you do try one of these be sure to have a sleep study done wearing the device and not just assume that it is helping. I had the throat surgery done many years ago and yes it did help for a few years. It is painful but not unbearable if you arent too wimpy. Childbirth was much more painful. I am now investigating maxofacial surgery. I have severe acid reflux which makes it difficult to use CPAP as I cough so much at night. GERD is a common effect of apnea.
-
frustrated
throat surgery
I had throat surgery/nose surgery 2 1/2 years ago. The throat surgery was VERY painful and as miserable as the nose part was, I would most likely try that again (I'm having problems again and may well face surgery again) but I don't know that I'd try throat surgery again??
-
sleepyinwi
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Sat Feb 26, 2005 11:37 pm
Surgery as an alternative
Hi-
I went to see a surgeon to assess options. He explained a couple of surgical procedures. And said that one possible result would be that I would be able to set my cpap level lower. I know someone else who saw a surgeon who said that there was no guaranty that surgery would reduce sleep apnea, and even if it did it might only be tempory.
Needless to say, I'm no longer considering surgery.
I went to see a surgeon to assess options. He explained a couple of surgical procedures. And said that one possible result would be that I would be able to set my cpap level lower. I know someone else who saw a surgeon who said that there was no guaranty that surgery would reduce sleep apnea, and even if it did it might only be tempory.
Needless to say, I'm no longer considering surgery.
Sleepyinwi
I saw the room post about the pillar procedure from restore medical. Thinking about checking it out since its a minnesota company. Go to http://www.pillarprocedure.com It was under the streaming cpap and sleep apnea news 2/24/05 i believe top of this page.
I was adamant that I was NOT going to be tied to a machine for the rest of my life, so I researched other options and then went to see an Ear/Nose/Throat specialist who I knew had done the Pillar procedure. He reviewed my test results and examined me and told me I was not a candiate, that my apnea was too serious (I had 34 episodes per hour on my sleep study, and the Pillar procedure is only good for patients UP TO 30. I was devastated. As for the surgical options, I too was told about the pain, the recovery period (up to 2 weeks out of work), the low success rate (50 to 60% and even then many people ended up on CPAP), and also he said many people complain they end up constantly feeling like something is stuck in their throat. Well ... my determination to NOT go the CPAP route changed. I am only on my Nasalaire 3 nights now, so still going through some struggles, but I am confident it will work. It just came down to the fact that if I was going to go through pain and discomfort (which could possibly be a lasting problem), and STILL end up on CPAP, why go through it.
BUT ... I would agree that you should research all options and discuss them with your specialist. And this forum is where I got a lot of information that I was then able to use to do further research! I am so glad I found it!
Butterfly
BUT ... I would agree that you should research all options and discuss them with your specialist. And this forum is where I got a lot of information that I was then able to use to do further research! I am so glad I found it!
Butterfly
8 posts
• Page 1 of 1