Can an ENT make a difference?

[49er]

Why not opt for mandibular advancement. It seems to have worked for alot of people with sleep apnea. It causes a significant expansion of the airway. And it seems to work, even in severe cases. The success rate is much higher than uvualplasty and other stuff. The problem just seems to be the recovery process.

That is a reasonable last ditch step for people who have given pap therapy and or dental devices a reasonable shot. Enchanter has not. And by the way, most respectable MMA surgeons like Kasey Li would never operate on someone like Enchanter who has only been on pap therapy for a short term.

[Enchanter]

Why not opt for mandibular advancement. It seems to have worked for alot of people with sleep apnea. It causes a significant expansion of the airway. And it seems to work, even in severe cases. The success rate is much higher than uvualplasty and other stuff. The problem just seems to be the recovery process.

That is a reasonable last ditch step for people who have given pap therapy and or dental devices a reasonable shot. Enchanter has not. And by the way, most respectable MMA surgeons like Kasey Li would never operate on someone like Enchanter who has only been on pap therapy for a short term.

Well that is why I'm sticking with it, so I can say I've given it my best shot, which I'm doing now.

[jnk...]

The best ENTs are geniuses at performing operations that can make PAP therapy much more tolerable for people.

Yes, there are options for those who can't, or won't, use PAP therapy. It is a personal choice and a free country and it is our duty at a CPAP forum to be supportive and welcoming to people who decide to use other methods. Other methods may be inferior to PAP, but those methods save lives and improve quality of life for thousands. Who are any of us to condemn that?

Should someone give PAP the full try first? Yes. Does someone have the medical right to choose which treatments to use and not use? Yes! Are we sometimes overly enthusiastic about PAP in this forum. Most definitely.

My personal position is to use the best therapy when it works for me and when I can tolerated it. But if I can't, I would hope others would bless me for trying other things that can help me live life and be happy.

Good ENTs respect PAP but let patients keep their rights to choose medical alternatives once fully informed of the possible consequences of their choices. Just like any responsible doc in any field. Some of the best sleep docs I've met are ENTs. There are a few hacks out there--but hey, that's always the case in any field. When choosing an ENT, choose wisely.

[ChicagoGranny]

If I see an ENT, how might they make a positive difference?

Jeeeezzzusss, the answers you get here. A consultation with an ENT does not jump into a UPPP!!!

Yes, you should see an ENT!

Schedule a consultation and exam with an ENT. He should perform an In Office Nasal Endoscopy & Laryngoscopy (http://www.tampaent.com/treatments-nasa ... el-fl.html) on your first visit. This just takes a few minutes to get a good look and make an assessment. He may also want to run some allergy tests. Typically, the only cost is a $50 copay for everything. Of course, insurance varies so check your policy.

Unfortunately, CPAP is not a magic box that cures all breathing problems. It is our responsibility to take care of our entire health.

There are many things that an ENT does for CPAPers, and these things are mostly not UPPP.

People that put this off often say years later, "I wish I had gone to an ENT and followed his advice years ago!"

[Cardsfan]

Enchanter- please fill in your equiment profile. It lists which mask and machine you are using. We can give you help on how to adjust your mask so it is more comfortable if we know what mask it is.
Have you gotten any sleep with the mask on?

[Darth Lady]

What Granny said.

Focus on your nose. If you can breathe through your nose, you have a better chance of finding a mask you can live with. An ENT can also point out any other airway issues you might have, many of which don't need surgery.

Good luck.

[ChicagoGranny]

If you can breathe through your nose, you have a better chance of finding a mask you can live with. An ENT can also point out any other airway issues you might have, many of which don't need surgery.

Thanks for saying it!

[riveter]

I have been struggling with CPAP therapy for 7 years with poor results. A CT scan of my sinuses showed I had a big hollow turbinate (concha belosa) and a deviated septum which made it nearly impossible to breathe through my nose. I had a septoplasty and turbinate reduction and now I can breathe through my nose nearly all the time. I still have sleep apnea, but now I can work on fixing my mouth breathing which causes me to wake with a dry mouth after a few hours on the CPAP. I have tried mouth taping and survived that experiment. I tried a nasal pillow mask and could not tolerate it. Now I want to try a regular nasal mask. Unfortunately, it is a process of trial and error.
But I would suggest looking into fixing any nose problems as part of the total solution.

[Sir NoddinOff]

I have been struggling with CPAP therapy for 7 years with poor results. A CT scan of my sinuses showed I had a big hollow turbinate (concha belosa) and a deviated septum which made it nearly impossible to breathe through my nose. I had a septoplasty and turbinate reduction and now I can breathe through my nose nearly all the time. I still have sleep apnea, but now I can work on fixing my mouth breathing which causes me to wake with a dry mouth after a few hours on the CPAP. I have tried mouth taping and survived that experiment. I tried a nasal pillow mask and could not tolerate it. Now I want to try a regular nasal mask. Unfortunately, it is a process of trial and error.
But I would suggest looking into fixing any nose problems as part of the total solution.

I've got some nasal issues and have had good luck with this inserted device which I use every night.

http://www.amazon.com/Snorepin-Solution ... B000BABW5Q

There's some tricks to fitting and using it, therefore PM me for more info. Sorry if I hijacked the tread temporarily.

[archangle]

Watch out for chop-happy ENT's. Some of them have delusions of grandeur or visions of dollar signs dancing in their heads and want to cut on everyone.

That doesn't mean surgery is wrong for everyone, but unnecessary or unwise surgery is a definite possibility. Along with bad side effects and no cure after surgery.

[49er]

Watch out for chop-happy ENT's. Some of them have delusions of grandeur or visions of dollar signs dancing in their heads and want to cut on everyone.

That doesn't mean surgery is wrong for everyone, but unnecessary or unwise surgery is a definite possibility. Along with bad side effects and no cure after surgery.

archangle,

I saw several ENTs when I started looking into having a septoplasty in 2014 before I finally did it this year. Not one of them was chop happy and quite a few made sure I had tried conservative methods like nasal steroids and rinsing before they discussed my having surgery.

One guy did mention sleep apnea surgery in an FYI manner. But that is because I didn't phrase my questions very clearly. He was also one of the surgeon who asked if I had tried nasal steroids to solve the problem.

I do agree you have to be careful but at the same time, I wanted this forum to know like I have previously mentioned that not all ENTs are chop-happy.

49er