Questions about O2 Sat and UPPP

puskar49 · Post by **puskar49** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 10:48 am

I received a copy of my sleep study results today. My AHI is 24.7, but my low O2 saturation was 92%. Everything I've read about the dangers of sleep apnea pertains to oxygen deprivation. I'm curious, if I'm not being deprived of oxygen, is the sleep apnea still dangerous?

Another question - my ENT doc insists that UPPP would cure my snoring and more than likely cure my apneas. He said that I have excess tissue draping down from my palate and that my uvula hangs low. He said removing my tonsils as well as levelling off the soft palate would vastly improve my airway.

From my perusing, I've noticed that UPPP is particularly unpopular here, and I've read the articles that talk about the potential ineffectiveness of UPPP in fighting OSA. Is that mostly a case of concern regarding the base of the tongue causing the apneas? My doctor seemed to make a lot of sense - am I just naive?

curtcurt46 · Post by **curtcurt46** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 12:09 pm

I had a UPPP a year ago. At the time my ENT said that at best I had a 50-60% chance of eliminating my mild sleep apnea. I took the shot and I had a slight improvement in the apnea and no more snoring. I still needed cpap therapy. It was a little painful, but I would do it again when there was a chance to correct the apnea. The UPPP only corrects the upper airway and in most cases the lower airway where the base of the tongue falls back on is the main problem. The best success for a UPPP is for a person with mild apnea and is not over weight and the neck is under 16". I also had sinus surgery to repair a deviated septum and to reduce the turbinates. This was done so I could breath through my nose. With cpap therapy you have many more mask options if you can breath through your nose. The surgery was very successful and I am able to use a nasal mask.

Another comment about your o2 saturation. One PSG is not a predictor of your O2 saturation each night. There are many complex factor at work here. I have had 4 sleep studies and each was different. My best showed no significant desaturation. I thought I had it made. My last PSG showed a desaturation to 80% for about 3% of the time. With aging this most likely will get worse.
For me personally, I wanted all the surgery you could give me so I knew I had done all I could. In the end, I am 100% compliant with cpap, but this took me 18-20 months of struggle. Cpap, if done correctly will stop the processes that can have adverse health impacts (heart, blood pressure, and many others).
Good luck on your quest.

snoregirl · Post by **snoregirl** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 12:14 pm

My o2 was similar to yours. My apnea was mild. My symptoms were terrible. Cpap has made me a new person.

My trouble was, although my apnea was mild, I would never reach deep sleep because I would wake myself up with massive snores.

I can't comment on the surgery, since I am not big on surgery. I have had my share of other surgeries and don't care to go there. But CPAP has made an amazing difference for so little trouble. Just strap up nightly (takes me 30 seconds) and I am great.

Side benefit is my nose is LESS congested on CPAP than ever before.