I'm Cured!!!!

[Sleeping With The Enemy]

Many of you are new to CPAPTALK.COM, I was around here a long time ago and have been faithfully been using my Remstar Auto with C-Flex set between 8-14 and my wonderful Activa mask for 2 years.

Well, last February I had a UPPP done for a couple of reasons. The first was for the constant sore throats and the second was just to see if it would help decrease my sleep apnea.

I was 206# when I had my first sleep study 2 years ago, I now weigh #220 and had a sleep study last night.

I WENT FROM 67 EPISODES AN HOUR TO 1-2 ACCORDING TO LAST NIGHTS SLEEP STUDY.

AMAZING!

I'M SO HAPPY I JUST HAD TO SHARE THIS WITH ALL OF YOU, SO WHEN SOMEONE MENTIONS UPPP DON'T ALWAYS BE NEGATIVE.

LOOK UP SOME OF MY POSTS AND YOU CAN READ ALL ABOUT IT

Heidi

[lvwildcat]

Heidi-I am happy that UPPP worked for you but from friends who have had it done and what I have read you are definitely the exception to the rule. But I guess that just proves once again how different we all really are. Keep us updated!

[neversleeps]

Well, last February I had a UPPP done for a couple of reasons. .

I WENT FROM 67 EPISODES AN HOUR TO 1-2 ACCORDING TO LAST NIGHTS SLEEP STUDY.

SO WHEN SOMEONE MENTIONS UPPP DON'T ALWAYS BE NEGATIVE.

I don't think it is being negative to disclose that not only is this the exception to the rule, but also that this "cure" may be temporary. In fact, I think it's really, really, really important to disclose this "cure" may be temporary.

Some snips of post from here and TAS (emphasis added is mine).

Welcome to the forum! I had UPPP and Deviated septum surgery in 1995. 6 months later had a cpap. I'm also claustrophobic. There are masks out there now that you won't feel closed in on while wearing. It's worth a try, because this treatment really makes you feel better. If I had it to do all over again I would still have the nose done (I could only breathe using 1 nostril) but would not have had the UPPP. Good luck in your treatment, whichever path you choose.

Hopefully before my insurance company commits to buying this machine I can convince them to reimburse me for an apap. Looking forward to a good nites sleep again since my UPPP did not work out that well. Thanks again for all the posts it is helpful to know that there is a place to go for good advice from people who have been there and done that.

I've had both and neither were lasting. I had the UPPP 20 years ago and it was moderately effective for a year or so. I recntly had three sessions of somnoplasty and I'm back to where I started. CPAP is the only thing that I found that works.

A bit of history. I was first diagnosed about 10 yrs ago and opted for UPPP surgery (uvulopalatopharynogoplasty) because after my first experience with CPAP in my sleep study I didn't think I could deal with it every night. Well, what they tell you before the surgery and what happens is like night and day. Their description of the surgery "It will be like the worst sore throat you have had." Actual experience, weeks of extreme pain, months to feel better in the throat and over a year before my throat felt normal. The good part was a 35 lb weight loss because I couldn't eat. The surgery (or maybe the weight loss or maybe both) worked for about a year. 1 1/2 years later I was back to exhaustion and depression due to poor sleep. Another sleep study and I started CPAP.

I agree on NOT having the UPPP. I had it done about 7 years ago and wish I never did. I would try the Pillars or Somnoplasty over UPPP.

Gip

I had the UPPP surgery several years ago and for almost a year following surgery I slept restfully. Now the osa is back.

I have had the UPPP and really couldn't tell a difference afterwards. The treatments for Sleep Apena have various results for different people based on my reading and participation in this forum. If I were to start my journey in trying to cure my Sleep Apena again I would have started at Stanford to begin with or would have consulted with a Doctor that could tell me actually what the cause is for my sleep apena. I feel confident with the staff at Stanford who in a matter of minutes while being examined told me that it was my tongue causing my sleep apena not my UPPP. UPPP in my opinion for me was a waste of time and whole lot of pain for no results.

Out of frustration, scheduled surgery. UPPP, turbinat reduction, and septoplasty. For what it's worth, it's as painful and miserable of a process as you've all likely been told about. I knew it was going to be painful and knew it had a less than stellar chance of success, but I wanted to roll the dice to see if I could untether myself from the need for a machine/mask. This was early April 2006.

Recently had a new sleep study and found that the surgery was not successful (altho I was told that there may still be some healing to do).

A plastic surgeon and orthodontist both agree that I am a good candidate to have both my upper and lower jaw advanced. I have already had the UPPP with deviated septum done, to no avail.

My sister had the UPPP surgery and it didn't do a thing for her, other than make her talk funny, and whatever she drank come out her nostrils.

My friend who swore by UPPP and had his done by one of the best surgeons around, now has his apnea back full bore, after less than a decade, AND has all the swallowing issues associated with UPPP.

Well ya'll, unfortunately, I had the UPPP surgery a year ago last January. I thought it helped tremendously, until I had another sleep study, and the results were worse.

Another little tid bit of info I had the UPPP done and all the other nasal goodies that goes along with it. This was in 1997.

I was going to say too, about the snoring...I've definitely stopped snoring with my UP3...but, I still have severe apnea, so someone can be fooled if they think if they aren't snoring, they don't have apnea any more.

Beware of UPPP surgery. Lots and lots of pain, very few success stories. My untreated AHI 1 year after surgery was 94, and I still snored.

Heidi, I hope your results are permanent. Please keep us posted as you continue to have followup PSGs over the next few years to see if the OSA has returned. I hope you are the exception to that rule too!

[telly]

My Buddy had UPPP a few years ago while living in Japan. He was visiting me a month ago and he was exhibiting symptoms of OSA. I've been reading horror stores about UPPP and the laser assisted version which, apparently, makes OSA worse!.

I should've told him then. What a dummy I am. Well, my own sleep study has me checking out all my friends and family. For instance, I think my Dad and Brother have RLS, now that I know I have it. I have seen my brother kick his legs since he was a kid. Recently, my step-mom says my dad kicks and talks quite loudly in his sleep.

[Sleeping With The Enemy]

I think you guys missed the point. I had the UPPP back in February, I've been wearing a CPAP every night since surgery and went in for a sleep study and I went from having 67 episodes an hour whiich is severe OSA to 1-2 an hour and does not qualify for CPAP therapy.

My uvula and tonsils were HUGE!

[snork1]

Congrats! Hey, you took the gamble and it paid off. That is indeed a blessing.

A friend of mine did CPAP for a few years before getting a UPPP. That worked for him for about 10 years before he had to admit he backslid into apnea.

Good news is that a dental device is now working for him.

Hey, after a certain age, enough "10 year fixes" will pretty much run out the clock anyway, or maybe take us to high probability cures, someday.

[Liam1965]

My uvula and tonsils were HUGE!

Yeah, Heidi, as I recall you always DID have some huge... tonsils...

Congratulations, I'm glad this worked for you!

I fear it, because I am (among my other meager talents) a pretty good singer. I sing with a barbershop quartet, and I really REALLY don't want to do anything that might mess with my "instrument".

But good to see you again. I've only stopped in again comparitively recently myself.

Liam, not using CPAP, but for some reason won't go away.

[Sleepless_in_LM]

I'M SO HAPPY I JUST HAD TO SHARE THIS WITH ALL OF YOU, SO WHEN SOMEONE MENTIONS UPPP DON'T ALWAYS BE NEGATIVE.

Congrats Heidi! Great to hear some good news.

I recently (2 weeks ago) had a modified Uvula thingy, tonsils, etc. Pretty much had to have the tonsils yanked anyway so decided to to role the dice on the rest as well. I am just trying for some improvement and consistency in my treatment, but I hope my results are as good as yours!

[Wulfman]

Heidi,

Wishing you the best of health and Happy Holidays.

Den

[Bearded_One]

I REALLY HATE UPPP. That said, I think that some people with huge tonsils can have significant OSA improvement (perhaps permanent) by just getting their tonsils removed. Tonsillectomies are frequently all that is needed in pediatric OSA patients, and I suspect also in some adults.

[rotoplooker]

Most of the people with good news or good experiences about anything will probably not ever post on the internet or join a forum. I would imagine most of what's posted on the internet are bad experiences with concerns and the like.

There may be many other great examples of surgery working for folks.

internet forums can give a doom and gloom perspective by their very nature!

Roto

[Guest]

I'm going to have to agree with the last caller!

I also had a brain tumor about a year and a half ago. I posted heavily when I found out and knew I was going to have surgery and for a short time afterward but it turned out my tumor was benign and so I didn't need to stick around for the gloom and doom.

Same with this forum. I had been wearing my CPAP for so long, had surgery back in February, just happened to run into my ENT MD when I took a client for a consult and mentioned that I was still wearing my CPAP....

Anyway he said have you tried it without? I said no, I'm too scared. He told me to go have a sleep study then, so I did!

Only 1-2 apneas VS 67 an hour!

WOW!!!