Can't a tube be inserted in my throat 2 keep airway open??

JMG · Post by **JMG** » Sun Jun 29, 2008 9:58 pm

Seriously. I can't use the CPAP machine. I simply "look" at it and I get a wicked sinus infection. I'm at wits end. So I started thinking...if I just found a tube of some sort...like an intubation tube...couldn't that be inserted instead, to keep my airway open?? I have a very low gag reflex so I'm wondering if anyone has heard of this being an option or tried it themselves.

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Sun Jun 29, 2008 10:06 pm

Tracheotomy was the first solution to OSA, before cpap machine were invented.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tracheotomy
O.

khvn · Post by **khvn** » Sun Jun 29, 2008 10:57 pm

That would be the ultimate OSA treatment.

Imagine going to sleep with a garden hose inserted down your throat. Bring it on, ain't nuthing can colapse that hose. 100% confirmed positively open airways. Absolutely zero AI, zero HI, even zero snoring. No more lousy blower and leaky masks to battle with and wake you up every night. Perfect sleep from now on forever. Complete pardon, total freedom!

But first, ya gotta join the circus and pick up sword swallowing...

alnhwrd · Post by **alnhwrd** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 1:50 am

Would that it were so! I would be next in line after you! But I don't think it would work, you would be just as prone to infection, if not more so. Think about it, you would be bringing bacteria from the outside and air along with the tube and putting it even closer to your sinuses and lungs.

It sounds like you have had a rough go of it. You probably have to keep everything super clean, and it must be a real chore. Have you tried the in line bacteria filter yet? I have seen it a few times, maybe it would help. Best of luck to you.

dllfo · Post by **dllfo** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 1:58 am

The National Jewish Hospital did an overnight test on me with two sensors on a tiny wire through my nose, into my Esophagus. I had been doing every test for about a month.

About 3 hours later I gently pulled it out, which was made easier because of all the 4 letter words I was uttering.

To sleep with a tube down your throat ... wow. I yield the floor to a stronger, braver person than I.

Sinus infections? Sorry to hear that, but there HAS to be a way to cure your sinus problems. Maybe a garden hose up each nostril? Sorry, that was tacky and uncalled for. I have learned one thing and that is to get a 2nd, 3rd or even 4th opinion (not counting mine). It was my 4th doctor who figured out my pulmonary problems. If I had quit with the first one I would still think I have Asthma and was allergic to about 25 things.

Seriously, don't give up. Your recurring Sinus Infections MAY indicate a deeper (not a pun I promise) problem. My inability to breathe well led to
an implant to fix a tear/hole in my heart, Vocal Cord Dysfunction and CCHS.

Good luck and don't give up.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 5:04 am

I don't think that's be very comfortable.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 9:18 am

dllfo wrote:The National Jewish Hospital did an overnight test on me with two sensors on a tiny wire through my nose, into my Esophagus. I had been doing every test for about a month.

About 3 hours later I gently pulled it out, which was made easier because of all the 4 letter words I was uttering.

You lasted longer than this doctor did... ...

A post in 2004 on a board many sleep techs frequent:

One of the techs asked:
"Several years ago it seemed like esophageal pressure monitoring (Pes) was becoming a standard in polysomnography. I haven't heard much about it lately. Are many centers/labs still using Pes or is this invasive procedure fading out?"

Among the replies by other techs was this:
"In the center I ran there was a physician who wanted to do this. He did not know, could not tell me, what the normal values would be so, he decided he would wer one and be monitored all night to establish a baseline. He showed the technologist how to place the catheter, on me. Then the technologist nervously placed it on him. He had it in for about 15 seconds, tossed his cookies then exclaimed he would never put a patient through that."

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 10:00 am

JMG.... Well, let's think more positively than that, shall we?

1) Have you talked about your sinus issues with a doctor?

2) Have you tried regular rinsing with a Neilmed product, like Sinus Rinse?

3) Have you ever discussed nasal irrigation with a physician? There are pricey electronic sonic nasal irrigators out there that some on this board swear by.

4) Ever tried Flonase? It's my drug of choice.

5) What about a MAD - Mandibular Advancement Device? All the dentists are selling them now. You can get one pretty cheap at Walgreens, and there's also one called Pure Sleep for sale on TV.

I used to be the queen of the stuffy nose, and a 100% mouth breather. Since switching to the Nasal Aire II, I RARELY have a stuffy nose now, and I'm breathing out of my nose about 99% of the time (day and night). I don't know why. I can only surmise that the air pressure is forcing whatever gunk that WAS in there back down to my lungs. I don't care, it works. And the nightly nose breathing has trained me to keep my mouth shut during the day.

My fingers, on the other hand, run amok....

Good luck!
Babs

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 10:55 am

Have you been checked for a deviated septum, enlarged or infected tonsils, your ears?

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 5:03 pm

As I understand it, a tracheotomy completely bypasses the area (back of throat, back of tongue, soft palate) most likely to collapse. So, a trache wouldn't be quite like what JMG had in mind -- a tube to hold the collapsible area open.

woozle2 · Post by **woozle2** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 5:33 pm

I asked my ENT doc this question, but asked about using stints in the throat much like stints used in veins and hearts and he said that the throat basically wouldn't allow it, that fluids and mucous would cover it or try to get rid of it thinking it is an irritant and would cause so many more problems, thus the reason for nothing like that on the market- he said it just wouldn't work.