Surgery - Promising?

[seanconnery]

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/01/0 ... =auto&_r=0

[The Choker]

For CPAP losers. I feel sorry for them. But it's better than nothing (maybe).

[KrisasMan]

Nice that they included the stats. This looks better than the soft palate surgery that has been pushed for so long, with that a 50% decrease in AHI is considered successful and most are less than that. This looks like a ~66% decrease in AHI to the 9 range, not bad. I am <2 AHI on my CPAP so you won't see me switching anytime soon, but nice to know it is there and working well.

[49er]

For CPAP losers. I feel sorry for them. But it's better than nothing (maybe).

Choker,

Before you started disparaging a group of people, you might want to be more informed:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2645251/

There is emerging evidence that increased nasal resistance affects CPAP use and initial acceptance of this treatment (37–39). Using acoustic rhinometry to measure the internal dimensions of the airway, those patients with smaller nasal cross-sectional area and reduced volume were much less likely to be adherent (37). Age-adjusted minimum cross-sectional area explained 22% of the variance in CPAP adherence (37). Interestingly, self-reported nasal stuffiness was not associated with nasal dimensions. Nasal resistance/obstruction also seems to influence the initial acceptance of CPAP treatment, with increased nasal pressure resulting in a 50% greater chance of rejecting CPAP as a treatment (38, 39). Acceptance of CPAP was improved with nasal surgery, suggesting that the nasal cavity should be thoroughly evaluated before treatment, and surgery initiated for patients presenting with either total nasal resistance of more than 0.38 mm Hg/cm3 per second, nasal obstruction that would not be decreased with medical treatment, nasal septum deviation, or inferior turbinate hypertrophy

Two ents have said that is my situation and is why I plan on having nasal surgery for a deviated septum and a turbinate reduction unless something drastically changes at the last minute. Ironically, it is because of Obamacare which you never miss an opportunity to disparage that I have this chance at a new life.

I find it scary that if people like you were in charge, I would continue to greatly struggle after two long years of trying everything to make my therapy work and watch my health continue to decline. And for that, you would call me a loser? I won't repeat my thoughts for obvious reasons.

49er

PS - Regarding the topic, the more alternatives people have, the better. I greatly appreciate the link that was posted.

[The Choker]

I won't repeat my thoughts for obvious reasons.

You are in here all day, every day, waiting for a post that you can disagree with and jump on. Major chip on your shoulder. Why?

if people like you were in charge

My goal is to take over and then let people do what they want to do.*

I greatly appreciate the link that was posted.

If the implant is so great, why aren't you running out to get one???


*As long as they don't infringe on the rights of other.

[jnk]

Some nasal surgeries can be of great help to someone whose nasal anatomy makes her CPAP use more difficult than it would otherwise be, I understand.

Although I have nasal issues from time to time, I found, oddly enough, that using nasal pillows for a mask improved things for me. The pressure seems to (as in "feels as if," whether it actually does or not) expand my nostrils a bit, and my being able to deliver the right humidity all night long directly to my nasal passages has been helpful.

Although I do not understand having palate surgeries (other than in combination with other surgeries and for those who absolutely cannot, or will not, use CPAP), I am nevertheless a firm believer in supporting those who pursue nasal surgeries in order to make their PAP therapy more successful, if nasal problems are having a significantly negative impact on their CPAP experience.

But/hey/just/me.

[bavinck]

The pressure seems to (as in "feels as if," whether it actually does or not) expand my nostrils a bit, and my being able to deliver the right humidity all night long directly to my nasal passages has been helpful.

With pillows, the pressure inside the nose will be higher than outside, hence your nose will "expand". With a FFM, in theory the pressure should be the same inside and outside the nose, and the nostrils should not have nearly as great an "expanding" effect. However, in practice many variables lead to a complicated problem of analysis.

[The Choker]

I am nevertheless a firm believer in supporting

And exactly how do you support them?

Financially? Emotionally? Transportation? Sitting by the bed and holding hands? Changing their mustache bandage?

Please tell me how you support them.

[jnk]

how do you support them?

By trying to treat them better than The Choker would.

[JohnO]

Sort of like a pacemaker for breathing. I note that the group that created this split off from Medtronic.

An interesting approach for those that don't mesh well with CPAP therapy.

[chunkyfrog]

Totally understand splitting off from Medtronic.
I can't imagine Medtronic being trusted much after all those defective defibrillating pacemakers.
One of theirs killed my MIL.

[Lukie]

Gosh, I guess I'm just lucky. I have had my machine for a little over a month and I love it. I feel so much better sleeping with it than without it.
The apneas that had been largely untreated had caused my heart to speed up in the daytime and I was looking at possible A-Fib and/or heart failure without further treatment.
Fortunately my 02 levels are up to an acceptable level and I feel much better. I look forward to breathing that soft humidified, filtered air blowing gently down my throat.

[jencat824]

I feel privileged to have the 'new' CPAP technologies - at least I have more choices than 14 yrs ago when I started CPAP. Even with my oldest equipment on a bad day I would still choose CPAP.

Jen

[Goofproof]

Sort of like a pacemaker for breathing. I note that the group that created this split off from Medtronic.

An interesting approach for those that don't mesh well with CPAP therapy.

Oh Good, those are the people that implanted defective leads in me in 2006, and are still implanting defective leads in 2012. Good Choice! Jim