How to measure recovery?

[FJB]

Hi All,

I haven't posted after my septoplasty-from-hell experience. Since I liked that so much, I went in an had tonsils and a somnoplasty tongue and tissue reduction on Oct 3.

That surgery went just about like the first, but I think I am now IMPROVED.

I haven't used the "snorkel" since my last surgery, and the snoring is down, WAY DOWN.

I'm still shaking off the knife--there were complications, about as many possible, but we're by those now.

I hope that it isn't wishful thinking, but the fatigue now seems "different" than before. I hoped to be free of CPAP because, frankly, it wasn't working well for me.

What's a good method to measure energy recovery? My age is now 47, and 24 months ago, I was running 1 1/2 miles in 10 minutes. The apnea set in, and I dried-up in a few months afterwards. Constantly exhausted.

I hope to start physical training again next week. The success stats for my specifics and procedures are about those of CPAP. As for my sleep, (now that its not surgery pain-addled) is again different--far more serene,

I hope to have this curse licked. Wish me luck.

[kteague]

Hi. Glad you're past the worst of the recovery from the surgeries and are showing improvement in your sleep. Hope you soon find yourself able to do some things you'd been too tired for before (work out, etc). That won't be luck - that will be the result of much pain and suffering and your willingness to go thru it all in hopes of gaining the prize. How long post-op do you have to wait before the doc considers all swelling to be gone and does follow-up sleep studies, short and long term? That's where you'll find the measurable recovery. Don't know how to measure "better" in symptom relief - but as you recognize it, you'll know that every gain has immeasurable value. We've heard the statistics on how large a percent of those who have these surgeries find they are not apnea free. The flip side of that is there are some who succeed, and I sincerely hope that you find yourself in that number. Someone has gotta make up that percentage, right? Why not you? Best wishes in your future.
Kathy

[FJB]

Kathy--Thank you for the encouragement. A challenge is an understatement for this. I seem to be feeling "better" daily. It is like once again my engines are coming on. It is difficult but exhilarating as well. My old self seems to still be in here.

People who have never suffered from apnea have difficulty relating. Mine was severe. It actually occurred over several years without my realizing what it was. The symptoms were sporadic, but I functioned relatively well. That changed it seemed during a trip to NYC where I was falling asleep everywhere.

It seems the surgeries were helpful for me. The apnea is not gone, but it is markedly improved. My heart goes out to all those who are not so fortunate. I can easily see how lives are devastated.

As for the docs, well, most of my progress was made without a specific MD supervising it. I was lost in the big-med system and had to get creative. I had my PCP, who knew almost nothing of apnea, schedule the sleep study and refer me to the specialists. I have a new PCP now who will likely be more actively involved.

The greatest sign of recovery for me will be to run like mad again and feel great afterwards. Then put in a hard 12 hr day.

[Guest]

Let us know the results of your followup sleep study a year after the surgery. You can still have OSA and need cpap even if you feel more energetic and stop snoring. Don't make the mistake my uncle did and think everything is fine and 4 years later he finally had the PSG and learned he still had OSA. He ended up having a stroke and I wonder if those 4 years of untreated OSA contributed to it, and the fact the doctor was negligent because he told my uncle the surgery was successful and never required him to have the followup PSG which would have shown otherwise.