An Update

[blarg]

It's been forever, I know, that's why I figured it was about time I hopped in and gave you an update. My BiPAP Auto (Tank) now has just over 7,000 hours on it, and I'm now 26. I'm still using my Headrest/Twilight NP/Whatever they're calling it these days with the classic Rested Gal decapitation. My AHI (machine reported) is anywhere between 1 and 2 on an average night.

My reasons for not being very active on this forum are many, but mainly having to do with the major change in lifestyle that came with moving to Australia. I just don't have the time I had in the states to bore you all with my prolific posting.

I'm still with the man that I moved here to be with, and just got granted residency here in May. We're now engaged, and he went back to meet my family last year for Thanksgiving. No date yet for the wedding, as we're still trying to figure out how to best suit the ocean divide for everyone.

Also, my work here is fantastic, and I'm still working the same job that I started when I came. I've now progressed from being a developer on the team to being the lead engineer for the Sydney office. In short, things are wonderful.

So, back to my sleep apnoea. Along with my residency, I also became eligible for Medicare (Aussie, not the US variety). Since seeing doctors instantly became more convenient and much cheaper (generally free), I decided to start chasing up loose ends that were left with my treatment. Back in the US, my sleep doctor had recommended getting my tonsils out, and I never actually had a titration study. I figured it's about time to get a professional look into what I'm doing to see if I could improve. Both of my machines will still go right up to 20 if I leave them without a maximum pressure, and that indicates to me that I might be able to do better than I am in my treatment.

I went to my GP and got a referral to a sleep doc so I could have a revisionary study. He's a really good doctor and had no issue reading the smart card I brought in for my appointment. Without me mentioning that the US docs thought I should have my tonsils out, he said my tonsils were probably getting in the way of my breathing and that I should have them out. He referred me to an ENT that specialises in surgeries that assist CPAP therapy. He also put me in the queue for a sleep study at a public hospital. I could have gone private, but I'm not in a rush and would rather save money than get in quicker.

The ENT took a look and recommends having a tonsillectomy, turbinate reduction, the remnant of my adenoid removed, and a radiofrequency tongue base reduction. I trust this doctor, and haven't told him for sure yet, but I plan on following his suggestions. He gave me a scrip for some nasonex to try to see if I notice a difference and I see him again in 6 weeks. I specifically quizzed him on UPPP and he said he never performed it because there was no proof it was long-term effective. I've researched the procedures he's recommending to the best of my ability, and he seems to know what he's talking about.

So anyway, that's basically an update as to what's going on for me. Just figured I'd drop in and let you'se know how I'm going.

This forum was amazingly helpful for getting my to this point in my treatment, and I'd like to thank you all for the help you've provided with no expectation of anything in return.

[ozij]

Good to hear from you Blarg, and wonderful that things are working out so well! Congratulations for the upcoming wedding!

That decapitated Headrest (would they haven't changed the name in about a year!) is still my favorite too.

O.

[gulfpearl]

Blarg It's good to hear from you. Congratulations on your good fortune.Hope the best for you .

[tattooyu]

Congrats Blarg!

You know, every since I was a little boy, I would get tonsillitis, which has abated in my adult years. However, every time they would examine me I was told over and over that my tonsils are enormous. I've been thinking about being referred to an ENT to have a look-see. I've had two friends who have had tonsillectomies as adults and apparently it's very painful compared to when you are a child. Still, I think it would help. I makes sense.

Can you use CPAP when healing from a tonsillectomy?

[amos]

Hi Blarg,

Good to hear from you. stay in touch more often.

amos

[Catnapper]

So good to hear all your good news! Congratulations on the upcoming wedding!

I certainly missed your posts, so it was a delight to see you there again.

Let us know more when and if you have time.

Catnapper - Joanie

[bdp522]

AAhh Blarg, we do miss you here! I'm so glad to hear that all is going so well for you! You're gonna invite us all to the wedding, RIGHT?!? I hope all the surgery that you,re planning helps. Please keep us posted, AND come back for a visit more often!

Brenda

[kteague]

Hey, forum friend, so good to hear that things are well with you. Glad you thought of us with this update - would love to hear from you again after your sleep study, and about about any developments regarding the recommended surgeries.
Kathy

[dsm]

Blarg,

Good to hear from you again. Glad all has gone so well. Terrific to hear your news on the personal side there too
I am still just down the road

One thing that caught my eye in your post was your visit to the ENT & what the ENT said. I went to one about 3 months back
and she recommended 1) Tonsils out, 2) Turbinate Reduction, 3) Straighten Septum, 4) Remove nasal polyps. Am balking at
going ahead as she says it takes 2 weeks of hell to recover from the tonsilectomy

Did you get any warnings about that ?

Cheers

DSM

[Slinky]

Blarg!!!! So gooooood to see your post and how well things have been going for you!!! Congratulations on all counts! May your wedding be a beautiful day for all and I wish many, many years of happiness and good fortune to you and yours!! Goshes, if your AHI is "just" 1 or 2 you're still willing to consider surgery??? You've got more guts than I have, my man. I'm such a pansy and a wusp about pain and never volunteer for it!

[birdshell]

Blarg, good to see you. I hope that all the best is in your future and want to see the wedding pictures. It was a brave thing you did to go to Oz, and I am glad it is working out so well.

I know that you will do your research on any surgeries (or medical treatments). So, you are making an informed and cogent decision, as you always do.

You certainly have my support! Stay in touch,

Karen,
Who has found this smiley by typing in "blarg"

Scary, huh?

[Wulfman]

My BiPAP Auto (Tank) now has just over 70,000 hours on it, and I'm now 26.

That's about 24 years of use at 8 hrs. per night. You would have been about 2 yrs. old when you started therapy.

Glad to hear you're still kickin'.......and getting LOTS of sleep.


Den

[Muse-Inc]

...tonsillectomies as adults and apparently it's very painful compared to when you are a child...

Mom had one when she was 30-ish...umm, that's almost 50 yrs ago. They told her to talk, she wouldn't 'cause it was painful (pain meds MUCH better today)...result? Lost her voice for a wk or so and a month of laryngitis & hoarseness. When I had mine out at 17, I talked my head off to avoid her experience which I remembered quite vividly.

[ozij]

You can read detailed descriptions from socknitster - who is very glad she had a tonsilectomy, despite the pain - it dropped he pressure needs quite a bit. She was on BIPAP by then, so it'll give you a sense of how long she had to be off it.

Blarg!!!! So gooooood to see your post and how well things have been going for you!!! Congratulations on all counts! May your wedding be a beautiful day for all and I wish many, many years of happiness and good fortune to you and yours!! Goshes, if your AHI is "just" 1 or 2 you're still willing to consider surgery??? You've got more guts than I have, my man. I'm such a pansy and a wusp about pain and never volunteer for it!

OTOH, that's what you're at at 26, blarg. It might be easier and better to do it now than in you fifties.

O.

[rested gal]

Kevinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!!!

Gosh we miss you here. We're grateful for any chance you have to drop in....just wish it could be more frequently.

So glad to hear all your good news. Wow!! You're still getting good treatment, got a job promotion, granted residency status, planning the upcoming wedding to the love of your life... how wonderful!! You deserve all good things.

Keep taking good care of yourself, darlin' !