Will a tonsillectomy render my APAP useless?

[Suddenly Worn Out]

Yes I have a sleep physician. Actually right now I have two sleep physicians. I was merely asking here first to get a "no shi*t" truth answer about any potential future problems that could arise from getting my tonsils and probably adenoids cut out, specifically relating to my AutoPaps ability to detect obstructions. Since one of my current sleep medicine doctors is an ENT surgeon, I have found that if there is money for a doctor to be made, they wont give you a straight answer. Hence I wanted my own research, done apart from the physician who makes money by doing both tonsil removals AND OSA surgeries.

As I dont totally trust doctors.

The title of my post was very clear. It was not about OSA surgery and APAPs. I am not looking to have any OSA surgery. Im not looking to have any surgery, if its not needed. But if a tonsillectomy will get rid of these ear, nose and throat infections Ive been having repetitiously, by all means I want the ENT to do that. So long as it will not destroy my APAP's obstruction detection capabilities.


Eric

Hi,

I originally read your post wrong thinking you were wanting the surgery mainly for OSA. I note that it's for infections is that right? Is this a common problem?

It's really something you need to speak to your physician about. It may really help with your sleep apnea - it might not. One would assume that you might get away with a lower pressure if you get it done. Or it could be the other way. It all depends.

Are you able to see a sleep physician?

[sleepstar]

Hi,
If you're feeling your doctor isn't truthful then I think you should maybe see someone else
I obviously can't speak for all doctors because I don't know what you've gone through. But I know the doctors I work with would not be referring patients to get these surgeries done if it wasn't in the patient's best interest. I don't think any of our sleep physicians would see a $ coming from these surgeries. I don't know how it works in the states though. I'm fortunate to work with some great doctors. I think where I work the doctors would be more likely to spend money on their patient than make money lol.

I hope you find the answers you're looking for . I would suspect another sleep physician might be worth a go?? I don't know what the ENTs are like. I don't think the sleep doctors would be making a profit though. I understand where you're coming from though. I've heard others say that saying about ENTs wanting to hack!

Best wishes

[sleepstar]

If this helps at al though, my dad has very severe OSA and had a UPPP many years ago. He uses ASV advanced on very high pressure with no problems

[jnk]

My understanding is that when the algorithm of an auto uses snores and the shape of the flow curve to find the best pressure to prevent breathing events, any surgical changes to the airway that may change the nature of a patient's snores and flow have the potential to change how that auto will react for that patient. However, my opinion is that I would not use that alone or as a major factor for deciding for or against any reasonable surgery. There are much more important coniderations to base that decision on, in my opinion--such as likelihood of long-term success in fixing whatever it is you are trying to fix, as judged based on scientific documentation of patients with anatomy similar to yours and doctors with extensive experience in that area of medicine.

Much would depend on how you run your auto. If you keep the minimum close to what you need to prevent breathing events anyway, any slight changes to how you breathe from tonsils being removed will probably be a complete non-issue as far as successful PAP therapy is concerned, I would think. On the other hand, if you run your auto wide open, 4 to 20 cm, there could, maybe, be some slight impact on how the machine runs for you that might motivate you to raise your minimum pressure, which would be no big deal unless you have other issues or reasons to keep your minimum low.

Bottom line is that APAP is often considered contraindicated for patients who have had UPPP. I am aware of no similar statement about people who have had only a tonsillectomy.

(In my opinion as a fellow patient with no medical training whatsoever.)

[angcor580]

I had my tonsil and adenoids removed when I was young which help me stop getting infections. However I am now on the CPAP machine. As my recent ENT specialist stated, surgery will only help you some but not cure your OSA. I could have my turbines widen but there only a 50% chance that it will be effective and not grow back. I am done with surgeries as there no guarantee it will be effective nor are the rates high for success.

[DreamStalker]

Why waste healthcare dollars on a surgery proceedure that may not work?

If you're into the financial support of surgeons, get a tracheostomy and that will definitely cure your sleep apnea.

I guess some people just have more dollars than sense.

[jnk]

If I might draw attention to these words of the OP:

. . . I am not looking to have any OSA surgery. Im not looking to have any surgery, if its not needed. But if a tonsillectomy will get rid of these ear, nose and throat infections Ive been having repetitiously, by all means I want the ENT to do that. So long as it will not destroy my APAP's obstruction detection capabilities. . . .

Color added by me.

So the surgery is being considered for reasons other than OSA, as I read it. And the OP is prudently making sure it won't affect OSA treatment.

Please bear with us, SWO. In 99.9% of the posts we see on this board that mention any form of surgery in that area, the question is very different from yours. So, many of us are likely to post on the surgery-for-OSA question even though that wasn't your question. Sorry about that.

[DreamStalker]

If I might draw attention to these words of the OP:

. . . I am not looking to have any OSA surgery. Im not looking to have any surgery, if its not needed. But if a tonsillectomy will get rid of these ear, nose and throat infections Ive been having repetitiously, by all means I want the ENT to do that. So long as it will not destroy my APAP's obstruction detection capabilities. . . .

Color added by me.

So the surgery is being considered for reasons other than OSA, as I read it. And the OP is prudently making sure it won't affect OSA treatment.

Please bear with us, SWO. In 99.9% of the posts we see on this board that mention any form of surgery in that area, the question is very different from yours. So, many of us are likely to post on the surgery-for-OSA question even though that wasn't your question. Sorry about that.

Despite the OP's "infection" statement, the thread title suggests otherwise. I don't think the OP knows what is in their best interest ... hence my reply to the thread.

Infections can be addressed with anti-biotics and/or supplementing a nutrition deficency. Surgery considerations are ... well, a dollars and sense issue.

[SleepingUgly]

It's not just that we can't read. It's that we can't help but feel that his question ought to be: Is there a way to remove my tonsils so as to maximize my airway for purposes of both treating infections and possibly improving my OSA that will not impact my ability to use APAP in the future? His assumption that anything other than hacking out his tonsils in the usual way done for infections necessarily WILL impact his future use of APAP is merely that--an assumption--until someone can point to an expert's opinion or a study showing it will.

I'm sure he can find many surgeons who know how to do a regular tonsillectomy. To find one who can do it in a way that opens the airway further is more challenging. To each his own.

[Suddenly Worn Out]

I feel that way about ALL doctors in the USA. I have been dealing with doctors and health insurance for well over ten years now and have seen all sorts of immoral things, with multiple physicians. I trust none of them. Here in the USA, it is the individual, the consumer who is ultimately responsible for their own well being and safety. The USA is not a welfare state and we do not expect others to always do what is in our best interest. Here in the USA, it is ultimately YOU who has responsibility for YOUR own safety, medical care, upkeep, feeding, living conditions and so on.

You sound as if you have existed in a country that has socialist "we take care of you from birth to death" type philosophy and economy. Thats not the USA.

Eric

Hi,
If you're feeling your doctor isn't truthful then I think you should maybe see someone else

[Suddenly Worn Out]

I did not go to this guy because I wanted my OSA cured with surgery. I went to this ENT because I was formally diagnosed with a tonsil infection recently and have been having recurring ear, nose and throat infections for years. This ENT (and many like them in the USA) also does the OSA surgery and I am wanting to make sure any tonsil removal surgery done for the purposes of preventing future tonsillitis will not screw up my AutoPap's ability to detect obstructive events.

Tonsillectomy, NOT UPPP!!!

Eric

Why waste healthcare dollars on a surgery proceedure that may not work?

If you're into the financial support of surgeons, get a tracheostomy and that will definitely cure your sleep apnea.

I guess some people just have more dollars than sense.

[Suddenly Worn Out]

Do people even read the posts here or do they just scan the headline and project their own thinking into their replies to the post? Inquiring minds would like to know. My original post was about a TONSILLECTOMY, not OSA surgery.

Eric

[Suddenly Worn Out]

LOL Geeeezzz

Ive been treating this thing with anti-biotics for years. I dont have any nutritional deficiencies. I get lots of medical care. My iron levels were checked last June. FYI, the standard treatment for recurring tonsillitis is: A FRIGGIN TONSILLECTOMY!!!!

Doh!

Eric

Despite the OP's "infection" statement, the thread title suggests otherwise. I don't think the OP knows what is in their best interest ... hence my reply to the thread.

Infections can be addressed with anti-biotics and/or supplementing a nutrition deficency. Surgery considerations are ... well, a dollars and sense issue.

[Suddenly Worn Out]

Yes, the surgery is being considered for reasons that have nothing to do with OSA. I made that clear early on. A tonsillectomy is not OSA surgery. I assumed most of the regular posters here would be educated to realize that. When I think "OSA surgery," first thing that pops into my brain is "UPPP."

Evidently with some of the more addle minded folks here, that I thought were not so addle minded, a tonsillectomy is done for OSA!!! LMFAO

Eric

If I might draw attention to these words of the OP:

. . . I am not looking to have any OSA surgery. Im not looking to have any surgery, if its not needed. But if a tonsillectomy will get rid of these ear, nose and throat infections Ive been having repetitiously, by all means I want the ENT to do that. So long as it will not destroy my APAP's obstruction detection capabilities. . . .

Color added by me.

So the surgery is being considered for reasons other than OSA, as I read it. And the OP is prudently making sure it won't affect OSA treatment.

Please bear with us, SWO. In 99.9% of the posts we see on this board that mention any form of surgery in that area, the question is very different from yours. So, many of us are likely to post on the surgery-for-OSA question even though that wasn't your question. Sorry about that.

[jnk]

Sometimes it IS done for OSA.

It is often part of a series of surgeries for treating OSA for those who cannot, or will not, use PAP.

It can be successful for the very young, I understand, for improving sleep-breathing, and in a few older ones with out-of-the-ordinary anatomy, I believe. Not the norm. But often enough.

That is why mention of tonsillectomy and APAP in the title of a thread on any OSA-related board is likely to get quite a few OSA-surgery comments. And such comments may be very valuable for anyone stumbling on the thread considering throat surgery for OSA.

So be careful what you laugh off. You may need it later to sit down after the surgery.