Otosclerosis

This is kind of an "out there" issue. I have Otosclerosis and will be going in to do corrective surgery in a couple of months. I did my first ear about 4 years ago. And now I am doing my other ear. After corrective surgery, you have to be careful about putting any pressure on your ear. I.e., you can't lift much weight, exercise, etc. For my first surgery I was given mega-doses of vitamins and what not so that I would fight off any virus that may make me cough, as coughing may harm the wound.

I got my CPAP after my pre-op appointment and haven't talked with my doctor yet. I will ask him if I will need to not use CPAP for a while when I get a chance. I'm thinking that CPAP may put too much pressure (14 in my case) on my healing wound.

Has anybody with OSA in this board had Otosclerosis corrective surgery while on CPAP?

Chappy

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): CPAP

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): CPAP

I would definitly talk to the doctor/surgeon prior to your surgery.
I know my ears pop, sometimes painfully, with the CPAP and I'm at a pressure of 10.

Good luck!!!!
cheers
goose

Yes, definitely talk with him about it. I've had some pressure related popping too. Also, I have TMJ and ear pain from it sometimes. Some of it was from a chinstrap, and some from a papillow. But the masks also may aggravate it somewhat. Maybe due to the awkward head/pillow angles I now use for sleeping.

If you cannot use your cpap for a while, you should try sleeping on your side to reduce the apneas. For me the only reliable way to do this is to sleep with a small backpack stuffed with a pillow that prevents me from rolling on my back. Tennis balls and stuff like that didn't work for me.

Looking at my sleep study, my apneas were much worse on my back. You can look at your sleep study and see whether this is true for you. Some people have recommended sleeping in a recliner, too.

Good luck with your surgery.

My sleep study analysis did show that my apneas were much worse on my back. The Doc also said that apnea is worse when one is on his back. The backpack is a good idea. I'll keep this thread updated with what the doctor tells me and how my surgery and pre surgery ordeal goes.

Another thing i'm worried about is intubation. Don't they have to intubate you when you're awake if you have OSA? I watched that TV show -- the one with the fat people in the hospital -- where they tried to intibate a guy while he was awake; he went baserk! I'm a scuba diver so I hope I can control myself. I'm not looking forward to doing this surgery, but I am looking forward to getting this done!

Chappy

Yikes, Chappy, I haven't seen any TV show where they intubate people while awake because of OSA! I guess I should be glad I was diagnosed AFTER my neck surgery then!

I don't have any answer for you on the Otosclerosis and CPAP use, I agree, let the docs decide that one, I just wanted to wish you the best of outcomes and quick recovery.