long uvula

I had my first appointment with an ENT specialist today since being diagnosed with sleep apnea. He was surprised by the number of events that I am still having on CPAP. He did a trough examination and then announced that my uvula was too long (Which my GP had also mentioned recently)

He recommended getting the uvula removed via LAUP (laser-assisted uvulopalatopharyngoplasty). While he said it would not cure my apnea he felt that there was a good possibility it would improve my CPAP treatment and reduce events. (but pointed out there are not guarantees)

Has anyone here had LAUP? Has anyone had a bad experience with it? He said it was painful but not as bad as UPPP. He seemed quite confident that my uvula was a problem.

Given the current situation I am leaning towards having it done but want to hear others opinions first.

LAUP won't cure your OSA as your ENT already said (sign of a good honest ENT if you ask me).

After looking at your EncorePro reports, I agree with your ENT that reducing the size of the uvula may help reduce the number of events you are having. Your treated OSA is worse than some have before treatment.

Suggestion: I wouldn't let them completely remove the uvula, if they want to reduce the size by 50% that would be good and probably accomplish the same effect, ask your ENT. You can always remove more but much harder putting it back.

I'm no expert, while it is not clear, the uvula does seem to have a purpose, just ask those that have had it removed via UPPP, it is thought to help prevent keeping food particles from going up past your palate into the nasal cavity when you swallow.

But would it still be effective if reduced by 50% probably not.

http://www.webmd.com/hw/health_guide_atoz/ug2517.asp

http://www.entnet.org/healthinfo/snoring/laup.cfm

With that said, I have thought about having the procedure done myself for the very reason your doctor indicated. I discussed the LAUP option with my ENT when I was being considered for Pillar of which he didn't have much positive to say. He said he would do the pillar for me but it wouldn't probably help me. Where it was left, I was to call him back for the appointment for having the LAUP done, just haven't done it.

Here is what the above link says:

Should You Consider LAUP?

If your snoring is habitual and disruptive to others, you may be a prime candidate for LAUP. Your otolaryngologist will evaluate you and ask the following questions:

* Do you snore loudly and disturb your family and friends?
* Do you have daytime sleepiness?
* Do you wake up frequently in the middle of the night?
* Do you have frequent episodes of obstructed breathing during sleep?
* Do you have morning headaches or tiredness?

Suitability for LAUP is determined after a review your health history, lifestyle factors (alcohol and tobacco intake as well as exercise), cardiovascular condition, and current medications in use. You will also receive a physical and otolaryngological (ear, nose, and throat) examination to evaluate the cause of the snoring.

Before the laser procedure is conducted, you will participate in a "sleep study," which will grade the level of actual snoring and sleep apnea. This will complete the evaluation necessary for prescribing the appropriate treatment for your needs.

You have your EncorePro reports, but I don't recall seeing any snores, so it will be interesting to see what happens. My snore index has been as high as 262 so I would have plenty to look at, but the number of events you have remaining with cpap are way more in frequency.

SWS needs to look at your report and see what he thinks.


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What did you decide to do, if anything, regarding your long uvula and the LAUP procedure?

I also have a long uvula, as well as a sort of droopy soft palate. At times, my uvula seems to lengthen so that it goes down past the back of the base of my tongue, which I find annoying -- also somehow embarrassing to admit to!

One ENT suggested LAUP, but I've also read that it seldom -- if ever? -- gets people off CPAP.

However my sleep breathing problems are fairly mild, so I'm tempted to try it because even a modest improvement might free me from CPAP. Main thing stopping me is that I doubt my insurance will cover it.

Gracie

Don't know in comparison what would be more efficient for reducing the uvula, by I have gone through two treatments of somnoplasty. As a result of the treatments, my uvula is now half the size it was originally. The biggest problem I encountered is that the procedure caused the uvula to swell up to twice it's size immediately after the treatment (even with ice water drinks constantly) and I was getting a slight gagging effect when I tried to talk. The swelling only lasted about two days or so.

The treatments seemed to quell my snoring for about 8 months, but the evil in me adapted and overcame.

Regarding the uvula removal, I understand that it's purpose is to help direct foods and liquids down the proper channel. I was recommended for a UPPP but have been resistant to getting it done since I have read and heard that there are side effects. Voice change, inadvertent liquids into the sinuses during swallowing etc. An acquaintance had it done, and said that he had to learn to swallow in a new way. He said it worked, but it was a very tough time for him. When I asked him to open his mouth so I could see, he did and instead of a uvula and lower palate all I saw was space, couldn't tell what constellation I was looking at but it looked like a universe being swallowed up.

gracie97 wrote:What did you decide to do, if anything, regarding your long uvula and the LAUP procedure?

I've pretty much put the decision on the back burner for now. I have gotten just too much conflicting data and opinions.

gracie97 wrote: my uvula seems to lengthen so that it goes down past the back of the base of my tongue

Mine too, often lies on the back of my tongue which is unpleasant.

gracie97 wrote:One ENT suggested LAUP, but I've also read that it seldom -- if ever? -- gets people off CPAP.

My goal was not to get off CPAP but just to hopefully reduce the number of events.