post-surgery questions/worries

traceychen · Post by **traceychen** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 1:20 pm

I had surgery for my sleep apnea 3 weeks ago (both upper and lower jaws have been moved forward) and I would like to find other people who have gone through this surgery to ask them questions about their recovery. I'm worried I have exchanged one problem that kept me from sleeping for another: ever since the orthodontist moved my top teeth forward (just before the surgery), I have been unable to sleep because my lips will not close without conscious effort and the air coming in my mouth dries it so much that the dryness now wakes me and I have to be up sipping water every half hour at least. Since the surgery it's even worse; right now I cannot extend my tongue past my teeth into the space inside my lips to moisten them either. I'm wondering if anyone else has had this problem and if it eventually got better. Also, my doctor says I'm the only patient who has ever complained of having trouble swallowing after the surgery, so I'm afraid that won't get better either. I'm also having trouble getting used to the feeling that my nose is so stretched out now (and I hate the look of it now).

Titrator · Post by **Titrator** » Tue Nov 16, 2004 9:26 pm

Hi Tracey,

I haven't had surgery, but I am bringing this back to the top. It is a good topic. Anyone had surgery for their apnea? Please share.

Regards,

Ted

loonlvr · Post by **loonlvr** » Wed Nov 17, 2004 3:14 pm

i had sugery in 1985 in which they went into the back of the throat to remove some tissue. I cant remember the name(was about 20 letters long). It seemed to work until about 3 or 4 years ago when the apneareturned(someone had to tell me). I am trying to find out about a new surgery i read about here in minnesota using lazers i think. Until then i m using a machine. One question: can a remstar pro be downloaded to a computer. If so, what do i need?

Titrator · Post by **Titrator** » Thu Nov 18, 2004 9:55 am

Hiya Loonlvr,

The Remstar Pro can only download the times you used the machine. It is a compliance feature used to track if you are actually using the machine.

The downloadable data that one can use to see the apnea and hypopnea can only be done by one machine in the Remstar lineup, and that is the Remstar Auto.

Cheers,

T

felineperson3 · Post by **felineperson3** » Sun Nov 21, 2004 4:42 pm

Titrator, Do you have to have special computer software to download the smartcard data from the RemStar auto machine or is this something only your provider has access to? Thanks for any info you can provide--

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Sun Nov 21, 2004 7:31 pm

Hi felineperson3,

cpap.co has the Encore Pro software and smartcard reader for $199.

That is all you need to download the data from your remstar auto. You don't need to be a "provider" to find out how you are doing.

If you would like help with interpreting the data check out the forum at talkaboutsleep.com. There is lot's of discussion on the subject and many forum members that know how to read the data.

You can also post here. There are at least several posters that have used this software.

It's a great idea to "take charge" of your treatment by knowing how you are doing.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Sun Nov 21, 2004 8:26 pm

felineperson, Wader is right about what is needed and how nice it is to be able to see your own data. That is, if a person is as nosy as I am about knowing what's going on in my own treatment.

For my Remstar auto, I use the Encore Pro software. The software, cable and "card reader" can be bought online (without a prescription, as far as I know.) Works with computers running Windows. I don't think the software can work with a Mac.

One note of caution - each time you download the data from the "smart card" to your computer, it erases the data from the smart card. So, if you have to present your "smart card" to the doctor periodically and want the card to continue carrying all the data on it even when you do your own downloads, you'd need to do a tweak to the Windows Registry. It's a very easy change to make, but the computer's Registry is usually not something for the fainthearted to delve into. If you don't have to return the card to the doctor or DME, then it doesn't matter that each of your own downloads makes the card start "fresh" again for the next night. As Wader mentioned, there are tons of posts on that other good message board about using the Encore software.

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Sun Nov 21, 2004 8:37 pm

Hi RG,

It's not nosy to know about your own treatment - just smart

Great info about the Encore Pro software.

I think Respironics also has a tech support line that can answer some questions if you need.