Pillar Precedure: NO CPAP?!?! Any1 had it done?

Has anyone had the Pillar Procedure done? I am quite interested becuase I just don't know if I can take the whole CPAP thing for long. Its taking me so long just to get to sleep becuase of my mask.

I have only had my cpap for 2 wks, and know it takes time to get use to, but I'm always interested in seeing what my other options are.

So, has anyone had this procedure, and what was your success rate? Also, what specifically is the TAP dental device? How do they work together?

I just called around my area (KY) and the out of pocket fee is ~ $1500. Decent amount of $$, but for no hosehead, priceless!!!

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

Hi!

This is a topic you can find previously discussed in many threads. Just go to the top of this page and click on the word: Search
then enter: Pillar Procedure

I've found that for answers to questions I have on virtually any subject, the Search function is usually the best place to start. Its a lot of reading, but it usually provides most of the information I'm looking for! (Not trying to discourage questions, though; heaven knows I'm asking all the time! It's just a good way to get background on a topic.)

For instance, here's a good one I found through Search. Click on:

Pillar Procedure

for several links provided by rested gal--

It does sound encouraging, doesn't it? Seems like based on all the info here, Pillar combined with a dental device is a great one/two punch!

Oh my gosh! Here are even more links for you to read!

rested gal wrote: Pillar Procedure and TAP Dental Device: Topics containing PaulY and Sleepy Stoboy's excellent posts about the Pillar Procedure (3 small inserts placed in the soft palate) and the TAP dental device ("Thornton Adjustable Positioner", a removable device worn in mouth while sleeping to hold lower jaw forward and open the airway more.)

Direct link to Dental Sleep Medicine message board on TAS

Direct link to PaulY's PSG studies before and after the Pillar Implants and TAP device (posted on osaforum/com under the nickname pyounan)

More topics about Pillar and TAP:

Jun 30, 2005 subject: Insurance reimbursement for Pillar starting to happen

Jun 22 2005 subject: pillar procedure newbie ( long)

Jun 21 2005 subject: Does sleeping positions effect Apnea

Jun 16 2005 subject: Getting off of CPAP

Jun 03 2005 subject: Pillars - Insurance Denied Claim

Jun 03 2005 subject: just had the pillar

May 30 2005 subject: Somnoplasty vs Pillar vs UUUP?

If so you can get it done for $1200. You will most likely still need
to see your Dentist and get the Silent Nite or TAP for your tongue
blockage.

Certainly the success of a Pillar Implant or TAP device will depend a lot on the kind of apneas you have and the mechanical cause of them. It WILL stop snoring, but snoring does not always indicate the presence of apneas any more than the absence of snoring indicates the absence of apneas. If it is you floppy soft palate causing the snoring, and the apneas/hypopneas, then it would probably work. If you have enlarged tonsils and uvula, then it alone will not effect a "cure". If you are having Central apneas it won't affect that.

Using a TAP or Silent Night device to advance the tongue or jaw forward might help also, but again, it really depends on the structure of your oral cavity. Some people simply have hereditary small oral openings and not real cases of enlarged tonsils or floppy palates, except as a by-product of snoring. XPAP stops snoring, palate returns to its normal tension and tonsils return to normal. Also stopping smoking would also most likely reduce tonsil inflamation.

I had a repeat visit with my ENT and she said that I had never had enlarged tonsils and my palate had returned to near normal appearance after the 6 months on APAP. But my oral cavity is still small. There is nothing that will affect that unless I want a lot of tissue removed and a whole lot of pain and aspiration of fluids and gagging on dry food. I elect to go with APAP.

I think that right now, people need to realize there is no one cure absolutely for OSA and eventually all roads lead back to xPAP therapy. The Pillar procedure is still too new for there to be any data on long term effects. If removing most of your oral cavity doesn't cure OSA then how can the Pillar procedure? And the oral surgery is usually no help a few years later.