surgery an option?

There are different types of surgery, on different parts of your airway, with different results.
There's surgery to clear obstructions in your nose: it may help your CPAP therapy be more efficient.
Theres suryger clear obsturctions caused by huge tonsils: it my help your CPAP therapy by more efficient.
Both of these may dramtically lower the pressure you need, and thus help make CPAP therapy more tolerable.

There UPPP - and others things attempted on your palate: It may lower the AHI to half the previous number, but rarely lowers AHI to acceptable levels, and it will make CPAP therapy much more difficult. It does no solve the fact you get choked by your tongue while you sleep.

There's also surgery the breaks you jaw and moves you tongue, and should be considered when all else fails, and works for people with a receding jaw. It is very succesful - and complicated.


http://www.sleepsurgery.com/

O.

There's a lot of info out there about the risks of nose surgery; the septum can actually grow back into its previous position. I've looked into it and have decided not to do it, as of right now. Try the neti pot for awhile first.

talktobon wrote:There's a lot of info out there about the risks of nose surgery; the septum can actually grow back into its previous position. I've looked into it and have decided not to do it, as of right now. Try the neti pot for awhile first.

I bet much of it is out of date. The surgery has really advanced in the last fifteen years. I had a great experience with correction of a double deviated septum and resectioning of all six turbinates.

Of course you should approach this surgery with considerable deliberation and a good surgeon you trust. You are right to take some time to decide.

rooster wrote:

talktobon wrote:There's a lot of info out there about the risks of nose surgery; the septum can actually grow back into its previous position. I've looked into it and have decided not to do it, as of right now. Try the neti pot for awhile first.

I bet much of it is out of date. The surgery has really advanced in the last fifteen years. I had a great experience with correction of a double deviated septum and resectioning of all six turbinates.

Let's be clear on the benefit. Were you able to permanently get off of PAP therapy?

I don't doubt there are benefits of nasal surgery, particularly if a person has a hard time breathing through their nose because of something like polyps. However, the odds are still not good of enabling a person to be free of PAP therapy for the rest of their lives. Some people get off for a while, but some end up worse than before, and some that get off, have to go back on. Not really many, even with all of the advancements in the last 15 years, are able to get off permanently.

Surgery should not be considered a cure for sleep apnea.

LoQ wrote: ........... Were you able to permanently get off of PAP therapy?
..........

Well I am still here, aren't I?

You are right LoQ, nasal surgery is rarely a cure for sleep apnea. The blockage causing sleep apnea is beyond the nasal cavities.

I did not have the surgery to address sleep apnea. It was done to allow me to breathe through the nose night and day. The results are wonderful and I highly recommend my doctor to others.

rooster wrote:You are right LoQ, nasal surgery is rarely a cure for sleep apnea. The blockage causing sleep apnea is beyond the nasal cavities.

I did not have the surgery to address sleep apnea.

Thank you for the clarification. The OP was wanting to know if surgery could cure sleep apnea. It's a common hope.

It can make a big improvement and improve your quality of sleep and life. It is worth looking into , but youu need a GOOD ent. I had a lot of work done and I am very happy. My doctor said I may always need it cpap but my pressure could be lower and I may sleep better and fee better. He was right, my life is bettter.