Apnea on *exhalation*

Chipmunk cheeks, not a thing in Australia.
No squirrels at all.
Guinea pigs?
Hamsters?
Trumpet virtuosos?
Oh! I got it! "Didgeridoo cheeks"!

I had Palatal Prolapse on exhalation beginning this summer. It totally messed up my otherwise decade-long very good adjustment to CPAP, and AHI started going all over the map (I think the highest was 11.75 AHI).

Then I got the 6” AlaxoStent and started using it mid-December. Instant Success!!!
My AHI dropped below 0.5 instantly, and almost every day is 0.0 AHI since then (except for a few CA’s here and there). I know that it is working because I’m still wearing my Bleep mask and VAuto, and reading the OSCAR downloads. I keep reducing my EPAP every 5-7 days since it seems the AlaxoStent has prevented my Obstructive Apneas too (my sleep study was 33 AHI, so 0.0 looks really good to me!). My min-EPAP is currently 3cm, and IPAP is currently 6cm. My min-EPAP used to be 6.4cm, and max IPAP was 14cm before I started with the stent, so I guess I’ve cut my pressure needs in half already. The VAuto in “S” mode can go down to 2cm, and I’m going to switch to that lowest pressure after this weekend. I’ve even tried a nap without the machine (just the AlaxoStent) and my O2Ring said I had the same good SpO2 stats as when I’m on the VAuto.

I adjusted easily to putting it in through my nose, far quicker than adjusting to CPAP 11 years ago. I much prefer this to the idea of surgery.

If you can afford it (under $1,000 out of pocket, my insurance would not reimburse but others have had better luck), it may be exactly the right treatment. It is FDA approved for sleep apnea (the 6” version), and your doctor needs to approve the sale (or the company’s affiliated doctors can do that prescription virtually if your doctor is uncomfortable - that’s what I did).

Sorry if this sounds like a sales pitch. I don’t work for them, I’m just an enthusiastic AlaxoStent user (in my first month with it).

I know it’s been a while but I had the same problem and have been trying to find somebody to help me with it for a couple of years . I finally I have had my UPPP surgery on 4-15 and recovered, now using my CPAP actually works in both directions. I am thrilled that I don’t have to wear a full face mask I use the Brevida nasal pillows and I can sleep on my back or at least mostly on my back. It was hell for the first couple of weeks though, The initial recovery pain is terrible, And it looks terrible in the back of your throat if you’ve ever seen anybody that has had their tonsils out it looks gross. I have a follow up this coming week and I still feel like I have some thing back there like the ends of stitches or knots or something, in my nasopharynx area & touching my adenoids. But it is minor now.

After about three weeks I got sick of the stitches around my tonsils and they were loose not holding anything so I snipped them and pulled them out even though they are supposed to be absorbable sutures. I didn’t want to wait anymore because they kept interfering with being able to talk, it would trigger a coughing fit. ‍

For those who deny that this is a problem, my husband was recently put on CPAP as well and he adjusted to it with no problem because he’s never had this exhalation issue. I think it took me about two years to finally get used to the CPAP and realize which positions I couldn’t sleep in. Which was 90% of the positions I wanted to sleep in. This has helped my shoulders and my neck because I don’t have to be continually on one side or the other rotated so that my face is partially tilted toward the mattress/pillow in order to breathe.

Just hope you didn't give yourself some infection by stitch removal not done by a doctor.

Julie wrote: ↑

Wed May 18, 2022 8:35 pm

Just hope you didn't give yourself some infection by stitch removal not done by a doctor.

Removing stitches isn't rocket surgery.

terriergal wrote: ↑

Wed May 18, 2022 6:21 pm

I finally I have had my UPPP surgery on 4-15 and recovered, now using my CPAP actually works in both directions.

It's good to hear that you are doing better.

1. What are your pressure settings now?

2. Early on, you mentioned possible turbinate reduction surgery. What did your latest ENT think about this?

3. Are you aware that many of us wear a foam cervical collar at night to keep the neck in the ideal position for airway patency? This also is good for spinal health.

I recommend entering "home sleep test for sleep apnea" into a browser window. From there you will see several links to explain about home tests. One reference takes you to an offering from this site's sponsor, $175 for home test plus interpretation plus prescription for a machine if needed. I believe the site rules prohibit me from putting the URL into this post, but you should find it straightaway. $175 versus lab test costing upwards of $3K. Infinitely better than self-diagnosis via google.