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JohnBFisher wrote:

weeburty wrote:... And your name is Dr Who? ...

No, no. I'm pretty certain he lurks over on your side of the pond!

John, I was thinking the EXACT same thing!

Weeburty, I'm really glad for you! I hope that you're indeed one of the few, special folks that is free of that wretched hose!

At least Dr Who might be able to go back in time and help you if your surgery doesn't keep you fixed in the future. Me I'd rather get a second opinion from Spock, even one of his guesses would be good enough for me. Jim

I'm new and admittedly don't know much, but hallelujah for someone who may not have to live the rest of his life this way! Not that I think it's such an awful thing, but it is a pain, and it would be wonderful if even one person found a solution to his own very unique problem.

Vader wrote:

JohnBFisher wrote:

weeburty wrote:... And your name is Dr Who? ...

No, no. I'm pretty certain he lurks over on your side of the pond!

John, I was thinking the EXACT same thing!

Weeburty, I'm really glad for you! I hope that you're indeed one of the few, special folks that is free of that wretched hose!

Thanks Vader, I have to admit I stuffed up when I wrote Dr Who, never thought about the TV character till after I posted.

That’s a wonderful story! I hope that your cure is confirmed.

I know it wouldn’t work for me, but I’m happy for you and sure it will work for someone else too.

SleeplessInOntario wrote:That’s a wonderful story! I hope that your cure is confirmed.

I know it wouldn’t work for me, but I’m happy for you and sure it will work for someone else too.

Thank You, once I know the final outcome I'll sure let you all know

UPDATE, 1 calendar month after op., 3 weeks without CPAP

I had an appointment with surgeon today that did the tonsilectomy, like me he's delighted to hear about the OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) not being present, then he told me out of 200 ops he performs a year, on average he only see's this twice a year which equates to 1%.. and that I was a very lucky man. Apparently this can only cure OSA if the tonsils are very large, which mine were and why he mentioned before the op that it could happen.

He is going to write to Professor MacKay at the sleep clinic, so we'll see what happens when I go there.

Thanks for the update, weeburty.

weeburty wrote:UPDATE, 1 calendar month after op., 3 weeks without CPAP

I had an appointment with surgeon today that did the tonsilectomy, like me he's delighted to hear about the OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) not being present, then he told me out of 200 ops he performs a year, on average he only see's this twice a year which equates to 1%.. and that I was a very lucky man. Apparently this can only cure OSA if the tonsils are very large, which mine were and why he mentioned before the op that it could happen.

He is going to write to Professor MacKay at the sleep clinic, so we'll see what happens when I go there.

weeburty,

First, let me offer a belated "Congrats (with fingers crossed to not jinx things)" on the very positive outcome of the tonsil surgery. As others have pointed out, it sounds as though you and the surgeon made a good decision on the tonsils based on their size and their need to come out regardless of what the outcome concerning the OSA would be. And that the good news that removing them seems to have cured the OSA is a welcome side benefit to the surgery rather than the expected outcome of the surgery. It was really great that your ENT was up front and honest about the real chances that surgery would eliminate your need for CPAP; it's even greater news that you're in that small 1% of patients who are LUCKY, LUCKY, LUCKY enough to have such a positive outcome to surgery.

Second, a question: Has that sleep study been scheduled yet? Please do follow through with it regardless of how good you feel. And do post the results.

Wishing you many hosefree years to come!

Thank you for your kind words, words cannot express how excited I am about the prospect of living without OSA. The sleep study has not been carried out yet as I had to wait until today to see what ENT surgeon said.

As I said in my post the surgeon is now going to write to the sleep clinic and I expect a study will be the next step. Whether I will get the study done before my next routine appointment in October, I do not know, time will tell. However it would make sense to get it done straight away as I have a CPAP machine that is not being used and potentially could be getting used by someone else, should I be confirmed cured. I am in the hands of the National Health Service now, which is overwhelmed, while the tonsil op was a private hospital covered by medical insurance.

cowlypso wrote:I can't help but wonder about the doctor who initially diagnosed your OSA. Shouldn't any initial work-up for OSA include a look in your throat? My sleep doctor did a full airway exam at my first appointment with her, even though she did not at all suspect OSA. If your tonsils were that big, any halfway competent doctor who looked in your throat should have suspected that they were a problem!

Did most of the people here have someone look at their throat? No one has ever looked at, felt, or done anything with my throat. Well, other than my two or three times annual bout with sinus infections- then my PC looks at my throat.

Great news for you. Not good for me though,I had mine out 40 years ago.

Thanks, most people I speak to say the same about how they got their's out as a kid, lucky them. From what I gather kids sail through the recovery while adults have a hard time and I can certainly vouch for that. If OSA stays out of my life then its been worth it.

weeburty - thanks for the updates - it looks like great news for you in putting OSA behind you - keeping my fingers crossed for you in the sleep study.

emperorsimon - yes, my neurologist looked down my throat, then poked and prodded around my neck.

Cheers,
xena

Update...Today I attended the Sleep Clinic and guess what, the Dr took my CPAP from me..YIPPEEEEE.
I am to go back tomorrow and pick up a home test kit, wear it tomorrow night and take it back Friday.

He shook my hand and wished me well and like the surgeon he told me my case was rare indeed and was
delighted that it had worked out this way. Once I have done the test and as expected do get the all clear,
on Friday, that will be hopefully my last visit.

Graham

PS will let you know on Friday what the outcome is