Comment

Comment by Ox Drover on August 6, 2011 at 3:01pm

Hi, Paula, glad you are still here....I'm like you, not inclined to go for surgery if something less invasive will control the problem. I never heard of anyone dying from a C-PAP but I do know a doctor who lost a patient, and he's a good doc too, it is just that "stuff happens" in medicine and people die.

I laughed though at the vision of someone reading with a C-PAP on. LOL

Comment by PaulaO on August 6, 2011 at 1:33pm

I know of several people who have had the surgery. None were cured (as in no CPAP use). One had no difference at all, like Will. The others were able to cut down on the pressure but are still dependent on the machine. My paternal parent had the surgery and, from what I have heard, it actually made his worse. But he is a heavy smoker, overweight, and worked in a glass factory for most of his adult life. He uses an oxygen tank now, too.

Personally, I would rather use the machine. I use it at night. I don't sit and watch TV with it nor wear it while reading. Basically because I do neither in bed. I go to bed for two things only.

I found a good place to go for SA advice and information. They recently started a review section that is slowly growing. There are a lot of us there who are also diabetic.
http://s7.zetaboards.com/Apnea_Board/index/

Comment by Ox Drover on August 5, 2011 at 1:01pm

The primary nerves to the face and mouth are the TRIGEMINAL nerves. It has 3 braches that reach out from the area of the ear. One branch goes to the forehead and one to the midface and one to the lower jaw and some of the teeth. So that is why when you have an abscessed tooth you may have an "ear ache" (or it feels llike it anyway) or if you have a sinus infection your upper teeth may hurt....they SHOULD have told you that your teeth would be numb, either that OR they cut part of the nerve by accident and didn't intend that to happen.

While I realize it is a multifactorial issue, it is a SERIOUS enough surgery not to be taken lightly at all....so you have to look at the RISK versus BENEFIT issues. If you do not have the surgery, it is only a minor hassle really to use the machine, and if you do have the surgery you may have to continue the use of the machine and there is a CHANCE OF DYING or other problems, like your teeth being numb and still not getting any benefit.. I am pretty conservative with surgery and even taking medication, being in the medical profession myself, and if there is a way to fix a "problem" without surgery or medicine, I will go for that first.

I'm working hard on "fixing" (controlling) my blood sugar with diet and exercise and low sodium diet as well. I've been a typical "hypocrite" medical professional preachin one thing and doing another, but now I am definitely taking my own preaching seriously and working hard at the weight loss, exercise and low sodium diet.

Comment by Will on August 4, 2011 at 8:53pm

Its a multi factorial issue. So some, it's a simple pillar surgery and ... success. For others there are many contributing issues. Success is also something that needs to be defined. Less than 5 times an hour is considered cured enough to not wear a CPAP, but is it good enough not to get sick?

I wonder what a 70% success rate means. Zero apnea? Ask. I doubt it.

I am not saying don't do it. I just figured I would be on success side and was not. If you are on the success side, man you are a fortunate person. A few things to ask: does cutting the tongue have any residual effects? When they cut my chin, they did not mention my front teeth would be numb for the rest of my life.

If you have had it since a kid, check to see if you have mixed apnea. 85% of sufferers have OSA, 15% have mixed and less than 1% have central. Mixed is a combination of OSA and central. OSA untreated often leads to mixed. It is thought the excess CO2 damages the sensors or connections to the brain and "it forgets to breathe." if you have mixed, surgery will only help you with the obstructive.

Comment by Ox Drover on August 4, 2011 at 8:38pm

Well, Mike, I don't have any problem with the "socially awkward"---my husband is deceased and my dog doesn't care! LOL The operation you described is the one my husband had and it did NOT stop his need for the machine. Just decreased the pressure, but the PAIN of the operation was HORRIBLE and went on for several weeks.

I am a bit over weight, but have lost 30 pounds and am in the process of trying to lose another 30 more as well as cutting down on my sodium intake. Not sure if the sodium intake has actually got anything to do with the apnea DIRECTLY, but it is a major factor in edema, and general over all Cardio-vascular health (CAD and COPD) as well as hypertension, all of which are things that the apnea effects. My Son-in-law also had the operation to remove the uvula and he also got partial results, in that his pressures were decreased as well. My step-son has OSA as well and uses the machine with good results. If they could guarantee me 99.9% results, I'll still pass on the operation and use the machine. There is zero chance of dying with the machine and 100% results so that makes the ODDS 100% in my favor. GREAT RESULTS and NO risk, can't beat those odds. If I end up getting married again and it is "socially awkward" then he is not the right person for me. If nothing else, the mask will protect him from my "morning dragon breath!" LOL

Comment by Mike on August 4, 2011 at 7:46pm

A friend's told me that his cousin had successful surgery. I went to a ENT for a consultation. He told me he did about 600-700 operations. Same thing, 70% success rate. They have come a long way and less invasive. They don't cut the bone anymore, but shorten the Uvula, correct the septum and take a piece out of the back of the tongue. I hate wearing a CPAP and find it to be socially awkward. I am not overweight and have had sleep apnea since I was a kid.

Comment by Ox Drover on August 4, 2011 at 7:40pm

My husband had a horrible time with infection and with pain! He was not a wimp for pain, but he whined like a gut shot dog! I know others who have had the surgery and NONE I know would recommend it, thanks, Will for sharing your experience with the surgery. OUCH!

Comment by Will on August 4, 2011 at 6:12pm

I had tongue advancement in 2000 at the Stanford Hospital. The doctor is internationally recognized. They cut the bone of my chin and pulled it out, twisted and pinned it. It moves the tongue forward away from the back of the throat. The microwaved my sinus and cut my uvula out.

Described as 70% cure rate. I thought odds were pretty good, plus they were probably being conservative. paid $25k for operation, 1.5 days in intensive care, one month recovery........ It did not work. My AHI was the same. Best strategy is to use a CPAP to keep from getting GERD, stroke, brain damage, liver damage, insulin resistance, etc. They are a result of apnea. Then, if you need to lose weight, do it. Studies show OSA apnea is very sensitive to weight loss or gain. Then take up the didgeridoo or a wood wind instrument to master circular breathing and reduce your AHI score by 39% according to studies, Do tongue and facial exercises daily. That is shown to reduce OSA by 40%. Chew Gum 30 minutes a day. Good for your tongue. Do specific yoga throat exercises mastered in India.

Basically, the single thing to concentrate on is you neck size. reduction of your neck circumference will lessen your apnea. The exercises above, in studies, were shown to reduce neck circumference, losing weight does as well.

Treat it like a work out. There is no magic bullet for most people. Surgery is like a magic bullet, but often does not work. Many doctors don't do surgeries anymore because they are not successful and they they lose a good will or get sued.

Comment by Ox Drover on August 4, 2011 at 5:39pm

My husband had it, and the surgery was HORRIBLY PAINFUL. In most cases, it doesn't "cure" the apnea just means they can turn your pressure down. I also know of a local doctor here who LOST A PATIENT doing this surgery. it is rare, but people do DIE from it...so as a retired registered nurse practitioner who has observed these surgeries being done, THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH HOUND DOGS IN GEORGIA TO RUN ME TO GROUND AND MAKE ME HAVE ONE OF THESE SURGERIES. I will use my machine til I die, but NO one is cutting on my head.

Comment by Mike on August 4, 2011 at 5:31pm

Has anyone or do you know of anyone that has had surgery for OSA? If so, were they satisfied?

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