"please keep me updated about oximeters "
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Treament of last resort
Treatment of Last Resort
Folks I was first diagnosed with Sleep Apnea in 2003.
Over the last 7 years I have had 7 sleep studies, seen 6 different sleep doctors, I used 6 different machines, including CPAP, BiPAP, BiFLEX and
AutoSV’s.
I also had the UPPP surgery early on in 2004, it made things worse.
--Long sob story deleted --
In Oct 2009 I went in for Nasal Surgery, turbinate reduction and to fix a deviated septum. The ENT who did that
surgery decided to keep me overnight in the Hospital even though this is
normally an outpatient procedure. He saved my life by doing this, the nurses
found that my heart rate was going down below 20. They held me over another
night to be sure the anesthesia was not doing it, same thing happened. Off to
the OR again for a pacemaker. The cardio guy said that the heart rate was a
direct result of uncontrolled sleep apnea.
The Nasal surgery was a Godsend, for the first time I could comfortably use the BiFLEX machine. This was one of Respirtonics “System One”
machines. I really thought I finally found an acceptable way to manage my Apnea,
but no,
like so many times before, we try something new, It works for awhile, but my AHI starts creeping up again right, now it is over 30.
Before the nasal surgery, I had the problem with mask leaks and comfort (compliance). But the pattern was still there, one
Sleep Study shows OSH only, the next study, shows mixed OSA, CSA, then back to OSH.
The last sleep study in May showed OSH, and “periodic breathing”. So he took away the System1 BiFLEX and gave me the new System1 AutoSV. Now he wants another sleep study.
He claims that this is necessary because Respironics will not say how the AHI is calculated (for another thread).
My insurance company, United Health Care, has been so good to me and has covered a lot of
these expenses, but they will not approve another sleep study or a different
machine. But its not really a money thing, I can't keep doing the same things over and over and expect any different results.
So, the real reason for the thread – What is the treatment of last resort ?I asked if a tracheostomy would be the answer, he said no.
Thanks all .. I really could use some ideas ..
-Fred Stellabotte
Views: 91
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Mike on
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yes, tracheostomy is generally considered the treatment of last resort. it is 100% effective for OSA. in fact, it's often considered the only obstructive sleep apnea cure. some people also speak highly of MMA surgery, which restructures the facial anatomy/ jaw. but given a choice between the two, i'd personally go with the tracheostomy because it's more of a guarantee/ cure, less complicated surgery so less can go wrong, and is totally reversible in case something comes down the pike that gives us all a better treatment option than what exists now. keep in mind that neither MMA surgery nor tracheostomy will treat central sleep apnea.
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Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on
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What type of apnea do you have? OSA, CSA, or complex? A trach will cure OSA, but not CSA.
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Permalink Reply by Fred J. Stellabotte on
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Rock Hinkle said:What type of apnea do you have? OSA, CSA, or complex? A trach will cure OSA, but not CSA.
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I have had 3 sleep studies in the 18 months .. the first 2 said I only had OSA .. The last study said that I had OSA and complex. This is not unusual for me .. of 10 year and almost as many sleep studies .. I diagnose flips back and forth.
I am thinking .. if I could get the OSA cured .. I would be a whole lot better .. But I can't get a doctor to consider it.
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you should leave a comment for Mack Jones. He's a doctor who has had the tracheostemy himself and is a big advocate for it when all else fails. he's also in Florida, which is where i see you are. Although he himself wouldn't be the doctor to do it for you, i'm sure he'd be able to recommend someone near you who would.
Fred J. Stellabotte said:I have had 3 sleep studies in the 18 months .. the first 2 said I only had OSA .. The last study said that I had OSA and complex. This is not unusual for me .. of 10 year and almost as many sleep studies .. I diagnose flips back and forth.
I am thinking .. if I could get the OSA cured .. I would be a whole lot better .. But I can't get a doctor to consider it.
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Permalink Reply by sleepycarol on
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I responded to your other thread and now see where you have some mixed and conflicting reports from previous sleep studies.
If Dr. Jones sees your post maybe he will give you some input that may help in your situtation.
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