"please keep me updated about oximeters "
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I just need someone to listen
I was 1st diagnosed in 2004 with mild sleep apnea and used a cpap. This did not work as I am severely claustrophobic. In 2005 I decided to have a UVPP, which aslo reduced my pallet and took the turbinates out in my nose. The surgery from hell. It took me 3 months to recover. Then I developed esophageal reflux, over dry airway, and still snored, even more than before my husband said. in 2007 I returned for another sleep test and was told it was extremely severe, I stopped breathing once a minute. My work suffered, I suffered, and finally my blood pressure and heart suffered. I tried the cpap again and tried 8 different masks ( I work in respiratory department ), salesmen had given me. I can fall asleep but rip it off 12-20 minutes after falling asleep. I have fallen asleep 2x at the wheel. I lost my job because I forgot to bill some patient charges, I just would forget. I am stressed and exhausted. My intimate life is nill. Can anyone help me?
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Steven Y. Park, MD on
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Amy Jo,
Sorry to hear about your ordeal. Assuming that you've tried everything to use CPAP, one other option is to consider a dental device that keeps your lower jaw pulled forward when you sleep allergic rhinitis night. You may want to see a dentist that specializes in these oral appliances. There are certain anatomic and sleep study criteria that you need to meet to be a good candidate. One of the main reasons that the UPPP procedure doesn't work is because there is underlying tongue obstruction.
Are you able to breathe better through your nose?
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Permalink Reply by AmyJo Watters on
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I do get congested, still, dispite taking allegra, using saline spray to keep my nose moist. I was not able to find a dentist in my area for that appliance.
Steven Y. Park, MD said:Amy Jo,
Sorry to hear about your ordeal. Assuming that you've tried everything to use CPAP, one other option is to consider a dental device that keeps your lower jaw pulled forward when you sleep allergic rhinitis night. You may want to see a dentist that specializes in these oral appliances. There are certain anatomic and sleep study criteria that you need to meet to be a good candidate. One of the main reasons that the UPPP procedure doesn't work is because there is underlying tongue obstruction.
Are you able to breathe better through your nose?
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Permalink Reply by Jim Nadolny, BS, CRT on
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AmyJo,
I am listening to your story, and it seems hopeless...but it's not! There are multiple people on this site with similar stories. These folks have been through it all and have come out compliant Cpap users. I was one of the lucky ones and adapted to cpap right away, but I have treated several patients who have had the same problems as you. Tell us a little more, What kind of machine do you use? What is your presure setting? do you have a humidifier? What mask were you able to fall asleep with? Lets start there, and see what the forum has to say.
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Permalink Reply by James Skinner on
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The options as I see them are:
1. Do nothing and continue to suffer (not really an option)
2. Learn to tolerate CPAP (may require counciling. Try visiting cpaptalk.com for self help)
3. Try a dental device (I would try this next as long as you don't have bad nasal congestion)
4. Look into other surgeries such as MMA
There is hope. I know the frustration myself very well.
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Permalink Reply by Tim on
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With severe obstructive sleep apnea the only treatments that are likely to be effective are CPAP and tracheostomy. Surgeries seldom, if ever, allow people with severe apnea to stop using CPAP. Except for tracheostomy, surgery is effective in about 40 to 50% of patients, and "effective" is defined as a 50% reduction in AHI. The improvement from surgery is also not normally permanent. A 50% reduction in AHI will not allow people with severe apnea to stop using CPAP. Recovery from MMA is much worse than UVPP (I have had both), and there is a good chance of permanent facial nerve damage. Dental devices are FDA approved only for mild and moderate sleep apnea and they have their own set of problems. Tracheostomy is nearly 100% effective for treating OSA, but it has several drawbacks and is normally considered only as a last resort. CPAP is nearly 100% effective for treating OSA.
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Hi Dr. Park....I am away from my home for a few more weeks taking care of a parent. I will get that information when I get back home. I do know it is humidified. I do know they lowered my pressures to see if I would tolerate it better, it did not help. My GP suggested oxygen at night my o2 was 89 during my last sleep study. When I asked my sleep doctor he said no it wouldn't help either. My ENT suggested going in my throat and sutureing down the hyoid bone to lower the tongue. Is there any medication I could take to prevent the claustraphobia? Or to sleep sounder. I am already taking 100mg of amytriptilene.
My best results falling asleep are with a nasal pronged mask that has a chin strap. My nose plugs up on any mask.
Jim Nadolny, BS, CRT said:AmyJo,
I am listening to your story, and it seems hopeless...but it's not! There are multiple people on this site with similar stories. These folks have been through it all and have come out compliant Cpap users. I was one of the lucky ones and adapted to cpap right away, but I have treated several patients who have had the same problems as you. Tell us a little more, What kind of machine do you use? What is your presure setting? do you have a humidifier? What mask were you able to fall asleep with? Lets start there, and see what the forum has to say.
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