Sleep Apnea Solution?

[OLDFED]

My doctor is recommending a 6 month Flonase treatment, followed by a "turbinectomy", which is a roto-rootering of the nasal passages. Has anyone had this treatment and what do you think about it? Thank you!

 

[venomballistics]

I think it sounds like having your nose picked by a professional.
Web MD might be a fair resource to search for data into its success rate

 

[427mach1]

I know of a few people that use the C-pap (?) machine. It delivers air to your nose or mouth at a positive pressure, which keeps the throat "inflated". It takes some getting used to but it works for them.

I have also heard that the surgery only provides a temporary solution and that the tissue grows back after some time. Do your homework before going under the knife - know all the side effects, risks, etc.

 

[Hobie1]

I've used a CPAP for over 10 years. They've come a long ways with the technology since I got my machine. The newer machines actually power down a bit when you exhale. With the CPAP, you always have the machine putting positive pressure on you which can take some getting used to. Also the headgear is much better. I'm now using one that plugs into my nose. I didn't think I'd like that but after trying it I really like it. You can take it off in just a second which greatly diminishes the claustrophia that some people experience.

I owe my life to my machine. Sleep Apnea is a silent killer as when your airway closes down you're literally suffocating until you start to wake back up. I quit breathing about 20 times an hour when I had my evaluation. Very hard on the heart and brain.

Good luck to you with what ever path you choose.

Hobie

 

[JJ_BPK]

I had ballooned to 295 and was having SA problems,, lost 60t'y and it went away. Have gained 1/2 back and the SA returned.

I have a cuz that swears by the cpat machine, he is not over weight as I was.

YMMV, So before you invest in either the machine or chopper,, do your homework.. Weight loss is the cheapest and least invasive..

Good Luck..

I'm back on the diet..

 

[dougb1946]

Is your doctor a sleep specialist? May be worth your time to see one. Different people have different problems, needing different solutions. Mine was a CPAP.

 

[DOEBOY1]

The majority of people that I see on the c pap machine are grossly over weight. Before I would consider surgery I would consider weight less if that is any part of the equation. When you start cutting you start making scar tissue. It's thicker and harder to fix the next time. I just got on the weight loss wagon and breath much better. I knew it was time when I couldn't take a deep breath. I sleep really well so my doeboy image hasn't crossed that SA line yet. SA is no joke don't wait to fix it. Doeboy

 

[absolutevil]

I use a cpap and I could loose 20 so my weight may be to blame but one of my brothers, who is a long distance runner, also uses one too.

 

[dctex99]

It IS heriditary; I have to use one; and if my mother and aunt HAD they might be alive. The New automatics as previously described work very well. Kaiser has never recommended any surgery, as it is temporary, and yes, when I went to the class for use, the majority were women, and most were 300lbs plus; a fatty stomach causes it for most people and it is a pain when traveling, which is why we cruise so much!!

 

[phulklip]

My doctor at the sleep center advised against surgery saying that it would be a last resort. Instead I have been using a cpap for the last year with great results. I would suggest that you see a sleep specialist.

 

[Dennis The B]

I discussed similar treatment with an ENT several years ago. Downside is the potential for scar tissue development, which can be worse than the original problem. Upside was that, scar tissue aside, I probably wouldn't see a great deal of improvement.

I'm a mouth breather when I sleep, and that contributes to the snoring and very mild apnea (6.1 on the scale that's used). My apnea is minimal. I've taken to keeping a cup of ice by the bed. If I wake up for any reason, I drink some of the water from it. I'm not nearly so dry-mouthed in the AM.

 

[cballman]

Been on the CPAP machine for about 3 years now. I did ask the Dr. about the surgey a few years ago to help clear out a lot of sinus problems. My Dr. said that of all the patients she has done that on they were clear for about two to three years. Then the problems came back with a vengence. Now I am not grossly overweight but still I am overweight. Yes the best thing to do is to lose weight. It will help your heart, knees and back if you do. IMHO dont do the knife.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

After I lost 40 pounds, I slept fine.

 

[perrazi]

while overweight is one of the problems,lots of normal weight people have it too. been the route with surgery,a total of 5,counting nose and throat for this problem. wound up on a bi-pap with oxygen for the last 12or so years. go to a sleep specialist before any surgery, who will probably want a sleep study. they hook you up to about 30 wires and then tell you to go to sleep and it's monitored all night. i also use flonase every night and it does help me some. also use breathing strips at night. having to use a machine at night is a major PITA whan you travel and flying is a bigger hassle than normal. consequently, i no longer travel commercial air. the bottom line is, it will save your life. untreated, it also creates heart problems and high blood pressure,if you don't have them already. good luck with your decision. knowledge is power and peace of mind.

 

[m657]

I wore the nose hose for 10 long years. Yes it saved my life.

Then I lost nearly 100# and the CPAP along with it.

Lots of reasons to trim down. Don't need insulin after 15 years now either...as long as I can keep this under control.

 

[joespapa]

Been on Bi-pap for 10 years. Best thing I ever did. Bi-Pap exhales when you do. Took one nap to get used to it. Wouldn't be without it !!

 

[GKC]

I have been using a C-Pap machine for 14 years now...and yes, I am overweight. However, one of my friends who also has SA and uses a C-Pap machine is about 100 pounds dripping wet, at 6' tall, so it doesn't just affect fat people.

I snored terribly for years, even before I gained weight...and this was before I was overweight. My wife told me constantly that I gasped and choked in my sleep, so mine may not be weight related. It finally got to the point that I was falling asleep in meetings, while driving, etc., so I went to the doctor. At the sleep study, they told me I had horrible SA, and they put me on a machine that night...and I had the sweetest sleep I can ever remember!

The only time I've had a problem traveling was when I checked my machine on a flight (it was inside my suitcase.) When I got to the hotel that night, and got out my machine, I discovered that my plastic mask had broken in several places. As a result it leaked air badly. I went to a drug store and got some tape to try to repair it, but that didn't work...so I had the BRILLIANT idea to try super glue. It worked...at least the mask held together and all the fractures were sealed...but the fumes nearly killed me!

I was flying home the next evening, so I just toughed it out. Otherwise, I've never run into any problems traveling. I sleep very well with my machine, and it doesn't bother me at all.

 

[amazingflapjack]

Not everyone who has SA is an over weight, or grossly obese person. Some are quite thin, but most are at least a little overwight. Some are just big folks, like football players, etc. But those that have sleep deprivation, for what ever reason, will often eat to produce the energy they don't get from good sleep. If you are heavy, a change in your eating habbits and food content can be very helpful, but it should not be a "diet" but rather a realistic approach to healthy eating. One common negative factor is eating at night-after the last meal of the day. But I would suggest that if you have SA that you get a c-pap now. A delay can be very bad. My doc at VA sent me to a sleep study, and subsequently I got a c-pap. The folks in the sleep lab told me that I really didn't sleep at all, and that if I hadn't come in for treatment, that I would have been dead in 10 years, and that was 10 years ago! The positive effects of it were so profound that my Doc got a c-pap! Go safely. Flapjack.

 

[Wheelgunner840]

I just got done with my follow-up visit to the sleep lab. I don't feel like I slept long enough either time for them to positively identify whether or not SA was present, but they said I slept enough for them to determine that I do.

I kind of feel like it is a scam to get me to buy one of these CPAP machines. This last visit was where I try to sleep with the mask in place (along with seven trillion wires attached to my head!) I opted for the nasal type mask. Once again, I was unable to sleep for any extended period of time, and never slept deeply.

I have had chronic headaches every day for well over a year. My neurologist suggested that I go to the sleep lab to be tested. I am now waiting to see the sleep lab doctor to go over my results. From what I have read here and elsewhere, that if I do have SA, the CPAP will help (If I can get used to it that is!)

The pulmonary doc also said that surgery was the absolute last resort, and should not be done if at all possible. I reckon we will try the machine first.


WG840

 

[bobbyd]

I had the surgery several years ago with fantastic results both immediately and ever since. Tried the C-PAP and found it tremendously cumbersome and claustrophobic and simply couldn't live with it.
The recovery from the surgery was a little rough but, considering the alternative, I would do it all over again in a heartbeat!