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CPAP or Surgery
#1
CPAP or Surgery
Hi everyone, I hope you don't mind me posting I don't have sleep apnea it is my husband =)

He is 31 yrs old and I noticed he would stop breathing in his sleep, I sent him off the the doctor and we had the home sleep studies who diagnosed sever sleep apnea with 30 episodes an hour ( add that to a screaming newborn at all hours ). We have started use of the CPAP machine through the place that did the sleep studies and it's like I have a new husband =) Also the bubs seems to like the sound of the machine =). The GP has advised him not to buy a machine as she feels he may get a good result with surgery as he is young and not excessively overweight and has referred him to a specialist. The wait for the specialist is about 5 months which means quite a lot of money in rental fees when we may end up having to purchase the machine anyway. My question to everyone is when did everyone start to develop sleep apnea ? Has anyone had a surgery with any success? ( Husband had his adnoids removed as a child but I understand they can grow back). And lastly we are in Australia are we better off renting for 5 months or just buy the thing? I hope you all don't mind me posting am just trying to help my husband as best I can he was so tired with 2 kids and sleep apnea =(
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#2
RE: CPAP or Surgery
(06-23-2012, 07:25 PM)emzzza Wrote: We have started use of the CPAP machine through the place that did the sleep studies and it's like I have a new husband =) Also the bubs seems to like the sound of the machine =). The GP has advised him not to buy a machine as she feels he may get a good result with surgery as he is young and not excessively overweight and has referred him to a specialist.
Run as fast as you can from this lying GP and find another. The surgery is not reversible once the parts been chopped off and doesn't guarantee to cure sleep apnea beside the recovery is painfully long and more likely he,ll be using CPAP for life.
Now the good news is hubby already got a good results using CPAP Congrats
If looking to save money as Aus price are over inflated, you can get machine and masks from US much much cheaper ...
I've bought supplies from secondwindcpa Supplier #2 good reliable source
http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread-...plier-List

Welcome


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#3
RE: CPAP or Surgery
Welcome to the board! Spouses and other family members are also affected by OSA. My wife has put up with more that she should! Don't worry about asking questions. I agree with Zonk. The surgery does not have a great success rate, even for those who are "good candidates". If you look at the prices of Supplier #2 you will probably find that purchasing a machine is cheaper than renting, even for the 5-7 months or whatever it will take to see this doctor, and then more time waiting for surgery and recovery period...well, I think you see where this is going. At least check out the prices vs. renting. I think you will be happily surprised!
As always, YMMV! You do not have to agree or disagree, I am not a professional so my mental meanderings are simply recollections of things from my own life.

PRS1 - Auto - A-Flex x2 - 12.50 - 20 - Humid x2 - Swift FX
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#4
RE: CPAP or Surgery
I recently purchased a used CPAP from a guy that only used it for 166 hours. Just after starting CPAP therapy his doctor recommended surgery. They fixed a deviated septum, and removed a flap of skin from his throat. He seemed happy with the results.

I have no idea what the success rate is for surgery, but it seemed to work for him. Personally, I don't mind using the CPAP and I would be concerned about surgery possibly causing other problems that might be less tolerable for me. I feel the same way about wearing glasses vs laser surgery. Some people have done quite well with it, while others have suffered from poor night vision, dry eyes, and various other conditions that seem worse to me than wearing glasses. Surgery is always a risk.


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#5
RE: CPAP or Surgery
Hi emzzza, Welcome! to the forum. If your husband has already gotten some results with CPAP, I would just continue with that. Surgery can be risky, that's for sure, I wouldn't be willing to take that risk, , I would rather opt for CPAP than to be cut on, of course, that's my opinion. As others on this board have mentioned, there are quite a few suppliers where you can get reasonable prices on equipment. Good luck to you and your husband with his therapy and don't be afraid to ask lots of questions.
trish6hundred
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#6
RE: CPAP or Surgery
(06-23-2012, 07:25 PM)emzzza Wrote: The GP has advised him not to buy a machine as she feels he may get a good result with surgery as he is young and not excessively overweight and has referred him to a specialist.

The cost of a used machine may be cheaper than the 5 months of rental fees.

It's true that in general the surgery (called UUUP surgery) has only a 50% success rate, has a two week recovery period, and can cause irreversible effects such as trouble swallowing.

Nevertheless, there may be a simple surgical solution for your husband. He may simply have swollen tonsils that need to be removed. I would definitely follow through and see what the specialist has to say.

Meanwhile, it's great that you're having success with the CPAP therapy. Many of us were not so lucky and had lots of problems adjusting to it.
Sleepster

INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
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#7
RE: CPAP or Surgery
Do not get the surgery, unless it's for a defect like adenoids, tonsils or deviated septum. Do NOT go for UPPP surgery unless there is a really good reason. Your husband could be irreversibly damaged and he may not get good apnea control.

I'd never recommend anyone get UPPP unless they absolutely can't do CPAP. Also realize that the 50% "success" rate may mean "50% reduction in apnea." You may still need CPAP.

Research problems with UPPP yourself.

Be very careful about the specialist. Lots of surgeons are eager to chop on anyone who walks through the door with any medical condition that won't get their license pulled for operating on. Be sure to be evaluated by someone who doesn't do surgery, or benefit financially if you get the surgery.
Get the free OSCAR CPAP software here.
Useful links.
Click here for information on the main alternative to CPAP.
If it's midnight and a DME tells you it's dark outside, go and check it yourself.
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#8
RE: CPAP or Surgery
I had the surgery done. Didn't work. Successful surgery is based on a reduction of apnea events, not a full cure. "Successful" surgery may not last a lifetime either. If he can tolerate a mask, that is what he should use -- it is the most effective treatment available. If he can't tolerate a mask, find a new one. Surgery for a deviated septum or enlarged turbonates may help with mask (especially nasal pillow) tolerance.

ENTs are way too happy to cut up your throat.
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#9
RE: CPAP or Surgery
(06-24-2012, 11:17 PM)psychobrew Wrote: ENTs are way too happy to cut up your throat.

Some are. My ENT told me that the surgery to "correct" OSA has a 50% success rate. And there's a smaller percentage, I think he may have said 30%, that after the surgery you'll be at the same CPAP pressure as before the surgery!

I could tell he didn't think the surgery was a good idea. He convinced me!
Sleepster

INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
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