A great place to start Disorder information source Rated and Reviewed Sleep Links Entrance to all monitored Sleep Forums Search all of Sleepnet.com


Sleep Apnea
Forum Posting


Archived Apnea Forum114 viewing only. To post a new topic go to the Apnea Forum Homepage.

CPAP bad, surgery good?

Posted by BB on July 30, 2003 at 20:44:15:

Three years ago I was diagnosed with OSA. According to my doctor it's a pretty "bad" case. Three years ago I tried the CPAP, but was unable to adapt to its use. I didn't like the success rate of any of the surgical treatments at the time so I just toughed it out. Needless to say I've paid a very high price for this decision. There's no need to list the effects as anyone who has OSA knows what I'm writing about. Unfortunately my symptoms have gotten too severe for me to continue on without some type of treatment.

I am reluctant to make a treatment decision for a number of reasons - not the least of which is the number of years and misdiagnoses my GP made before recommending a sleep study and a specialist. I am currently under the care of an Otolaryngolist who seems competent. He can't believe I waited three years, given my condition, to find a better solution. (Like what, a trach? No thanks.) He has suggested that I start with Somnoplasty - which he doubts will be successful. He also offered me a number of options ranging from an appliance to laser to UPPP. All of which were available to me three years ago and none of which have a great history of success. His suggestion is that I head to Stanford and have the jaw surgery. Needless to say, I am not jumping up and down with joy at this prospect even though he insists it is almost certainly going to cure me.

If I weren't paying such a high price with my symptoms, I would continue to tough it out until a better option emerges. So I'd like to get some disinterested third party feedback on the Somnoplasty and jaw surgery. What are the risks to both? What is the actual recovery time? Etc.

And on a different note, although my wife loves me very much, she just doesn't get it with OSA. She's under the impression that I am lazy, unmotivated, what have you. Now I may be lazy and unmotivated but the real question is, how have those of you with more severe instances of OSA educated your wives? She's read the info, spoke with the Doctor and so on, but unlike a broken arm, there's no physical reminder of OSA nor is there a date I can point to and say I'm healed. Thanks in advance for your time.

Follow Ups:


Archived Apnea Forum114 viewing only. To post a new topic go to the Apnea Forum Homepage

  • IMPORTANT : Information not intended as medical advice. If you suspect that you have a sleep disorder you should seek care from a qualified professional. Read Terms of Use.
  • The Sleep Forums are not to be used for commercial purposes.
  • Commercial products and services are not endorsed by Sleepnet.com.
  • Sleep Deprivation due to Sleep Apnea and insufficient sleep are common and can present as insomnia, narcolepsy, or idiopathic hypersomnia. In infants and children sleep problems commonly present themselves as ADD or ADHD.


Copyright ©1995-2005 Sleepnet.com., All rights reserved