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Re: Now what do I do?

Posted by Captin Cannuck on August 30, 2007 at 14:30:33:

In Reply to: Re: Now what do I do? posted by Barb (Seattle) on August 30, 2007 at 08:52:55:

To Kettlebell,

I feel that you should give it time. I think that you will adapt to nasal CPAP with time. It takes time for your brain to learn to breathe again after the surgery, but it will learn.


The following comment is in reference to post-UPPP use of CPAP. I want to say that I am not making comment on kettlebell's situation with tonsilectomy (which I feel is a much more minor operation and does not compromise CPAP in the same way that UPPP does).

I agree with what your doctor says in large part, but not entirely. Some of you might be familiar with my story. I received a LAUP (which is UPPP by laser) operation in 2004 for primary (only social/not apnea) snoring. The operation was a miserable failure, and I actually aquired severe OSA (AHI 35) as a result of the tightening of my airway due to scarring that the laser caused. I am using nasal CPAP at this time, with limited success. I understand that CPAP usage can be compromised when the palatal seal has been altered by the removal of the uvula and pharnyx tissues at the back of the throat. A post-UPPP patient can be more prone to mouth leak than he would be were he not given the cursed operation. In my view, this is a major criticism of UPPP. Since the operation often fails to provide long-term relief from apnea, and since apnea often recurrs some months after the procedure, is it really such a good idea to trade away the uvula just for short term relief? There are scientific studies on the net showing that people post UPPP cannot handle as high a pressure as other people can.

Finally, I should be clear in saying that it does reduce the efficacy by SOME extent, but NOT ENIRELY. In fact, I am able to use nasal CPAP, but I use a strap to keep my mouth shut (which is what I dont to on this site :)

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