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Re: Dental Appliance + Tongue RF

Posted by seattlebill on April 25, 2005 at 06:40:26:

In Reply to: Dental Appliance + Tongue RF posted by billinvan on April 22, 2005 at 17:23:48:

Hey Bill in Van,

It's Bill in Sea !

You sound very determined...

Part of my OSA was relative macroglossia. I believe the MMA/GA worked to advance my total airway & tongue. I don't believe I'll need to; but someday if I relapse it'll be my tongue that is the cause...so I read your posts with great interest.

First, placing plastic tubes in your oropharynx is a little extreme. Self -intubation, or for that matter repeated intubation by medical personnel, puts you at risk for vocal cord damage/paralysis, ulceration, pneumonia (from translocating oral bacteria to your lungs). Likewise, nasal tubes & trumpets have similar issues plus a high incidence severe nosebleeds.

It would seem pursuing the course that you are on is very reasonable. The original advice you got from Stanford is a little puzzling though. No surgeon will likely place a trach in a healthy person unless strongly indicated (ie, imminent threat of airway collapse, protracted and unweanable mechanical ventilation, or strongly indicated by mechanical obstruction unresponsive to other treatments). It is no wonder no local surgeon worth his/her salt will do it without trying something else first.

I am surprised that the surgeon in Stanford didn't respond. You should try mine. He is contact by email with me (at his initiation) every other week or so. Dr L , my surgeon, (or also Dr P) would love to contact you...if you wish after your current treatment.

Also, have you tried the TAP dental device ? If so, what is wrong with it (except for the price) ?

I agree with your current therapy. The trach is extreme and probably should be the last resort. The MMA/GA, which would probably help (especially after trimming your tongue already), is likewise kinda heavy-duty based on your sleep lab data.

I look forward to following your progress. I hope you find this last message here on Board 16.

Good luck,

Bill

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