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Posted by Captin Cannuck on July 05, 2009 at 17:48:14:

Tobeornottobe,

I just read your reply to my question about renewed use of CPAP. I am sorry that it offers you no relief. I have a few ideas for you.

1. Why don't you try nasal CPAP with a chin strap. Perhaps you can deal with the mouth leak.
2. What about "O-Pap" (Oral CPAP). They have technology which can deliver CPAP via the mouth. You wear a nose plug.
3. I hope that the surgery that you are considering will be effective. My inclination is to warn you against Sommnoplasty or any type of surgery that involves burning tissues. These surgeries involve a risk. If you search this site about one and a half years ago, you will a British woman who posted under the name "Eyeswideopen". In her case, she (like me) had only social snoring, went to a RF Somnoplasty clinic and wound up with serious burns to the back of her throat. I also want to warn you about any type of surgery on the soft palate.

I don't know much about tongue reduction, I have heard mixed reviews; some good things and some report of "well, I tried it and it didn't work". I have not heard anything which makes me think that you could end up worse-off after tongue reduction surgery. On youtube there is a video showing this procedure.

Another thing I want to talk to you about is that, if things really get rough, and you are *really* suffering. If you ever get to the point where you are really thinking about "to be or not to be", remember that you also have the option of tracheostomy operation, which would completely eliminate sleep apnea. Of course, as you know, there are some big tradeoffs (appearance, lifestyle changes, etc.) and few people resort to this. This is something that you might consider as a last resort. I just want to point out that if worse comes to worse, that option is there for you. To tell you the truth, I think it would not be so bad. In fact, I have emailed some people and explored this option for myself. Those people who had gone that route told me that it is not so bad and that they live a happy and pretty normal life.

I really hope that things work out for you. Don't give up!


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