Sleep Apnea- Opting for UPPP surgery - Sleep Disorders Message Board

Horizon · 04-15-2003, 03:18 PM

I am one of the few females (darnit!) who has sleep apnea.

I had a test a few weeks ago, and am moderately affected according to their standards.

I am not overweight, don't smoke, or anything funky like that.

I saw my "regular ENT" who has done some sinus surgeries on me in the past, and he said removing my Uvula would take care of everything. He didn't even look at my sleep study!

I went to an ENT/Sleep Specialist the next day who read the entire study, and had me do several exercises while he checked my throat.

He said I had a small airway, a very short neck- and that UPPP surgery would 80 -100% fix my apnea AND snoring. I told him about the other ENT- and he said uvula removal only wouldn't help the apnea- just the snoring.

I have tried the CPAP for 3 weeks, and I really , really dislike it. I'm just too young to be tied to a machine.

So- I've opted for the UPPP surgery on April 23.

I know it's very controversial, but I really believe that I have a good chance of success.

Anyone have stories to share?

awakatnight447 · 04-19-2003, 12:37 PM

Is your Sleep Specialist a Diplomate of the American Board of Sleep Medicine?

Did the ENT/sleep specialist provide any details about your test? I'm looking for Total Sleep Time, Numer of obstructive apneas and hypopneas, what position they were present in (Left, Right, Supine, Prone,) Sleep staging and did you have any Periodic Limb Movements of Sleep? Also, how many pillows are you sleeping on at home and are you snoring loudly when not sleeping on your back? Is the snoring intermittent, such as only being present when you retain water? Do you have hypertension, heart disease or a prior stroke? Do women in your family have a history of those problems?

Thanks

awakatnight447

HeyThere · 04-20-2003, 02:34 AM

Hi, awake at night 447, My mother has this apnea and she awakes three or four times a night very restless, she snores, she can only sleep on her side, she has menopause set in hypertension as well as heart condition palpatations -racing. Do you have this too? It is taking away from her mental abilities- the lack of sleep. What does this UPPP procedure involve?

[This message has been edited by HeyThere (edited 04-20-2003).]

awakatnight447 · 04-20-2003, 10:20 AM

During a UPPP physicians actually "cut" or "burn" out several different areas of tissue. It is what we consider "going all the way."

During a Somnoplasty physicians stick a probe into the tissue within your "throat." This probe then emits radio frequency energy that "scalds-cooks" the surrounding tissue, causing it to toughen. The tissue is not removed. So Somnoplasty is a much less invasive procedure. However, tightening the tissue with Somnoplasty only serves to reduce snoring (snoring sound is the loose "throat" tissue vibrating during sleep with inspiration and much less common, expiration.)

There is also a "cold" method Somnoplasty where a chemical is injected into the blood vessels in the "throat." This chemical toughens the affected tissue.

[This message has been edited by awakatnight447 (edited 04-20-2003).]

bradford54 · 04-21-2003, 07:38 AM

I have been on CPAP for several years and I hated it for the first 6 months or so now I would fight anyone that wants to take it away. It take time to get use to it and get comfortable wearing it all night.

As for the UPPP I talked to my ENT and he is not pushing it. As for the Somnoplasty it may help but BUT may reduce your apneas to the point that insurance will not pay for the UPPP and you will still need to be on the CPAP.

Also in another group I read 1/3 it helps (NO CPAP) 1/3 stay the same (still on CPAP) and 1/3 are worries ( on CPAP with a higher pressure, food up the nose,....)