Yes I use the CPAP, and I guess I should have clarified that I only have the apneas when I do not use the CPAP.

I have to go to a yearly meeting of CPAP users and they check the hours on the machine to see how much I am using it. They doctors want it to be some kind of group therapy where a bunch of guys sit around and hug each other and support the people who can't use the machine. I am a little less tolerant for the mushy crap. You can either use the machine, or don't use it. People can make themselves do anything, and sleeping with a CPAP is not one of the more difficult things in the world. There are 50 different masks, built in humidifiers, ramp mode that puts the pressure way down and slowly builds it up so you can sleep, etc...

The quickest way to kill cells is to deprive them of oxygen. Sleep apnea has been proven to be associated with Alzhimers. You can either be a baby, not use the machine, and in 10 years you can be another alzimhers guy crapping in the kitchen sink and humping the dog, or you can use the machine.

Being a younger guy yourself if the UPP doesn't work you should have no problem getting used to the machine. It is mostly the 65+ guys that whine the most. It took me a couple of weeks to get used to it but some of the older guys would rather take the easy way out and die rather than be uncomfortable for a couple of weeks.

Heh. You sound a lot like me. That's pretty much my attitude about it. I've been using the CPAP for almost a month now....and I don't really understand what the big deal is. I suppose for light sleepers or those who have difficulty getting to sleep, it could be an issue. But given the alternative, I'd think you could find a way to get use to it.

Bob Dole's father was 65 when he started using his and had no problems getting used to it.

It's such a small hassle for the dramatic difference it makes during his waking hours that he was pissed off when he had a melanoma removed from his ear and couldn't wear his for a couple of weeks.

Heh....sorry I missed this earlier. No, sorry....no porn, pills, or pilsner. :(

LMAO

The gal that did my sleep study though, I swear to God.....could have passed for Monica Lewinsky's double--from her appearance, to their demeanor( from what we saw in the press.). There was another dude, scheduled for the night I had mine done....but he didn't show. So we just chatted about almost everything you could imagine for a couple of hours before I went to "bed." She was a great gal though; really nice, friendly....but, alas, very professional too.

Good luck Rob.

I won't even leave the obligatory smartass remark.

Thanks, Jim.

All right guys here's the deal. I'm a PA for a head&neck surgeon/ENT. Sleep apnea is a slow killer. When you go and have the intial sleep study that lets us know the degree of your apnea as well as potential treatment options.

You could have a nasal septal deformity, tonsil hypertrophy, a thick dependent palate, or an excessive uvula. Most of the time the main culprit for sleep apnea is being fat. Plain and simple. It crowds your hypopharnx and will diminish your airway. That is why your apnea and snoring is worse when your laying in the supine position. Laying on your side relieves this strain. CPAP will cure anybodies apnea, but the setting which is measured in cm/h20 may be so high the patient may not be able to tolerate it.

This brings surgery into the equation. Not every one is a candidate for surgery. If you don't have a thick dependent soft palate, tonsillar hypertrphy, excessive uvula, or retrognathia (your jaw doesn't line up right and places your tongue into your airway) a UPPP will not help you. If your fat....you'll still be fat. If you have an anatomic problems (as mentioned above) being even 15 lbs over wieght will be a contributing factor, and it is usually the biggest.

The measure of success when doing a UPPP is measured by how bad your anatomic problems are. If your physical findings are minimal than you can expect your surgical results to reflect that and vice versa. Your going to have a rough post op period. Lots of fluids (a big drink hurts just as bad as a big one) and lots of Loritab elixir will do the trick.

You should not expect to be cured by this surgery, but your apnea may be diminshed enough that you will no longer need the CPAP. I had a patient with an RDI of over 100 like you did. After septal surgery and a UPPP his number was 13, which is considered mild OSA. He was satisfied by that and doesn't use his CPAP any longer. We reduced his sleep apnea by 8 times, but he was an ideal surgical candidate. You may or may not need to continue to use CPAP. A post op sleep study will show the results of the surgery. At that point you and your doctor can re evaluate your treatment options. I can not stress enough how important it is to try and maintaim your ideal body wieght. Let me know if I can be of any more help.

Thank you, sir. I really do appreciate your feedback and candor. I'll be in touch, if you don't mind.