I have had enlarged tonsils and problems with strep throat since I was a child.  But the drs said I would outgrow it and never had my tonsils removed.  I have been diagnosed with very severe OSA.  My tonsils stay so enlarged that they almost touch.  I talked to an ENT about 3 years ago, but didn't want to go through with the surgery because of the long recovery period and severe pain I was warned about.  But I have read a little about a new surgery for tonsil removal, that cuts down the recovery time greatly.  In your opinion would any of you have it done?  I am a chickensh*t and put off doing everything, but if this could help with osa and maybe do away with cpap, I think I would look into it more seriously.

dillmom,
I also want to know more about the surgery option, but it seems to me that people active in this forum only have CPAC experiences or recommend CPAC as the best treatment for OSA.


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mild6

mild6, I'm a comfortably well-treated CPAP user.  However, I like staying informed about what others turn to in the way of trying to treat their SDB (sleep disordered breathing) through other means.   UPPP being one notoriously unsuccessful surgery I'd certainly never bother to have, even if I were looking for a way off CPAP -- which I'm not.

If you want to read a lot of discussions about various types of surgery, here's a "link to links."  You've probably already read a good many of the topics:

LINKS to surgery, turbinates, Pillar, TAP experiences

mild6 wrote:

dillmom,
I also want to know more about the surgery option, but it seems to me that people active in this forum only have CPAC experiences or recommend CPAC as the best treatment for OSA.

Thats simply because there are very few surgery success stories for adults.  Some studies put the number as low as 10%.  For some folks 10% is worth it, as they want it fixed now!  But the long term effects of UPPP usually result in failure to treat Sleep Apnea.  Additionally, folks that have had the surgery end up on CPAP ANYWAY, and have even more trouble making it work.  Some have fluids come out of their nose regularly, some have difficulty swallowing.  Its a very brutal procedure with very little success,  so that is why it isn't really discussed as an option.  But for that select few that it works on, it is an option, whether or not you will end up in the success group, even some doctors can't predict.  With CPAP being close to 100% effective, why would you want to try something that could potentially scar you for life?  

As to the other procedures, PILLAR, and Turbinates.  Pillar works in some folks, usually those with mild sleep apnea.  The turbinates surgery is to correct a physical problem usually and will help in breathing, it isn't a "cure" for sleep apnea.  

We all would LOVE to find a simple cure, however there isn't one at this time besides CPAP.

mild6 wrote:

dillmom,
I also want to know more about the surgery option, but it seems to me that people active in this forum only have CPAC experiences or recommend CPAC as the best treatment for OSA.

Mild6,

There are links here covering surgery options. I would also recommend that you vist www.isat.ie (Irish sleep Apnoea Trust) and check out the surgery section on their FAQ. It covers pretty much every conceivable option.

I do believe that if you read these options you will realise just how barbaric and painful surgery is. The only proven successful surgical option is a tracheotomy.

CPAP is the gold standard for treating OSA. Unfortunately there is no quick fix............I wish to God there was, because I would be hard to beat at getting to the top of the queue  

Unfortunately there are a number of 'quick fix' surgeons out there who are only too willing to attempt the impossible. Where surgery is concerned it is important to remember that a surgeons definition of 'success' is a greater than or equal to a 50% reduction in AHI. Consider severe apnoea and a successful surgical solution........you will probably still require CPAP post surgery.

As a survivor of the dreaded UPPP, I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy..........or on second thoughts, maybe I would  

I wish you well in whatever course of action you finally decide.

Daniel


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The untreated Sleep Apnoea sufferer died quietly in his sleep.......
Unlike his three passengers who died screaming !!!!!!

(Anon)

Rested gal, Mike, Daniel,
Points taken.  Thanks for your advice!  I'll keep researching....


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mild6