I just had third sleep study done two days ago - usually the wait for studsk but I am afraidy to be done is at least two weeks- my sleep doctor happened to be in office and observed raw date- said that  I had very severe apnea - obstructive and central. I had a tumor removed from spinal cord  almost 20 years ago but never had any breathing problems (that I was awaRE  OF)  I am scheduledfor minor surgery and he said that I had to be intubaterd any time I have any sort of anesthesia- did say that sleep therapist noted a lot of leaks in mask-a respitary therapist also in office mentioned tracheostomy- when doctor said that word I panicked- couldn't talk-  the homecare provider I use (hard fortme to get out ) didn't have much luck finding mask fit (I am not sure how well trained thepeoople were.  My breathing is fine during day and my heart is fine. Is mention of tracheostomy premature


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I have severe sleep apnea. - having lot of trouble with mask fit- sometimes wake up every 2 hours - or I ake up with EXCRUCIATING headaches

It is hard to say whether trach was mentioned out of turn, or not, since we don't have much information on your situation.  And we're not doctors, anyway, and unable to diagnose or recommend a course of treatment for you.

That being said, in my opinion it is quite likely the RT that threw that out there may just have been responding to your questions or a feeling that you would like another solution than xPAP therapy.  Tracheostomy will cure obstructive apnea permanently in all or nearly all cases.  Trach however will not help with central apnea.  You mention both central and obstructive forms, so there is still some question of appropriate therapy.  Most likely xPAP therapy (Bi-Level, VPAP, etc.).

If you don't have a sleep doctor I urge you to get one, preferably one also in neurology because of the mention of central apnea (rather than a sleep doc also in pulmonology as many of them are -- unless there is reason to go to a pulmonologist).  

You should probably wait until the study results are done to go see a sleep doc. Be sure to ask for and get a copy of the detailed results (5-6 pages usually with graphs, not the summary the doctor writes).  Then you can see a sleep doc and ask your questions about options for your treatment, as the detailed study results will be available.  If a sleep doc coordinated this study, then you should see him/her when your results are ready.  Two weeks is not unusual time to wait.

Blessings,
--pseudonym

Actually, the sleep doctor who mentioned the procedure apologised later- he said that a respitory therapist had mentiond  it- not recommended it  and there are a lot of options part of my problem is air leaks from mask probably the reason my treatment has not helped as much as it should - I am going to a CPAP mask clinic tomorrow to see if -there is a mask that will fit better - I have minor surgery scheduled soon and the doctor told me that anytime I had surgery with anesthesia that lowers respiration (even twilight sleep) I  shouild be intubated-as anesthesia lowers respiration, someone with apnea COULD be at risk-  I have had surgery whille I had apnea and was fine- but any surgery will be


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I have severe sleep apnea. - having lot of trouble with mask fit- sometimes wake up every 2 hours - or I ake up with EXCRUCIATING headaches

I'm not sure what you mean by twilight sleep - sedation, perhaps?  If so, you should be using your CPAP machine during the surgery.

My husband will be having minor surgery this week with a local anesthetic and sedation and the hospital told him to bring his machine with him on the appointed day.