Do these sports nose "openers" work for snoring?
Question:
Greg Garrison <Garri…@mindspring.com> wrote: >My Septioplasty was done at the same time as my UPPP. >Nonetheless, It took far more than 2 days to heal. Even my ENT >suggested 10 days out of work.
I understand it takes a good while for UPPP to heal. But how fast did the septioplasty heal? Did THAT part of the surgery take 10 days to heal? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I think it is an exaggeration to say that UPPP is highly effective at >stopping apneas. As I said, mine was done with a septioplasty, and I >still have moderate apneas. It is annoying to say the least, that I >went through that amount pf pain and anguish and am not much better, let >alnoe am I cured. About the only benefit I have noticed is that I do >not snore as much as I used to. Which may NOT be a benefit since it >has encouraged my NOT to seek further treatment for the apnea. >I’m looking at CPAP now, even though doctors want to use mouth/jaw >splints and possibly the jaw surgeries mentioned above. I’m tired of >this cutting and I want relief. >If I had it to do over again, I’d go straight to CPAP, I think, prior to >surgeries. Forget the laser crap. Its all hype paid for by the laser >manufacturers. It takes multiple sessions and each feels like your >mouth is bathing in battery acid for a week. Perhaps the only benefit >is that the uvula is preserved, saving you from choking on your >swallowed food and beverages.
With LAUP, most , and usually all the uvula is removed over time. >As far as the uvula is concerned, they are hardly useless! Now that >mine is gone, I choke on liquids and have to be careful when I swallow >and what I eat. Liquids (believedly swallowed) gushing from your nose >is hardly appetizing for those with whom you dine, too!
That is probably due to the tissues in the upper palate being cut away. NOT the uvula. My uvula is gone and there are no side effects because of it.
Response:
My Septioplasty was done at the same time as my UPPP. Nonetheless, It took far more than 2 days to heal. Even my ENT suggested 10 days out of work. I think it is an exaggeration to say that UPPP is highly effective at stopping apneas. As I said, mine was done with a septioplasty, and I still have moderate apneas. It is annoying to say the least, that I went through that amount pf pain and anguish and am not much better, let alnoe am I cured. About the only benefit I have noticed is that I do not snore as much as I used to. Which may NOT be a benefit since it has encouraged my NOT to seek further treatment for the apnea. I’m looking at CPAP now, even though doctors want to use mouth/jaw splints and possibly the jaw surgeries mentioned above. I’m tired of this cutting and I want relief. If I had it to do over again, I’d go straight to CPAP, I think, prior to surgeries. Forget the laser crap. Its all hype paid for by the laser manufacturers. It takes multiple sessions and each feels like your mouth is bathing in battery acid for a week. Perhaps the only benefit is that the uvula is preserved, saving you from choking on your swallowed food and beverages. As far as the uvula is concerned, they are hardly useless! Now that mine is gone, I choke on liquids and have to be careful when I swallow and what I eat. Liquids (believedly swallowed) gushing from your nose is hardly appetizing for those with whom you dine, too! -greg email: garri…@mindspring.com
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I agree with Bill. It does not sound rigourous as described here. Besides the placebo effect is the additional complication that the Stanford Sleepiness Scale is not a great measure of excessive daytime sleepiness anyway-it’s too subjective. MSLTs should have been done-but I would like to read the report before I criticize the study any more. Terry M. Brown, D.O., A.B.S.M. Medical Director, Sleep Disorders Center, UNiversity of Mississippi Medical Center
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In article <4fdf2l$…@newsbf02.news.aol.com>, tbrown2…@aol.com (TBrown2873) writes: >I agree with Bill. It does not sound rigourous as described here. >Besides the placebo effect is the additional complication that the >Stanford Sleepiness Scale is not a great measure of excessive daytime >sleepiness anyway-it’s too subjective. MSLTs should have been done-but I >would like to read the report before I criticize the study any more.
I am not sure if it was a very rigourous study. However, I can’t believe that there is a placebo effect by proxy–67% of bed partners reported decreased snoring in the people wearing the dilators. Was the dilator exerting a placebo effect on their hearing?
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Mr Ferry, Please keep us updated on your progress, and I would be interested in your recovery period. I may have missed some, but you are the first unqualified success I’ve read about on the board. Also the first one that I recall having the jaw moved. Maybe this new procedure will be more successful than the other ones. How long was your recovery? Did you have to have your jaws wired shut? If so for how long. I’d be interested in anything you can tell us.
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In article <4etntu$…@newsbf02.news.aol.com>, billsc…@aol.com (BILLSCPAP) writes: >how about an IUD in the throat
Whaaat? Tell me I misunderstand this… Or I don’t get the joke? ::::I *hate* acronyms; too many mean too many things to different people::::
Response:
Bill, Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. I don’t feel like I sleep better when I use Breath Rights, but my husband certainly does. He reports that I sleep with far less snoring when I use a Breath Right. So, while the Breath Right don’t make me feel better in the morning, if they help my husband sleep better, I’m willing to use them. Regards, Jamie colg…@aa.wl.com
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In article <4f515a$…@reeve.research.aa.wl.com>, Jamie Colgin <colg…@aa.wl.com> writes: >Bill, >Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. I don’t feel like I sleep better >when I use Breath Rights, but my husband certainly does. He reports that >I sleep with far less snoring when I use a Breath Right.
Jamie, I actually tried the Breathe Rites several years ago as part of a "Beta" test. I was able to move more air, but still had sleep apnea, verified by oximetry readings. Yes it did help, but didn’t go "Far enough". BillsCPAP in Seattle
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In article <4f515a$…@reeve.research.aa.wl.com>, Jamie Colgin <colg…@aa.wl.com> writes: >So, while the Breath Right don’t make me feel better in the morning, if >they help my husband sleep better, I’m willing to use them. >Regards, >Jamie >colg…@aa.wl.com
If the Breathe Right doesn’t make you feel better in the morning, it might only be treating your snoring and not your sleep apnea. See a sleep specialist and maybe both you and your husband will sleep better.
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In article <4f4q3c$…@newsbf02.news.aol.com>, hillz…@aol.com (Hillzell) writes: >The Breathe Right study was done with 20 patients with snoring. Patients >were assessed with the Stanford sleepiness scale and bed partner >questionnaires.
<snip> I don’t see anything done to account for the placebo effect. Everything works to some extent if people believe it will. Even more so if the evaluation is subjective. I haven’t read the report, but as described here it doesn’t sound too rigorous. Bill
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They seemed to have helped me. Sure is great to actually be able to breathe through my nose all night (for a change).
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My husband tried one for the first time last night… it made a big difference – best night of sleep I’ve had in months! — kate
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In article <310F059E.6…@netside.com>, Mary Rawlinson <mary…@netside.com> writes: >Does anybody have any idea what kind of surgery is done for sleep apnea, and >what this doctor (as quoted by my husband) is talking about?? >Thanks, >Mary
CPAP first Mary………….CPAP first!!!!! "Brenda"
Response:
<The treatment of choice for sleep apnea is nasal CPAP. … Major surgery, such as UPPP or LAUP, has had fairly poor results <(about 25% success rate). Mandibular reconstructive surgery has had better effects, but there are very few studies that have been <published. Yes, but if CPAP is impossible to use, surgery could be a good choice for severe OSA. Septioplasty, both jaws advanced and UPPP (in that order), were done for me. Polysomnograph study after four months after surgery indicates no OSA. Followups will be done to see if the results remain the same.
Response:
Wes, It sounds as though you’re enjoying being able to breathe! >Can they fix this problem surgically? If so, is it a big deal? How >related to snoring is constricted nasal passages?
Constricted nasal passages are one major cause of snoring and sleep apnea. Nasal obstructions can be caused by swelling of tissue from allergies, which can be treated medically, or the obstructions can be physical (deviated septum, etc.), which can be removed surgically. If that is the only obstruction you have in your airway, your problems may be over. However, many (most?) people who snore and/or have sleep apnea have more than one obstruction (for example, tonsils, adenoids, soft palate, uvula, narrow airway, fleshy neck, short jaw, large tongue, etc), and might still need treatment for sleep apnea after nasal surgery. An exam by an ENT (but don’t jump into surgery without a second opinion) and possibly a talk with a sleep specialist about snoring/sleep apnea would probably answer your questions better, and might lead to permanently being able to breathe easily. Sally
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In article <4esqkq$…@newsbf02.news.aol.com>, hillz…@aol.com (Hillzell) writes: >you know >how quick the FDA is to approve new medications or devices. They actually >did approve the use of the Breathe Right nasal strips for the treatment of >snoring.
That goes to show you how LITTLE THE FDA KNOWS!!!!!!!! If all it took was to open up the diameter of the nares to stop snoring, it would have been done years ago. Now if you could put this strip in the throat, back by the uvula…….hummmmmmm. Or better yet, how about an IUD in the throat! Show me the studies that Breathe Right did and I will be a supporter! BillsCPAP in Seattle
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wes…@fastlane.net (Wes Williamson) wrote: >I saw a commercial on TV about those adhesive things that help you >breathe easier. I’ve seen lots of sports figures wear them. Now >they’re trying to sell them as a snoring remedy. Do they really work? >They’re not at my local grocery store, and thought I’d ask before I >start hunting them… >Thanks!
Well, I got some and I haven’t breathed so well for years! I’m not sure it’s helped my snoring yet, but it’s great to be able to sit around with my mouth closed again! Too bad they don’t make "invisible" ones! Can they fix this problem surgically? If so, is it a big deal? How related to snoring is constricted nasal passages? Do you detect a little excitement here? 
Wes
Response:
The FDA did approve them being marketed as a anti-snoring aid, but they should really only help those who have a snoring problem. If your snoring is loud and habitual, and your bed partner has seen you stop breathing, don’t mess around with the Breathe Right strips. See a sleep physician for a sleep study to see if you have sleep apnea. Especially if you have daytime drowsiness. Dave Hargett, DRCT…@Prodigy.com Illinois Patient Coordinator for Wake Up America A.W.A.K.E. Coordinator – Elk Grove Village IL group
Response:
In article wes…@fastlane.net (Wes Williamson) wrote: >I saw a commercial on TV about those adhesive things that help you >breathe easier. I’ve seen lots of sports figures wear them. Now >they’re trying to sell them as a snoring remedy. Do they really work?
I tried the "Breathe Right" brand when the first came out. While it didn’t help my snoring, I felt breathing was easier through my nose when it was applied. When I tried them, I was an "A-class" snorer and had chronic stuffy nose. I used to take an antihistamine before going to sleep just so I could breathe through my nose, and most nights I didn’t have to when I used the dialators. On the flip side, I tend to have oily skin and the strip would come off during the night and I would find them in all sorts of interesting places the next morning. This would happen even when I thoroughly cleaned the area before applying, as was suggested on the package. The stores in my area sell them in a box of 10 for $4.99, I haven’t seen them on sale. After a while I felt the little relief I was getting just wasn’t worth .50 cents a night and stopped using them. But…different people often get different results with something new, so it’s probably worth the $4.99 to try it for a few nights. Just remember to take it off before going to work or everyone will think you have a broken nose <g>. Good Luck.
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Mary Rawlinson <mary…@netside.com> wrote: >My husband has worried me with his breathing (or not breathing) pattern at >night. He had a sleep study done at a local hospital and they told him he >has sleep apnea. To control this, the doctor wants him to have surgery that >(as my husband tells it) involves either breaking and resetting his jaw, or >going up in his nose and "reaming it out." >He doesn’t like the doctor, and he doesn’t want to have either procedure >done. >Does anybody have any idea what kind of surgery is done for sleep apnea, and >what this doctor (as quoted by my husband) is talking about?? >Thanks, >Mary
First! If he doesn’t like the doctor, then go see another. I had the same reaction my first ENT. 7 minutes of talking, 3 minutes of examination and he announced he was ready to REAM out my throat. So I went to a second and having been following a more conservative route. Second, His sleep apnea should be treated. There are many methods for this. The sleep center should make all methods of treatment known to your husband. he needs to go back and talk to the sleep center as well as another doctor (ENT). There are several surgeries for Sleep Apnea and many other treatments, also. Septioplasty is where they straighten out a deviated septum which may be blocking the nasal airway as well as remove polyps in the nasal airway. This is supposed to be a fairly simple procedure which I am told takes 2-3 days to heal. (SOMEONE WHO HAS HAD IT PLEASE CORRECT ME IF I AM WRONG!) The is also UPPP. That is where they "REAM" out the throat. They remove the tonsils, the uvula (you don’t need it, anyway), and the soft tissue on the upper palate in the back of the throat. UPPP is painful and take 2 weeks to feel ok again and up to 4 weeks to feel completely normal again. This is the preferred surgery along with septioplasty for sleep apnea. UPPP is highly effective for people with OBSTRUCTIVE sleep apnea. If your husbands sleep tests shows a significant incidence of CENTRAL sleep apnea, then this treatment might not be for him. There is also a laser surgery called LAUP. It is like UPPP, but done with a laser and doesnt tak as much tissue out of you as UPPP. It is somewhat effective at reducing snoring and less at reducing the actual apneas. It is very new and the results are too new to be reliable yet. The procedure is a lot less painful but is usually doen in 2-4 visits. Some insurance companies do not pay for this yet, also. Some docs like to break the jaw and re-align it and some even adjust the toungue so that it lays down better in the mouth. I don’t know much about this aspect, but it is usually reserved for more extreme cases or greedy doctors. There are also NON-SURGICAL methods of treating sleep apnea. A CPAP device, which a lot of people who suffered from this disorder, use. It is amask that fits over the nose, allowing the user to breate through his nose and keeping a continous positive pressure in his airway. This eliminates snoring and the episodes of not breathing. It may not be the sexiest device to wear at bedtime, but it improves health, qualtiy of life, and saves lives. People wih Apnea are much more likely to have heart attacks and strokes, too. Apnea is not to be ignored. CPAP is overwhelmingly the choice treatment for most people as it does not involve surgery and WORKS! There is a lot of good reading about sleep apnea and various treatments on the WEB. TRY one of the following…. http://www.access.digex.net/~faust/sldord/orgs.html http://www.bway.net/~marlene/awake.html http://rampages.onramp.net/~dfwsleep/ http://www.sleepnet.com/disorder.htm http://www.cloud9.net/~thorpy/ Hope this helps! —CHUCK cfre…@airmail.net
Response:
My husband has worried me with his breathing (or not breathing) pattern at night. He had a sleep study done at a local hospital and they told him he has sleep apnea. To control this, the doctor wants him to have surgery that (as my husband tells it) involves either breaking and resetting his jaw, or going up in his nose and "reaming it out." He doesn’t like the doctor, and he doesn’t want to have either procedure done. Does anybody have any idea what kind of surgery is done for sleep apnea, and what this doctor (as quoted by my husband) is talking about?? Thanks, Mary
Response:
wes…@fastlane.net (Wes Williamson) wrote: >I saw a commercial on TV about those adhesive things that help you >breathe easier. I’ve seen lots of sports figures wear them. Now >they’re trying to sell them as a snoring remedy. Do they really work? >They’re not at my local grocery store, and thought I’d ask before I >start hunting them… >Thanks!
They do help. I have a deviated septum (who doesn’t in this group?!). I tried them for a little while to help me breath through my nose at night. While I did note that I was getting more air in my nose, I still breathed though my mouth during sleep. the brand I bought was called Breath-Right and it was $5 for a box of 10 or , I think. It was worth the try in my opinion. Spend $5 and try them.
Response:
In article <4ekdeo$…@dfw.nkn.net>, wes…@fastlane.net (Wes Williamson) writes: >I saw a commercial on TV about those adhesive things that help you >breathe easier. I’ve seen lots of sports figures wear them. Now >they’re trying to sell them as a snoring remedy. Do they really work? >They’re not at my local grocery store, and thought I’d ask before I >start hunting them…
Wes: I am a "big" time log sawer! LOL I tried these nose things. They "do" help you breath easier through your nose. Alas they didn’t cure my snoring. They are available at most major drug stores. I found mine at Revco. "Brenda"
Response:
I saw a commercial on TV about those adhesive things that help you breathe easier. I’ve seen lots of sports figures wear them. Now they’re trying to sell them as a snoring remedy. Do they really work? They’re not at my local grocery store, and thought I’d ask before I start hunting them… Thanks!
Response:
I tried Breath Rights when my husband bought them for me as a joke. (I snore so loudly I can wake myself up.) They work quite well, according to my husband. The only problem with them is the adhesive. It is incredibly strong, and after several nights’ use, I seem to develop a bit of irritation. So, I stop using them for a few nights and then start up again. You can’t just pull them off (at least I can’t) without pulling off skin. Rub some hand lotion or vaseline onto the Breath Right when you want to remove it. Then do something else for a few minutes and then it peels off fairly painlessly. The first time I put one on, I thought I was going to hyperventilate. My nose doesn’t even hold up my glasses well, never mind helping me breathe. Good luck!
