Advise on laser surg & mouthpieces
Question:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> ppr…@holli.com (pprice) writes: > I just stumbled onto this group. It’s great to see this. I’m looking for advise/experience… > I have been through a couple of sleep studies over the past few years… both indicate obstructive > sleep apnea. I’m not overweight by any amount to speak of. (Male/5′11"/180 lbs), and am age > 34. It appears my lower jaw is less-than-ideally developed, creating some overbight, and also some > reduction in the air passage at the back. I did not tolerate CPAP at all. The docs wanted to use > Bi-Pap, but the insurance co said ‘not until you try an oral ‘anti-snoring’ device. I did, and it > has been pretty effective. I have used for over a year with good luck, except an occasional stiff > jaw in the morning. > I just saw a facility advertising laser surgery for preventing snoring, claiming 80% + effectiveness > for stopping the snoring. Also, the claims indicated little discomfort, surgery done in the office, > and returning to work the same day. Sounds to good to be true. Anyone have experience with this ?
This is a LAUP, I have my doubts that it is 80% effective! Since this a realtively new procedure no long term data is available. From my experience over a last 2 years I’d say its closer to 25% effective. CPAP should still be first choice, but if it doesn’t work for you then the LAUP might be an alternative.
Response:
Have you tested the effect of the oral device with an overnight study? Since these devices have not, I believe, demonstrated efficacy in apnea; and since apnea is potentially deadly; you need to insist on proof that the de vice reduces apnea to Zero. The surgery internentions you mention have not been proven, and in general the results have been a very low percentage of success in reducing apnea. They are reasonably effective in some cases in dealing with snoring. CPAP and BIPAP are very similar treatments. BiPap devices cost a lot more (actually one should say bi-level postivive airway pressure). Frustration with CPAP can be trivial to fix, or the bi-level approach may be essential. Considering the risk to your health and well-being, your fdoctoor should be able to insist on at least a trial of the bi-level system, or you could even rent a device. ppr…@holli.com (pprice) writes: >I just stumbled onto this group. It’s great to see this. I’m looking for advise/experience… >I have been through a couple of sleep studies over the past few years… both indicate obstructive >sleep apnea. I’m not overweight by any amount to speak of. (Male/5′11"/180 lbs), and am age >34. It appears my lower jaw is less-than-ideally developed, creating some overbight, and also some >reduction in the air passage at the back. I did not tolerate CPAP at all. The docs wanted to use >Bi-Pap, but the insurance co said ‘not until you try an oral ‘anti-snoring’ device. I did, and it >has been pretty effective. I have used for over a year with good luck, except an occasional stiff >jaw in the morning. >I just saw a facility advertising laser surgery for preventing snoring, claiming 80% + effectiveness >for stopping the snoring. Also, the claims indicated little discomfort, surgery done in the office, >and returning to work the same day. Sounds to good to be true. Anyone have experience with this ?
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Response:
I just stumbled onto this group. It’s great to see this. I’m looking for advise/experience… I have been through a couple of sleep studies over the past few years… both indicate obstructive sleep apnea. I’m not overweight by any amount to speak of. (Male/5′11"/180 lbs), and am age 34. It appears my lower jaw is less-than-ideally developed, creating some overbight, and also some reduction in the air passage at the back. I did not tolerate CPAP at all. The docs wanted to use Bi-Pap, but the insurance co said ‘not until you try an oral ‘anti-snoring’ device. I did, and it has been pretty effective. I have used for over a year with good luck, except an occasional stiff jaw in the morning. I just saw a facility advertising laser surgery for preventing snoring, claiming 80% + effectiveness for stopping the snoring. Also, the claims indicated little discomfort, surgery done in the office, and returning to work the same day. Sounds to good to be true. Anyone have experience with this ?
Response:
In article <D5oFrr….@dorite.use.com> ppr…@holli.com (pprice) writes: > I just saw a facility advertising laser surgery for preventing snoring, claiming 80% + effectiveness > for stopping the snoring. Also, the claims indicated little discomfort, surgery done in the office, > and returning to work the same day. Sounds to good to be true. Anyone have experience with this ?
Laser surgery of the palate works great for snoring, but has not been proven useful for sleep apnea. Refer to an article on the Sleep Medicine Home Page on the WWW Good Luck Rick Stack Sleep specialist
