nervous15

[nervous15]

I have been DX as having sleep apnea.  I stop breathing about 16 times per hour according to the study.  My question is kind of complicated.  I normally dont feel well rested everyday I awaken, however during the day i dont fall asleep.  I was supposed to be on a CPAP for the past 4 years, but I cant stand it consequently not using it.  I have noticed that I feel increasingly forgetful and not ALERT most of the time.  I  also have a problem with my heart rate become bradycardic 56-48BPM upon resting.

My cardiologist gave me several cardiac test which I passed with flying colors..(Cardiolite Stress test, Echo).  Because of my fear of dying in my sleep I will wear a 24hour Holter Monitor, and have another sleep study done.  I am supposed to have a surgery that includes remopval of my tonsils, shaving down my uvula, and cutting and tightening the back of my throat.

I am a 59 y.o. female, someone please tell me if my problems are caused from the sleep apnea, as well as what your thoughts are about this surgery.


Be advised my mom died of complications of Alzheimer's Disease as well as poor NH care.

Nervous15

[Suri123]

Hi nervous15, how are you doing? It's quite sometime heard from you? Hope you have underwent the UPPP surgery by now and might be feeling better. Has the sleep improved now and are you able to get adequate sleep without having much disturbance? I think you might have recovered pretty well from the procedure and doing a lot better. Do update on the progress and your present status. Take care and share your thoughts.

[Suri123]

Hi nervous15, how are you feeling now? Do not just get nervous as you said you could always discuss your doubts with the attending surgeon in leisure. Are you able to get adequate sleep now? Try to keep yourself a little bit physical, i do understand for you it might be difficult but a relaxing morning-evening walk and few casual stretches at home is fine. Reading your favorite books or listening to instrumental music might feel good. Take care and update on your doctor advice.

[nervous15]

Thanks for all of your input.  I will certainly keep you updated.  I have an appointment on May 5th to see the surgeon so I will tell you what he says.

[Suri123]

Hi nervous15, how are you doing? Thanks again for your reply. Hope you are feeling better. Every one is unique in reacting to surgery so need not give too much importance to the internet posts posted in general as it is most of the times the personal experience. As I said you could always talk to the attending surgeon regarding the queries you have in mind before you get operated. One needs to think positively. Depending on the examination, indications and age, surgeon may decide on removal of tonsils. Relax and take care.

[nervous15]

Thank you so much for your response.  Well I looked up thjat site....and frankly the UPPP surgery is really kind of sketchy as far as success rate goes.  I know 2 people at work that also have sleep apnea and have had the surgery that swears by it.  They state that their ability to sleep has been greatly improved by making UPPP modifications.  However, by reading forums on the internet of people saying how tretorous the recovery was etc, I get totally frantic.  Suri123  I  have another question.  Why dont surgeons like to remove tonsils in people my age?

Thanks for all of your help

Carole

[Suri123]

Hi nervous15, how are you? Thanks for your reply. I do understand how anxious you might be as scheduled for a surgery in coming month but do relax and let the surgery be done to relieve your symptoms. This is a "surgical procedure used to remove tissue in the throat" you may get more info at this link-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UPPP
It is common to be nervous, you need to speak with your doctor to be rest assured.
Take care and share your thoughts.

[nervous15]

Thank you for your interest Suri, you are really very sweet.  I have been absent for a while from the site, going back and forth with the notion of the surgery.  No additional sleepstudy was done.  My thought is that UPPP surgery, although how painful recovery is, to me, if it works to be the best thing going.  The LAST thing I want to do is be hooked up to a machine the rest of my life.  I posted another letter for review.  I would love if you would take a look at it.  Also I have spoken to many people who have had the surgery, and although they are younger than me, they are not sorry they did it.  They tell me the pain of recovery was worth it as now they dont snore and sleep so well they cant believe it.

Thankis everyone else also for your support and comments.


Nervous15

[Suri123]

Hi nervous15, How are you and not heard for sometime? Have you got your sleep study done and follow up with cardiologist? Do relax and try to lose weight. As i earlier said a corrective surgery is a good idea, you can also speak with your doctor about the surgery and possible benefits thereon. There are few devices, which can be tried, initially you may find it difficult to get used to it but you will after some time. Do exercise and avoid sleeping on your back. Take care and update on your doctor advises.

[maggiemag]

Sure your symptoms can be from sleep apnea.  Untreated sleep apnea is not gonna get any better!  Like one of the posters above, I would research long and hard before I would sign up for any surgery for sleep apnea.  It has not been proven, regardless of what the surgeon may tell you.  There is significant discomfort (ie. pain) after the surgery.

Since you have tried cpap and have not been able to adapt, I STRONGLY suggest you go to cpaptalk dot com and read the message board.  The people on there are extremely supportive and there is no problem that they haven't dealt with before.

It is a matter of life or death.

[boutym]

I would STRONGLY advise you FULLY research any surgery you are considering.  That which you describe can be extremely painful and the results minimal to none.  In fact, you very well may go through the rigors of surgery and end up still needing the machine. There are a lot of ENT's out there pushing surgery for what I believe to be a way of lining their pockets more than anything.

I personally would try the machine again and if you have problems with it talk to a sleep specialist.  Could be the wrong type mask for you or a host of other things, but the machine beats surgery hands down and is WAY more effective.  Something  you didn't mention is your weight.  If you are overweight one of your first steps toward relief very well may be in losing the pounds and exercising.  Surgery should absolutely be the last thing you do.

[Suri123]

Hi, how are you doing? Thanks for your reply. Sure, you need to get the necessary investigations and the sleep study. Some instruments like a mandibular advance device and tongue-retaining device helps to keep the airway patent. Corrective surgery like Somnoplasty involves removal of unwanted tissue in the back of throat thereby reducing tissue mass. Some extensive surgeries also might be considered in very severe cases. When is your sleep study being planned. Please keep updating on your sleep study report, consultation outcome and plan of care. Take care.

[nervous15]

Thanks for the encouragement.  I have been spastic because of the loss in memory, mainly. Although frightened of being put under general anesthesia, I am really thinking the surgical proceedure is what I should do.  I will keep you posted on my progress.  After the Holter monitor and the Sleep Study is done I will let you know the outcome and my plans to make this better.

You are greatly appreciated..

Nervous15

[Suri123]

Hi, relax! I do feel you might be having problems caused due to sleep apnea where in you may be awakening number of times sometimes even unaware of it, this causes sleep disturbance and you feel the next day excessive daytime sleepiness, fatigue, feeling unrefreshed, nodding  head frequently, night sweats, dry mouth or sore throat, headaches all leading to disturbed sleep. You can use a CPAP machine, initially there can be difficulty in using it but once you get adjusted you will keep going. Surgical correction is helpful with minimal complication so go ahead. Take care.