Guest guest Posted March 10, 2000 Report Share Posted March 10, 2000 I had UPPP surgery for my sleep apnea. I was told I wasn't a good candidate for a CPAP because of enlarged nasal turbinates. The surgery certainly worked (after all, they cut 5 pounds of meat out of the back of my throat), but the recovery was the most painful, awful thing I've ever been through in my life. The pain was so bad that I had to have a HOME morphine PCA pump. Of course now the opening in the back of my throat is big enough that I could swallow a canteloupe whole, so maybe I could have a career in the circus. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 10, 2000 Report Share Posted March 10, 2000 UPPP=Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty. It's where they remove your uvula, part of your soft palate, and other tissue at the back of the throat. In my case, they also had to take my tonsils and adenoids, which meant they had to use the old-fashioned scalpel instead of a laser. It was horrible. Of course, the surgeon was pretty upfront about it--he told me " get ready for the worst month of your life " . Steve > > > How awful for you. What is UPPP surgery? > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 10, 2000 Report Share Posted March 10, 2000 I am so sorry to hear about that, but am glad that the surgery was helpful to you. I guess I had no idea of the extent to which sleep apnea could be debilitating. I just got two videos and a manual on sleep apnea from Dennis (the sleep lab tech) to go over this weekend. Your experience has made me want to become more aware of this problem. Again, to all of you with sleep apnea, I apologize if I seemed to take it lightly, as it was not my intention. Steve, it appears that I probably won't need surgery to insert large things in my mouth, " my foot made it through with very little difficulty. " >>> steven.parsons@... 03/10/00 08:21AM >>> UPPP=Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty. It's where they remove your uvula, part of your soft palate, and other tissue at the back of the throat. In my case, they also had to take my tonsils and adenoids, which meant they had to use the old-fashioned scalpel instead of a laser. It was horrible. Of course, the surgeon was pretty upfront about it--he told me " get ready for the worst month of your life " . Steve > > > How awful for you. What is UPPP surgery? > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 10, 2000 Report Share Posted March 10, 2000 :-) I'm picturing swallowing a whole cantaloupe into a MGB stomach! > I had UPPP surgery for my sleep apnea. I was told I wasn't a good candidate > for a CPAP because of enlarged nasal turbinates. The surgery certainly > worked (after all, they cut 5 pounds of meat out of the back of my throat), > but the recovery was the most painful, awful thing I've ever been through > in my life. The pain was so bad that I had to have a HOME morphine PCA > pump. Of course now the opening in the back of my throat is big enough that > I could swallow a canteloupe whole, so maybe I could have a career in the > circus. > > Steve > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 10, 2000 Report Share Posted March 10, 2000 I had thought about having a UPPP also. But I am very squeamish about somebody messing around in my mouth like that. And I had heard of several patients having problems with dysphagia after the procedure. I guess now they have some sort of laser surgery where they go in and cause scarring, thus lifting the tissues away from the back of the throat, but knowing my luck, it would cause my throat to close completely.:-( Are you not able to breath out of your nose? I know myself when my allergies are acting up or if I have a cold, I have to be very careful....especially when I sleep because I might take a decongestant and have my nose open when I fall asleep and then having it close up in the night and wake up choking. I have had many times this winter when I've woke up with my sinuses just burning like fire because I'd had a cold and the air was so dry. I have to watch the humidity level in my bedroom like a hawk. It's getting to be a real pain, I'd just like to get rid of the whole thing. fg At 08:09 AM 03/10/2000 -0500, you wrote: > > >I had UPPP surgery for my sleep apnea. I was told I wasn't a good candidate >for a CPAP because of enlarged nasal turbinates. The surgery certainly >worked (after all, they cut 5 pounds of meat out of the back of my throat), >but the recovery was the most painful, awful thing I've ever been through >in my life. The pain was so bad that I had to have a HOME morphine PCA >pump. Of course now the opening in the back of my throat is big enough that >I could swallow a canteloupe whole, so maybe I could have a career in the >circus. > >Steve > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 10, 2000 Report Share Posted March 10, 2000 I had thought about having a UPPP also. But I am very squeamish about somebody messing around in my mouth like that. And I had heard of several patients having problems with dysphagia after the procedure. I guess now they have some sort of laser surgery where they go in and cause scarring, thus lifting the tissues away from the back of the throat, but knowing my luck, it would cause my throat to close completely.:-( Are you not able to breath out of your nose? I know myself when my allergies are acting up or if I have a cold, I have to be very careful....especially when I sleep because I might take a decongestant and have my nose open when I fall asleep and then having it close up in the night and wake up choking. I have had many times this winter when I've woke up with my sinuses just burning like fire because I'd had a cold and the air was so dry. I have to watch the humidity level in my bedroom like a hawk. It's getting to be a real pain, I'd just like to get rid of the whole thing. fg At 08:09 AM 03/10/2000 -0500, you wrote: > > >I had UPPP surgery for my sleep apnea. I was told I wasn't a good candidate >for a CPAP because of enlarged nasal turbinates. The surgery certainly >worked (after all, they cut 5 pounds of meat out of the back of my throat), >but the recovery was the most painful, awful thing I've ever been through >in my life. The pain was so bad that I had to have a HOME morphine PCA >pump. Of course now the opening in the back of my throat is big enough that >I could swallow a canteloupe whole, so maybe I could have a career in the >circus. > >Steve > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 10, 2000 Report Share Posted March 10, 2000 LOL ! :-) I didn't think you were taking things lightly at all. In fact, before I was diagnosed, I thought that sleep apnea was the " diagnosis of the 90's " . When I read the article about it and realized I was reading my own biography, I was shocked. It's like some people don't understand fibromyalgia.....until they have it. It's human nature. Most people who are not fat do not understand obesity (with one of the exceptions being our own adored Dr R). I pray they find that your are free of it, or at the very least, that you are mildly apneic at night. Sometimes with mild sleep apnea, you can be fitted with a mouthpiece to wear at night to keep structures in a position that keeps the airway open at night. Even breathe right nose strips are supposed to work on some people, but mine is too severe to have something like that help me. Good luck to you, when are you having your test?? fg At 08:57 AM 03/10/2000 -0500, you wrote: > > >I am so sorry to hear about that, but am glad that the surgery was helpful to you. I guess I had no idea of the extent to which sleep apnea could be debilitating. I just got two videos and a manual on sleep apnea from Dennis (the sleep lab tech) to go over this weekend. Your experience has made me want to become more aware of this problem. > >Again, to all of you with sleep apnea, I apologize if I seemed to take it lightly, as it was not my intention. Steve, it appears that I probably won't need surgery to insert large things in my mouth, " my foot made it through with very little difficulty. " > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 10, 2000 Report Share Posted March 10, 2000 LOL ! :-) I didn't think you were taking things lightly at all. In fact, before I was diagnosed, I thought that sleep apnea was the " diagnosis of the 90's " . When I read the article about it and realized I was reading my own biography, I was shocked. It's like some people don't understand fibromyalgia.....until they have it. It's human nature. Most people who are not fat do not understand obesity (with one of the exceptions being our own adored Dr R). I pray they find that your are free of it, or at the very least, that you are mildly apneic at night. Sometimes with mild sleep apnea, you can be fitted with a mouthpiece to wear at night to keep structures in a position that keeps the airway open at night. Even breathe right nose strips are supposed to work on some people, but mine is too severe to have something like that help me. Good luck to you, when are you having your test?? fg At 08:57 AM 03/10/2000 -0500, you wrote: > > >I am so sorry to hear about that, but am glad that the surgery was helpful to you. I guess I had no idea of the extent to which sleep apnea could be debilitating. I just got two videos and a manual on sleep apnea from Dennis (the sleep lab tech) to go over this weekend. Your experience has made me want to become more aware of this problem. > >Again, to all of you with sleep apnea, I apologize if I seemed to take it lightly, as it was not my intention. Steve, it appears that I probably won't need surgery to insert large things in my mouth, " my foot made it through with very little difficulty. " > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 13, 2000 Report Share Posted March 13, 2000 <<my hubby calls me frankenbutt >> LOL, I have one of those too, but it's from a pilonidal cyst removal instead. Steve > Re: Sleep Apnea > >Date: Sat, 11 Mar 2000 07:00:46 EST > > > ><< I have to ask, was it really 5 pounds of flesh?? >> > > > >Probably not, that's just the way I like to describe it > > ______________________________________________________ > Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com > > > -------------------------------------------------------------- > ---------- > MAXIMIZE YOUR CARD, MINIMIZE YOUR RATE! > Get a NextCard Visa, in 30 seconds! Get rates as low as > 0.0% Intro or 9.9% Fixed APR and no hidden fees. > Apply NOW! > http://click./1/2122/1/_/453517/_/952847373/ > -------------------------------------------------------------- > ---------- > > This message is from the Mini-Gastric Bypass Mailing List at > Onelist.com > Please visit our web site at http://clos.net > Get the Patient Manual at http://clos.net/get_patient_manual.htm > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 30, 2001 Report Share Posted August 30, 2001 Jerry, I, too, had some very high number of sleep stoppages during my sleep study (Titration). I use a CPAP with a nose-mouth mask. It did take some time to get used to it, but I was determined to master it and I did. I no longer "nod off" every time I sit down to watch TV, sleep thru football and basketball games or while carrying on conversations with friends. I wouldn't dream of going to bed at night without "the machine." Tell your brother to give it a try and don't give up. The results will be amazing! Barbara Pond in VA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 19, 2003 Report Share Posted March 19, 2003 I just had my first consultation with my oral surgeon. My ortho had recommended upper/lower jaw surgery (Le Fort I with 3 segments and a BSSO) and the surgeon concurred, as I have an overbite, with a receding jaw. During our meeting, he asked me if I snored. Which I do and it has gotten worse in the past couple of years, unfortunately. The surgeon then went on to talk more about health implications of sleep apnea, etc. Almost as if I was there for that health problem! Anyways, I realized that possibly he was going into detail about this for insurance reasons and that it would be more readily covered, as opposed to having jaw surgery for an overbite or misaligned jaw. Has anyone else gone this " route " to get insurance coverage? According to my surgeon, sleep apnea is a very serious health concern which may be why insurance companies are more willing to cover this procedure. So, I'm wondering if he's going to submit his letter to the insurance company, saying it's necessary to have these surgeries to help with that, rather than fix my bite. If it helps with my snoring, then I'm all for it! Any thoughts? Thanks, Vivian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 15, 2005 Report Share Posted March 15, 2005 Insurance only covers these masks if you have dry eyes?!?! Why? Also, as I am now scheduled for 3/31 for my sleep study, I forgot to ask ... do they give you something to help you sleep if you are having trouble falling asleep? ... I seriously doubt I would have trouble, but just in case ... Thanks to anyone who wants to answer!, Joan P.S. I forgot to increase my font size on the last few posts ... sorry. I use a bipap which I find more comfortable. I also use a "Mirage"mask--it's designed not to let any air out -- I have to have a full face mask because of a deviated septum, and I have to have the special mask because I have super dry eyes from the secondary Sjogren's. See if you can get a catalogue from your oxygen provider. That mask also is super comfy and stays put, plus if you have dry eyes insurance covers it at 100%.Hope that helps.I having major problems with it again myself. I just got a new cpap mask, I think it'll start helping soon. I just have to adjust it so that when I roll over, it doesn't shift off my face. It's so much better than the last one-- which I'd stuck with for the last 4 years. Sleep apnea is tested by an overnight stay in a sleep center, wired to electrodes that measure eye movement, limb movement, tooth grinding, etc. It really is amazing to find out that you wake yourself up hundreds of times a night because your soft palate collapses over the airpipe, and you startle yourself awake because you aren't breathing. The fix is so simple too. Make these idiots test you. hugs, me "I believe that friends are quiet angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 27, 2005 Report Share Posted March 27, 2005 Joan, it must vary from facility to facility. At my hospital they do provide a sleeper if you need it, usually Ambien. Rose Re: sleep apnea Joan they do not give you anything to fall asleep if you have trouble. You take the meds with you that you take at night when you are at home. Sharon Insurance only covers these masks if you have dry eyes?!?! Why? Also, as I am now scheduled for 3/31 for my sleep study, I forgot to ask ... do they give you something to help you sleep if you are having trouble falling asleep? ... I seriously doubt I would have trouble, but just in case ... Thanks to anyone who wants to answer!, Joan P.S. I forgot to increase my font size on the last few posts ... sorry. I use a bipap which I find more comfortable. I also use a "Mirage"mask--it's designed not to let any air out -- I have to have a full face mask because of a deviated septum, and I have to have the special mask because I have super dry eyes from the secondary Sjogren's. See if you can get a catalogue from your oxygen provider. That mask also is super comfy and stays put, plus if you have dry eyes insurance covers it at 100%.Hope that helps.I having major problems with it again myself. I just got a new cpap mask, I think it'll start helping soon. I just have to adjust it so that when I roll over, it doesn't shift off my face. It's so much better than the last one-- which I'd stuck with for the last 4 years. Sleep apnea is tested by an overnight stay in a sleep center, wired to electrodes that measure eye movement, limb movement, tooth grinding, etc. It really is amazing to find out that you wake yourself up hundreds of times a night because your soft palate collapses over the airpipe, and you startle yourself awake because you aren't breathing. The fix is so simple too. Make these idiots test you. hugs, me "I believe that friends are quiet angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly." ~~~~ *** ~~~ *** ~~~ *** ~~~~The Neurosarcoidosis CommunityNS CHAT:- Has been cancelled for now.Message Archives:-http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Neurosarcoidosis/messagesMembers Database:-Listings of locations, phone numbers, and instant messengers.http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Neurosarcoidosis/database Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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