Has anyone had surgery for sleep apnea?

[megan4777]

What were your experiences? Did it help or make things worse? DH is considering having surgery so any info you can give is appreciated.

 

[Meriweather]

DH had 2 surgeries on his throat. It was the most painful experience he has ever been through...and it didn't work.
The C-PAP machine was a blessing.

 

[rascalmom]

I haven't had the surgery, but dh treats a lot of sleep apnea patients in his dental practice. The "gold standard" for apnea is a CPAP machine. Alternatives are the surgery (not successful for everyone) and customized dental devices. (also not successful for everyone) Be careful - lots of dentists do the standard "boil & bite" snore-guard type appliances. You want someone who can do the pharyngometer & rhinometerer studies & measurements of the airway & will customize the device to the patient's needs. Look for a doctor who is a member of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Surgery is successful on those whose have OBSTRUCTIVE sleep apnea caused mostly by excess tissue - there are other causes of sleep apnea & the doctor should understand all of the possible reasons. Obstructive sleep apnea can also be caused by a slacking of the jaw muscles during sleep - the surgery usually won't help that. The CPAP helps with most forms of sleep apnea, but not everyone tolerates wearing it.



Has your dh had a sleep study?

 

[snoopy]

I remember arminnie posting that she had surgery....her story was pretty interesting. You might PM her directly or do a search on her posts, although that was at least a year ago that she posted it I think.

 

[megan4777]

He's had a few sleep studies. He just had x-rays done and went back to the surgeon today. The surgeon said the surgery would consist of moving his jaw, removing tissue and tonsils and something with his palatte. Dr. also said that surgery is successful in 50% of patients so that concerned DH.
He has a dental device that was made specifically for him but it's no longer helping him. It came with a key type thing to adjust it and he has adjusted it to the maximum. He has tried the CPAP machine but he freaked out and threw it off while sleeping so that's most likely out.
They told him he could try losing weight but he's not overweight. When we first got together he was almost 15-20 lbs lighter than now and his sleep apnea was pretty bad then, too. I don't think losing weight will help him.
The thing is that he is EXTREMELY tired all of the time and cranky b/c he's so tired. He gets headaches, falls asleep while feeding DD#2, and has trouble functioning at times.

Thanks for the responses....please keep them coming. It helps to know what others have experienced since we really don't know what to think.

 

[Duckfan-in-Chicago]

What were your experiences? Did it help or make things worse? DH is considering having surgery so any info you can give is appreciated.

I've had numberous surgeries, and I've been on a CPAP for about 3+ years. Some of the operations have to be repeated every few years, some are a one time deal. My life is better than it was 4 years ago, but I still have issues with sleep. The CPAP isn't 100% for everyone.

 

[mrsmom]

my dd 11 had a palete surgery to help her breathing due to small jaw and cleft palete, Well the surgery that in 99.9 of people don't cause any problems , well my dd it did ,she has been on cpap machine for 2 yrs and she goes back the 20th and they will tell me when her surgery will be.. Hopefully it will fix the sleep apnea, But if it doesn't she really doesn't mind the cpap machine. Good Luck!!
Kim