Question:
Is there an alternative to the CPap?!? PLEASE HELP!!

Hi everyone. My fiance is desperately seeking this surgery. He is 6'7" and 475#'s. We always knew he had sleep apnea just didn't know how severe. He completed his sleep study however when it came to the part with the cpap, his body can't handle the machine. He did alright at a 5 setting. Once he fell asleep, the tech kept inching it up, inching it up until he got to about 15. Well, EJ (fiance) woke up gasping and choking, his stats went thru the roof and the tech came rushing in to rip everything off of him. He tried the Bi-Pap machine with the same result. He even tried the Auto-Pap and nothing was working. The technition labeled his file as "physically unable to conform to necessary equipment" meaning...his body just wasn't going to let him handle the machine. The surgeon, of course...will not even consider operating on him until he sleeps for at least 6 weeks with SOMETHING that clears his apnea. His mother talked with her regular doc and he mentioned something about the severity of his apnea...he would need a trache to be put in and he'd sleep like that. PLEASE PLEASE tell me that there can be other options than this!! He refuses the trache (can't say I blame him) but, he desperately needs this surgery. (Catch 22) He is young (22) and so many doctors have told us that if he doesn't lose this weight...he'll be dead by 25...so, if you know of a good lung doctor in the chicagoland area please email me OR if you know of ANY other possible options for someone with severe sleep apnea other than the C-Pap machines...please help!!! THANKS!! HUGS!    — Christie N. (posted on December 31, 2002)

December 30, 2002
Relax! I was the same way, with a pressure setting of SEVENTEEN:( Never could use it, caused terrible post nasal drip too. Whats worse a high pressure like that can in select cases inflate the intestines after surgery and cause a leak. See Barb Thoimpsons great book for info on that.Its rare but possible.<P> My surgeon put me on a higher flow of oxygen after surgery, in a monitored bed and I had no problems. Its mangeable if they are awatre of it. I nearly died afyter minor knee surgery, quit breathing. It was horrible. But with WLS it all went fine Speak to your surgeon other alternatives are available. But DO TEL:L THEM HE CANT TOLERATE IT. Sleep apnea can cause all sorts of troubles if its not taken care of. After he looses weight many find their apnea gone.
   — bob-haller

December 30, 2002
I think there is another alternative now. It's a dental device that holds the mouth in a way that the uvala doesn't block the air passage. I read about it last year and was considering trying it before I had WLS. Maybe do some reseach on the internet and you can find more.
   — Janice B.

December 31, 2002
I'm sorry your fiance is having so much trouble adjusting to his CPAP or BiPap. Maybe if he goes back to a much lower setting and tries very gradually adjusting it up he can get used to it easier. It is very important that he use it if his sleep apnea is severe. Not to frighten anyone but please read the memorial I wrote on GINGER BREWSTER, on the memorial page of this website to see what can happen if someone goes into surgery with untreated sleep apnea. Needless to say, it is VERY dangerous! I am so glad his surgeon is looking out for his safety. If he has tried EVERYTHING possible with regard to the CPAP/BiPap route and nothing works, then having a trach before the surgery rather than as an emergency situation after the surgery is far better. This will make more sense to you after you read about my friend, Ginger. In any case, his sleep apnea needs to be treated! Best of luck to you and your fiance.
   — Hackett

December 31, 2002
Hi, as a former sufferer of fairly bad sleep apnea, I can relate to your situation. I tried a CPAP machine in 1998 and could not get used to it and tried it for about 2 months (I felt totally claustrophobic). In March 1999 I had UVPP surgery, which is a very long name for the removal of your uvula (that little flap of skin that hangs in the back of your throat). The UVPP also takes part of your soft palate. Unfortunately even after enduring this surgery (plus the 3 previous sinus surgeries I had had), the sleep apnea was still affecting my life. When I fell asleep at the wheel while driving 75mph on the interstate, I knew I had to try the CPAP again. So I tried 3 different masks as well as the nasal pillows. I never felt truly rested, went into a deep depression and basically felt like an invalid (I was on medication also for depression, high blood pressure and acid reflux). The UVPP surgery must be done by a very qualified ENT surgeon (mine is the best in this area). However, I think that having that surgery helped me to use the CPAP before my RNY and also to get off the CPAP alot quicker after my RNY. It did help me pre-op the RNY in that it quieted my snoring and I had a lower setting on the CPAP (10cm). So within 2 months after my RNY I was no longer using the CPAP machine and no longer take meds for high blood pressure or acid reflux. Now I no longer take antidepressants either! Exercise is my strongest weapon against any depression! Doesn't hurt that I feel like I am truly alive again either!!! If you'd like my ENT surgeon's name please e-mail me.
   — Anna L.

December 31, 2002
p.s. I also tried 2 different dental devices and they just weren't strong enough (I'd wake up with it popped out of place). Most of them aren't strong enough for true sleep apnea, only for snoring.
   — Anna L.

December 31, 2002
I know have a trache(sp?) sounds horrible...it is. But the dangers from untreated sleep apnea is truly SERIOUS. If I were in his situation I would try the CPAP at lower settings initally then be monitered monthly to set a more comfortable level. If all else fails, the trache maybe the BEST option for him. He is so young and you dont want to force something like this. Listen to surgeon...he knows why he has to force this issue. I wish you both the best in his weight loss journey. OPEN RNY 11-25-02/TTL LOSS 70LBS/25LBS post-op
   — Alicia C.

December 31, 2002
I know have a trache(sp?) sounds horrible...it is. But the dangers from untreated sleep apnea is truly SERIOUS. If I were in his situation I would try the CPAP at lower settings initally then be monitered monthly to set a more comfortable level. If all else fails, the trache maybe the BEST option for him. He is so young and you dont want to force something like this. Listen to surgeon...he knows why he has to force this issue. I wish you both the best in his weight loss journey. OPEN RNY 11-25-02/TTL LOSS 70LBS/25LBS post-op
   — Alicia C.

December 31, 2002
The University of Chicago has an excellent sleep program but it takes some time to get in. You might want to have him try there.
   — Chris P.