I don't know what happened. Supposedly, she had an excellent surgeon. But they broke her front teeth, her nose, and I think her eyesocket. She was a mess. I know the TMJ surgery involves moving the jaw, but I don't know how it compares to what you'd be having.

These smaller nasal size CPAP look like they would be worth trying. They sound more effective than the dental apparatus, and I bet you could get used to them quickly. I think I'd rather have one of these than something in my mouth when I'm trying to sleep.

I'll be curious to hear what the dr says today.

I have a cpap machine and like you, I first said "no way"! I have the problem of not sleeping too. Had the sleep study done and they told me that I actually woke up 14 times, even tho I only remembered one, and had 2 episodes of really low breathing, did not actually stop, thank goodness! Also, I never went into the deepest sleep cycle.
I have 2 different masks-one that covers the nose and mouth, which I started out with, and the other is just a nose piece, just like a plug in both nostrils, nothing that actually covers my nose. The machine is so quiet that you don't hear it.
I really like the 'nose plug' one, does not take that long to get used to it, only an hour or so the first night.
I think you should really consider this before any kind of invasive surgery! Just my opinion!
This is what mine looks like Innomed Nasal Aire II CPAP Mask & Headgear - Nasal Interface and Pillows Masks for Your Therapy - CPAPSupplyUSA.com
Hope this helps!

Did you feel like I do right now...as in "how on earth am I supposed to sleep with this monstrosity on my FACE?"...so are my feelings what you felt early on?

Your poor friend :(! That is just unreal. I'm really going to talk at length about the CPAP today...and I'm hoping he'll know a little about the dental apparatus stuff too. My appt is at 10:20 AZ time...so I'll post in the afternoon to tell ya more.

This thread has been so therapeutic for me in accepting this diagnosis...thank you so much everyone...I was hesitant in posting about this, and now I'm so glad I did :).

So helpful, thank you :)!!! Did you see yours compared to the first mask I posted, LOL!! BIG difference. I was so freaked out by those first masks I was finding....:p

Hi Ann, so sorry you have been going thru this. You must be exhausted cause you never full get into REM sleep! You poor thing. BUT the good news is you've finally been diagnosed and can finally get help for it. There are so many people who go on for years not being diagnosed and their health declines little by little.

You wouldnt be surprised how many patients i have that are on CPAP...and i'm a Pediatric Nurse who works overnights. Dont be afraid of the CPAP...there are soo many different kinds of masks out there and they are always improving on the machines. Most of the masks now have a gel base. So its not abrasive on your face. If you only need the nose part..thats even better...cause they make the tiniest little nose mask..its actually kinda cute from a nurse's point of view. You wont have a problem sleeping on your side...cause it secures very well on your face. And if it does break the seal...most machines nowadays have an alarm....now that may be your only problem. If your bed partner is a light sleeper....he may hear the alarm or in the beginning may be annoyed by the inhalation/exhalation noises.

If you decide against the CPAP and want to try the dental guard, that could be another option. They make the dental guards better than they use to. Not as bulky. The only thing i would suggest is...if you do decide on the dental guard....have another sleep study done WITH the dental guard on...that way you can see if your airway is open enough..sometimes the guards open the airway but not enough. ****If your insurance company tries to deny paying for this, just have your doctor write a letter of medical necessity.

I think the only option for surgery is as a last resort and you have tried everything else. It is very invasive and not 100%.

I cant even imagine how exhausted you must feel. I really hope things work out for you soon. I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

I know people who have delt with it due to being over weight. They used C-Pap machines till they lost weight and no longer needed it.

I have sleep apnea ,I have to say this .Your already tired so whats another week of getting used to wearing mask ,The machines are really quiet .You will feel so much better and wake feeling like you had a good nights sleep .

Is it a pain in butt yes ,but is it worth it ,YES. dont go for surgery unless you really really have to .I say take the CPAP machine ,They will work with you to find a mask that's right and comfortable for you . Let me know how it goes

Thank you so much :)! I am feeling soooooooo much more open to CPAP since starting this thread...I'm going to talk to the doc about it today at my appt. I'm very open to the dental thing, but don't know if I'm a candidate...and yep, I know..I'd need another dang sleep study to confirm the dental thing is working, if I go that route (hate those studies :mad:). My ins. is paying for everything so far, so that's good. Those sleep studies are about 2k :eek:!

I know...but my prob is I'm about 15lbs+ underweight right now...I think just from stress and exhaustion, I'm a bone and look horrible and sunken...so I can't lose another ounce right now, to be honest :(.

If you are underweight your weight is NOT the reason for the Sleep Apnea.

Me Too!
 

I also have sleep apnea, and I have been using a CPAP machine since April of '08. I would not sleep without it now; it literally saved my sanity, I swear.
I use the Respironics nasal piece, in the petite size, that just fits over my nose, and yes, it's quite soft. It didn't take me all that long to get used to sleeping with my machine either. It's quiet, and I can barely hear it running. I can sleep on my side comfortably too. I just throw the hose up over the top of my brass headboard, and the weight doesn't distract from my ability to sleep then. Please look into a CPAP machine; don't let the appearance intimidate you.....they're well worth the time it takes to get used to them. I was so fatigued before I couldn't function and now I wake up bright and bushy-tailed...and it doesn't scare Riley either.

OMG - the first mask you posted was the one I had!!! hahaha! You should have seen how freaked out Mia & Max were - at first. After about 3 days they only got annoyed with it.

I, too, had insomnia since my daughter was born 22 yrs ago! I just ended up getting a job that started at 4am. It seemed to work for me until 2 yrs ago. I was getting so tired - even at work - and that really stressed me out! I was literally dozing off at work! Anyway, I was prescribed Ambien which has helped - immensely!

Then, they sent me in for the overnight sleeping test. I don't know how many times it went off. They told me to use that cpap and some oxygen - so I had 2 machines and the big blue one is noisy. They told me that I'd feel better, have all this energy, and sleep through the night. Unfortunately, that didn't happened. :confused:

I am still on Ambien and I also take a medication for "shift workers" called Provigil. I take liquid B-12 and try to walk everyday. I feel A LOT better but still wake up about the same time every night! :D

I think these things help 99% of the time and I definately recommend that you try the cpap first. I know so many people that it has helped.

The surgery sounds scary to me. I've heard from several people that it does change your face... how can it not? Infact, my x sister-in-law had braces put on when she was 40 years old and I didn't even recognize her... and not in a good way.

I'll say a pray for you Ann, I hope the cpap will be best answer for you.

Hang in there lady!

;)

Okay, well....my Sleep Doc/Pulmonologist is AWESOME...he made me feel so much better...he was so calm and smart about it all.

I do have a pretty weird case though. First, he said forget about surgery for now, not even on the radar - PHEW.

As far as CPAP...I'm not a great candidate and here's why: although I do have some insomnia/wakings caused by the apnea, I also have SEVERE insomnia that has nothing to do w/ the apnea (which he could tell from the sleep study). So, he said for me to be able to tolerate a CPAP, he would basically have to knock me out -- and when he looked at the meds we've been trying over the last 2 mths for my insomnia (none of which worked), he said the only one basically worth trying for me if I was to wear/tolerate a CPAP was "xyz" (can't recall name) and he said "do you know what that is?" (I said no) and he said "well that's basically the date-rape drug and after seeing what hasn't worked for you, that's what we'd have to now use, and I really would rather not - so I'm not sure CPAP is the way to go just yet" (HOLY CRAP).

SO (:eek:), we're going back to one of the meds we tried wayyyy back in August when I was very depressed. Now that the depression is lifted, we're thinking maybe this sleep med will work now, bc the depression was probably so highly correlated to the 10mths of sleep deprivation. In the meantime, I'm to sleep w/ a row of tennis balls in a tube sock down the middle of my back (LOL) so I don't sleep on my back.

And, we're going to look into the dental appliance and see if 1) my ins. covers it ($1200) and 2) then you wear it for 1-2 weeks to see if you can even tolerate it and sleep w/ it and then 3) if yes, then you have to have another sleep study to see if it actually prevents the apnea. (Doc thinks I have a higher chance of tolerating the dental thing than the CPAP thing).

So, there ya go. I guess no matter what happens, I'm just so relieved to have found this Doc bc he really knows his stuff...and he does not feel surgery is even on the radar yet. :)

But tennis balls, apparently, are. :rolleyes:

I'm so glad you found a doctor you have confidence in. Sounds like he will be really helpful in finding something that works. I can't believe you are so resistant to the medications, and so many give a fake type of sleep anyway, and you don't ever go into REM sleep, so you feel exhausted anyway. I know lots of people thought Michael Jackson was nuts for trying the extra powerful sedative, but people are so willing to try anything when they are desperate for sleep, so having a good doctor is so helpful. Best of luck finding something that works Ann, we're all pulling for you!

Thank you, dear. I know people thought Michael was so nuts to use that Propofol...but I gotta tell ya...I sure could personally see what drove him to that point, so tragic :(.

I don't know why I'm so resistant, it's so weird. Maybe I metabolize things in a weird way. We'll see how it goes tonight w/ the new-old med (crosses fingers). I'm sure Tony will find the tennis balls super sexy though :rolleyes:!

Lol, maybe he's voting for the date rape drug! :D