sleep study...

[dayeangphurr]

Dan,

I had an appointment with a Pulmonologist (lung specialist) to further discuss the results of my sleep study; and as I suspected, the data obtained during the conduction was inadequate due to my lack of sleeping time (which was only equivalent to a total of one hour). That being said, I'm awaiting for an approval to a second sleep study - joy. However, I've been given a sleeping pill (Lunesta) for the second time around.

I'm really trying to avoid being suggested the CPAP treatment as it'll be an utter waste of time; but I don't disregard the possibility of being given the treatment as a protocol trial as well.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but did you state that you're a mouth breather?

Edward

[treevernal]

Hey Ed,

Yeah, I've been a mouth breather for as long as I can remember. Currently, I am using a nasal irrigator along with an APAP machine (similar to CPAP, mask and all) at night. Last night was my first night with the APAP and so far it has not helped at all. I had to take it off twice during the night until I finally gave up around 6am and just took it off and slept normally.

Yesterday, the tech who gave me the APAP machine went over my sleep study results and showed me my crazy heart rate during sleep. She was very concerned along with the ENT and said that this would lead to my ultimate death one day I thought that was a tad dramatic but if that severity helps me get coverage for orthognathic surgery then I'm all for it. I definitely do not want to be on the APAP machine my whole life. I meet with her again in 1 week to see how the APAP is working for me.

Good luck to you with the pulmonologist and the second sleep study. I hope it goes well for you! Please keep me updated!

Dan

[bbsadmin]

My husband was just diagnosed with severe sleep apnea and just got a CPAP machine!

While he doesn't want or probably need any jaw surgery, we will be looking into other procedures that may be necessary. He's going to see a sleep specialist sometime in May.

We found a forum, very much like ArchWired, but for people with sleep apnea. You probably already know about it, but it's through http://www.cpap.com. If you haven't seen it yet, you may want to check it out. My husband has been participating in their forum and has found it very helpful. The url is: http://www.cpaptalk.com/CPAP-Sleep-Apne ... 7f0d9f2519

[dayeangphurr]

Dan, expect an update from me in approximately two weeks. I'll be anticipating an update from you within the next week?

And thanks for the link bbsadmin.

[dayeangphurr]

Dan,

I just attended my follow-up appointment with the Pulmonoglogist this morning - in regards to my second sleep study; and according to the recent results, there were no adequate differences between the initial and secondary sleep studies as I remain (mis)diagnosed with 'mild' sleep apnea. Therefore both results provided insufficient data due to my lack of sleeping time - I didn't reach REM. However, I addressed my intentions on pursuing orthognathic surgery as my preferred treatment in the near future; and he passively agreed and advised I obtain a cephalogram (for insurance purposes). In addition, he detects that I possibly have 'upper airway resistance syndrome' (or was it 'upper airway obstruction'?).

I hope every-thing's swell with you.

Edward

[K]

Great thread.

What does sleep apnea have to do with the jaw surgery? I don't get the correlation here.

I have a narrow, recessive upper jaw and have been mouth breather since forever. I've just started the surgery journey.

Now, do I expect the mouth breathing to go away post-op? I'm thrilled to get the surgery done. 0% worried. 100% excited. If the mouth breathing is going to go away, that's like buy 1 get 100 for free to me.

Do I have to see an ENT? Do a sleep test at a sleep center? See a sleep therapist?

Thanks guys.

[dayeangphurr]

K,

There are various factors to sleep apnea. However, in particular regards to orthognathic surgery, it pertains to the position of the jaws and how it affects the upper airway and respiration.

Therefore, in order for you to acquire a proper assessment - whether you possess sleep apnea or not, it is suggested that you get the issue examined by an otolaryngologist (ear, nose & throat specialist). Furthermore, you'll be referred to a sleep study (if applicable) for an extensive evaluation to determine your medical condition.

Hope that helps.

Edward

[treevernal]

Hey Ed,

Thanks for the feedback/info! I'll be posting/pm-ing you soon!

Dan

[Up up and Erik]

K,

Ortognatic surgery, more specifically maxillomandibular advancement or bimax, is actually one of the the most successful surgeries for sleep apnea. Whereas most surgeries for sleep apnea only have a 10 to 40 percent cure rate, ortognatic surgery is successful in up to 90 percent of cases.

The surgery effectively tigthens up the tissue at the back of the throat, keeping the tissue from collapsing during sleep, and thereby reducing the severity of sleep apnea. Since this is the goal, surgeons typically advance both the lower and upper jaw by around 10mm (approx. half an inch),

I went through bimax on May 3, and am currently waiting to see whether it worked. Since the surgery was for sleep apnea, Blue Cross Blue Shield covered the whole thing.

[dayeangphurr]

Hey Dan,

Do you know where I can acquire the measurement of my upper airway? I don't believe a cephalogram provides that information.

Edward

[treevernal]

Hey Ed sent u a pvt msg

[dayeangphurr]

Hey Dan,

I just replied to your message. I apologize for the delayed response.

Edward

[mkbannon]

Hi Dan- In this case looks like you aren't lucky. Like you I have a recessed lower jaw, am thin, but have severe sleep apnea. Luckily my insurance covers this 100% and I am scheduled to have double jaw surgery June 6, 2011. If you can, get your doctors office to contact your insurance company and work it out directly. They know the codes and how to get it approved. When I would contact my insurance company directly, they were just dumb. My doctors assistant did all the legwork for me and it was approved in days. Luckily, I have very severe sleep apnea...right? Perhaps not...lol I've now had braces on for two years. So every year I was holding my breath that our insurance did not change otherwise I would be screwed. Good luck! I hope it all goes well for you.

[treevernal]

Thanks mkbannon, good luck with your upcoming surgery!

When you say for me to contact my doctors' office to contact insurance do you mean my surgeons office or my ENT doctors' office? I talked with my surgeon's office and they said that they themselves would take care of everything insurance-wise so for me and to have my ENT doc send them the info from my sleep studies/APAP trial. My surgeon's office doesn't want another doctor (i.e. ENT doc) corresponding with insurance about coverage for jaw surgery.

Is this what you mean? Btw, are you in the US?

Thanks,
Dan

[mkbannon]

[quote="treevernal"]Thanks mkbannon, good luck with your upcoming surgery!

When you say for me to contact my doctors' office to contact insurance do you mean my surgeons office or my ENT doctors' office? I talked with my surgeon's office and they said that they themselves would take care of everything insurance-wise so for me and to have my ENT doc send them the info from my sleep studies/APAP trial. My surgeon's office doesn't want another doctor (i.e. ENT doc) corresponding with insurance about coverage for jaw surgery.

Is this what you mean? Btw, are you in the US?

Hi Dan -
If your ENT Dr. is your sleep doctor, he will give your sleep study diagnosis to your surgeon. Your surgeon will then contact your insurance company regarding your jaw surgery.

I am in the US. Minneapolis, MN.

Thanks - got a call from the hospital today and surgery is 9:30am Monday, June 6, 2011. Everything is a go!!!!!!

Mark