I would like to get some advice on treating apnea. It seems I have all 3 types of sleeping disorders OSA, RLS and CSA. All the doctors tried to address was the OSA with cpap. I think the doctors where thinking if they could get the OSA under control that the CSA and RLS might go away. What I have foud out when using the cpap I have problems with leaks and keeping the head gear on. I also wake up holding my breath full with the cpap on. I have had apnea ever since I can remimber so before I had even heard of apnea I had allready taught myself to sleep on my side. This is one of the reasons I have a hard time keeping the mask on.
I also talked to a ENT he seemed to think that my apnea was so sever that surgery most likly would not help, but he informed me if I would like to have a go at it. He would perform a UPPP and RF my tounge.
Any advise at this time would help. I don't know how much longer I can keep this up!!!!! I would give anything to sleep without being tourcherd.
coco

Have you considered a nasal pillows mask? One like the new ResMed Mirage Swift? It doesn't have a lot of the leaking problems that standard nasal masks have and is a lot better when you're laying on your side.

COCO - what's your pressure setting now?

They started out on setting 5 and moved me up to 9 to see if I would talerate.
Thanks for the look at the head gear it looks like something that might help!
Also when they did a sleep study they said my number was 124 an hour with 5 being CSA.
coco

Coco,

I can truly sympathize with your situation, I'm living it too. The docs never treated my RLS, they never mentioned CSA, but I have been at all sorts of air pressure, currently on 24/15 on a BiPap. Last night my mask kept moving from where it was supposed to be and for some reason I got up 4 times to go to the bathroom.

My opinion on the surgery is not to do it, I've known a couple people who had it and it was the most miserable they've ever felt with the recovery and ended up still needing a CPAP.

My doctors want me to have a gastric bypass and a tracheostomy, my insurance company will not cover the bypass. Their magic cure for everything is weight loss, phewie, or however it's spelled. I got down to 150 pounds one time and still had problems. A trach seems like trading one problem for another and the bypass--I don't see where that is really going to help, but do I have to do it to prove to the doctors it is not the answer?

Oops, sorry I got off on a rant, I just slept so bad last night it makes me mad.

Mike

BreathingEasy & Coco -

I just ordered the Mirage Swift mask pictured above. Should get it within a week. I'll write a review of it here once I've tried it for a few nights. I've seen one before and it does look like it would be easier when I lay on my side than my regular Ultra Mirage face mask.

Coco - if I were you I would try everything I could before I get surgery, but as always, get professional help.

Mike - good to see you made it here to the new board! Welcome!