I recently completed my sleep study and I have sleep apnea. I went back in and did the CPAP (which I hated and got about an hour of sleep with). Anyways, they refered me to a CPAP guy, but everytime I ask anyone about RF Somnoplasty they just sort of brush over my question like it isn't even an option. Is there something terribly wrong with it or something? I have my CPAP now and tonight will be the first night using it at home, but I really hate the idea of having this piece of equipment with me. I don't know how well it will work, but at nights my nose gets pretty stuffy and that is why I had so much trouble with the CPAP during the study...I couldn't breath through my nose...and the full face mask was horrible...I couldn't even fall asleep wearing that. I don't have a serious sinus condition as far as I'm always breathing through my mouth or anything but I do get stuffy quite easily.

At home it isn't such a big deal using the CPAP, but I go on lots of road trips and love to travel. The only real reason I even went in to my doctor about this is because I snore loud and it sucks when I wake up people in the same room I'm sleeping with...or even people in other rooms.

Anyways, I just hate the whole idea of carrying this CPAP machine around with me everywhere I go. I'm 23 and would like to give RF Somnoplasty a try first...but my sleep people keep ignoring it. I understand that the other surgeries are very painful, not very effective etc...but that is the opposite of what I hear about somnoplasty. It makes me wonder if there is a lot of money tied up into CPAP so I'm not even getting the chance to consider other options. I'll see how the CPAP goes tonight, but if I really have to use this thing it might be the death of my social life.

Any help...suggestions...anything please! thank you!

Welcome to Apnea Board, Gaius.

First, let me share something with you. If I had made a real effort to get adjusted to CPAP 13 years ago, I would probably be retired and working on my second pension right now, instead of having 25 years to go on a job that pays a fraction of what I made in my former career.

The good news is that CPAP machines and interfaces are much, much better now than they were back then. Whatever the problem you're having, you can probably find a solution if you work at it, and perhaps more importantly, be your own best advocate. Don't be shy to ask your treatment team or DME provider for exactly what you want. I take my CPAP everywhere, and as long as there's AC power available, it's not too much of a chore.

You may be right in assuming that the amount of money to be made in CPAP equipment suppresses the development of alternative therapies.

Somnoplasty is a promising option to conventional surgery. If I were you, I'd do an internet search for "somnoplasty" to find a certified surgeon in your area, then go in for a consult.

Good luck, and let us know how it goes!

Carl

Take it from somone who was just like you. I probabally had sleep apnea for as long as I remember. I was diagnosed the first time when I was around your age. I felt EXATLY the way you do. Thru the last 15 years my Apnea slowly got worse but I did not want to wear {the invilid machine i called it}. About 2 years ago the bottom of my right eye was clowdy, went to the doc. After he was finished scratching his head he sent me to a specialist. From lack of blood moving near or thru the vessels in my eye I had a stroke of the optic nerve called NAION. There is no official corilation and no cure but do the math. Snoring,less oxygen to the head from lack of breathing, blood pressure drops, NIAON. I can still see out of my other eye. I was 39 with a girlfriend of 2 months. I remember driving away from the Nuero Optamoligest office w/ my eyes dialated{ she dosent drive}, my girlfriend was more upset than me. There was more than a 50% chance of my other eye getting affected within 1 1/2 year. Then I would be scrwewd. I said { Ihave to make this work}. I went fr my 3rd or 4th sleep test.
With a nosepillow mask and a pap pillow and adjusted to the right pressure, and about 7 months I am just now really seeing the affects of the machine. I can get up earlier, my eyes are not dark, and I am not constantly yawning. I tried Somnoplasty years ago. I feels like a microwave is in your throught. Almost did the surgery but after listrning to this board im glad I didnt. It would have been a disaster.Save your money it dosent work ans insurance will not pay for it. It was about $1700. CPAP sucks but it is the best option out of all and No risk. I am so used to it I dont want to waste sleep w/o it. I am not saying something will happen to you but something has a better chance if you are not breathing. Its your health. Do the best u can but I would give it a serious try. A 1 night stand put it away. Once she is your girlfriend if she can't deal she does not have your best intrest at heart then Dump her. My girl is with me almost 2 years now and she cleans the machine for me. Ive been exatly where you are. Good luck. I will be happy to help you w/ any advice. Good luck. Brian


Sorry so long.