Make sure that you get follow up sleep studies, no less often than the first follow up at a year, then at five year intervals.  Your doctor might want follow ups more often, and that would be a Good Thing.  Surgery for sleep apnea seldom works, and when it does work it is for no longer than 5 or 10 years.  Watch out for symptoms of sleep apnea; after this surgery you could develop moderate to severe sleep apnea and not snore.

sherri,

       Hooray for you!  I hope you never have to wear the vpap again!  Bearded one is right!  Keep checking!  Let us know how you are doing every once in a while. We probably won't hear from you now that you have so much more energy.  

Peke


_________________
Res-Med VPAP - Adapt SV
FP Flexifit 406 mask
with Narcolepsy on the side!!!!

Sherri:

THANKS FOR ALL YOU'RE POSTS...Do you feel more refreshed in morning and has the tiredness gone away.  Heading in for the same surgery tomorrow morning.   I am a bit nervous from reading all the posts...\

Scott

I had the turbinate reduction about 4-5 yrs ago the radio frequency one. It's an in office procedure, you breath in anesthesia (more potent than you get at the dentist), and he uses a tweezer like devise. Don't be concerned, I was at first, but he has to ground you to the chair by attaching a metal plate to your body, it was a bit freaky at first. Then it's like taking a pair of tweezers and shoving them in your turbinates, or another analogy would be sticking an over sized fork into a turkey to cut it. You don't feel any pain, just the force the Dr. used to insert the tweezer like apparatus in your nose. The anesthesia lasted for 3-4 hrs afterwards and I really felt no pain. The one thing that I was not prepared for is that since it is a burning of the tissue that a week later you have scabs that come out of your nose that are dried and long and gross, but it is the healing process. did feel like it got worse before it got better, felt like I had a stuffed up nose for a couple days but as the tissue healed the swelling went down. I think I just took regular tylenol when I had any discomfort. The procedure lasted about 20min, and for me it was good for about 3-4yrs, then my sinus problems started up again. I am sure everyone will have a different result. I am this week actually going in for a septoplasty and having my tonsils removed. I am quite nervous but considering I get sinus infections every other month and I was on antibiotics Aug, Sept, Nov and Dec, it's time to take more drastic measures to rectify my situation. Good luck if you have the radio frequency. Empty nose isn't too big of an issue, the dr. will probably tell you how to hydrate with saline the area. It really wasn't bad and if I thought it would help me again I would do it, but I am beyond that now at age 30.

Good luck

 

Hey guys.... well, I am back to pretty much a normal routine now at Day 28.  The whole point of this thread was so that others going into it would have a good idea of what to expect, so I'm glad you guys are reading it.  This whole thread is VERY accurate as far as what I went through and I tried to give as many details as possible without grossing anybody out! LOL!

Scott -- good luck!  I won't lie, the first 3-4 days are going to be the worst... especially if you're having tonsils done too.  But if you can make it through the first few days, it gets much better after that, and hopefully the end will justify the means and you'll feel better!

I have airborne allergies like you wouldn't believe.... so I'm destined to have sinus problems and some congestion no matter what I do.  But, at least right now, even with it being winter, my allergy meds and the decongestant sprays are keeping me CLEAR, so that I can breathe, and you really don't realize what a blessing it is until you've experienced it!  People who can breathe through their nose naturally take it for granted....

Anyway.... has the tiredness gone away?  Well..... kind of, I guess.  I've been sleeping without my machine, and yes, I do feel less tired during the day.  I do feel like I'm a little more alert, and I've been getting more done at work.  I'm sure that it will probably take a little while to really feel the full effect, just like when you first start sleeping on the machine.... it takes a while.  But I'm really looking forward to my next sleep study, and seeing the results there.  That's still 2-1/2 weeks away though, so waiting is going to be difficult.

Will keep you guys posted though....  


_________________
---Sherri---



ResMed VPap Adapt SV with heated humidifer
ResMed Ultra Mirage II Nasal Mask
Hosehead since 1/17/06 - "Adapter" since 1/28/07
Tonsillectomy/Septoplasty/Turbinatectomy 1/16/08 = AHI 6, "ALMOST" Normal!!

Hello everyone,

I'm new here, but I've read most of your posts especially before my surgery.  Here's my story so far.

Monday, 2/4 - Day of Surgery (Tons, Aden, Sept, Turb Reduc)
    complication - ended up with fluid on the lungs and had to stay in hospital overnight and much of next day, placed on oxygen
    food - chicken broth, flavo-ice, lots of water
    medications - antibiotics + 1 injection of morphine (WOW!) + injection of anti-naseau
Tuesday, 2/5 - Went home.
    medications -  Oxycontin (pain), Biaxin (antibiotic), Dexamethasone (Steroid) prescriptions
    food - chicken broth, pudding, jello, flavo-ice, lots of water
    pain - all pain in nose and referred to teeth.  No throat pain.
Wednesday, 2/6 - At home
    same meds
    food - refried beans with cheese, eggs with cheese, pudding, jello, flavo-ice, lots of water
    pain - still all pain in nose and teeth.  Just taking 2-3 oxy's per day.
Thursday, 2/7 - At home
    same meds
    food - oatmeal, PB&J sandwich without crust, flavo-ice, pudding, jello, lots of water, "Naked" brand juice smoothy
    pain - had throat pain for first time after visit from friends.  This was either caused by me talking too much or drinking some slightly acidic juice.  I took 1 oxy and it went away quickly.


Basically, I just wanted to report how great things have gone so far.   I was a little nervous about the pain going in, but it has been very minimal so far.  As I said, I have had virtually no pain that I can associate this my tonsils.  They were carterized as they were removed, so I don't know if that helps or not.  Perhaps that's standard procedure.

Tomorrow, Friday, 2/8, I am getting my stint removed from my left nostril (there's not one in the right) and I hear that this is quite a painful experience.  Also, from what I've read, days ~5-7 are the worst for tonsill pain.

What should I expect from here?

Thanks,
Cory

I don't want to steal Sherri's thunder but I am 6 days post op from the same surgery:  Sherri has been very accurate of the account

DAY ONE:  a bit of pain but not much..up every hour with ice chips. LIGHTHEADED AND FAINT  I THINK THIS WAS FROM THE ROXICET THEY GAVE ME FOR PAIN
DAY TWO: EXTREME FATIGUE/TIREDNESS little pain.
DAY THREE-FIVE-EXTREME FATIGUE/TIREDNESS LITTLE PAIN,   OFF OF ALL PAIN MEDS DAY FOUR.
DAY SIX-  BEST DAY...STILL EXTREME FATIGUE/TIREDNESS BUT STILL LITTLE PAIN...EAR PAIN HAS STARTED A BIT  STARTED TAKING BABY TYLENOL EVERY FOUR HOURS FOR THROAT PAIN.

Some points and I hope the severe pain doesn't come tomorrow but I have had little pain THE BIG THING IS I AM MORE TIRED/RUN DOWN/FATIGUED THAN I HAVE EVER BEEN PRIOR TO BEING DIAGNOSED WITH SLEEP APNEA.  I THOUGHT I WOULD WAKE UP AND FEEL RESTED RIGHT AWAY.  ANYWAY I WONDER NOW IF SOMETHING ELSE IS GOING ON WITH ME  A NEUROLOGICAL OR CENTRAL APNEA ,BUT MY SLEEP STUDIES HAVE SAID OSA.  WHO KNOWS BUT I WANTED TO CONFIRM SHERRIS GREAT INSIGHT ON THE POST OP...

I'm due to have a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy on March 24 and I'm scared to death because of all the reviews I'm reading about the recovery pain.

I know I have to have it done because for years now every doctor I've been to says my tonsils are too big and I have on more than one occasion have received MRI's for various reason of the skull (migraines, neck pain etc.) and whenever I've had it done my adenoids are too big as well.

Last night I did a recording of myself sleeping and it scared me because I'm snoring a lot, which is normal in our condition, but its like I can hardly hear myself actually breathing and when I do, it sounds bubbly and very limited. I also heard myself stop breathing at one point for more than 10 seconds, after that I had to turn the recording off.

Any words of encouragement would be greatly appreciated :(  

Have you had a sleep study and if you did post the findings.  I just had the surgery and the pain was tolerable for me.  Give yourself at least two weeks to recover as sleep deprivation sets in (because of dry throat) and the pain is that of a severe sore throat.  I posted my day to day account.  I hope that helps a bit.  

Scott

Hey guys... just wanted to pop in briefly before going to bed... its late here and I'm tired and have to be up early.

About the post-op pain.... everything I have read on the subject has said that the younger you are, the better or easier this is.  They like to do this on kids when they're young because they bounce back so incredibly fast.  I'm 40 years old.... it was tough on me!  But if you're young, it could be relatively mild and you'll be wondering what in the world I was talking about....  

Gotta go sleep... will check back in tomorrow...


_________________
---Sherri---



ResMed VPap Adapt SV with heated humidifer
ResMed Ultra Mirage II Nasal Mask
Hosehead since 1/17/06 - "Adapter" since 1/28/07
Tonsillectomy/Septoplasty/Turbinatectomy 1/16/08 = AHI 6, "ALMOST" Normal!!

Hi I am a 33yr old female and am currently day 3 into post op recovery  (op on 29 feb08) after having tonsills removed, septoplasty, inferior turbinate reduction and also endoscopic sinus surgery done - phew I  know its alot!

I was dreading having these done at one time and was really expecting to be KO'd, but I am really surprised at how well I have been, mild throat pain, blocked and bloody nose but at the moment thats about all I have experienced - am I just lucky or is this the calm before the storm.

I am due to be seeing the surgeon on day 6 and other than my nose feeling congested with dried blood (which he told me to not touch at all) I have no real complaints. As for pain medication I am on Voltarol and co-drydamol every 6-8hrs and have been drinking plenty of fluids as this does seem to nip any sore throats in the bud immediately if your hydrated. I have been able to eat porridge, macaroni cheese, toast and soup upto now.

I have been up and about showered and ironing as normal and can't believe it. I worried myself to death before this procedure but other than only bit of severe pain was when I got the packing out my nose the day after the op I would definitately recommend going thru this op of you require it.

Should the pain kick in later this week I'll be sure to report back.

Good luck
[/b]

You're going to kick me off this if I ask you this again Do you feel more rested and less tired?

[color=indigo]Good Morning All,

Sleep Apnea and "Night Sweats" for a man in his late 40's.  I've read that this can be a symptom associated with Sleep Apnea... Does anyone have knowledge or firsthand experience of this symptom in conjunction with sleep apnea?

Thank you in Advance!  

Worried Friend[/color]

dizzyp,

I am 51 so I am really worried about having it done.

Are you anywhere close to 50?  That will tell me how rough my recovery will be.

Peke


_________________
Res-Med VPAP - Adapt SV
FP Flexifit 406 mask
with Narcolepsy on the side!!!!

Had surgery on 1/23 for septoplasty, turbinoplasty and tonsillectomy.  surgery went fine, but the recovery was long and painful.  It's been 6 weeks since and I still do not have my tastebuds back to normal.  I can taste fruit flavored water, but when I try to eat the real thing, there is no taste.  Also, cannot taste meat, cheese, bread, and many other things.  Has anyone else experienced this.  My doctor tells me to wait at least 3 months and it eventually comes back.  Also, still cannot drink carbonated drinks as I cannot taste and the bubbles feel like needles in my throat.

Also, another thing since having the surgery, I am needing to constantly suck on candy because my throat feels like it is blocked.  Is this still the scabs or is something else going on.  I never had a gag reflex before, but now just thinking about it, makes me!!  It feels like I need to keep swallowing and try to remove whatever is back there, but can never get it clear!!!  Any suggestions?