Hello,
Does anyone else have OSA/snoring without involvement of the tongue? Typically, the tongue falls back into the soft pallet causing the airway collapse. However, my soft pallet falls back even if the the tongue is held forward. Here are the lengthy details for those that might care:
Background
Age 31 at onset around year 2000 (currently 46yo).
180 lbs (at onset), 5’7”, 17” neck (currently 210lbs).
OSA is due to soft pallet collapse independent of tongue/jaw position. Confirmed with nasal endoscopy.
Dental: Jaw and pallet are considered average in size.
Throat: Crowded pharynx, telescoping uvula, somewhat large tongue.
No caffeine, no alcohol, non-smoker.
Sleeps 8 hours per night with consistent bedtime. No trouble falling asleep.
Some daytime sleepiness.
History
2005- Septoplasty to correct deviated septum. Surgical enlargement of the nasal valve. No benefit
2006- Turbinate reduction surgery. No benefit
2007- Two Snoreplasty injections into the soft pallet. No benefit
2008 Sleep study- AHI: 21.7, O2 desaturation: 94%, Hypopneas: 184, Apneas: 4, Loud snoring, diagnosis: OSA, treatment: CPAP 8cm H2O
2009- CPAP found to be ineffective due to arousals caused by mask leaks. (I tried several masks)
2009 Sleep study- AHI: 0.30, O2 desaturation: 88.7%, Hypopneas: 0, Apneas:2, Loud snoring, diagnosis: no OSA.
2010 – Two Somnoplasty treatments into soft pallet. No benefit
2011- CPAP non-compliance due to arousals caused by mask leaks.
2011 Sleep study- AHI: 2.4, O2 desaturation: 96%, Hypopneas: 12, Apneas: 0, Loud snoring, diagnosis: no OSA
2011 Flonase prescribed. No benefit.
2011 Oral appliance fitted by specialist in sleep medicine (mandible advancement with tongue retention). Slight reduction in snoring but noticeable jaw pain.
2012 Provent therpy. No benefit.
2012 Tonsillectomy. No Benefit.
2013 Oral appliance fitted by specialist in sleep medicine (base tongue control). Slight reduction in snoring but some discomfort.
2014 Pillar implant procedure (5 implants). No Benefit
Does anyone else have this condition where the base throat anatomy collapses independent of tongue position? I'd love to hear a success story other then CPAP.
Thanks,
Dan
