British Snoring & Sleep Apnoea Association

Hello All
I'm a new member and have OSA but not in an extreme condition, Oximeter tests show only oxygen spikes of about 5 to 10 an hour. To cut a long story short after some months of fighting CPAP I stopped using it. This did not go down well as I had been told by the Sleep Clinic that CPAP is the only thing that would work but for me it was not happening, the claustrophobic and air hissing environment I was trying to sleep in (full mask) meant I awoke feeling like I had just fought a battle and almost in a worse state than when I went to bed (bed ? sorry down stairs on the Settee). I searched the Internet for an alternative and found that an operation could be performed that was virtually painless and required only a one night stay in Hospital. I discussed this with the Consultant who said that because the operation was not carried out very often (in this Country) success rate had not yet been ascertained, but to date it had been low. Nevertheless he agreed and I had a Hyoid Suspension operation and this involves ty'ing a suture through a small bone that is attached to the base of your tongue and by only taking up the slack, the other end is attached to the underside of your jaw.
After the operation there is a small scar left but I experienced full sleep and dreams that were non existant before then. The operation does not change your voice or swallowing but does help the sleeping bit. It has been almost a year now and I still have some dreams and some good nights rest - and oh yes I'm back in the marital bed again.[/b]

I notice you title the thread "temporary relief " Dozeybloke I wonder where the temporay part comes from and what your future expectations are ? great if you are fixed and that's the end of it. I have read hear and there that the operations in general are not always permanent and difficult to redo if there is a return of the condition. Like you I am a borderline case in that I don't have severe OSA about 10 episodes per hour and normal oxygen levels but bad enough like you to sleep on the setee and in the spare room and have severe daytime sleepiness. I'm now back on the CPAP machine for the second time after trying the mouth splint in between and in the last chance saloon and desperate for a result there does seem to be a huge varation and very individualistic anecdotale results making it difficult to know where one fits in.

Yes the ‘ temporary ‘ element of this operation concerns two connections the first is the type of attachment of the suture under the chin. This can be a metal eye bolt screwed into the chin bone or the suture is looped directly under the fibrous coating covering the chin bone in that area. I have the latter (makes the operation quicker and virtually painless) but this means that there is a possibility that the fibres may give way after time and the advantage will be lost. The second is more likely and that is at the other end the suture is attached to the Hyoid bone and in turn will pull on the ligaments that connect the bone to the tongue. These ligaments over time can stretch and could return to their original position. It has been a year now and my wife tells me that the cliff hanging moments of the stopped breathing is still less than it used to be.
This is a no loss situation for the patient, there is slight discomfort for a couple of days after the operation, if there were any adverse side affects this operation could be reversed and finally it has worked for me albeit a lesser sever OSA sufferer. I do not get the urge to fall asleep in the afternoon and perhaps it’s just the psychological effect but I feel a lot more energetic than I did.
I am not ‘ fixed ‘ and still intend to carry on and try anything other than go back to CPAP. My next try will be with MAD this may compliment the HYOID SUSPENSION operation but I am not looking forward to it as I understand a lot of people don’t get on with it.
Dozeybloke

Thanks for the reply, nice to hear of someoen being able to detect a posotive difference before and after. interesting the doctor I go to now desribed a similar procedure ( I think ) and said it was standard treatment in Germany. Just had a bad night on the CPAP and feel rough this morning the place I go to now only has nose masks with chin strap I don't look my best !
Although I persist with trying to get treatment I find it hard to have faith in eventualy feeling an improvement....... a day with no sleepiness ? I forget what thats like, I know that's a bad attitude but over a decade has passed by already (most of that time undiagnosed though).

Martin.