Sleep apnea

[Lala81]

I generally don't find it easy to sleep well uninterrupted. OSA is only one of the issues. 

[Gnahp]

25 minutes ago, Lala81 said:

I dont really look at ahi anymore. 

My sleep worsened somewhat. But that's probably the extra 3-4kg I've put on since my op. 

But recently found a simple way to improve my drooling and mouth breathing when sleeping. Just stick a strip of micropore tape across the middle of the mouth (like a Hitler moustache). 

Still got good days and bad days. 

I started using this since last year, found it in Jewel Tokyu Hands, bought a year's worth of supplies 

it solves my CPAP mouth leakage problem and no more dry throat in the morning 

will try using micropore tape, thanks for the tips

Edited August 31, 2020 by Phang

[Lala81]

21 minutes ago, Phang said:

I started using this since last year, found it in Jewel Tokyu Hands, bought a year's worth of supplies 

it solves my CPAP mouth leakage problem and no more dry throat in the morning 

will try using micropore tape, thanks for the tips

Yup for a while post my RFA for my nose. I was able to keep my mouth closed mostly. But recently my mouth keeps opening during sleep despite best effort. And dry mouth. This actually contributes to gum atrophy which I have some problems over last two years. 

Originally wanted to solve my kids mouth breathing during sleep due to nasal allergies. So after reading a book by James nestor, he suggested this super simple way. And I did it on myself to convince my kids to do so too. And it works well. At least really minimise your mouth opening. 

Get the wider micropore tape though. There's two types of  width. One roll can last for quite a while. 

 

How does your product stick to your skin? 

[Gnahp]

1 minute ago, Lala81 said:

 

How does your product stick to your skin? 

it is very sticky, even on oily skin

the center section of the tape has no adhesive so it won't stick on the lips

 

[Heartlander]

To add on, I have been using my cpap machine as before after the surgery.

The difference now is that I tend to wake up at 3am to 4am feeling having rested very well despite going to bed just before mid night. I am not sure if it has been due to the better sleep I am having now thus the body waking up earlier. There is no urge to go toilet and I just continue to sleep through.

And with tonsillectomy and UPPP, my throat area is now rid of tonsil and uluva, which I researched online that it will cause my throat to be very dry as part of tonsil's role is to lubricate it. The first night I used cpap machine indeed I felt sharp pain there after I woke up. It was solved by turning the humidifier function of my Dreamstation to max setting, from mid setting previously. Have been doing it for a week and feeling great in the morning. The other issue with this surgery I observed is that when i sneeze, more liquid will come out from the nose. I suppose is due to no more gatekeeper haha.

About the pain after surgery, rest assured that only the first 2 nights are really horrible. After that is definitely manageable for most people. To relate, during my pre-admission tests (PAT) which I went through 3 time due to surgery being postponed 3 times and each PAT can valid for 1 month, I have to had my blood drawn for analysis. During the last PAT, the nurse who drew blood looked fresh from college and manage to draw only 1.5 small tubes of blood out of 4. She looked stress and kept taping on my arm to try but eventually I calmly extend the other arm to let her do it. But she let her senior nurse do instead. My pain threshold is quite high haha.

Out of curiosity, I watched some youtube videos of people when went through Tonsillectomy after my discharge, and I feel that my experience had been definitely better than theirs in general. For those angmos, there is generally not much pain after the surgery where most will be discharged on same day, but will get very bad from third day onward for about 5 days and they will survive only on popsicles and apple sauce. Mine got more being cut, and my worst days were the first 2 days. But everyday the nurse will ask if I want to take painkillers etc but the specialist advised to take it regardless during the first few days. I did not ask why but it should be so that I can be more comfortable and heal faster. I was asked if I want to be discharged after 2 nights, but I chose to be warded so as not to burden my family who are stretched thin as is. The doctors here instead pre-empt me about pain getting worse at about 7 days, but it came and go yet not much difference being felt. I would think it is good to get the surgery done by the best hands if possible, less pain and less complications definitely.

It is good to know during pre-admission financial counselling that my policy allow me to stay additional 6 nights after the doctor certified that I am able to go home. So buying a good policy is important. In fact I could have my surgery done at any private hospital and claim as is, but somehow I feel more comfortable in SGH haha.

Ok I will update more of my progress when possible. Do PM me if you feel more comfortable instead of posting it here. Cheers.

[Heartlander]

10 common OSA surgeries:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNiUIyDhi4w

[Heartlander]

This should be one of my last update after my recent surgery.

Went for my first post-surgery review recently. The A/P was surprised to hear that I did not have any spike in pain after 6 to 7 days as what many youtubers had shared, that upto 8 out of 10 people will get this after just simple tonsillectomy surgery, with mine being more complicated. Wanted to give me another 2 weeks of hospitalization leave as wound still abit raw but I settled for only another week as feeling ok. Should have accepted his offer and decide on whether to take the 2 full week later, but my work is piling up so no choice lah. 

Discussed with him about the route to wean off the CPAP machine. Was told to reduce more weight to a healthier BMI index and have review again in 3 month's time. If can achieve the weight drop, couple with non-occurrences of shortness of breath common with pre-surgery severe OSA condition, he will recommend me to do another sleep test to see if can wean off the CPAP machine. Very encouraged by the progress.

So it is not true that the OSA surgery is of no use for those with severe OSA, as what the specialists has been telling me, both online and in hospital. With certain condition, surgery would be able to reduce or remove the underlying factor causing the severe OSA in the first place, and provide a way to wean off the CPAP machine. The surgery is no doubt very painful, but I would think it worth it with the possible end game. At least now got the motivation to start exercising haha.

[Heartlander]

Just minor addon, SGH only carry out modified UPPP instead of normal UPPP nowadays. My uluva has only been partially sniped off. Was surprised to see it in the mirror, thus clarified with the A/P.. 

[racerbum]

On 8/31/2020 at 8:26 AM, Lala81 said:

Yup for a while post my RFA for my nose. I was able to keep my mouth closed mostly. But recently my mouth keeps opening during sleep despite best effort. And dry mouth. This actually contributes to gum atrophy which I have some problems over last two years. 

Originally wanted to solve my kids mouth breathing during sleep due to nasal allergies. So after reading a book by James nestor, he suggested this super simple way. And I did it on myself to convince my kids to do so too. And it works well. At least really minimise your mouth opening. 

Get the wider micropore tape though. There's two types of  width. One roll can last for quite a while. 

 

How does your product stick to your skin? 

Could you send the direct link as to where we can get it? Thank you.

[Lala81]

54 minutes ago, racerbum said:

Could you send the direct link as to where we can get it? Thank you.

Sorry. Not sure what are you referring to?

The micropore tape? It's available in any pharmacy. It's a commonly used skin tape to hold dressings. 

[Gnahp]

6 hours ago, Lala81 said:

Sorry. Not sure what are you referring to?

The micropore tape? It's available in any pharmacy. It's a commonly used skin tape to hold dressings. 

sifu, I am starting to use the micropore tape since last week, that thing is strong and sticky. Every morning got to peel it away slowly and carefully otherwise it hurts 

yesterday I put one on my wife's lips,  i only get 10 seconds of silence before it got detached, doesn't work on women 

[Lala81]

6 hours ago, Phang said:

sifu, I am starting to use the micropore tape since last week, that thing is strong and sticky. Every morning got to peel it away slowly and carefully otherwise it hurts 

yesterday I put one on my wife's lips,  i only get 10 seconds of silence before it got detached, doesn't work on women 

yup I'm almost finishing one roll between me and my kids.

yeah removal need to do slowly. my son always complains. 

[Lala81]

@radx @jman888 @Carbon82

[Karoon]

thanks to wfh, my weight has been creeping up, and past few nights i was jolted awake out of breath 😓. Looks like i'm late to the party. Hope i can lose the kilos,  or pick up tips from here. 

[Gnahp]

ever since I took lala81 recommendation using mircropore tape to seal my mouth in September last year

large leak through mouth dropped to almost zero, recorded by my ResMed S10

no more dry throat in the morning

 

[Lala81]

8 hours ago, Phang said:

ever since I took lala81 recommendation using mircropore tape to seal my mouth in September last year

large leak through mouth dropped to almost zero, recorded by my ResMed S10

no more dry throat in the morning

 

Great to hear. I still use the tape daily except when I forget or unintentionally nap. Can't really do without it. Last night I fell asleep, felt some drool on my pillow, fumbled to get the micropore on my mouth (it's on my dressing table) and zzzed well through. 

My kids were mouth breathers at night. With usage of the tape for few weeks, my son could go back to nose breathing. My girl still uses the tape at night like me. 

Edited February 9, 2021 by Lala81

[Gnahp]

On 2/10/2021 at 7:30 AM, Lala81 said:

Great to hear. I still use the tape daily except when I forget or unintentionally nap. Can't really do without it. Last night I fell asleep, felt some drool on my pillow, fumbled to get the micropore on my mouth (it's on my dressing table) and zzzed well through. 

My kids were mouth breathers at night. With usage of the tape for few weeks, my son could go back to nose breathing. My girl still uses the tape at night like me. 

now you mention it

yes, I just realised it also stop me from drooling during sleep

I am still using the same roll of tape bought last September, I reckon it can last 6 months 

few months ago, I woke up by the doorbell rang by delivery guy during sleep on Saturday morning

I rushed out to open the door without peeling the tape from my mouth

that delivery guy facial expression was like he sees the most bizzare thing in his life when I tried to speak with my taped mouth

he avoided looking at me, passed the parcel to me and left without saying a word 🤣

 

Edited February 11, 2021 by Phang

[Lala81]

4 hours ago, Phang said:

now you mention it

yes, I just realised it also stop me from drooling during sleep

I am still using the same roll of tape bought last September, I reckon it can last 6 months 

few months ago, I woke up by the doorbell rang by delivery guy during sleep on Saturday morning

I rushed out to open the door without peeling the tape from my mouth

that delivery guy facial expression was like he sees the most bizzare thing in his life when I tried to speak with my taped mouth

he avoided looking at me, passed the parcel to me and left without saying a word 🤣

 

Haha that's a funny story. My kids used to seeing me with it when i try to sleep in on Sundays.