After years of nagging from SWMBO, I went for a physical earlier this year. First physical in probably 8 to 10 years. Anyway, my new doc sent me to a sleep specialist who diagnosed me with sleep apnea. Did the sleep study...can't handle a CPAP machine...I freak out with stuff on my face. I literally had 2 or 3 full blown panic attacks over a 2 hour period. Tried different attachments to no avail. Nurse sent me home at midnight, since there was no need for them to continue the 2nd study when I couldn't handle the machine.
Sleep doc then sent me to an ENT. Of course, I have a deviated septum (don't we all), but according to the ENT, I also have a longer than usual uvula (isn't that a good thing
). On top of that, the sinus caveties behind the nose/eye area are litteraly 1/2 clogged up with solid material, which may explain the chronic sinus infections. I imagine quite a bit of that is saw dust, since I also freak out with anything like a dust mask covering the nose/mouth.
Earlier today, I scheduled the "roto-rootering" for Veteran's Day. They will trim the uvula, suction out the sinus caveties and fix the septum, all under general anasthesia. Thanks to his schedule and mine, I should only have to miss 2 days of work. The ENT seems very optimistic that this should take care of most, if not all the apnea. Good thing too, since the next surgery would involve an oral surgeon, breaking and relocating lower jaw, and looking like I went 10 rounds with Holyfield for several months. Aside from the pain, the oral surgery scares me because they said I could lose the feeling in the lower part of my face for a long time. Could be a problem if I ever wanted to play trumpet again.
Oh yeah, my wife never complains about me snoring. She complains about some idiot who keeps setting up a saw mill in the bedroom about bed time every night. She said she's tired of rehanging the pictures.
Sleep doc then sent me to an ENT. Of course, I have a deviated septum (don't we all), but according to the ENT, I also have a longer than usual uvula (isn't that a good thing
). On top of that, the sinus caveties behind the nose/eye area are litteraly 1/2 clogged up with solid material, which may explain the chronic sinus infections. I imagine quite a bit of that is saw dust, since I also freak out with anything like a dust mask covering the nose/mouth.Earlier today, I scheduled the "roto-rootering" for Veteran's Day. They will trim the uvula, suction out the sinus caveties and fix the septum, all under general anasthesia. Thanks to his schedule and mine, I should only have to miss 2 days of work. The ENT seems very optimistic that this should take care of most, if not all the apnea. Good thing too, since the next surgery would involve an oral surgeon, breaking and relocating lower jaw, and looking like I went 10 rounds with Holyfield for several months. Aside from the pain, the oral surgery scares me because they said I could lose the feeling in the lower part of my face for a long time. Could be a problem if I ever wanted to play trumpet again.
Oh yeah, my wife never complains about me snoring. She complains about some idiot who keeps setting up a saw mill in the bedroom about bed time every night. She said she's tired of rehanging the pictures.
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