11-22-2018, 05:19 PM
Blocked expiration
New member.... I have blockage with expiration and inspiration. I am a dentist and have treated mild apnea with some success in the past. Oral appliances and cpap are not effective for me. I was able to inspire with cpap but not expire past the blockage in my airway. Side or front sleeping is helpful but I can tell my airway closes both directions while resting on my back.
I will snore or apnea with inspiration but am totally blocked with expiration. Then I blow out my mouth involuntarily.
Retired and not up to date on new advances with this specific problem.
Any ideas?... thank you
RE: Blocked expiration
G'day Drajb. Welcome to Apnea Board.
It sounds like some gentle surgery will be in your future. But first, you need to understand the nature of this total blockage: Is it in the throat, back of mouth or nasal passages? Perhaps an endoscopic examination would pin-point the problem.
If you can breathe easily through your mouth (as seems suggested) then get a full-face mask and breathe however is most comfortable for you, mouth or nose or both.
RE: Blocked expiration
Thank you.. How is breathing thru your mouth with a mask? It is too dry to do without and I don't have a clap now. I tried 5 years ago but no full face.
Is the surgery better now and less risky?
I will try further exams in the future. I kinda gave up when clap failed.
Resource for info on surgery? I still have tonsils etc and large uvula.
Thank you
RE: Blocked expiration
I am not an expert on surgery. I can point you to a list of different surgeries but they would mostly depend on precisely where your blockage is and what is causing it.
I agree with DB that a full face mask would be part of the solution possibly along with an increase in pressure. It is impossible to determine without more data.
RE: Blocked expiration
If you can inhale OK but you can't exhale through the nose (but apparently you can through the mouth) that suggests some sort of blockage in the nasal passages. Perhaps you have a severe deviated septum? I'm not suggesting any sort of radical surgery but correction of the septum has been successful for some people in the past.
With a full face mask you can inhale and exhale through either the nose or mouth as you wish. CPAP machines have a humidifier which can help overcome excessive dryness.
You mentioned you gave up on "clap" - do you mean "CPAP"?
RE: Blocked expiration
Drajb,
Welcome to Apnea Board!
What you are describing sounds very uncomfortable and does suggest a blockage that is not allowing you to breath out normally.
Before considering a surgery, please see an ENT (ear, nose and throat specialist), to determine where this blockage is. I have no medical experience , but this seems like a logical first step.
Once you get this sorted out, please consider using a Cpap again. A lot has changed in the five years since you tried and failed.
RE: Blocked expiration
Thank you for your response, I plan to when back in the US
