Does this look like palatal prolapse?

[G. Szabo]

A surgery is a permanent change good or bad. I just did not want to take the risk and do not want to see surgeons. 
In NA, your best option is the stent. It is not permanent and highly efficient. 

There is also a ring, originally Swiss but now available in Germany, which keeps the soft plate in the correct position. There is a post about it on this forum. This stainless steel ring insert is approved in Switzerland and Germany for palatal prolapse and snoring. They have sold over 30,000 pieces. It's probably tolerated better than the stent but should be adjusted individually by a specialist.

I am willing to travel to Europe for it once I can collect reliable reports. Anyone?   

[Unkikonki]

A surgery is a permanent change good or bad. I just did not want to take the risk and do not want to see surgeons. 
In NA, your best option is the stent. It is not permanent and highly efficient. 

There is also a ring, originally Swiss but now available in Germany, which keeps the soft plate in the correct position. There is a post about it on this forum. This stainless steel ring insert is approved in Switzerland and Germany for palatal prolapse and snoring. They have sold over 30,000 pieces. It's probably tolerated better than the stent but should be adjusted individually by a specialist.

I am willing to travel to Europe for it once I can collect reliable reports. Anyone?   

Of course, surgery is a risk, and I'm willing to take it.

However, before considering treatment options, whether surgical or non-surgical, the key is to determine the point or points of obstruction as accurately as possible. From what I understand, a Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE) is the best method for this. However, I’m unsure if I’ll proceed, as I believe it costs over $15,000 and isn’t covered by insurance. Without a DISE, is there any fairly reliable way to confirm whether my soft palate is responsible for my sleep apnea?

[G. Szabo]

 Without a DISE, is there any fairly reliable way to confirm whether my soft palate is responsible for my sleep apnea?

Perhaps someone else can chip in to answer your question.

[THEVGE]

A surgery is a permanent change good or bad. I just did not want to take the risk and do not want to see surgeons. 
In NA, your best option is the stent. It is not permanent and highly efficient. 

There is also a ring, originally Swiss but now available in Germany, which keeps the soft plate in the correct position. There is a post about it on this forum. This stainless steel ring insert is approved in Switzerland and Germany for palatal prolapse and snoring. They have sold over 30,000 pieces. It's probably tolerated better than the stent but should be adjusted individually by a specialist.

I am willing to travel to Europe for it once I can collect reliable reports. Anyone?   

It is also available in my country, The Netherlands. I requested an informative telephone call, but after 1 week no response yet. Not sure if I will try it yet. But if I do, I will definitely post it on this forum. 

Their website (velumount) has some publications. But I had to learn from its existence via this forum, I am not aware of anybody in The Netherlands using this or it being promoted by any doctor. The website/publications seem to indicate this is mainly intended for mild OSA cases that are unable to comply to using CPAP. My compliance is fine, hence I doubt if I will get it but also curious ;-).

[G. Szabo]

Their website (velumount) has some publications. But I had to learn from its existence via this forum, I am not aware of anybody in The Netherlands using this or it being promoted by any doctor. The website/publications seem to indicate this is mainly intended for mild OSA cases that are unable to comply to using CPAP. My compliance is fine, hence I doubt if I will get it but also curious ;-).

Pressurizing the lung increases inflammation markers, which are the culprits of several severe conditions. Hence, regardless of my 100% compliance, I want to stop using CPAP therapy. The nasal stent reduces the treatment pressure, a step in the right direction.

[Unkikonki]

Pressurizing the lung increases inflammation markers, which are the culprits of several severe conditions. Hence, regardless of my 100% compliance, I want to stop using CPAP therapy. The nasal stent reduces the treatment pressure, a step in the right direction.

That's an interesting take. Are you suggesting that even if CPAP was 100% effective at treating apnea episodes, it could still cause harm in other unintended ways? Is there any research on this? Would ASV be even worse?

[G. Szabo]

I want to clarify.

I was NOT suggesting abandoning CPAP or APAP when the treatment is needed. Untreated apnea is a serious medical risk.

If you are lucky, you might be able to replace the pressure treatment with some alternative treatment in moderate cases. If not, use any support to reduce the pressure needed, i.e., a wedge pillow (not for sleeping on your back), a nasal stent, nasal inserts, or whatever eases your OSA. Or at least optimize the XPAP treatment at relatively low pressures. It is a balancing act among the different risks.

Similar to any other medical procedure, pressurization has some known side effects. You must accept them if you want to be treated. The higher the pressure, the higher the risk. One is the risk of glaucoma because CPAP increases the IOP (eye pressure), which is a risk factor for glaucoma. The other is the inflammation mentioned above. A medical paper discussed it in detail, and I have seen it discussed on this forum.

It is the pressure that is the problem, not the way it is delivered. Although some minor change might be when ASV, APAP, or CPAP is used for treatment, but I have not seen any discussion about it.

[Unkikonki]

I want to clarify.

I was NOT suggesting abandoning CPAP or APAP when the treatment is needed. Untreated apnea is a serious medical risk.

If you are lucky, you might be able to replace the pressure treatment with some alternative treatment in moderate cases. If not, use any support to reduce the pressure needed, i.e., a wedge pillow (not for sleeping on your back), a nasal stent, nasal inserts, or whatever eases your OSA. Or at least optimize the XPAP treatment at relatively low pressures. It is a balancing act among the different risks.

Similar to any other medical procedure, pressurization has some known side effects. You must accept them if you want to be treated. The higher the pressure, the higher the risk. One is the risk of glaucoma because CPAP increases the IOP (eye pressure), which is a risk factor for glaucoma. The other is the inflammation mentioned above. A medical paper discussed it in detail, and I have seen it discussed on this forum.

It is the pressure that is the problem, not the way it is delivered. Although some minor change might be when ASV, APAP, or CPAP is used for treatment, but I have not seen any discussion about it.

Yes, I didn’t think you were suggesting abandoning CPAP. This is especially interesting to me because, in recent months, I’ve come to realize that CPAP, no matter how effective, cannot be the final solution. In my view, it’s a great tool for managing symptoms and buying time while searching for better long-term options. Now you’ve given me yet another reason to question CPAP as the "gold standard".

Btw, would it be OK if I started a new thread to discuss a different issue? I’ve been experiencing what seems like aerophagia during REM-predominant sleep, which keeps me awake in the second half of the night.

[G. Szabo]

Btw, would it be OK if I started a new thread to discuss a different issue? I’ve been experiencing what seems like aerophagia during REM-predominant sleep, which keeps me awake in the second half of the night.

I have no say on the thread organizations, but I believe a different issue deserves a different thread.

[G. Szabo]

...  in recent months, I’ve come to realize that CPAP, no matter how effective, cannot be the final solution. In my view, it’s a great tool for managing symptoms and buying time while searching for better long-term options. Now you’ve given me yet another reason to question CPAP as the "gold standard".

Would you mind sending me a personal message about your conclusion of a better long-term option? I would genuinely appreciate it.  
You see, I have been looking for it for quite a while, and the lowest-risk options I have found so far were the nasal stent and CPAP/APAP.