Ear Surgery - Cannot use CPAP for weeks/months!? What should I do?

[Cpapaya]

I have a pending surgery (Early sept) for a cholesteatoma in my ear. This will require reconstruction of my ear drum, removing some bone in the ear, and lots of other fun things. 

In speaking with my doctor, I mentioned I use a CPAP, and he said I would not be able to use it for weeks afterwards, possibly months, as the area needs to heal and the pressure could blow my new ear drum out, I might need followup reconstructions, etc. 

I’m concerned, first because of weeks/months of poor sleep, but also because good sleep is key to healing processes (and is a known issue in those with apnea). 

My apnea is classified as ‘severe’ (60 on first study, 30 on later studies using a MAD). 

I could continue to use the MAD, but I’m looking for other suggestions about what I can do during the weeks/months I would not be able to use a CPAP. 

I should note the MAD is a simple ‘amazon purchase’ and is quite small, it basically keeps my jaw at neutral (0), I didn’t adjust it to reposition because of the various jaw/bite issues I’ve seen. The idea was to simply maintain my normal face posture while sleeping. It 100% eliminated deep chainsaw-style snoring to the point I am totally silent while sleeping, but it did not cure the apnea. 

When I asked my doctor he simply said ‘well I guess you’ll feel like crap for a while’. 

Does anyone have any better ideas? At the moment: 

• Considering getting a lazyboy or other style of chair I can sleep upright in. 
  
• Head strap or chin straps
  
• Going to an apnea dentist for a proper MAD, which seems to have fairly poor results and is quite expensive.
  

[Nightynite]

I would think sleeping on your side would also work. No cpap for weeks sounds crazy.

[OpalRose]

If you were to use a recliner, you'll have to be careful of position. If too upright, your head/neck can be pushed forward into your chest and cause some major positional apnea (Obstructions). You could use a soft travel type neck cushion (turned around) to help keep your head from dropping.

If you are fortunate to have an adjustable bed, I would think that would work too, maybe allowing you to side sleep on the good ear. Ask your surgeon.

Good luck and pray for a speedy healing.

[Cpapaya]

I would think sleeping on your side would also work.   No cpap for weeks sounds crazy.

Right! It does sound crazy..

I would agree with you, except: 1) I usually sleep on my side, my results are from me rotating around but typically, I'm sleeping on my side.. 2) even worse, the side I usually sleep on is the side being worked on, meaning I'll be probably trying to roll onto it in my sleep, or sleeping on my back even more frequently.

I have a call out to my sleep doctor (who is also an ENT and should have an opinion on this!).

[Dire]

Hope it works out well

[Cpapaya]

If you were to use a recliner, you'll have to be careful of position.  If too upright, your head/neck can be pushed forward into your chest and cause some major positional apnea (Obstructions).   You could use a soft travel type neck cushion (turned around) to help keep your head from dropping.

If you are fortunate to have an adjustable bed, I would think that would work too, maybe allowing you to side sleep on the good ear.  Ask your surgeon.

Good luck and pray for a speedy healing.

"If too upright, your head/neck can be pushed forward into your chest and cause some major positional apnea (Obstructions). "

Trying to vizualise this - do you mean that your head would droop down (as in your chin would touch your chest)?

"fortunate to have an adjustable bed"

I'm not, but maybe I can buy some kind of ramp or pillow to keep me in a similar position. Good idea.

Thank you!

[Crimson Nape]

After having shoulder replacement surgery earlier this year, I could not lay flat without pain. I found sleeping while sitting up in a recliner reduced both my pain and apnea. I just don't recommend making this your permanent sleeping position.

- Red

[OpalRose]

Trying to vizualise this - do you mean that your head would droop down (as in your chin would touch your chest)?

Yes, your head could tilt forward and your chin would touch your chest... thus cutting off your air...

Also, a wedge type pillow could work in your bed.

You could try some of these suggestions before your surgery and see what might work.

[greatunclebill]

ask your sleep doctor to prescribe an o2 concentrator to use while you are off the cpap. while it won't solve the whole problem, it will help with some of the o2 you're not getting during apnea events.

[Sleeprider]

If 8-cm of positive pressure (0.113 psi) would "blow-out" your new ear drum, just forget about sneezing or coughing or flying. This is a doctor that clearly has no concept of what CPAP pressure really is. CPAP is a very low pressure that stents the airway. It is not high pressure and is irrelevant to this surgery.