Pizza
Member
I went to my ENT Friday, mostly just as a second opinion check on my doctor AND because my doctor cant seem to be bothered with explaining anything or educating the patient.
Well, I do need a CPAP and the ENT explained why the surgery is a less-than-ideal first step. But the thing is, I don't want to be tied to a CPAP for 30 years.
What was so interesting, is that the Doctor told me of an ENT-Doctor-Friend of his who is involved in a university study (he teaches as well as practices). The study is on a new pacemaker. This pacemaker is not for the heart, it is implantable and somehow knows when you are asleep or FALLING asleep. When it detects this, it periodically stimulates muscles in the throat (which normally relax during sleep) to open the up throat so you can breathe!
He said that I have one to four years before the product will come to market as an approved form of treatment.
NO MORE CPAP - just a visit to the doctor every few years to change the battery.
Well, I do need a CPAP and the ENT explained why the surgery is a less-than-ideal first step. But the thing is, I don't want to be tied to a CPAP for 30 years.
What was so interesting, is that the Doctor told me of an ENT-Doctor-Friend of his who is involved in a university study (he teaches as well as practices). The study is on a new pacemaker. This pacemaker is not for the heart, it is implantable and somehow knows when you are asleep or FALLING asleep. When it detects this, it periodically stimulates muscles in the throat (which normally relax during sleep) to open the up throat so you can breathe!
He said that I have one to four years before the product will come to market as an approved form of treatment.
NO MORE CPAP - just a visit to the doctor every few years to change the battery.
