Sleep Apnea

[mrjenks]

I have OSA and will be service connected for it...my question is....the CPAP machine does not do alot with helping me getting enough sleep...it helps a little, but not as much as I want or should work. I still have sleepy episodes during the day and still feel like I never get enough sleep when I wake up in the morning. Even the PA who did my C&P exam noticed I had a relative large uvula. I like to have surgery, and was told by someone that if I have surgery sleep apnea would be rated as 100%. The reason why I want the surgery is because I will be starting work again (I'm retired) and the commute is 1 hour both ways. My girlfriend said I shouldn't do it, but it is a federal position which allows me to at least get my foot into the system. I guess my main question is will Sleep Apnea with the surgery would rate 100% or any percentage more the the 50% just for sleep apnea alone....????

[Vync]

You might need to follow up with your physician. In some cases, they may switch you from a CPAP machine to a BIPAP machine. Here's a link that might be helpful:

http://ezinearticles.com/?What-is-the-Diff...?&id=965994

Here are the ratings for sleep apnea:

http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKC/PART4/S4_97.DOC

6847 Sleep Apnea Syndromes (Obstructive, Central, Mixed):

Chronic respiratory failure with carbon dioxide retention or corpulmonale, or; requires tracheostomy 100

Requires use of breathing assistance device such as continuous airway pressure (CPAP) machine 50

Persistent day-time hypersomnolence 30

Asymptomatic but with documented sleep disorder breathing 0

Check this out regarding surgeries to correct sleep apnea problems. It's pretty medically technical, but goes into some serious depth.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2625321wiw

Hope this helps!

[Papa]

You need to have a Sleep Specialist (MD) look at this and also examine you. Just because one has surgery does not mean the problem will be fixed. What pressure is your machine set at? It may be set to low. I decided not to have the surgery because they would only give me a 50 percent chance of success, did not like those odds. My surgery was going to be major in that they were going to do something inside my nose, remove my tonsils, annoids (SP) and they were going to cut my chin and open up my lower mouth so that they could "cut down my tongue" and there is more. So now you no why I did not do the surgery. BTW, good luck on your government . I will be retiring soon from my government job, maybe you are my replacement

Papa

[mrjenks]

Thanks Papa and Vync....

The way you explained that surgery really is scary and I see why you wouldn't do it...sounds pretty extensive. I will check out the links Vync sent just to satisfy my curiosity. Didn't know about a bipap machine, will check that out also. thanks for the info. As far as the Govt job is, it is working for DISA.....I start in two weeks. Not sure where you retired from Papa, but congrats in your retirement.

[Papa]

MrJenks,

By any chance are you going to work at the DISA in San Antonio at Kelly USA or Port Kelly?

Papa

[mrjenks]

Papa,

Actually I will be working at Ft. Huachuca....it is an administrative assistant position workings in the planning division as I was told by my sponsor. Do you work for DISA.....???? If so how is the environment you work at.....????

[Papa]

MrJenks,

I work for DCMA (Defense Contract Management Agency) as a Contracting Officer. It is like any other job, somedays you are the dog, and other days you are the hydrant. You will enjoy it overall.

Papa