[Guest]

My brother has severe sleep apnea. He had surgery this winter. They took out his tonsils,soft palate, enlarged his nasal airways, and a couple of other things I can't remember. Last week he had a sleep study to determine weather the surgical procedure improved or ceased his condition. The doctor said it has gotten worse. Apparently my brother wakes up 200 hundred times in one hour, meaning he stops breathing 200 times in one hour. The next step is to cut off part of his tongue or something.... With this said --- My brother has been very depressed. He has stuggled with depression and undiagnoised sleep apnea all through his childhood. He has self medicated himself by excessive drinking causing car accidents, police arrests, and bodily injury. I believe this depression and addictive/self destructive behavior is a cry for help. I think his lack of sleep for soo long is causing him to be depressed (i.e hopelessness, lack of self-esteem, self-medicating with alcohol). My question to you is.. What can I do to help? Do you know any therapist in the Boston area who may focus on sleep apnea related depression? Are there any studies I can read or pass on to my brother that validates his struggles with sleep apnea and depression, proving a link to depression and sleep apnea. Are there other people out there who have dealt with this? I am trying to get support for my brother, but don't know anything about how to go about it. All this makes my brother feel powerless and I am nervous that he is going to get REALLY hurt if he doesn't deal with his apnea-related depression

[Guest]

The most important thing is to get his sleep apnea treated. Has he been tried on CPAP (continous positive airway pressure) it is the most effective method of treatment, greater than 90% effective while a UP3 is about 50% effective. Other surgeries such as a tracheostomy are very effective but seldom used. Another surgery when the UP3 doesn't work is mandibular maxillary advancement which can be very effective as well. Overall the most immediate relief could hopefully be derived from CPAP. Have you seen a sleep specialist? The depression may be a seperate entitity but sleep deprivation and sleep apnea can certainly lead to this.
[quote] My brother has severe sleep apnea. He had surgery this winter... [/quote]

[Guest]

This question is for sleepspecialist:

Why aren't tracheostomies done for OSA very often?

Thank You!
[quote] The most important thing is to get his sleep apnea treated. Has he been tried on CPAP (continous positive airway pressure) it is the most effective method of treatment, greater than 90% effective while a UP3 is about 50% effective... [/quote]

[Guest]

I know it has been along time since you have posted this and yes I have and am going though this and more. I havent done any of the surgeries because I was told they do not work. If you ever want to talk email me anytime x [moderator note: e-mail address has been removed]
My brother has severe sleep apnea. He had surgery this winter...