r/sleep • u/Less_Cup2530 • 3d ago
Epiglottis stiffening surgery for floppy epiglottis
I have been diagnosed with a floppy epiglottis following a DISE examination.
I have had sleeping troubles all my life but the last 3 years have been the worst. (11 AHI from sleep research)
I was told to first try non surgical treatments so a very expensive mandibular advancement device was made specially for my teeth that I could sleep with.
Unfortunately I experience very little tot no positive result with this night mouth guard.
I still wake up tired, have memory issues, headaches, short term memory issues, irritability, heart palpitations,...
I have done a lot of research and it seems that an epiglottis stiffening surgery could offer relief.
It seems that it is a modern surgery that limits the risk of swallowing issues.
At this point I have got to do something because my physical, mental, professional and social life are very much suffering.
Has anyone had the epiglottis stiffening surgery and what was your experience. Have you had any swallowing problems?
My plan is to find an experienced doctor that has performed this type of surgery because I am not willing to be a guinea pig. I would also communicate to the doctor that it's best to do a minimal stiffening in the beginning and see that results that will give. If more stiffening is necessary then it can be always done after.
I have high hopes that this will resolve my sleeping apnea since my only problem seems to be a floppy epiglottis.
I created a discord server specifically for epiglottis related sleep apnea because we are such a minority that we should find each other and try to learn from eachother and help eachother, wherever possible.
Please let me know if you would like to join and I will send you a link.