Sunday, December 10, 2006

OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA

Maxwell's sleep study confirmed our suspicions....he indeed has "obstructive sleep apnea." That basically means he has airway obstruction during sleep. Nothing too serious (it's pretty common), but it does require some intervention.

We have already implemented the first step, which is to increase his supplementary oxygen at night. Keeping him on a uniform, higher amount seems to help. But the bad news is that he won't be rid of O2 for quite some time. It's funny how many times I have thought we were nearing the end of the gigantic tanks, cannulas, tubing in our home...and then sure enough, the next week everything changes.

If the problem continues, we may try CPAP but I just don't think Maxwell will tolerate the mask very well. And another option that may help is a surgery to remove his tonsils and adenoids. This would hopefully enlarge his narrow airway.

I have scheduled another appointment with his ENT team for their thoughts. If they want to do that surgery, I am hoping to coordinate it with his urology surgery in March/April.
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13 comments:

Crystal M. said...

Eva also has a narrow airway and they have talked about removing her tonsils and adnoids but we figured out it was her heart and hypertention that caused her sleep apnea and she no longer has it since she had her heart fixed.

I am glad you got some answers and I hope its taken care of soon.
Hugs!

2:14 PM
Crystal M. said...

Its been awhile since you posted anything I hope everything is ok with you and Max!
HUGS!!

6:13 AM
Anonymous said...

I was thinking the same thing... Where is Amy and Max???

Hope all is well!

Love Jennifer and Cedie

8:36 AM
Carolyn said...

Max & Amy, Where are you ???
Hope everything is OK.
Love & Prayers,
Carolyn in WV

2:35 PM
Anonymous said...

Hey there, I found you thru a link on Ang's blog. After many, many hours in front of the comp., I finally finshed reading your archives this afternoon. You are amazing!! How could Max be anywhere but where he is with a love like you have for him. Our oldest was born at 28 weeks, had a brain hemorhage and hydrocephulus. He has worked harder than his peers his entire life. He sat at a year, sat up from laying down at 17 months, pulled up at 20 months, and walked the month he turned 2. There were moments of frustration, wondering if he'd ever sit or walk. Unlike a typical child, we had to teach him to do these things. Hours of PT using his crib bars finally paid off one morning when I went in to get him out of bed... there he stood. The day I walked in the living room and he had pulled all the videos off the shelf, I cried. The day he learned to ride a two-wheel bike at the age of 7, my mom and I stood there and cried. I cry at every school program he's in... at one time they told us he'd probably not make it past a few weeks. He's been in speech since he was a tiny guy. At nine years old, he just accepts speech as his reality. He leaves his classroom without even being reminded. He's a remarkable little boy and I can't imagine him being any way other than he is. God has a plan for him!! I've been blessed with people in my life that have ministered to me thru similar circumstances and have been able to do the same for others.

You are a credit to all mothers. Thanks for setting the standard in how all mothers should mother their children whether special needs or not. My mom told me from the start that our guy would handle his "issues" as well as we handled them. She was right. We've raised him as normal as possible. He's a wonderful, sweet, affectionate, hard-working nine-year-old little boy!!

6:36 PM
Anonymous said...

Hey there, I found you thru a link on Ang's blog. After many, many hours in front of the comp., I finally finshed reading your archives this afternoon. You are amazing!! How could Max be anywhere but where he is with a love like you have for him. Our oldest was born at 28 weeks, had a brain hemorhage and hydrocephulus. He has worked harder than his peers his entire life. He sat at a year, sat up from laying down at 17 months, pulled up at 20 months, and walked the month he turned 2. There were moments of frustration, wondering if he'd ever sit or walk. Unlike a typical child, we had to teach him to do these things. Hours of PT using his crib bars finally paid off one morning when I went in to get him out of bed... there he stood. The day I walked in the living room and he had pulled all the videos off the shelf, I cried. The day he learned to ride a two-wheel bike at the age of 7, my mom and I stood there and cried. I cry at every school program he's in... at one time they told us he'd probably not make it past a few weeks. He's been in speech since he was a tiny guy. At nine years old, he just accepts speech as his reality. He leaves his classroom without even being reminded. He's a remarkable little boy and I can't imagine him being any way other than he is. God has a plan for him!! I've been blessed with people in my life that have ministered to me thru similar circumstances and have been able to do the same for others.

You are a credit to all mothers. Thanks for setting the standard in how all mothers should mother their children whether special needs or not. My mom told me from the start that our guy would handle his "issues" as well as we handled them. She was right. We've raised him as normal as possible. He's a wonderful, sweet, affectionate, hard-working nine-year-old little boy!!

6:36 PM
Anonymous said...

Hi Amy,

Love ya.

Kristy

6:13 AM
skeybunny said...

I went straight here. Only needed the password to post a comment

11:25 AM
Anonymous said...

Where are you Amy and d

11:58 AM
Anonymous said...

Where are you Amy & Max???????? I'm worried about you.

11:59 AM
Anonymous said...

Thank you Max and Amy for the Christmas card and gift. Max, you are so adorable! Cedie smiled at your picture (and then proceeded to try to eat it hehe!)

Merry Christmas!

Love Cedie and Jennifer

3:59 PM
Pearl said...

Amy & Max - Hope you two are okay and fared the bad weather unscathed. We've been worried about you here in the midsouth!!! Hope to see a new post soon, so we know all's well in your part of the world.

11:23 PM
neelakas said...

My sweet little heart Avik, my son aged about 11 years is a hydrocephalus baby since birth and bed ridden. He had shunt at his 2years age. He has a deep sleep for last 7 days and not waking up. Doctor can not diagnose and says that it may be caused by lack of oxygen. But also says that if Oxygen is given, he may not breathe of his own in future and always needs oxygen. Can any body have the same experience? Can any body advice me about what to do? Whether he will come up himself or we will go for permanent oxygen?

11:12 PM

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