Pillar procedure effectiveness

[ericlhyman]

I'd be interested in hearing about the experiences of anyone who has had the pillar procedure. Was your apnea previously mild, moderate, or severe and what is it now? Has it enabled you to go off of CPAP, reduce pressure settings, or temporarily skip CPAP (such as while traveling)? Were there any negative effects of the pillar procedure?

[jda1000]

I'd not heard of it before, but only recently began researching cures for OSA beyond CPAP. All the others I found basically seemed like trying to weld Jell-O, and had success rates of 50% or less.

I personally think the Pillar procedure makes more sense - something about the idea of structural reinforcement appeals to me. Plus, it seems a good deal less invasive than carving away at soft tissues, and depending on details, seems reversible: what they put in, they can surely take out.

So, has anyone had it?

If this has worked well enough to get patients off CPAP, is this the right place to find results?

[roster]

From the anecdotal evidence I have collected, it is a gamble. It does work for some. For others it has not helped.

In the worse cases I heard about, the apnea become worse and the inserts were surgically removed. But the scarring had already taken place so the apnea continued to be worse.

In some other cases, the inserts "worked out" and had to be removed.

For me, the key would be to find a very experienced doctor who is very good at looking at the airway anatomy and predicting whether the pillar procedure would be effective. Remember, blockages in the airway are often diffuse, meaning they can be at various places and "fixing" one place is no guarantee of success.

Some insurance companies are now paying for the pillar procedure to treat mild to moderate sleep apnea.

[BeanMeScot]

I looked into Pillar, too. The very lack of information about it convinced me it doesn't work. If something worked for someone, they would shout it from the rooftops. I just didn't see that out there. The threads on this board were 3 years old. The positive stuff I found on the net was all done by the manufacterer. I know someone who had it done and it didn't help at all. All in all, I just don't think it works.

[roster]

I'd be interested in hearing about the experiences of anyone who has had the pillar procedure. Was your apnea previously mild, moderate, or severe and what is it now? Has it enabled you to go off of CPAP, reduce pressure settings, or temporarily skip CPAP (such as while traveling)? Were there any negative effects of the pillar procedure?

After you have the Pillar Procedure, get your tongue tethered to your chin -> http://www.aspiremedical.com/tech_us.html

Maybe the two procedures together will "cure" your sleep apnea.

[Guest]

I'd be interested in hearing about the experiences of anyone who has had the pillar procedure. Was your apnea previously mild, moderate, or severe and what is it now? Has it enabled you to go off of CPAP, reduce pressure settings, or temporarily skip CPAP (such as while traveling)? Were there any negative effects of the pillar procedure?

Did you ever get a response?

[Ginny]

I had the procedure done about I month ago. As of right now my snoring has not improved, not to mention the doctor almost killed me giving me something I was allergic to. My husband still says I snore loud. Please has anyone had success. Let me know.

[terraverdeas]

I had the procedure done about I month ago. As of right now my snoring has not improved, not to mention the doctor almost killed me giving me something I was allergic to. My husband still says I snore loud. Please has anyone had success. Let me know.

It has been two months since you have ahd the Pillar procedure. How are you now? you said you were snoring still in the beginning. How are you now? My husband was told to do it at $1600. I want to know if it is worth it.
A

[ecocyber]

I had the procedure done about a year and a half ago in an attempt to reduce my loud snoring. I even had an extra pillar strip inserted by my ENT because she thought it might improve outcome for me. Well, in my opinion it was the biggest waste of $1500 I ever made (my BS insurance did not cover this procedure). I would definitely suggest you think twice, three times, maybe four times before having it done.

I guess everyone is different, but that's my 2 cents.

And oh, one more thing. About 8 months ago I wanted to have the procedure performed where they heat your soft pallet up with RF and burn it (produces scar tissue which theoretically hardens the pallet and makes it less easy to vibrate from snoring). At first my ENT refused to do it.......because I had Pillars in there. A potential thing for you to consider before getting the Pillars implanted. After more discussion, she finally agreed to do it anyway. Lucky for me, but your ENT might not be so willing.

I feel this procedure was much more effective for me. Made a big improvement.

[dbk49]

I had the Pillar Procedure done a year ago. Since it was not covered by insurance I called the doctor's office in November, 2008 and asked the cost, which was $1500 for three implants. I put this on my Health Savings Plan for 2009. When I went to get the procedure done in January, 2009 I was told by the doctor that he was now using five implants and the cost was now $2100. He said the change was made because the success rate for three implants was only 70% and, along with other doctors consulted, they thought they could improve the success ratio to 90%. When I complained about the new, higher cost the doctor said I could have it done for $1500... but he would only implant five rods. Reluctantly, I went ahead and had the five implants at the higher cost. After the procedure was performed I was told that there was no follow-up unless I had complications. No follow-up? I asked the doctor how he had come up with the 70% success ratio using three implants and the 90% success ratio using five if there was no follow-up. He mentioned some studies but couldn't actually point me to it.

Bottom line- absolutely no improvement in my apnea and my wife says my snoring is probably worse. I complained to my doctor about not only the ineffectiveness but the lack of follow-up by him. He didn't answer me. I had this procedure done since I can't tolerate the CPAP and it seemed that there was little downside.

Other than the company website I haven't seen any literature or info on the web that shows actual people having success with this procedure. Don't even think of trying this out until you see impartial results showing success. But, don't hold your breath (no pun intended) waiting for this to happen.

[bdwalters]

I had the Pillar Procedure done a few years ago out of pocket for around $1200. They were only doing 3 strips at the time. The procedure was quick and relatively painless. I don't have a before and after sleep study to reference, but by my subjective opinion, I didn't notice a difference either way. I don't regret it though, as it was worth a try.

[roster]

.... He said the change was made because the success rate for three implants was only 70% and, along with other doctors consulted, they thought they could improve the success ratio to 90%. ....

As they say, doctors do practice medicine.

Have you considered having them removed?

[nickc]

I had three strips put in in August 2009, and I think my snoring is now worse. I couldn't handle the CPAP, and I just don't know where to turn to next. Nothing seems to work. I noticed an earlier post about 'burning' the soft tissue with RF. Anyone else have a experience with this? Anyone had 3 strips and went to 5?

Thanks!

[roster]

I had three strips put in in August 2009, and I think my snoring is now worse. I couldn't handle the CPAP, and I just don't know where to turn to next. Nothing seems to work. I noticed an earlier post about 'burning' the soft tissue with RF. Anyone else have a experience with this? Anyone had 3 strips and went to 5?

Thanks!

What was your prescribed CPAP pressure?

Please be aware that many people start CPAP with the wrong machine, the wrong mask, the wrong pressure settings, a lack of knowledge and a surplus of misinformation.

No wonder they "can't handle CPAP"! The doctors and sleep labs have them set up for failure.

Many of us have then come here, registered, filled out the equipment profile, sought help, got an education and took control of our therapy.

And then became successful with CPAP, thereby ending our misery and extending our life!

[Pillar implants]

I have been getting less and less rejuvenating sleep over the last several years. If my neck isn't in "just the right position", then I wake myself up with a gasp or a snort. I have my pillow set just right. Since I fly for an airline, every hotel has different pillows. I can't get my head and neck in the right position and I find myself getting less and less restful sleep. Since I'm not married, I have no one to nudge or shove me at night. I began to get very tired in the day and had to take a nap. I have a friend who uses a CPAP machine and loves it..well after a time of getting used to it. Again, working for an airline, I don't need anything else to carry with me when I travel. I saw an advertisement on my home television regarding an ENT that specializes in sleep disorders. Since he was right down the street, I made an appointment. After examination, he noted that my soft palate flaps in the breeze when I breath in and out. That's the cause of the snorting, and when he moved my neck around, noted that the geometry of my throat caused the gasping and choking that I reported. He suggested the Pillar procedure. Due to the geometry, he would need to insert five of the Dacron implants at $500.00 each! WOW. I contacted my insurance company for approval as did my ENT. A plastic surgeon, who practices some general surgery, determined that I didn't need the surgery. I appealed again and this time was denied by a Doctor of Osteopathy with a specialty in family practice. The only flesh that a DO can cut is a steak! I insisted that my insurance company have a board certified otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon determine the outcome. Denied again. After three months of trying to get my insurance carrier to pay for this procedure, I gave up. Two days ago, I paid the $2500.00 and had the procedure done. The physician's assistant first had me wash my mouth out with a very strong Listerine wash. She then sprayed a disinfectant into both nostrils and then an anesthetic. The temptation to sneeze is incredible! She then swabbed my soft palate, uvula, back of throat and back of tongue with a cherry flavored topical anesthetic. Dr. Herman, whom I had seen before, came in and explained exactly what he was going to do. First was a series of injections of anesthetics. Then using five plastic "guns" with a very sharp hollow tubular knife on the end, would push into the soft palate the Dacron implants. There was no pain after the anesthetics and the whole procedure took about 15 minutes. The only caution was not to drink hot liquids as I would have no sensation of heat and could burn myself. I drove home. That evening, I had the WORST SORE THROAT I'VE EVER EXPERIENCED! My saliva glands were secreting and every swallow felt like my head was going to come off. Two naproxin tablets were allowed every four hours. I took them! I woke up a couple of times at night with the same sore throat but went back to sleep. The next morning, still sore but not like the night before. My soft palate has five bloody dots on it, my uvula is dark red and the back of my throat is almost purple from bruising. Last night was much better and the sore throat is going away. Today, I still have a mild sore throat but no where near what I had two nights ago. I feel no lumps in my palate. The red dots are going away but the back of the throat is still pretty bruised up. I have been told that the success rate is about 80% and I'm optimistic. I have to go back for a follow up in three months. Ouch...I swallowed again!