Just before Thanksgiving 1997, I decided that I'd had just about enough of snoring. Years ago, I'd heard a radio ad in New York about a Laser Procedure being performed at Staten Island College Hospital. I sent away for a brochure, but the cost was out of my league (not having major medical at the time).

But I've spent the last year and a half making major improvements in myself and my health. But my snoring was one problem I hadn't tackled yet. Actually, I felt that I was cursed and that there wasn't much I could do about it.

Snoring had been robbing me of sleep, health, and making it more difficult to lose the weight I wanted to lose. I was sure I had "Sleep Apnea". I've seen many TV Specials (on 20/20 and Nightline) and read many articles about it. I had all the symptoms:

	Difficulty Breathing.
	Falling asleep while driving / working.
	Waking up more tired than when I went to bed.
	I'd wake up frequently during the night.
	Often I'd have bad nightmares.
	I'd wake up many times to urinate during the night.
	I'd have bad headaches.
	I needed massive amounts of coffee (up to three pots a day) to keep going.
	My memory was unreliable.
	Often I couldn't concentrate on what I was doing.

I was afraid to get in a relationship for fear of losing a potential partner once she heard me snore.

I didn't feel I could spend the night at friend's homes and so spent many hours driving late at night to get home to my own bed.

Or, I'd spent as much as $80.00 a night to get a room at a motel/hotel.

I've been ridiculed or exiled at functions where I had to share sleeping quarters with others. The social stigmas of snoring are probably much worse than you might believe. I felt as if I would never be "normal".

I actually had a car-accident in 1990 that was due to my apnea. Luckily I, or the driver of the other car was not hurt seriously. Only our cars were damaged.

For years I had been hearing radio ads for "Laser Surgery", and had even made an appointment for an evaluation two years ago that I chickened out of.

Driving to work one morning in November 1997, I heard an ad from a Doctor located not far from my home in Philadelphia.

My accessing kicked in and said, "This is it guy, this is the next step if you're really dedicated to yourself.."

I didn't have pen or paper, but their web address, was pretty easy to remember. It is:

http://www.snorenet.com

The ad was for the offices of Dr. Mansoor Madani, and The Center for Corrective Jaw Surgery which had offices in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania. This was 15 minutes or so away from my home in Philadelphia, and very easy to get to.

I called the offices as soon as I got to work and could pull up the web page for the info. Studying the web pages themselves convinced me that this was the thing for me.

There were very complete explanations of the different procedures available, as well as patient comments, and directions to their offices from just about anywhere.

I made an appointment to be interviewed as a candidate for the surgery the following Saturday.

I received some resistance from my room-mates as they suspected this might be too much of a "quick-fix" to be true. But I eventually convinced them with my determination and my accessing that this was the thing to do.

My room-mates really care for me, and were very worried I was going to spend a large amount of money unnecessarily. I knew this was my next step for myself, and that this would make a big difference in my life.

At this point, I'd like to thank Crissy Nixon. Although, she isn't here in Philadelphia anymore, and I haven't spoken to her in over a year and a half..

I felt her love and encouragement the whole time I undertook this procedure. I just had the image in my mind of Crissy smiling and giving me the high-sign as I did this.

Thanks Crissy, you're a good friend, and a good teacher.

Also, thanks to Bayard (also an excellent teacher), Frannie, Greg, and Barb. My room-mates, whose love and examples keep me moving down the road towards a better life and better health.

I showed up for my appointment a little nervous, but determined that this was a change which was going to propel me to the next plateau in my life.

After a short wait while I wrote my life story down in little boxes on his admittance forms, the Doctor saw me.

While I was waiting, I had a great chat with his staff who were helpful and very friendly. All-in-all, it was a very warm and welcoming office. A marked difference from other doctors I had visited in the past.

I appreciate professionalism, which abounds at Dr. Madani's office. But his staff put me at ease, and gave me the impression that they are in this business to help people, not just to make money. It's a shame to say, that I have been to more than one Doctor to whom the bottom line meant more than the Hippocratic Oath. That isn't the case here...

Dr. Madani examined my throat, and could see very easily that I had a large neck, and a small esophagus. He said this was common with over-weight people (of which, I am one..), and that the weight of their neck tissues, and abdominal tissues closed breathing passages and made the lungs work harder to breathe. Especially while sleeping in certain positions.

He explained that it was probable that I asphyxiated for 20 seconds or more numerous times during the night. Only a sleep-monitoring procedure at a sleep center could determine if this was the case with me. I told him about my symptoms which confirmed this tentative diagnosis.

I knew that I often woke up many times during the night, and that I exhibited other symptoms of people suffering from Sleep Apnea. I was pretty sure I was suffering from it. And if I wasn't, I still would like to cure the snoring for the social reasons.

He then started to explain to me what his procedure was and how it would benefit me.

Dr. Madani was very kind and gave me a very detailed presentation on his computer using a wonderful PowerPoint presentation. He educated me as much as possible as to how the procedure would be performed. The results I could expect, and also made it VERY clear that his procedure wasn't a "Miracle Cure".

He advised me that this procedure would reduce my snoring, allow me to sleep better and that I would receive a definite benefit. But, it wasn't a cure for sleep apnea.

I can't stress enough about how honest and above-board Dr. Madani was. There was no coercion, or pressure used. At all times, he made sure that I was aware about the benefits (or lack thereof) I could expect from this procedure. But, he also told me that the largest proportion of his patients received real benefits from this procedure, and as of this writing have had no problems.

Along with this procedure, he advised me to lose weight. My weight was the major part of the problem. He could reduce or eliminate the snoring with this procedure, but only weight loss would help my sleep apnea problem.

He said most patients lost a little weight right after the procedure, due to the liquid diet that the patients must use for about two weeks or so.

He made sure I knew that if I didn't address my weight problem, that this procedure would have limited benefit to me. This is very important. I assured him that weight loss was part of my plan, and that I hoped that his procedure would help me to sleep better so that I had more energy, so I could be more active.... and so on..

He also told me about his new radio procedure where a probe is inserted into the tongue and the inside of the tongue is reduced using radio frequencies. You can find out more about it at his site:

http://www.snorenet.com/r-frequency.htm

He said if I didn't get enough of a result with the laser procedure, I might consider this treatment as a next-step. As this procedure requires multiple visits over a period of a time, this is a much slower method than the laser procedure.

Normally, he sends prospective patients for Sleep monitoring before and after the procedure to compare results. Since I was a self-pay, and sleep monitoring is costly ($1,000.00 - $1,500.00 for a full evening), I elected to only undergo sleep monitoring afterwards.

As an after-thought, I wish I had done the monitoring before the procedure... I would like to have the definitive data about how much this procedure reduced my snoring and choking problems. If I had it to do all over again, I think I'd have gone for monitoring first as well. But I was so excited and in such a hurry to get rid of my snoring, I just couldn't wait.. - 2/21/98 AAH

He let me talk to a patient who had just finished having the procedure done, who said he never felt a thing. He said he felt an immediate improvement in his breathing, and his throat didn't feel as bad as he expected.

Doctor Madani said I could try using a local anesthetic, but if I couldn't handle it. He would give me general anesthesia. Since it was cheaper to use the local, I decided to try that first. I was pretty sure I could handle it to save $400.00.

We made the appointment for the following Friday.

That whole week I walked around in a daze, not believing I had really committed myself to this. But I also couldn't wait for Friday to come.

I got there just on time on Friday,  my room-mate Greg came with me for moral support, and to drive me home if I needed to be put under anesthesia (which I feared was more than likely).

Well, we tried hard. Doctor Ali Vaziri and Doctor Madani tried to perform the procedure without Anesthesia, but my gag reflex was just a bit too strong and I couldn't keep from choking as they tried to work. So under I went.

They took every precaution while they put me under. My blood pressure was being monitored, and the anesthesia was administered via a IV Drip. Compared to the last time I had been given General Anesthesia, this was a gentle ride.

I admit, that the experience of waking up and feeling helpless and not in control of my body frightened me, and made me want to avoid GA if I could. But when the procedure was over, it was as if I woke up from a short nap.

20 minutes after we decided to use GA it was all over. I was probably a more difficult case than most, but Doctors Madani and Ali Vaziri were professional (and even more important...) they were kind all throughout. Even though there were times I saw they were a little frustrated, they always spoke kindly and with a smile.

I felt like two of my best friends were performing the procedure. I really felt like I was in the hands of people who cared about my welfare, and that I had no worries (as they say down-under).

After the procedure, I sucked on ice chips to help my throat, and reduce the swelling. I continued to do this in the car on the way home.

We filled the prescriptions the doctor gave me, and I kept drinking ice-cold water and sucking on ice the entire night.

The doctor gave me some meal-replacement shakes to get me started, and some coupons to save some money when I went to buy some more.

I had purchased some Aloe-Water at the Doctor's suggestion, and I poured this over my ice and drank this frequently. I took little sips, as Aloe-Water is a diuretic and can induce diarrhea. So, I didn't want to over-do it.

The first night was the worst night I think I've ever had. Unfortunately, I was bleeding slightly and a clot would form, drop off and choke me. The Doctor has cauterized a small bleeder during the procedure, but I coughed a little too hard (against Doctor's orders), and it opened up slightly.

This went through about 10 cycles until 4:30am. Finally, it stopped and I was able to go to sleep. I purposely stayed awake until I felt the clotting stop, as it would have defeated the whole purpose had I asphyxiated during the night.

I woke up at 10:00am having had the best nights sleep I've had in a while.

The worst part was over, it was all downhill from there.

For the next 14 days I was on a liquid diet of Protein Shakes, Cool Tea (the Tannin in black tea helps heal burns), Nutritional Shakes, plenty of water, and lots of supplements.

I took: Chromium, Selenium, Zinc, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin B, Potassium, Magnesium and some others. I also drank and gargled with the Aloe-Water every day.

In fact, the week before the procedure, I had loaded up on Zinc and flooded my system with it so that my body had plenty to heal the burns from the laser.

Somewhere in the middle, I tried drinking some orange juice.. Bad move!

OUCH!!!

Orange juice (and other citrus juices) contains an acid (Vitamin C) which without the normal lining present, burns the tissues in the throat. Dr. Ali Vaziri had cautioned me against drinking any Citrus juices until I was fully healed.

I'm an Orange juice nut, and I just had an irresistible urge to have a glass of juice. It was the last one for awhile..

I was able to celebrate Thanksgiving, six days later. I kept to mashed potatoes, stuffing, and chewed my turkey VERY well.

I never thought it'd heal, but the time flew by very quickly. About 14 days later, all I had left was a minor sore throat, and that went away after two more days.

A follow-up visit showed I had healed well, and the forced liquid diet caused me to lose about 10 lbs. I'm not complaining at all.. *smile!*

Well, two months later I have lost about 25lbs, I sleep MUCH better, I have more energy, and my room-mates report that they can't hear me snore from the next room. They report I still snore slightly, but probably about 90% or more less volume than I did before.

The only drawback is that I had a short-lived problem with liquids going up through my sinuses (reflux), or into my trachea. But after five or six weeks, I retrained myself to drink differently, and I rarely have that happen anymore.

I think it was VERY worthwhile to have this procedure done. While I still have some of the symptoms of sleep apnea, they are much reduced.

	I've been sleeping more soundly and at more normal times.
	I've kicked my coffee habit (down to one cup of decaf a day)
	I have been breathing through my nose rather than my throat.
	I'm continuing to lose weight.
	I feel more energetic
	I have an improved ability to concentrate.
	My memory has markedly improved.
	I no longer feel like an outcast.

The reason I wrote this page, is that I know that making the decision to have this procedure done was a turning point in my life. I wish I had done it sooner.

I'm hoping other people with this problem will read this page, and that my experience will give them the information they need to make their own choice. The one thing I want to say to someone who is contemplating this surgery and reading this page:

"Don't wait! Get going and do it now! You won't be sorry, you'll only be sorry you didn't do it sooner..."

 

Third Annual Snore Seminar

Dr. Madani had a Seminar on Sunday, March 15th 1998. Susan Bray of WWDB hosted the event.

It was very informative, and I took the chance to share what I did with the audience. I hope that I was a good advocate for this surgery. I met a few people for whom I accessed that this surgery would make a big difference for. I hope they do it.

There were many other past patients of the Doctor's there. Some of them went from 80 incidents per hour down to 3!!! WOW!!

My only complaint is that given the Doctor's advice to his overweight patients to lose weight, the food was all fattening. Not a single Bran Muffin, or low-fat treat to be found.. *sigh!*

I suffered in silence... *smile!*

 

Dr. Madani's Third Annual Snore Seminar

 

Dr. Madani on the Radio...

On Sunday, February 8th, 1998 I heard Dr. Madani on WWDB 96.5 FM here in Philadelphia. I actually pulled over in my car and listened to the whole show. It was a wonderful show and I wanted to call in rather badly, but I had left my car phone home.

BTW... WWDB was the station I was listening to when I first heard the Doctor's radio ad.

He has a schedule posted on his site for future appearances. Click on the link below to see this schedule. I recommend you listen if you can. Not only is it informative, but I found it very uplifting as well.

Dr. Madani in the Media

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