Sleep Apnea - Alternative Tx

[j2048b]

That is without the pap. I've never quite adjusted to a cpap. I just got an apap a few months ago, and I haven't used it anymore than I used the standard cpap. My nose is almost always obstructed, so it leaves me mostly mouth breathing on the pap, and that's after surgery for a deviated septum. Before that, I was over 70 episodes. I have tried to avoid taking any sleep meds, so that may be a major culprit in not adjusting to a cpap.

That was me and still is a mouth breather…they gave me an auto cpap that lets me exhale but not long enough…. So i go into panic mode and wake up even more thru the night, Benadryl is the only thing that helps me get to sleep, then its groggieness for a few after i wake

I think im gunna try the mouth gaurd

 

[Blswan]

Very interested in Inspire

My father and I both have sleep Apnea. I do fine with a mask but he doesn’t. After over a year of approvals and exams he is having the Inspire surgery next weekend. I would be happy to report to anybody that has questions about how well it’s going. He’s a muscular 60+ year old so they have to tuck the device under the pec muscle so it doesn’t show.

 

[Sully1234]

That was me and still is a mouth breather…they gave me an auto cpap that lets me exhale but not long enough…. So i go into panic mode and wake up even more thru the night, Benadryl is the only thing that helps me get to sleep, then its groggieness for a few after i wake

I think im gunna try the mouth gaurd

Ever try something like a Resmed Airsense 10? I'm not sure what type of "PAP" it is but it recognizes exhale vs inhale and doesnt interupt breathing like that.

 

[slayer37]

I use a mandibular advancement device (mouthguard that brings the lower jaw foreward) because I simply cannot tolerate a CPAP after months of trying. I can fall asleep with the cpap but I always end up throwing it across the room at some point in the night. The MAD is far more comfortable for me and I keep it in all night. It works and I don't snore at all anymore.

 

[RandomMachine]

I’m in Texas..a friend of my wife’s is specialist type dentist who fit me with this mouth piece that stretches out the top of your mouth..looks like a retainer but there is a steel dowel rod that runs through the middle..every month I go in and they put in a fatter dowel rod..

It really works..haven’t used my cpap in a month and my teeth are straightening

Is it this thing?

FDA announces it's "evaluating safety concerns" over dental devices used by thousands

A CBS News and KHN investigation found that a dental appliance called the AGGA has been used by more than 10,000 patients, and multiple lawsuits allege it has caused grievous harm to patients.

www.cbsnews.com

 

[fisther69]

Is it this thing?

FDA announces it's "evaluating safety concerns" over dental devices used by thousands

A CBS News and KHN investigation found that a dental appliance called the AGGA has been used by more than 10,000 patients, and multiple lawsuits allege it has caused grievous harm to patients.

www.cbsnews.com

Nah, doesn’t look like that

 

[RandomMachine]

Nah, doesn’t look like that

Cool deal.

I don't have any issues with my upper teeth being misaligned, but I do have sleep apnea.

When I was initially getting setup with the CPAP my sleep doctor said the cause of my apnea was due to the shape of the roof of my mouth.

Wondering if the device you have would fix that. I also had to have sinus surgery which I'm wondering if that device would have helped with that as well.

 

[cage99]

My father and I both have sleep Apnea. I do fine with a mask but he doesn’t. After over a year of approvals and exams he is having the Inspire surgery next weekend. I would be happy to report to anybody that has questions about how well it’s going. He’s a muscular 60+ year old so they have to tuck the device under the pec muscle so it doesn’t show.

Yes please, definitely follow up with a Q&A session!!

Cage

 

[SDRaver]

In November 2021 I had the Inspire Upper Airway Stimulator put in during a 90 minute surgery. One month later it was activated in the doctor's office.
3 months after that I had a follow-up sleep study to see if it was set at the proper strength and adjusted accordingly from there.

After using a CPAP for 13 years I have not used one since December 2021 and it's been one of the best decisions I've made.

I finally made the decision in September 2020. I had left home for a couple weeks and had forgot to pack my CPAP. For the two weeks I was gone I was miserable because of the lack of quality sleep without the CPAP.

For those interested in learning more here is the link

Inspire Sleep

 

[Blswan]

how was the “tuning” process. Did you get relief after it was turned on or not until the three month adjustment?

 

[cage99]

In November 2021 I had the Inspire Upper Airway Stimulator put in during a 90 minute surgery. One month later it was activated in the doctor's office.
3 months after that I had a follow-up sleep study to see if it was set at the proper strength and adjusted accordingly from there.

After using a CPAP for 13 years I have not used one since December 2021 and it's been one of the best decisions I've made.

I finally made the decision in September 2020. I had left home for a couple weeks and had forgot to pack my CPAP. For the two weeks I was gone I was miserable because of the lack of quality sleep without the CPAP.

For those interested in learning more here is the link

Inspire Sleep

Did you have to meet any sort of requirements beforehand to get this procedure?

Me personally, during my original sleep study had 90-100 events per hour. Been using a CPAP now since I believe 2017, and I average 5 events nightly.

Needless to say it’s a drastic improvement. My throat/neck is the main cause of my issues. My neck measures just over 22”. I would love to know the process involved cause I’d do the surgery in a heartbeat!

Cage

 

[cage99]

Used the link you provided and found an ENT within 5 minutes of myself. So I’m setup for a call on Monday. Will follow up if they let me venture through the entire process.

Cage

 

[SDRaver]

how was the “tuning” process. Did you get relief after it was turned on or not until the three month adjustment?

By the end of the sleep study that morning they had turned it up slightly and hasn't had to be readjusted since. That being said you can control the intensity yourself manually as simple as turning a volume switch up and down on the back of the fob

 

[SDRaver]

Did you have to meet any sort of requirements beforehand to get this procedure?

Me personally, during my original sleep study had 90-100 events per hour. Been using a CPAP now since I believe 2017, and I average 5 events nightly.

Needless to say it’s a drastic improvement. My throat/neck is the main cause of my issues. My neck measures just over 22”. I would love to know the process involved cause I’d do the surgery in a heartbeat!

Cage

For me I think insurance wanted to see at least 60 day of non-compliance on the CPAP. It was 60 or 90 and I had to bring the information in to be downloaded so they can see actual non-compliance.

The other so-called issue was BMI. I was over on BMI however when the representative came in during the visit she saw that I obviously wasn't obese.

Otherwise that seems to be one of the main discriminators for the general population is BMI.

 

[SDRaver]

Used the link you provided and found an ENT within 5 minutes of myself. So I’m setup for a call on Monday. Will follow up if they let me venture through the entire process.

Cage

That's awesome!. There's an educational app too that can be downloaded.

Interestingly enough the doctor who performed the surgery on me was the same Doctor who did my septoplasty in 2008 when him and I were both on active duty in The Army

 

[SDRaver]

Illustration and picture of myself about an hour after waking up from surgery.

 

[cage99]

For me I think insurance wanted to see at least 60 day of non-compliance on the CPAP. It was 60 or 90 and I had to bring the information in to be downloaded so they can see actual non-compliance.

The other so-called issue was BMI. I was over on BMI however when the representative came in during the visit she saw that I obviously wasn't obese.

Otherwise that seems to be one of the main discriminators for the general population is BMI.

Damn so you gotta feel like total ass for 2-3 months? Am I understanding that correctly? Why on earth would they want to put someone through that? I don’t think I’d make 2-3 months.

I got an old Airsense 10 that utilizes the old 3G/LTE communications. So I can use this during that period if worse comes to worse. It doesn’t communicate to anyone anymore. I upgraded recently to the Airsense 11 in order to have the Bluetooth capability again.

On the BMI index I’m like a 32/34. Obviously that index is for your average person that doesn’t sling iron around. My docs just stopped giving me the BMI paperwork since it doesn’t apply to me. I’m curious as to what hoops they’ll put me through.

Cage

 

[SDRaver]

View attachment 173885View attachment 173886
Illustration and picture of myself about an hour after waking up from surgery.

Damn so you gotta feel like total ass for 2-3 months? Am I understanding that correctly? Why on earth would they want to put someone through that? I don’t think I’d make 2-3 months.

I got an old Airsense 10 that utilizes the old 3G/LTE communications. So I can use this during that period if worse comes to worse. It doesn’t communicate to anyone anymore. I upgraded recently to the Airsense 11 in order to have the Bluetooth capability again.

On the BMI index I’m like a 32/34. Obviously that index is for your average person that doesn’t sling iron around. My docs just stopped giving me the BMI paperwork since it doesn’t apply to me. I’m curious as to what hoops they’ll put me through.

Cage

When I received an estimate for the surgery and sleep study combined it was $85,000.

Purely speculation by me but at that price I wouldn't be surprised if insurance wants you to give up and stick to the CPAP device versus the implant.

Now as far as the wait time I just know that's what it was for me and my situation. If anything it certainly a question to ask your provider about to get clarification

 

[cage99]

View attachment 173885View attachment 173886
Illustration and picture of myself about an hour after waking up from surgery.

When I received an estimate for the surgery and sleep study combined it was $85,000.

Purely speculation by me but at that price I wouldn't be surprised if insurance wants you to give up and stick to the CPAP device versus the implant.

Now as far as the wait time I just know that's what it was for me and my situation. If anything it certainly a question to ask your provider about to get clarification

Did you pay the $85K out of pocket straight up or did you run this through insurance and get away with maybe $2-3K?

Cage

 

[SDRaver]

Did you pay the $85K out of pocket straight up or did you run this through insurance and get away with maybe $2-3K?

Cage

I paid nothing. That price covers three different items implanted and the procedure itself