CPAP users!!!!

[kirkman]

I just recently started using a Oral Appliance called Respire Blue. I did this because I did not think I would be able to stand using a cpap machine. Plus I do a lot of back woods camping and a cpap machine will not work out in the back country. My dentist told me about this oral appliance that would pull my lower jaw forward and stop my snoring and open up my air way. Plus he said he would except what my insurance would pay. So I said lets do it. Boy am I glad I did. My wife says that the bear that use to sleep in the room with us must have left because she has not herd him for over a month now. I also feel more rested also. It did take me about 3 day to get use to sleeping with it on but now it does not bother me at all.

I have no affiliation with this company.
Here is the link to the device.
Respire Medical - Breathe Easy Again
http://www.respiremedical.com/respire-blue-series.html

[Roy in TO]

There are many dental appliances on the market to treat OSA or Obstructive Sleep Apnea. (apnea = without breathing) All work by holding the lower jaw open and slightly forward, keeping the airway open. The relative position of body parts affects the airway, think CPR. The appliances are prone to breakage because the materials may not hold up to the parafunction of some very powerful muscles. That depends on the individuals involuntary habits, more so in some than others. If that turns out to be the situation for you, get a 2nd appliance as a spare for when you travel.

Medical insurance coverage usually requires both pre and post sleep monitoring in a sleep lab, which is a good idea even without the insurance requirement. There are altenative and more permanent treatments that involve altering the soft palate and lateral throat form.

What works for one, does not work for all. A "sleep specialist", should be part of the treatment team. Although "sleep" is not a recognized "specialty" there are health professionals who have obtained additional training and focus their practice on sleep disorders.

Did your dental professional also provide one of the daytime appliances shown on the site for the device? Separate appliances for day and night is an interesting concept.

This generation is more obese than any other in the history of mankind. If one falls into that category and has OSA, simply losing weight may be the answer for some with the condition. Keeping one's weight in the "normal" range would help with a lot of other medical conditions as well. Prevalence does not mean normal.

[Andrew Gibbens]

A "jaw-pusher" worked for me for several years, but I ended up with a CPAP machine as the long term treatment.

[kirkman]

Roy
No he did not give me a day time appliance and yes I did do a sleep study.
Not that you implied that I am over weight. I am not I am very fit and slim. So losing weight is not going to help.

Originally Posted by Roy in TO

There are many dental appliances on the market to treat OSA or Obstructive Sleep Apnea. (apnea = without breathing) All work by holding the lower jaw open and slightly forward, keeping the airway open. The relative position of body parts affects the airway, think CPR. The appliances are prone to breakage because the materials may not hold up to the parafunction of some very powerful muscles. That depends on the individuals involuntary habits, more so in some than others. If that turns out to be the situation for you, get a 2nd appliance as a spare for when you travel.

Medical insurance coverage usually requires both pre and post sleep monitoring in a sleep lab, which is a good idea even without the insurance requirement. There are altenative and more permanent treatments that involve altering the soft palate and lateral throat form.

What works for one, does not work for all. A "sleep specialist", should be part of the treatment team. Although "sleep" is not a recognized "specialty" there are health professionals who have obtained additional training and focus their practice on sleep disorders.

Did your dental professional also provide one of the daytime appliances shown on the site for the device? Separate appliances for day and night is an interesting concept.

This generation is more obese than any other in the history of mankind. If one falls into that category and has OSA, simply losing weight may be the answer for some with the condition. Keeping one's weight in the "normal" range would help with a lot of other medical conditions as well. Prevalence does not mean normal.

[Roy in TO]

Originally Posted by kirkman

Roy
No he did not give me a day time appliance and yes I did do a sleep study.
Not that you implied that I am over weight. I am not I am very fit and slim. So losing weight is not going to help.

Jason,
There should typically be 2 sleep studies required. The first confirms a diagnosis of sleep apnea and probable causes, the second confirming the treatment modality prescribed actually works for you. My response was intended to be general in nature and not specific to you. Obesity just happens to be a precipitating factor in many conditions, we can't fault the data.
Surgically reshaping the throat form is an option usually reserved as one of last resort. There is a minimally invasive technique that may help in some people, an ENT is usually involved. Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery

Andrew,
I'm wondering why you would switch if the "jaw pusher" was working?