Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by David S. Binder DDS on September 10, 2009 at 2:35pm

HI LIsa,
Oral appliances are recomended as first line therapy for mild to moderate OSA by the AASM.As adjunctive therapy such as you are asking and for travel they play a role.I would advise you to seek a dentist familar with the appliances and of course sleep medicine.AADSM.org or snoringisntsexy.com.

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Permalink Reply by SUSAN KNOX on September 10, 2009 at 2:38pm

I JUST SAW THAT YOU LIVE IN SELLERVILLE, PA. IF YOU LOOK ON THE INTERNET FOR DR. RODGERS IN WEXFORD. HE IS THE DENTIST THAT I AM GOING TO SEE THEY CAN PROVIDE YOU WITH ALOT OF INFORMATION. . AGAIN, GOOD LUCK

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Permalink Reply by Orville Price on September 10, 2009 at 4:19pm

Make sure you don' t swallow it.Like my 28 year old step daughter did during the night.

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Permalink Reply by J King on September 10, 2009 at 4:49pm

Lisa Marie,

I visited my sleep specialist yesterday, after using a dental device for about five months followed by another sleep study. The sleep study with the dental device seemed to go well.

The night of the study the tech who wired me up said, "if you have more than a few apnea/hypopnea events per hour we are required to put you on a CPAP." I slept through the night without them bothering me, and was hopeful that my dental device was working.

Results: In my initial study I had 22.5 hypopnea events per hour (August 2008); wearing the dental device I had slightly under six events per hour, and my saturation level never dropped below 98%. So, it was a success.

I had a similar experience with mask adaptation - sometimes it was good and sometimes not. I visited an ENT specialist to get evaluated for the surgical option, and he said "your throat is too normal, and surgery will likely not work."

Losing about 5-7 pounds may have also helped, and I plan to lose another 15 or so and consider myself "cured," if there is such a thing.

I also use a "breathe right" strip on my nose, sleep on my side, don't drink or take sleep aids, and otherwise practice good sleep hygiene.

Hope that helps and gives you hope

JCK

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Permalink Reply by Cindy on September 10, 2009 at 5:55pm

I paid $500 for a custom dental device about five years ago. It didn't help my apnea. But the guy who suggested I get the appliance said it actually "cured" him of his. So everyone's different. And I know there are a lot of different designs out there, so hopefully you'll find one that works for you. Good luck!

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Permalink Reply by sleepsurfer on September 10, 2009 at 9:14pm

my experience with the full breath dental device was not good.....i have uars....my RERA index was 19 initially.....5 months later after slowly deteriorating yet staying true to the treatment, i had another sleep study which revealed my RERA index increased to 44.....i stopped using the dental device for a few weeks while waiting to get set up with a cpap and i feel much better.....now i'm trying to acclimate to my cpap....7 days in and haven't yet gotten beyond 2 hours of sleep on cpap.

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Permalink Reply by Kim Walters on September 10, 2009 at 10:07pm

This was me. I actually got insomnia from my initial use with CPAP. I ended up on the couch of the Psychiatrist at the sleep clinic because I thought I was going a bit mad. I do not find that with my use of the TAP appliance. I actually look forward to going to bed at night, and wish my teenagers would "comply" with my wishes for more sleep. Good luck.

Kinderhook said:

I got my cpap machine in March. I have yet to sleep a full night with it. I've tried different masks, too (though not 9) and no matter what I do, I can't sleep with it on. I get drowsy by reading (something I've done since childhood) and then I shut off the light, put on the mask and blammo! I'm wide awake again. If there was a way to put my glasses on & the mask on at the same time, I'd read w/ the mask on to see if that would work. But in addition to apnea, I'm a chronic insomniac and this cpap machine seems to be exacerbating that. I've tried the pillows and full face masks and regular masks. Still nothing. A couple of weeks ago I gave up. But I know I shouldn't give up so when I saw this topic, I thought I'd chime in! Any hints? Thanks.

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Permalink Reply by PSW on September 11, 2009 at 12:15pm

I took well to the CPAP, and rarely missed a day since having been diagnosed with sleep apnea (with an RDI of 42). However, I found it quite burdensome to travel with, and uncomfortable to keep around the house, especially when guests were present. Seeking alternatives, I tried out 2 oral appliances; a TAP device, which didn't work for me; and an EMA device, which has worked wonders.

I must admit that I was a cynic to believe that the EMA would work, but I feel just as refreshed, if not more than with the CPAP. My sleep dentist provided me with plenty of literature about the EMA's sucesses. The TAP device was too uncomfortable to bear and I couldn't fall asleep with it. Determined to seek an alternative other than the CPAP, I figured that I would give the EMA a shot, and I have utilized it every night for the past 2 months. It took close to 5-6 follow-up appointments with my sleep dentist to find the optimal postion for the appliance. Truth be told, I couldn't be more pleased with its success, and feel that it is a lifestyle change for the better.

My next step is to have a sleep study with the EMA, which I am planning to have soon. Being as refreshed and well-rested as I have been, I am certain that I will show good numbers.

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Permalink Reply by terri on September 12, 2009 at 3:07pm

This discussion is very interestin. I live in the Ft Lauderdale area. Does anyone know of a Sleep Dentist here?

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Permalink Reply by Kevin Sargent on September 13, 2009 at 9:32pm

I have had some alleviation with the kind from the dentist. It helped a little bit but the CPAP helps an order of magnitude better. However when my sleep apnea was very severe I needed both the dental appliance and the CPAP and at that time it was very necessary. The biggest problem is both only help stop the symptoms which is the sleep apnea in my case. A proper diet did the most to correct my sleep apnea but I still need CPAP.

Kevin

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Permalink Reply by Rock Conner RRT on September 17, 2009 at 11:23am

http://www.aadsm.org/FindADentist.aspx

terri said:

This discussion is very interestin. I live in the Ft Lauderdale area. Does anyone know of a Sleep Dentist here?

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Permalink Reply by Ian White on September 20, 2009 at 12:56pm

i use mine quite often depending on if i remember to put it in or not but i have really felt no difference between the way i sleep and the quality of sleep i get with the dental appliance as opposed to without it it is really about the same

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