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Permalink Reply by Mike on April 16, 2009 at 12:47pm

i had the sensation of almost choking on my tongue too, and it turned out it was sleep apnea. i'm not familiar with any jaw sling thing other than a chin strap, which is used to keep the mouth from opening while sleeping. but a chin strap is not a "cure" or even a treatment for sleep apnea. you'll still have the sensation of choking on your tongue. have you had a sleep test yet?

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Permalink Reply by Jim Chadwick on April 16, 2009 at 3:23pm

Uh, no, I haven't had a sleep test. I haven't actually connected my tongue flopping with a suspicion that I have apnea. I think I'll have to look into what apnea isand go from there. Thanks for the reply.
Jim

Mike said:

i had the sensation of almost choking on my tongue too, and it turned out it was sleep apnea. i'm not familiar with any jaw sling thing other than a chin strap, which is used to keep the mouth from opening while sleeping. but a chin strap is not a "cure" or even a treatment for sleep apnea. you'll still have the sensation of choking on your tongue. have you had a sleep test yet?

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Permalink Reply by Mike on April 17, 2009 at 6:44pm

Jim, here's a pretty straightforward description of what sleep apnea is.

Jim Chadwick said:

Uh, no, I haven't had a sleep test. I haven't actually connected my tongue flopping with a suspicion that I have apnea. I think I'll have to look into what apnea isand go from there. Thanks for the reply.
Jim

Mike said:

i had the sensation of almost choking on my tongue too, and it turned out it was sleep apnea. i'm not familiar with any jaw sling thing other than a chin strap, which is used to keep the mouth from opening while sleeping. but a chin strap is not a "cure" or even a treatment for sleep apnea. you'll still have the sensation of choking on your tongue. have you had a sleep test yet?

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Permalink Reply by James Moriarty on April 18, 2009 at 7:31am

Sure, I think your talking about the PAPCAP. Although I could be wrong. http://www.pur-sleep.com/content/?id=44

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Permalink Reply by Patricia Perry on April 18, 2009 at 10:43am

Yes, a friend of mine uses it, has been using a bi-pap machine for years, just added the strap, he says it helps him sleep better and keep his mouth closed. I think he looks like hannibal lecter with all the gear on, haha, altho' I just started using a cpap machine myself and so far, so good.

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Permalink Reply by Patricia Perry on April 18, 2009 at 10:47am

one more thing, my sleep study was done at home, pretty easy, you just wear a computer/watch/contraption, on your wrist, with wire attached to your throat and breast bone, and also your third and fifth fingers, take it off in the morning and return to your dr. he can tell if you stop breathing at night and how often, good luck

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Permalink Reply by Melodie on April 19, 2009 at 11:54am

Jim,
You may want to try using a "chin strap" to keep your jaw from dropping open while sleeping. I also suspect that you most likely have sleep apnea. You should get your doctor to order a sleep study and go from there. If you have sleep apnea, you will need either a C-PAP or Bi-PAP device, depending on what type of sleep apnea you have. A chin strap is easily used in conjunction with the C-PAP or Bi-PAP machines. The chin strap just uses velcro to attach to the top of your head, it is soft and will help to keep your jaw from dropping open. Chin straps are not uncomfortable and are very easy to use.

It would be best to get checked for sleep apnea first, and then purchase a chin strap to use.

Good luck and hope this has been helpful in some way.
Melodie

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Permalink Reply by Mike on April 20, 2009 at 2:39am

there's a bunch of discussion about the jaw sling here, including the views of a physician on the subject.

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