Dental device for sleep apnea

Posted by margareto @margareto, May 17, 2012

are the dental devices for sleep apnea helpful. Have moderate sleep apnea and have terrible time with CPAP. Many thanks.

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For those of you who've had CPAP machines recalled, are you:
1) Using the recalled machine anyway?
2) Not using anything?
3) Using something else?
If "something else", what? And how did you come to get it?

My sleep doctor has been no help at all.... He's offered no advice and no possible alternative.

REPLY
@jeannielee

For those of you who've had CPAP machines recalled, are you:
1) Using the recalled machine anyway?
2) Not using anything?
3) Using something else?
If "something else", what? And how did you come to get it?

My sleep doctor has been no help at all.... He's offered no advice and no possible alternative.

Jump to this post

@jeannielee, @tarmansbks, @mslw and everyone...
Hello, fellow Apnea Sleepers. After reading your messages, I am compelled to reach out to you as one who has severe obstructive sleep apnea, I use a BiPap machine now that is probably keeping me alive.
I was first diagnosed w/sleep apnea years ago. I used a C-Pap machine for many years, stopped after it got so hard to keep it clean properly. I have worsening arthritis and several other conditions that made it hard to clean well and I got multiple infections. I gave up in total frustration.

Now, after several years not using my machine, I began working with Mayo Clinic doctors to help with diagnoses and care. I referred to the Sleep Clinic. I have severe obstructive sleep apnea, use a Bi-pap nightly, religiously. I won't miss a night. When I got this machine, I also bought a So Clean machine, knowing I had to have help with cleaning.

I love this machine. It's Resmed, uses a heated hose that makes the air much more comfortable all night, it's almost silent. Small. Easy to operate. I pop the mask attached to the hose directly into the SoClean that's set to automatically turn on and off at my designated time. I works. I clean it every morning when I take it off....just stick it in the So Clean and let it do it's thing. I do have the expense of changing the filter system as needed, but it's not much cost. Medicare picks up all the Resmed costs/replacements.

I change the mask holder and hose every couple of months. I use a new nasal pillow every week. I think this is very important to my continued usage.

I have recently been diagnosed with a serious disease probably caused by sleep apnea not treated properly. It's serious, folks. I was shocked at this development and the thought I played a part in it's development by not using the machine.

This said to alert you all that this is something real and that can lead to very serious illness and death.
A lot of improvements are available the last couple years. I am so pleased with the Resmed machine that small and quiet. Love the cleaning system. What a difference today! AND, please hear me.....I can not wear a mask, ever. Nothing over my nose or face. I even have trouble in elevators!

The system I use is a nasal pillow. This pillow rests on my top lip, with holes blowing air into my nasal passages. Nothing inside my nose. Nothing over my nose or face or mouth at all. Only a soft, comfortable 'pillow[ resting on my upper lip. It works just fine. The heated hose attaches at the top of the head and gives me more flexibility for movement, etc. I also use a long hose for comfort.

Frankly, these are issues and possibilities that you and your doctor and machine provider should work out and discuss openly. Be proactive. Ask questions. Tell the professionals, whomever they are, your issues, your needs, your concerns so you can actually have a successful experience and possibly save your life. Certainly improve your life!

FYI: I didn't do well with any of the dental products. They didn't work well, were uncomfortable, costly and not covered by insurance, out -of-pocket expense. Importantly, every time I had dental work done, the appliance had to be changed as my bite and fit were affected. Just a bit no for me.

Well, there you go. You now have all the information pretty much I've learned and use for success with this very important issue. Bless you on your wellness journey. Be vocal, proactive, ask gobs of questions and let them know if it's not feeling right.

elizabeth

REPLY
@ess77

@jeannielee, @tarmansbks, @mslw and everyone...
Hello, fellow Apnea Sleepers. After reading your messages, I am compelled to reach out to you as one who has severe obstructive sleep apnea, I use a BiPap machine now that is probably keeping me alive.
I was first diagnosed w/sleep apnea years ago. I used a C-Pap machine for many years, stopped after it got so hard to keep it clean properly. I have worsening arthritis and several other conditions that made it hard to clean well and I got multiple infections. I gave up in total frustration.

Now, after several years not using my machine, I began working with Mayo Clinic doctors to help with diagnoses and care. I referred to the Sleep Clinic. I have severe obstructive sleep apnea, use a Bi-pap nightly, religiously. I won't miss a night. When I got this machine, I also bought a So Clean machine, knowing I had to have help with cleaning.

I love this machine. It's Resmed, uses a heated hose that makes the air much more comfortable all night, it's almost silent. Small. Easy to operate. I pop the mask attached to the hose directly into the SoClean that's set to automatically turn on and off at my designated time. I works. I clean it every morning when I take it off....just stick it in the So Clean and let it do it's thing. I do have the expense of changing the filter system as needed, but it's not much cost. Medicare picks up all the Resmed costs/replacements.

I change the mask holder and hose every couple of months. I use a new nasal pillow every week. I think this is very important to my continued usage.

I have recently been diagnosed with a serious disease probably caused by sleep apnea not treated properly. It's serious, folks. I was shocked at this development and the thought I played a part in it's development by not using the machine.

This said to alert you all that this is something real and that can lead to very serious illness and death.
A lot of improvements are available the last couple years. I am so pleased with the Resmed machine that small and quiet. Love the cleaning system. What a difference today! AND, please hear me.....I can not wear a mask, ever. Nothing over my nose or face. I even have trouble in elevators!

The system I use is a nasal pillow. This pillow rests on my top lip, with holes blowing air into my nasal passages. Nothing inside my nose. Nothing over my nose or face or mouth at all. Only a soft, comfortable 'pillow[ resting on my upper lip. It works just fine. The heated hose attaches at the top of the head and gives me more flexibility for movement, etc. I also use a long hose for comfort.

Frankly, these are issues and possibilities that you and your doctor and machine provider should work out and discuss openly. Be proactive. Ask questions. Tell the professionals, whomever they are, your issues, your needs, your concerns so you can actually have a successful experience and possibly save your life. Certainly improve your life!

FYI: I didn't do well with any of the dental products. They didn't work well, were uncomfortable, costly and not covered by insurance, out -of-pocket expense. Importantly, every time I had dental work done, the appliance had to be changed as my bite and fit were affected. Just a bit no for me.

Well, there you go. You now have all the information pretty much I've learned and use for success with this very important issue. Bless you on your wellness journey. Be vocal, proactive, ask gobs of questions and let them know if it's not feeling right.

elizabeth

Jump to this post

Thank you, Elizabeth, for this detailed account. I have printed it. I pick up my sleep monitor testing kit this week at Hershey Medical Center. I am apprehensive about using is. A friend's daughter retired from the stroke clinic and will be available to help me with it if I am confused. Worrisome to anticipate.

REPLY
@ess77

@jeannielee, @tarmansbks, @mslw and everyone...
Hello, fellow Apnea Sleepers. After reading your messages, I am compelled to reach out to you as one who has severe obstructive sleep apnea, I use a BiPap machine now that is probably keeping me alive.
I was first diagnosed w/sleep apnea years ago. I used a C-Pap machine for many years, stopped after it got so hard to keep it clean properly. I have worsening arthritis and several other conditions that made it hard to clean well and I got multiple infections. I gave up in total frustration.

Now, after several years not using my machine, I began working with Mayo Clinic doctors to help with diagnoses and care. I referred to the Sleep Clinic. I have severe obstructive sleep apnea, use a Bi-pap nightly, religiously. I won't miss a night. When I got this machine, I also bought a So Clean machine, knowing I had to have help with cleaning.

I love this machine. It's Resmed, uses a heated hose that makes the air much more comfortable all night, it's almost silent. Small. Easy to operate. I pop the mask attached to the hose directly into the SoClean that's set to automatically turn on and off at my designated time. I works. I clean it every morning when I take it off....just stick it in the So Clean and let it do it's thing. I do have the expense of changing the filter system as needed, but it's not much cost. Medicare picks up all the Resmed costs/replacements.

I change the mask holder and hose every couple of months. I use a new nasal pillow every week. I think this is very important to my continued usage.

I have recently been diagnosed with a serious disease probably caused by sleep apnea not treated properly. It's serious, folks. I was shocked at this development and the thought I played a part in it's development by not using the machine.

This said to alert you all that this is something real and that can lead to very serious illness and death.
A lot of improvements are available the last couple years. I am so pleased with the Resmed machine that small and quiet. Love the cleaning system. What a difference today! AND, please hear me.....I can not wear a mask, ever. Nothing over my nose or face. I even have trouble in elevators!

The system I use is a nasal pillow. This pillow rests on my top lip, with holes blowing air into my nasal passages. Nothing inside my nose. Nothing over my nose or face or mouth at all. Only a soft, comfortable 'pillow[ resting on my upper lip. It works just fine. The heated hose attaches at the top of the head and gives me more flexibility for movement, etc. I also use a long hose for comfort.

Frankly, these are issues and possibilities that you and your doctor and machine provider should work out and discuss openly. Be proactive. Ask questions. Tell the professionals, whomever they are, your issues, your needs, your concerns so you can actually have a successful experience and possibly save your life. Certainly improve your life!

FYI: I didn't do well with any of the dental products. They didn't work well, were uncomfortable, costly and not covered by insurance, out -of-pocket expense. Importantly, every time I had dental work done, the appliance had to be changed as my bite and fit were affected. Just a bit no for me.

Well, there you go. You now have all the information pretty much I've learned and use for success with this very important issue. Bless you on your wellness journey. Be vocal, proactive, ask gobs of questions and let them know if it's not feeling right.

elizabeth

Jump to this post

Thank you very much!

REPLY
@tarmansbks

Thank you, Elizabeth, for this detailed account. I have printed it. I pick up my sleep monitor testing kit this week at Hershey Medical Center. I am apprehensive about using is. A friend's daughter retired from the stroke clinic and will be available to help me with it if I am confused. Worrisome to anticipate.

Jump to this post

@tarmansbks and all....Good! I'm so glad I found your posts and am able to share my years of experiences, good an bad , with this process. Like so much involved with our health, it is a process. I think my biggest challenge was learning the newest facts...about my apnea issues and realizing the significance of the illness. It is serious and I somehow didn't get it at first. It was an irritant. In the way, no way to live.

Now I know it's the gift of life. And, they've come a long way and improved so much. Take advantage of the improvements and be good to yourself.

Glad you're moving forward and have a friend to help.
Blessings. Thankfully you have a friend to be with you.
Elizabeth

REPLY
@ess77

@tarmansbks and all....Good! I'm so glad I found your posts and am able to share my years of experiences, good an bad , with this process. Like so much involved with our health, it is a process. I think my biggest challenge was learning the newest facts...about my apnea issues and realizing the significance of the illness. It is serious and I somehow didn't get it at first. It was an irritant. In the way, no way to live.

Now I know it's the gift of life. And, they've come a long way and improved so much. Take advantage of the improvements and be good to yourself.

Glad you're moving forward and have a friend to help.
Blessings. Thankfully you have a friend to be with you.
Elizabeth

Jump to this post

I hope I can manage the kit and don't "fight" with it all night. I will go into it with the best of intentions and hope for the best outcome. I really think I should be seeing an ENT as I am definitely a night mouth breather. I will ask about this when I meet with the PAC.

REPLY
@tarmansbks

Thank you, Elizabeth, for this detailed account. I have printed it. I pick up my sleep monitor testing kit this week at Hershey Medical Center. I am apprehensive about using is. A friend's daughter retired from the stroke clinic and will be available to help me with it if I am confused. Worrisome to anticipate.

Jump to this post

@tarmansbks and all...question?
Have you had an overnight sleep study? What is the package, test you're picking up? I don't know anything about this..
Thanks....Elizabeth

REPLY
@ess77

@tarmansbks and all...question?
Have you had an overnight sleep study? What is the package, test you're picking up? I don't know anything about this..
Thanks....Elizabeth

Jump to this post

@tarmansbks ...what is PAC? Have you seen a sleep specialist? Any specialist? That may well be an important part of the process....definitely. You won't fight anything,as you know how important this is and is the best for you. Get your head in the right place! This is a very good thing for you!
Be positive, wear a smile from inside...you are doing something good for you!
Elizabeth

REPLY

During covid, applicants could not "sleep in" at the clinic. They were given a monitor to use at home which records whatever it is intended to record. The woman who is a retired RN helped her mother with this kit which attaches to the upper chest - I think there are about 4 meters if I understood her. Everything is supposed to be explained when I go this Thursday to get it. I have talked to many people who were unable to sleep at the clinic and the restroom was not handy if you awakened and had an urgent need to get "unhooked" and on your way to relief. I hope the home study will be sufficient. One reason I was allowed to do this is because I had a senior dog, Charlotte, who could not be left alone plus covid concerns. Charlotte died in May but I rescued a 13 1/2 year old who lives with me now, so the same rationale applies. I can't leave the dog alone and was not willing to make arrangements for her to be boarded or someone come in. Too stressful for me to think about and same for Daisy. If it turns out I have to "sleep in", I will do it but I hope I won't need to. Thank you for asking about this. I thought maybe it was not something unusual.

I looked at Hershey Medical's sleep center website and among all the interesting information was these two mentions. Hershey Medical Center's website is excellent for those who need this service and if Mayo Clinic is not within reach.

Home actigraphy studies
Home sleep apnea testing

REPLY

PA-C is Physician Associate Cerfied - I am seeing a sleep specialist who has an attending physician. That's pretty much how Hershey works and I have seen wonderful PACs and know I will get fine care.

Certified physician Assistant
A physician assistant-certified (PA-C) is a graduate of an accredited physician assistant educational program who has undergone testing by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. PA-Cs are state-licensed to practice medicine with a supervising physician. Both diagnose and treat disease, perform physical exams and prescribe medicines. Although both usually work as part of teams, PAs are generally supervised by MDs. The MD is typically not in the same room during patient treatment, but they oversee the PA's work

REPLY
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