Severe Sleep Apnea

[PrettyThick1 1,860]

I also have severe sleep apnea as do my mum and brother (both skinny) and after a number of battles with medical staff over CPAP machine we found there is actually an excellent alternantive.

The company that makes the CPAP machines give money to the doctors to sell them (a commission) and hence they never tell you their are alternatives because they are getting huge kickbacks. Granted they work and they do ensure you breathe but I just think its a disgrace that they refuse to tell you there are other options.

Fortunately my mum is a nurse and was seeing what an incredible wrought it was and decided to start investigating. We found that there is a special mouthguard called a Mandibular advancement device that can be made by a dental surgeon. Yes they cost a fair bit of money but my god what an investment. They are fitted to your mouth perfectly and are adjustible to bring the jaw forward until you are able to ensure the muscles dont relax onto your airway.

Here is some further info but google them - they are awesome!!! and so much less cumbersome, easy for travel and much better for your partners sleep as well.

Mandibular advancement device (MAD)

• A MAD is a mouthpiece you wear when sleeping.
  
• There are many types of MADs. Most are made of hard plastic that covers your upper and lower teeth. Some devices also hold your tongue in place.
  
• The mouthpiece keeps your jaw forward and your airway open.
  
• These devices are sold and fitted by a dentist, or an orthodontist, who makes a mold of your mouth.
  

POST OF THE DAY!!!! This is excellent - valuable advice and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing!!!

[Creekwood 702]

Would your boyfriend rather roller over to Darth Vader or a dead girlfriend? Get the mask, wear it, trust me you will feel a lot better. Your heart will thank you!!

[Mrs. Curtis 42]

My son in law has severe sleep apenea and they gave him the bi-pap machine' date=' however it is like the c-pap only for more severe cases of apenea. I know my doctor said bring your machine to the hospital if you did have it.[/quote']

My doctor told me to being mine as well and it was in the same spot I left after surgery, in the bag.

[Ada81 31]

POST OF THE DAY!!!! This is excellent - valuable advice and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing!!!

Your Welcome. My grandfather died at 65 due to a heart condition and from all accounts from my grandma we are certain he had sleep apnea and undiagnosed it took his life much too early. He died 3 weeks before i was born.

I sincerely believe in proper medical treatment because I want to live past 65 and meet my grandkids!!!! My mum was diagnosed about 10 years ago and started researching, my brother was diagnosed about 5 years ago and was so bad the Sydney hospital asked him to particpate in a medical study. They actually found that in his case, the mouth guard bringing his bottom jaw forward was more effective than the CPAP - they were astounded! This is not to say that would be the case with every patient and I am certainly not a doctor!!! But why wouldnt you want to explore all options to ensure your health is at an optimum level?

As stated, my own specialist tried the CPAP route with me first, I told him if he didnt refer me to dental surgeon I would seek alternative advice and he wouldnt get his commission anyway so he may as well just help me!! I'm glad i went in there armed with information because he was really difficult to start with and realised I wasnt just another cash cow he could milk.

Please do your research, seek alternative opinions, dont just settle for one option.

[Helli 49]

POST OF THE DAY!!!! This is excellent - valuable advice and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing!!!

I tried this and it did not work for me. I have to had a cpap for about 10 years. I hope that will change after the band. I know it is scary but the thought of never waking up was worse for me. I still don't feel energized but when your 5 feet tall and weigh 295 pounds there is not much energy to be found. My husband is funny in that if I go away (to family out of town) he now has trouble sleeping with out my machine going. You will do what you want but know everyone here just wants you to be healthy, happy and alive.

[NiftyNinjanator 51]

I have a CPAP machine, I love it. Of course I hated it at first, but I feel so much better, refreshed and just more mentally acute after using it, it is completely worth it. There are many types of masks and such, you just have to experiment to find the right one. It is totally worth any pain in the ass in order to get proper sleep. I also find it soothing now too, I'm so used to it, I can't imagine sleeping without it. I hated it at first though, so badly!!

I recently read up on REM deprivation and found it was quite interesting. I'm very glad to get restful sleep now. I read somewhere too that Michael Jackson going nuts before he died was due to REM deprivation because the propofol he was using to "sleep" did not allow for REM sleep.

CPAP's suck, but they are totally worth it in the end. Just keep trying. Why? Because you're worth it!

[NiftyNinjanator 51]

Oh, I was told the mouthpiece thing wouldn't work for me, but it does work for some people, depends on severity and such. Definitely worth looking into though!