Cpap vs oral appliances
Common Questions and Answers about Cpap vs oral appliances
cpap
If your airway improved significantly when you thrust your jaw forward, then this would make you a good candidate for a mandibular advancement device. Overall, in my experience, oral appliances have better track records in treating UARS. But this is totally dependent on the particular dentist's expertise. Not all dentists are the same. There are also various orthodontic techniques that not only move your teeth around, but can change the shape of your jaws as well.
You could start by trying them for very short periods and then increase the timing as you get more comfortable. Oral mouth appliances can help, but they could be uncomfortable. Alternatively, you could try BiPAP, which is a bi level pressure device, which regulates according to inspiration and expiration, and hence is more comfortable. Discuss these options with your consulting doctor.
Take Care and Hope this helps!
I have a friend who has had 2 sleep studies which were inconclusive for sleep apnea. He had a trial of CPAP but wasn't able to tolerate it. He had not one but two mouth appliances made for him but both of them hurt his teeth so he can't use them. His dentist said he's never had someone before who couldn't be helped by an appliance.
He's at a loss as to what to try next for his non-restorative sleep where he figures he wakes up between 15-20 per night.
An oxygen saturation level of 90% is low, but I think not low enough to require any appliances including a CPAP. Do you sleep on your back, try sleeping on your side.
What is your age, are you over weight... lots of factors you doctor knows but I can only guess.
I had periods of low oxygen in the range of 85% but I got enough REM sleep to be rested (I had an in-hospital sleep study done).
Continue with selective therapies like use of Continuous positive airway pressure or Oral appliances, and drug therapy with theophyline or acetazolamide (non sleeping pills) against prescription are available.
I suggest you to consult physician. Take car and regards.
As for the Cpap machine or the Darth Vader Look, there are ways if you are not a severe case to get oral appliances from your dentist (who should be trained in sleep apnea and I would highly recommed them using laryngometer and pharyngometer). This makes life much easier. Beats wearing the mask, if you are a good candidate for it. At the link I gave you, you can find or request a dentist who is highly trained in sleep apnea.
Wondering if you are waking yourself up because of not breathing and the sleep apnea. I do that sometimes. Have you tried one of those dental appliances that pull your jaw forward? I can't tolerate cpap either and have had decent results with the dental appliance.
I doubt with your apnea they will give you xanax. It relaxes your muscles, slows down breathing and can make apneas worse.
There are two possible solutions: move to one of the new mini CPAP masks. Second use Refresh PM ointment in both eyes at bedtime and Refresh or Systane ULTRA artifical tears on awakening.
It is the most frightening thing I have EVER experienced and it takes an almost sleepless night to finally fall asleep. I will use a Pure Sleep oral device in conjunction with my CPAP to finally fall, and/or fall back asleep...without it I feel my throat close over. I mentioned this to my new doctor's office and was given a chin strap. Upon returning, he convinced me that it was due to my manibular position and anxiety, and that I was probably not wearing my chin strap every night.
I am going to try one of the dental appliances. I have pretty much given up on the CPAP and have started sleeping on a wedge pillow on my side, which helps some, until I can get the dental thing made.
My tongue has a rough white coating all over it with raised red and white bumps in the middle towards the back of the tongue, also, my tongue burns once in a while, I assume what I have is oral thrush, it appears to be only on my tongue nowhere else in my mouth. I have had this for a long time now (at least 2+ years) and I cannot get rid of this problem at all.
Thank you patient915. I was able to do that. I am new to the site and had trouble finding things at first. Posting questions when you first come to the site sorta pigeon-holes you into categories that don't always exactly fit. I've learned a lot from the ostomy community from this site.
I am a 42 year old male who was just diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea with snoring but is intolerant of the CPAP. I am currently using an oral devise which forces my forward. I would like to to know if sleep apnea directly related to heart disease can it be reversed with the start of a CPAP or an oral devise?
I have been having chronic fatigue for a couple of years. Past year got so bad I almost had several MVA's. Finally went in and was tested. Severe sleep apnea and PLM's (alot of them). Cpap at 10cm helped daytime fatigue and I am sleeping better but still aytime fatigue. Provagil helps but not with driving. Ritalin, adderal not helping with that yet. Still testing for Hypersomnia vs Narcolepsy. Repeat sleep study showed very little Apnea but still some PLM's.
I have been dealing with insomnia for about six months. Initially, I was prescribed a combination of Remeron and Ativan to help me sleep. The side effects were fairly severe. I was going through my day very dizzy, and felt like I was in a dream state the whole day. I'm now taking only 30mg. of remeron and have been doing so for about two months. I'm getting some sleep, but my sleep is interrupted and I wake frequently during the night.
Continue with selective therapies like use of Continuous positive airway pressure or Oral appliances, and drug therapy with theophyline or acetazolamide (non sleeping pills) against prescription are available.
I suggest you to consult sleep specialist. Take care and regards.
hazyworld, some are able to effectively treat their apnea with a dental device, but not everyone. Have an honest talk with a reputable provider about your chances of it working for you. They are designed to pull the lower jaw forward, and some complain of pain or have TMJ trouble. But some are willing to do anything to avoid using CPAP. I didn't like CPAP at first either. Are you on oxygen because you aren't using CPAP or with a CPAP?
The most common treatment and arguably the most consistently effective treatment for sleep apnea is the use of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device. In addition to CPAP, a dentist specializing in sleep disorders can prescribe Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT).
So please contact your doctor if you have not done it before so that treatment can be started.
Regards and God bless.
For about a year I have been very obsessive with my garage door being closed, appliances being unplugged, doors being locked, etc. For example, I have a heated blanket in my room. Instead of just flipping a switch to turn it off, I must unplug it. Then after unplugging it, I check it again maybe 2 times and say to myself "off" as I check other appliances. This has become a frustration in my daily routine, and it has caused me to be late to many appointments and classes.
Been on the CPAP for the last year. three months ago I had a septoplasty...All went well. Two weeks ago I had UPPP surgery and ever since the first night as soon as I fall asleep I start choking. Seems like even when I'm awake i can take a deep breath through my nose and feel my tonge/throat closing off. I"ve video taped myself sleeping the last few nights and it's happening about every 5 to 10 minutes. I'm choking on the inhale...
I was sent home from the hospital with a temporary cpap and am being scheduled for a sleep study. I am having trouble using the cpap machine. I am afraid to sleep as the doctor did say that with this apnea the brain forgets to tell you to breath. They said my oxygen levels dropped to 64 during the night. I have developed swollen legs, ankles and feet. Should I call the doctor about this or just wait till after the study. The swelling will go down if I am laying down most of the day.
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