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Re: sleep apnea dental devices work??

Posted by Jim in Dallas on November 25, 2001 at 23:15:34:

In Reply to: sleep apnea dental devices work?? posted by john on November 25, 2001 at 14:04:29:

Hello John,

I'm sorry to hear that you are having so much trouble getting used to cpap. Some people adapt to the mask and using cpap without any trouble and for others it just takes a little more determination and time to adjust. One thing that is vitally important to keep in mind is that in order for you to adjust to using cpap, you ABSOLUTELY MUST us your cpap ALL THE TIME. Just using it on weekends and holidays and hoping cpap will magically start working and you will all of a sudden be comfortable with it is unrealistic. It just doesn't work that way. You have to use it every time you sleep (100% compliance). Go back and read through the last several forums. There are a tremendous number of suggestions for how to work at adjusting to using cpap. Get serious about doing this or you will find yourself in an even worse condition.

As for using a dental appliance, dentists like them. After all, appliances are something else they can sell (make money on) to treat a condition they usually have little or no education about or experience treating. I personally believe they are a waste of time and money and will probably lead to other physical problems (jaw problems) that you will end up suffering with. There are numerous long time posters on this forum who have tried the various dental appliances and found that they are only good for using as an expensive conversation piece. As with anything there are exceptions, but for the vast majority of people with OSA they don't work.

From your post it seems that your ENT is your primary doctor for treatment of your apnea, but that you are also considering letting your dentist have a shot at treating it. Unless your ENT or your dentist are properly certified in treating sleep disorders, you're seeing the wrong doctors. You need a properly qualified, educated, and certified sleep doctor. This is a doctor who will take your condition seriously and help you with proper treatment for your apnea.

Also keep in mind that your last two sentences are more accurate than you know. The people on this forum do understand and can relate to what you are going through and the feelings involved. OSA is destroying your life. Both day to day and long term. It is frustrating, and we all know that too well. We have been there(and sometimes still are). What is going to be even more frustrating for you is the amount of time and money you will waste looking for an immediate, easy fix that isn't there, and wasting all this while there is a proven and effective treatment right in front of you. You just have to decide to get serious about making cpap work and quit fooling around.

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