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Experience with Therasnore oral device

Posted by Hman on September 17, 2002 at 18:27:21:

I would like to inquire through this forum about experiences with the TheraSnore oral device in the treatment of sleep apnea. Since a few weeks, I have been using the TheraSnore oral device for treatment of my sleep apnea. During the first few nights, I experienced significant improvement in my sleeping despite the fact that I was still getting used to wearing the device. I woke up feeling more refreshed and I also noticed that my chest and abdomen were more relaxed. On the other hand, I was still getting tired during the day, but I hope it was just a matter of time before I would catch up with sleep and become more rested. After a few nights, however, I experienced increased soreness in one area under my bottom front teeth. This apparently bothered me so much that it kept me awake most of the night. My oral surgeon reshaped the bottom part of the device and that solved the problem of the soreness. However, in the current shape the device seems to keep my mouth too far open I think. It appears to increase mucus production in the back of my throat and causes frequent swallowing. Some nights I sleep almost through the whole night, however, during the day I am still tired often. To me it seems like the apneas are still too frequent. So, I think the device still needs improved fitting to my mouth.

The oral device is a kind of the last-resort treatment option for me. In hindsight, I should have started with this, especially since I have a short jaw that may be the root of my sleep apnea problem as I have learned. My treatment history for sleep apnea goes back about a year. My first sleep study indicated moderate sleep apnea associated with only light snoring. The Ear-Nose-Throat doctor suggested CPAP or throat (UPPP) surgery as options for treatment. Weight loss was not an option (6.1 tall, 160 lbs). We decided that the throat surgery was the best option for the long-term. The surgery itself went well and after making it through those painful 10 days I recovered well. However, the effect on my sleeping was not satisfactory. A follow-up sleep study indicated that my sleep apnea actually had gotten worse (RDI from 24 to 31 per hr). Very frustrating to say the least! CPAP (7 cm pressure) was the next treatment that I tried for four weeks. I could not tolerate it, I felt worse with using it than without it. Then I tried the BiPAP for a month, supposedly easier to tolerate, but again could not tolerate.

In the meantime, I had become more informed about sleep apnea and its possible causes and treatments. Realizing that my short jaw might be the root of the problem I consulted with an oral surgeon. And that’s where I am now, trying an oral device. I realize that it may take a several adjustments to optimize the effect. I would like to learn about other patients’ experiences with this device. Thank you in advance for sharing your experiences and suggestions.

Hman


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