Oral Appliance

[Jcochran]

Hello Gang. I went to my doctor/DME today to discuss my mask issues, machine issues, just overall disgust in the fact that it's been 6 months since my first PSG and to this day I'm no better off than I was. I still feel like crap every day. As a matter of fact, since my PSG I've had a wreck in my vehicle and been stopped one morning and had to do a field sobriety test, all due to excessive sleepiness. My mental ability is still down in that it's hard to concentrate. He must be out of ideas because he suggested I get an oral appliance made by a dentist to try. "Try" being the key word here because this is not covered by my insurance, or they are "out of network". These things aren't cheap either over $1500.00. I'm supposed to get a call back tomorrow letting me know the total out of pocket cost for something to "try." This could be anywhere from $300 and up for me. The real kicker is that the dentist said it would be sometime next year before I could be seen. I asked the doctor what to do for until then and he said he'd write me a script for provigil, then find out that he has to give a pre-approval before insurance will pay, which is over $400, and that could take 5-7 days. What in the world do I do???

[jules]

If you are in the states check out FMLA.

[Jcochran]

How is FMLA going to help?

[jules]

assume you were working and needed the time off until you can get some treatment working -- perhaps I jumped to the wrong conclusion

[Jcochran]

No no. I didn't mean that in negative way. I was just asking what people thought about oral appliances and taking medications like provigil that is really not solving any problem, and about my doctor. I really can't afford to take off work any. Thanks for the input though.

[jules]

you might be able not to afford to take off work

there are some ppl who have used dental appliances but remember this is a cpap forum - you can check talkaboutsleep and apneasupport board for dental areas I believe - there are a few ppl here in the past who have posted on using TAP's I believe but I don't know the names off the top of my head -

there are some who have taken and do take provigil - I was given it several years ago for other reasons and my heart didn't tolerate it - this was pre OSA diagnosis

you can search the forum for provigil and also search the forum for dental devices - there are posts on both of these.

[GumbyCT]

What in the world do I do???

If it were me - I'd work on improving my therapy.
viewtopic/t35702/Where-a-newbie-should-start.html

[Jcochran]

I'd love to improve my therapy, but don't know how to if I can't even get a mask from my DME that works for me. I've started threads here with my mask trouble. It's kinda hard to do much of anything without the proper mask. My DME told me they were out of options after 3 mask tries.

[sleepydoll]

My mental ability is still down in that it's hard to concentrate. He must be out of ideas because he suggested I get an oral appliance made by a dentist to try. "Try" being the key word here because this is not covered by my insurance, or they are "out of network". What in the world do I do???

I've had an oral appliance done by my dentist a few years ago. Mine goes by the name " SUAD DEVICE".
What it does is bring forward your lower jaw so that more air can flow. I Know it is quite costly: I paid $1200.00 and none vas covered by insurance.
outcome:
- While it did stop my snoring, I still had most of my air supply barely passing through. So I still felt like crap in the morning.
- The jaws are always sore, because of the apparatus peice that sticks out...sleeping on your side is close to impossible.
- It needs specific cleaning to be done every morning....
- I needed " special ajustments" after dental work I new filling). Since the device is custom-made from your dental prints, there is always " tweakings to
get done if ever you need new dental work done.
- The only advantage is that since the snoring is diminished, the people around you sleep better!

was it worth it? Not for me...CPAP was the only solution !
D.

[carbonman]

I'd love to improve my therapy, but don't know how to

I would suggest in the kindest terms to screw the DME.
Go to the auction and start getting masks.

It's your life.

This is what I did and I am well on the road to recovery......

BUT, this is just me.

[boston]

I called my DME and asked about a new mask, was basically told the comfortgel they gave me is the most popular and should work. I then just went to cpapauction.com and got another one and it has made the hugest difference, if youve tried three, you probably know what you like/dontlike and what may be working/not working for you. I say go to cpapauction and get your own mask. I have read here that some people have gone through 8+ masks to get the right one. Post your problems here and also your details, hopefully you can get the help here your DME and doc arent giving you.