Saw this on my local news tonight - Inspire (upper airway..)

[metsfan302]

Saw this machine/ device on my local news about sleep apnea -

https://www.inspiresleep.com/

[chunkyfrog]

It is promoted as a sort of pacemaker to stiffen tissues that become flaccid during sleep.
FDA approval does not assure effectiveness.
Cost is likely comparable to a heart pacemaker, many times that of cpap therapy.
I am not aware of any insurance coverage.

[Stormynights]

I don't think I want anything else implanted in my body. When the electric goes off at night I get woke up but if this stops working I wonder if you would be woke up. I am happy with the setup I have anyway if not this might be interesting to me.

[metsfan302]

Yea i'll stick to this.... it seemed like a pacemaker/apnea type thing.

[klv329]

Obstructive apneas only, right? So down the road the users might still develop CA issues and need ASV? A diaphragm pacemaker is probably a lot more expensive but should help CAs, I would think.

[Cardsfan]

I saw this on a TV special. There is a battery in it that needs to be replaced over time. So another surgery. And I imagine it would not treat central apnea?

[lilasmom]

I was very interested in this, but my bmi is too high. My insurance would've covered it though.

[PEF]

I am a newbie with CPAP and before getting my machine, I considered this option, but I chose CPAP instead. I don't want any implants!

[metsfan302]

yea IF i got implants it wouldn't be for this

[49er]

I looked into this but wasn't a candidate for various reasons:

Regarding effectiveness, according to clinical results over a year, it has reduced the AHI by 68%.

https://www.inspiresleep.com/what-is-in ... n-results/

Can't remember if it is this therapy or a similar one that is currently undergoing a study but I understand results are about to come out that show these hold up after two years.

I know, it doesn't seem very impressive at first glance. But you all need to look at it from the point of view of someone who is on their last option and has tried everything else. If someone gets a reduction to something like a 10 AHI but finds they are sleeping better vs. severely fragmented sleep on the pap machine with a sub 1 AHI, in my opinion, the surgery is worthwhile. I know AHIs are important but many times with sleep, there are other issues to consider.

Insurance coverage depends as some companies cover it and some don't.

Regarding having to get the battery replaced, yeah that would suck but not being able to sleep on the pap machine sucks too which is a health destroyer. As with any medical issue, it is a matter of balancing the risks vs. the rewards.

And as to whether one might need an ASV machine or develop centrals down the road, well, if someone hasn't developed them after years of pap therapy, I would say that issue is not something to worry about.

[ChicagoGranny]

This is not for your successful CPAP users. It's for the 50% that fail or refuse CPAP.

It's clear it is not as effective as an efficient CPAP therapy. But, it is much better than no therapy.

[yaconsult]

The Inspire has been discussed quite a bit here previously. You can see the other posts with a forum search: search.php?keywords=inspire

Bottom line - it might be an expensive, less effective, riskier option for those unable or unwilling to make cpap work for them. Remember that implants have to be surgically replaced every 3-5 years when the batteries get too low - you can't just pop in new batteries! And most insurance doesn't cover it so it's all out of pocket.

[ButtermilkBuoy]

Remember that implants have to be surgically replaced every 3-5 years when the batteries get too low - you can't just pop in new batteries!

The latest batteries are expected to last seven years.

You are also making misleading statements about "implants have to be surgically replaced". The wires do not have to be replaced - only the batteries. It's a simple outpatient surgery to get to the unit and replace the batteries.

Bottom line - it might be an expensive, less effective, riskier option for those unable or unwilling to make cpap work for them.

Logic fail. It may be all of those things for someone like you and me, who use CPAP and make it work well.

But,

less effective, riskier option for those unable or unwilling to make cpap work for them

for these people you describe, it is a good option.

Everything is relative, my good man. For people who will not take the CPAP therapy, the devices are a good option.

[49er]

I was very interested in this, but my bmi is too high. My insurance would've covered it though.

What about this study on another implant procedure in which they allow a slightly higher BMI?

http://thnstudy.com/

49er