Didgeriddo

[Woody]

The L.A. Outback webpage has a blog about the didgeriddo. It seems that
playing this wind instrement helps sleap apnia has anyone here tried it?

[crossfit]

Well, I have tried to play one but didn't know I had OSA back then. I suppose its the circular breathing or something. But honestly, I can't imagine how it would help more than playing any wind instrument. Its just a big one.

[Country4ever]

No, but I've sure been thinking about it!
I'm wondering if you can do the same thing with a similar sized piece of pvc pipe? I've seen instructions for making one with a pvc pipe, but I'm wondering if its just blowing through a large diameter pipe that helps, and not necessarily making music. Although the music probably makes it much more enjoyable.
The price range is incredible. I'd get a cheap one though.

[crossfit]

Yes, you can. But you have to use some sort of wax to make the mouth diameter smaller for a mouth piece.

[rubberchimp]

I've heard similar reports about didgeridoo playing, but no scientific explanation of how/why it works (or even any real evidence that it works at all).

I imagine it has less to do with the act of blowing through a large tube, and more to do with the actual exercise the players mouth, tongue and throat get in the process of generating the sound. If that's the case, I'd imagine that other musical instruments may offer similar benefits. Trumpet and saxophone would be ones I'd immediately think of investigating....

I don't own a didgeridoo yet. I suppose a cheap one would do the trick, since it's the playing that's important to us, not so much the sound that comes out Maybe insurance will cover it for me as a theraputic device

[WearyOne]

I have one, but haven't spent much time on it. Apparently, it's the WAY you play it, with the circular breathing. There are other wind instruments that can be played with circular breathing, so I guess since it's that type of breathing that's supposed to help, any of those would work.

Here are some links, if anyone is interested:

http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/332/7536/266
http://www.didgeridoostore.com/didgerid ... modern.htm
http://www.woodwind.org/clarinet/Study/ ... thing.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circular_breathing

Pam

[Goofproof]

The L.A. Outback webpage has a blog about the didgeriddo. It seems that
playing this wind instrement helps sleap apnia has anyone here tried it?

You don't suppose it's because they make money selling them, surely not. Invest in a XPAP machine that gives data, and better sleep. Jim

[rubberchimp]

Yeah, I'd say the circular breathing is damn good exercise for the muscles involved in keeping yer airway open against the pressure coming from the mouth while you're blowing out with your cheeks.

Just blowing my cheeks up and breathing through my nose without any digeridoo involved creates some interesting sensations back there (Not the sort of thing I sit around doing generally ). I don't really know enough about the anatomy to speculate any further...

Time to bring my old saxophone out of retirement I guess

[WearyOne]

Here's a site that tells how to build your own. There are bunch of other sites, too. PVC pipe is the easiest, I believe.

http://www.didjiman.com/didjeridu/didge-make.htm

[rubberchimp]

You don't suppose it's because they make money selling them, surely not. Invest in a XPAP machine that gives data, and better sleep. Jim

People make money selling XPAP machines too.. I bet you're in league with 'em!

I don't think anyone's suggesting didgeridoo playing as a substitute for XPAP treatment... are they? It should only be looked on as a complementary therapy, but just 'cause it isn't a total cure is no reason to disregard it as worthless.

If it helps reduce your AHI while on XPAP, I can't see why you wouldn't want to try it. Making funny noises with a long bit of wood for 20 minutes 5 times a week seems pretty trivial compared to the other hassles people can go through with their XPAP treatment.

[Goofproof]

You don't suppose it's because they make money selling them, surely not. Invest in a XPAP machine that gives data, and better sleep. Jim

People make money selling XPAP machines too.. I bet you're in league with 'em!

I don't think anyone's suggesting didgeridoo playing as a substitute for XPAP treatment... are they? It should only be looked on as a complementary therapy, but just 'cause it isn't a total cure is no reason to disregard it as worthless.

If it helps reduce your AHI while on XPAP, I can't see why you wouldn't want to try it. Making funny noises with a long bit of wood for 20 minutes 5 times a week seems pretty trivial compared to the other hassles people can go through with their XPAP treatment.

I don't sell XPAP anything, I do hoard "Tanks" The best reason for a Didgeriddo I can see is they would come in handy, crossing XPAP DeNile, you could hold it up in the air and breath through it like a reed pipe, that might help unless the water got too deep. Jim

[rubberchimp]

... you could hold it up in the air and breath through it like a reed pipe, that might help unless the water got too deep.

Heh, DeNile is a real bugger to cross... especially when there's docs circling you in army ducks shouting through megaphones "Oh, there's nothing wrong with you - you're just depressed!".

An older friend of mine has OSA, but can't be arsed dealing with CPAP and has convinced himself that it's not serious a problem. He therefore thinks I'm exaggerating my symptoms...

Maybe the didgeridoo would also make a respectable bludgeon

I guess denial is one problem that hypochondriacs don't have to deal with

[DreamStalker]

Jim's perspective comes from the fact that a guy used to come and push the sale of his hollow sticks here on the forum as an alternative to PAP therapy.

Most forum readers are smart enough to realize that it is not a replacement for CPAP therapy, but some frustrated newbies may have a more difficult time with such a realization.

Bottom line is that it certainly won't hurt as a fun CPAP accessory ... but definitely not a good idea as a CPAP replacement.

[DreamDiver]

Gawd - have you ever played a didgeridoo for the amount of time you'd probably have to play it to make a reasonable difference in your OSA?

Didgeridoos are great for effect within the larger context of instrumental composition, but in the hands of those less skilled - most of us - it is a terror. The didgeridoo in that instance is the bagpipe of the outback... truly an instrument of war meant to instill horror in your enemies, let alone amongst your friends.

If you intend to buy or make a didgeridoo please don't do it halfway. Really learn how to use it. There is more than circular breathing involved.

Make no mistakes - a well-played didgeridoo is lyrical and incredible. But we aren't professional didgeridoo players.

Please don't inflict your non-professional attempts at 'therapy' upon your friends. You'll keep more of them if you practice in private.



_

[deerslayer]

lol, don't think so....you'd have jowles like satchmo ..only time i ever got close to one was when i was getting a tattoo. it belonged to the guy, made for good conversation anyways