Sleepless -
Have been in touch with Dr. Sue, and as you mentioned he's happy to work with us. The drooling is normal at first, and he instructed me to bring out the good old Dremel tool to fine tune the tongue shelf (shades of the DIY mouthpiece ).
Have great hopes for success!
Dr. Sue
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Sleepless on LI
- Posts: 3997
- Joined: Mon May 30, 2005 6:46 pm
- Location: Long Island, New York
What is he having you do? That is so surprising he would want you to dremel it yourself. What if you ruin it? Will he then replace it? I would be afraid to make such an adjustment to something that cost this much. It's not like the DIY in that they only cost 99 cents apiece to buy, so replacing a ruined one is no biggie.Have been in touch with Dr. Sue, and as you mentioned he's happy to work with us. The drooling is normal at first, and he instructed me to bring out the good old Dremel tool to fine tune the tongue shelf (shades of the DIY mouthpiece).
Let me know how you make out when you do it. I know the same thing is going to happen to me with the saliva. Oh, the fun of it all...
L o R i
Dr. Sue offered to do the appliance surgery if I was hesitant ... which I am! But if I don't at least get it close to fitting we will be forever sending packages back and forth. Guess I'll make a conservative stab at it, then let him do the fine tuning.
Guess we now have a new xPAP therapy helper: towel on the pillow for droolers !
Guess we now have a new xPAP therapy helper: towel on the pillow for droolers !
Hopefully this will help - I already have a very similar style teeth guard (no tongue park) & have been using it for 4 years (after several crowns were fitted to my top teeth). It does take a few days to get used to but then (like a good cpap mask fit) become part of you. I think I may have only missed using it for just a few nights in the past 4 years & then only because I forgot.fnorette wrote:Tried my new Nose Breathe appliance last night! Spent a lot of time drooling and puffing out through my mouth. My tongue was not all that comfortable and teeth were a little sensitive this morning, but will keep trying to adjust.
My teeth also felt a bit odd at first and then again 1 year ago after I had another crown done (Dentist had to do minor mod to the guard)..
Hang in
Cheers
DSM
xPAP and Quattro std mask (plus a pad-a-cheek anti-leak strap)
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heretolearn
I sent my purchase request to Dr. Sue a number of weeks ago, but had the bad fortune to coincide with some of his other activities. Received my impression kit on the 17th of August, mailed it immediately, and had my oral appliance returned on the 24th. Tried it out last night, got feedback from the kindly doctor, and will be working on it tonight!
He is very positive about working toward success ... so why shouldn't I .
He is very positive about working toward success ... so why shouldn't I .
Hi guys,
Haven't used the internet all week. Working round the clock with a very big installation at work. Pre-cpap days I would have been fired and almost was when the work load was half what it is now. On top of that my 83 year dad had another surgery and I am helping him after work. He is ok now, we went through this last summer whn he had a heart valve replaced. I have been sleeping so little lately not due to OSA but not enough hours to do so. Viva Le Cpap!
Yes I use my BoseBreathe device every night and received a second for backup, did not have to make new impression and I saved the $8 shipping.
My leak results are very good and no detected mouth leaks. Without device I leak wide awake. The device is still comfortable and my tongue automatically goes to it's "room" when I wear it. It seems to know now.
Drooling, I think I did once or twice but for me it's a non-issue as it hasn't happened since. When it did I recall it was very light and still don't know why.
I do like sleeping on my side now as I could not before even with tape as the leak would be so strong it would blow the tape. Now side sleeping is ok.
I suspect that for whatever reason, I will get an occasional small leak when on my back but it's infrequent and I think it can be tuned out with head position. Regardless, I feel great each and every morning despite the worst work schedule I have ever had in my entire career. Without cpap I could not get out of bed in the morning. When I used tape many mornings I could not get out of bed because of tape blow outs or small leaks. Now every morning is good and that's how I measure my progress.
I lucked out in not having any shelf/tongue fitting issues, when my tongue goes to it's "room" I totally forget it's there. I hope those of you that are having issues find a way to work them out as it's worth it.
Ok, I need to do a lot of reports and administrative work I simply could not do during the week, and yes I am salaried and it's for free.
Good luck and report your findings, I'll check again later as the weekend is all I have to attend to personal matters. Thank God my two daughters are grown and on their own, I raised then both from pups, single father, and I don't think I could do that now with my current job. One will marry in November and the other is hanging around the house not wanting to leave me alone, she thinks at 56 you turn into a helpless codger even though she can't keep up with me when we backpack.
Kermit
Haven't used the internet all week. Working round the clock with a very big installation at work. Pre-cpap days I would have been fired and almost was when the work load was half what it is now. On top of that my 83 year dad had another surgery and I am helping him after work. He is ok now, we went through this last summer whn he had a heart valve replaced. I have been sleeping so little lately not due to OSA but not enough hours to do so. Viva Le Cpap!
Yes I use my BoseBreathe device every night and received a second for backup, did not have to make new impression and I saved the $8 shipping.
My leak results are very good and no detected mouth leaks. Without device I leak wide awake. The device is still comfortable and my tongue automatically goes to it's "room" when I wear it. It seems to know now.
Drooling, I think I did once or twice but for me it's a non-issue as it hasn't happened since. When it did I recall it was very light and still don't know why.
I do like sleeping on my side now as I could not before even with tape as the leak would be so strong it would blow the tape. Now side sleeping is ok.
I suspect that for whatever reason, I will get an occasional small leak when on my back but it's infrequent and I think it can be tuned out with head position. Regardless, I feel great each and every morning despite the worst work schedule I have ever had in my entire career. Without cpap I could not get out of bed in the morning. When I used tape many mornings I could not get out of bed because of tape blow outs or small leaks. Now every morning is good and that's how I measure my progress.
I lucked out in not having any shelf/tongue fitting issues, when my tongue goes to it's "room" I totally forget it's there. I hope those of you that are having issues find a way to work them out as it's worth it.
Ok, I need to do a lot of reports and administrative work I simply could not do during the week, and yes I am salaried and it's for free.
Good luck and report your findings, I'll check again later as the weekend is all I have to attend to personal matters. Thank God my two daughters are grown and on their own, I raised then both from pups, single father, and I don't think I could do that now with my current job. One will marry in November and the other is hanging around the house not wanting to leave me alone, she thinks at 56 you turn into a helpless codger even though she can't keep up with me when we backpack.
Kermit
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Sleepless on LI
- Posts: 3997
- Joined: Mon May 30, 2005 6:46 pm
- Location: Long Island, New York
Kermit,
Kudos to you raising two daughters on your own. Not easy work when you have help, but two girls alone? You deserve a pat on the back plus.
Glad to hear you still are giving the NB a positive review. Mine just came today. And I guess it's a matter of getting used to, but I can mouth breathe with it in if my mouth is open a certain way. I guess it's a matter of training yourself to keep the lips more closed or closed all together.
Looking forward to trying it tonight. Hopefully I won't need any adjustments to the tongue shelf, too.
Try to get some rest, if possible. And thanks for the referral in the first place.
Kudos to you raising two daughters on your own. Not easy work when you have help, but two girls alone? You deserve a pat on the back plus.
Glad to hear you still are giving the NB a positive review. Mine just came today. And I guess it's a matter of getting used to, but I can mouth breathe with it in if my mouth is open a certain way. I guess it's a matter of training yourself to keep the lips more closed or closed all together.
Looking forward to trying it tonight. Hopefully I won't need any adjustments to the tongue shelf, too.
Try to get some rest, if possible. And thanks for the referral in the first place.
L o R i
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rested gal
- Posts: 12881
- Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2004 10:14 pm
- Location: Tennessee
Kermit, you're a good man. I've learned so much from your posts over the past two years. Thanks so much for posting the information about your great experience with the Nose Breathe from Dr. Sue.
I'm still getting the same wonderful results from the "same principle" DIY mouthguard. It really is a miracle how both those things work so well. We can be forever grateful to frequenseeker for calling our attention to them.
Stopping mouth air leaks sure does make a difference in better treatment.
Have thought of you often. Hope your father is comfortable. And that you are getting enough sleep!
Thanks so much for taking time out to keep helping people the way you do so well!
I'm still getting the same wonderful results from the "same principle" DIY mouthguard. It really is a miracle how both those things work so well. We can be forever grateful to frequenseeker for calling our attention to them.
Stopping mouth air leaks sure does make a difference in better treatment.
Have thought of you often. Hope your father is comfortable. And that you are getting enough sleep!
Thanks so much for taking time out to keep helping people the way you do so well!
Has anyone ordered the Nose Breath for Heavy Snorers? I know without the CPAP I snore very loud. Although the statement: If you already breathe through your nose, you are ready for the Nose Breathe for Heavy Snorer. Makes me think that I would not be ready for that. I have probably been breathing through my mouth for decades. I feel like my nasal passageways are not wide enough. I went to an ENT about 3 years ago for the snoring and he said that there was nothing functionaly wrong with my nose, etc. and that my problem was nasal congestion which he "proved" by inserting a cotton ball with some something on it and I could breath better. Of course there was no mention of sleep apnea either so no sure he was the best plus the visit was rather short.
I am using the full face mask because I just can't breath with just my nose using the Swift. I dont' know at this point whether I should contact my allergy doctor about more/different medicine for my allergies (currently on Singulair and Zyrtec with 2 nasal sprays Nasonex and Astelin along with taking Sudafed and using a nasal strip). I feel like I'm breathing through a thin straw. Or maybe I should try another ENT and now that I have the dx of apnea they might look for some other problem. I would like to learn to breath through my nose and would be willing to buy this device but maybe it's not realistic until my nose problems are resolved.
I am using the full face mask because I just can't breath with just my nose using the Swift. I dont' know at this point whether I should contact my allergy doctor about more/different medicine for my allergies (currently on Singulair and Zyrtec with 2 nasal sprays Nasonex and Astelin along with taking Sudafed and using a nasal strip). I feel like I'm breathing through a thin straw. Or maybe I should try another ENT and now that I have the dx of apnea they might look for some other problem. I would like to learn to breath through my nose and would be willing to buy this device but maybe it's not realistic until my nose problems are resolved.
Laurie
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Sleepless on LI
- Posts: 3997
- Joined: Mon May 30, 2005 6:46 pm
- Location: Long Island, New York
I did post this to another thread, but just wanted anyone who was interested to know I used my NB device for the first time last night and loved it. No leaks at all. My leak rate actually went down one point, which had to be mask-related as my Tegaderm patches were sealing my mouth really well, so it couldn't be any better than that. The only "problem" I had was a bit of an off-bite when I took it out this morning that quickly went away. Perhaps had to do with sleeping with something in my mouth, which I'm not used to doing.
But, overall, this was a great first night with the NB. I am looking forward to another night's sleep with it tonight.
Thanks, Kermit, again.
But, overall, this was a great first night with the NB. I am looking forward to another night's sleep with it tonight.
Thanks, Kermit, again.
L o R i
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heretolearn
Just got off the phone with Dr. Sue.
Seems like I need to trim the v shape abit in order for my tongue to have more room to thrust slightly, in order to swallow the salavia through the night. (Guess when I was trying to swallow, my tongue kept thrusting against the v-cut so strongly that it would cause the entire mouthpiece to shift, hence it would rub against my inside lip! Has anyone else had to trim their nosebreathe?
I do not have that tool he suggest (? Drummel ?) What else might I use for this trimming?
Seems like I need to trim the v shape abit in order for my tongue to have more room to thrust slightly, in order to swallow the salavia through the night. (Guess when I was trying to swallow, my tongue kept thrusting against the v-cut so strongly that it would cause the entire mouthpiece to shift, hence it would rub against my inside lip! Has anyone else had to trim their nosebreathe?
I do not have that tool he suggest (? Drummel ?) What else might I use for this trimming?
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Sleepless on LI
- Posts: 3997
- Joined: Mon May 30, 2005 6:46 pm
- Location: Long Island, New York
heretolearn,
Sorry to hear last night didn't go much better. I'm not certain I know what V cut you're referring to. Mine is a mouthpiece with a shelf across from one side to the other for the tongue to rest on when you sleep. Explain to me what you mean when you're holding it in a certain position so I know what you're talking about.
A dremmel is an amazing tool. Maybe one of your friends/neighbors has one. I don't really understand what he's asking you to trim back or I would make a recommendation on something else to use. What tip did he want on the dremmel? I would think that maybe a heated knife might cut through any part of the NB since it's made of material that heat would melt. When I told him initially about something that I thought might end up being a problem and asked if I should just boil it and remold it, he got very excited and warned me never, never, never do that because it would ruin the entire mouthpiece. So I'm sure heat will cut through any part of it.
Please be specific and maybe I can offer an idea. Did you tell him you didn't have the dremmel? Then he might have suggested another way to accomplish this. He probably is still in his office now since Hawaii is Pacific time and it's probably late afternoon there. Why don't you try emailing him? Let me know what goes on, please. Good luck.
Sorry to hear last night didn't go much better. I'm not certain I know what V cut you're referring to. Mine is a mouthpiece with a shelf across from one side to the other for the tongue to rest on when you sleep. Explain to me what you mean when you're holding it in a certain position so I know what you're talking about.
A dremmel is an amazing tool. Maybe one of your friends/neighbors has one. I don't really understand what he's asking you to trim back or I would make a recommendation on something else to use. What tip did he want on the dremmel? I would think that maybe a heated knife might cut through any part of the NB since it's made of material that heat would melt. When I told him initially about something that I thought might end up being a problem and asked if I should just boil it and remold it, he got very excited and warned me never, never, never do that because it would ruin the entire mouthpiece. So I'm sure heat will cut through any part of it.
Please be specific and maybe I can offer an idea. Did you tell him you didn't have the dremmel? Then he might have suggested another way to accomplish this. He probably is still in his office now since Hawaii is Pacific time and it's probably late afternoon there. Why don't you try emailing him? Let me know what goes on, please. Good luck.
L o R i
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heretolearn
Ok Lori, if I'm holding my mouthpiece like I'm ready to insert it into my mouth, the "v" shape now appears upside down. (I think this grooved out v shaped space on the tongue shelf is suppose to allow room for the connecting tissue at the bottom of the tongue.) Does that make sense to you?
Does your shelf go straight across with no cut out at all?
This shelf is where that Dr. Sue suggested I trim back, in order to accomodated my tongue thrust during swallowing. Is swallowing with the NB in place a problem for you at all? Sure appreciate your help on this!
Does your shelf go straight across with no cut out at all?
This shelf is where that Dr. Sue suggested I trim back, in order to accomodated my tongue thrust during swallowing. Is swallowing with the NB in place a problem for you at all? Sure appreciate your help on this!