anyone have luck with a Tongue Retaining Device (TRD)?

[nmevan]

greetings

I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea about 6 months ago

I can't really tell how well the cpap is working and I'm looking for alternatives

anyone have any luck with a Tongue Retaining Device (TRD)

thanks

evan

[pj2448]

In case people don't know what this is, here's a picture. It's a suction bulb that you hold in your mouth with your tongue inserted. It uses your teeth and lips as a lock so your tongue won't retract to its normal position. It holds your tongue way forward and out of your airway.




I got one of these from my sleep apnea dentist, tried it for a few hours, but could not adapt to it. This is certainly a last resort device and I don't know what to tell you about trying to get used to it.

[Nelliebear]

That looks extremely uncomfortable! But, I guess so do most CPAP masks!!

[rested gal]

Snork1 gave a very detailed report on his experience with an Aveo TSD device. He was hopeful:

viewtopic.php?t=6207
Dec 22, 2005 subject: Aveo TSD - a different approac


But, bottom line for him:

viewtopic.php?t=16016
Dec 21, 2006 subject: aveoTSD?

I volunteered to be lab rat for the Aveo TSD and really wrung it out.

Sad to say, its just too many down sides and problems for a $150 experiment.

http://www.quietsleep.com/oralappliance ... escrip.htm

It is just about impossible to hold suction all night, and its a very fine balance between too much suction causes too much tongue web soreness and less soreness, but having it pop off all night.

[Starlette]

I found your TRD on website along with what my dentist started me using on my first visit to him.
http://www.ihatecpap.com/oral_appliance.html
The devise I'm using along with cpap is Silent Nite. I've had no issue with it. IT keeps my lower jaw forward while I sleep.
One of the prongs did break while I was asleep. Dentist replaced it. I've been using it for I believe over a year now. I've had no issues with it. Very comfortable. PM me if I can answer any questions.

Starlette

[nmevan]

thanks your imput!

[jks1@home]

The picture of the aveoTSD is one of the first generation ones. These were bulky and not as comfortable as the crystal clear medical grade silicone the latest ones are made from. You might want to check out the newer versions of this device.

[chunkyfrog]

I'd really resist the idea of putting a TRD in my mouth.

[Lizistired]

Here is another thread from a member who recently sold his S9 because the AveoTSD is working for him.

viewtopic/t62050/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=63 ... sd#p599215

[NOAPNEAS]

I have had severe sleep apnea most of my life - from my teens. I had UPPP throat/nasal surgery in my 40's but it didn't work - I stopped snoring (my uvula had been removed) but my apneas continued unabated. I tried a CPAP but could not stand it! Almost 20 years ago I found a dentist who specialized in sleep disorders. He took an impression of my teeth then ordered a custom fit TRD (tongue retainer device). The TRD fits snugly over the front of both my upper and lower teeth. Between the upper and lower parts that fit over the teeth there is a suction cup custom made to fit my tongue. When I put the TRD in my mouth and put my tongue in the cup, it holds the tongue tightly but comfortably and I cannot spit out or release the TRD. Since then I have had absolutely no apneas. I still remember the first time I actually used it, it was like dying and going to heaven. I slept like a baby probably for the first time in my adult life. I have used the TRD faithfully ever since then (with only one replacement after about 10 years) and with it have never again had an apnea. I'm sure I would have died of heart failure if I had not found that dentist. I don't know is a TRD will work for everyone, but for me, it has been a miracle.

[melissa6]

I tried the avo tsd, but I clench at night. i was hoping this would stop me from clenching because my tongue would be in the way, but I just wound up biting my tongue really hard and waking up in too much pain. That was a few years ago, so it was the old style avo tsd.

[b999]

I have had severe sleep apnea most of my life - from my teens. I had UPPP throat/nasal surgery in my 40's but it didn't work - I stopped snoring (my uvula had been removed) but my apneas continued unabated. I tried a CPAP but could not stand it! Almost 20 years ago I found a dentist who specialized in sleep disorders. He took an impression of my teeth then ordered a custom fit TRD (tongue retainer device). The TRD fits snugly over the front of both my upper and lower teeth. Between the upper and lower parts that fit over the teeth there is a suction cup custom made to fit my tongue. When I put the TRD in my mouth and put my tongue in the cup, it holds the tongue tightly but comfortably and I cannot spit out or release the TRD. Since then I have had absolutely no apneas. I still remember the first time I actually used it, it was like dying and going to heaven. I slept like a baby probably for the first time in my adult life. I have used the TRD faithfully ever since then (with only one replacement after about 10 years) and with it have never again had an apnea. I'm sure I would have died of heart failure if I had not found that dentist. I don't know is a TRD will work for everyone, but for me, it has been a miracle.

Thanks for sharing your experience with TRD, looking for a dentist that specializes in sleep disorders in Roseville, CA and can use some help locating one. Thanks!

[chunkyfrog]

FYI, these devices have been around for years; bur CPAP is still the preferred treatment, as it has been proven effective.
Without a PSG done while wearing the device, its therapy value cannot be assured.
If the dentist you trust will not sell you one, think about that a bit.
Failure to continue cpap is due to many factors, but mask fit is probably the most common.
Some of us have tried quite a few before we hit the one that helps without hurting.

[49er]

I have had severe sleep apnea most of my life - from my teens. I had UPPP throat/nasal surgery in my 40's but it didn't work - I stopped snoring (my uvula had been removed) but my apneas continued unabated. I tried a CPAP but could not stand it! Almost 20 years ago I found a dentist who specialized in sleep disorders. He took an impression of my teeth then ordered a custom fit TRD (tongue retainer device). The TRD fits snugly over the front of both my upper and lower teeth. Between the upper and lower parts that fit over the teeth there is a suction cup custom made to fit my tongue. When I put the TRD in my mouth and put my tongue in the cup, it holds the tongue tightly but comfortably and I cannot spit out or release the TRD. Since then I have had absolutely no apneas. I still remember the first time I actually used it, it was like dying and going to heaven. I slept like a baby probably for the first time in my adult life. I have used the TRD faithfully ever since then (with only one replacement after about 10 years) and with it have never again had an apnea. I'm sure I would have died of heart failure if I had not found that dentist. I don't know is a TRD will work for everyone, but for me, it has been a miracle.

Thanks for sharing your experience with TRD, looking for a dentist that specializes in sleep disorders in Roseville, CA and can use some help locating one. Thanks!

b999,

Before you visit any sleep medicine dentist, I strongly urge you to visit http://www.apneasupport.org/sleep-apnea ... n-f20.html and look for posts by sleepdent who is very knowledgeable about treatment. Also look for the study I had posted in the interesting links section about the effectiveness of oral appliance. The TAP was lot more effective than fixed appliances. Interestingly, sleepdent likes it alot also.

49er