CPAP too much to handle - gets Inspire implant instead

[yaconsult]

This is what happens when people have no support system. And the thing about implants is that the batteries only last, in the best case, 4 to 5 years. Then you have to have another surgery and the entire device needs to be replaced - you can't replace just the batteries as they are hermetically sealed inside the device.

http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/h ... -1.2298829

...
Doctors encouraged him to diet and exercise, and fit him for a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) system, which delivered pressurized air to the back of his throat. But the system was bulky and uncomfortable.

“After having it on an hour I couldn’t sleep with it for the rest of the night, so I threw it off,” Conte told the Daily News.

That’s a common response, according to one of his doctors.

“The major problem is the tolerance, given the discomfort of breathing against a pressurized system, which is not natural,” explained Dr. Ana Krieger, director of the Center for Sleep Medicine at New York-Presbyterian Hospital Weill Cornell.

Conte’s next step was a surgery on his palate that didn’t fix the problem, either.

“It was the worst surgery I ever went for,” he said. “I was in so much pain.”

His salvation came, interestingly enough, in the pages of The News. Two years ago, he read about a promising new therapy called Inspire, which was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration last year.
...
Like a pacemaker, the system harnesses electrical energy to tell the body what to do. A small device implanted into the patient’s chest stimulates the airway and tongue so they work properly during sleep. The patient turns it on at night and off in the morning using a Bluetooth-connected remote control. Because the pulses are mild, the patient feels no pain — and isn’t roused awake.
...
After four weeks of healing, he returned to the hospital June 18 to have the device turned on.

Since then, the results have been transformative. Conte is sleeping through the night, has come off his blood pressure meds and no longer feeling miserable.
...

It already has one comment to the story that could have been written by many here:

Bronx Teacher
It takes about 4 days of continuous use to get accustomed to a CPAP device. He just didn't want to put in the effort. I've been using a CPAP for the past 8 years and haven't missed a night without it. I'm a level 15 (severe) and my sleep test showed more than 60 apneas per night ... so if I can get used to a CPAP machine, so can this guy. This is a non-story. Use the freakin' CPAP.

[chunkyfrog]

Apparently, the sponsors of this "news" item are not happy with the comments,
as they can no longer be accessed.
Tell ME it is not a paid promotional message!

[Goofproof]

Apparently, the sponsors of this "news" item are not happy with the comments,
as they can no longer be accessed.
Tell ME it is not a paid promotional message!

They are preaching to the wrong choir.....

[49er]

Apparently, the sponsors of this "news" item are not happy with the comments,
as they can no longer be accessed.
Tell ME it is not a paid promotional message!

I just accessed them without any problems.

49er

[49er]

I have a different take. While I agree with you that it would have been better if this guy had come to this site to see if he could get used to pap therapy with the support of this site, he didn't just give up and not do anything even though obviously, someone gave him bad advice about the UPPP surgery. It sounds like he is doing well after the Inspire implant and I would think everyone on this site would be happy in that regard. Even though most of us wouldn't do the procedure in a million years, we can relate to the quote below.

Since then, the results have been transformative. Conte is sleeping through the night, has come off his blood pressure meds and no longer feeling miserable.

“It’s changed my life,” Conte said.

This week he’ll return to Krieger to evaluate the treatment and make any necessary adjustments. But Conte doesn’t think much will need to change.

“I put it on every night and it’s worked miracles for me,” he said.

Hopefully, he was warned about the batteries lasting for a certain period of time as part of the fully informed consent procedure for surgery.

49er

This is what happens when people have no support system. And the thing about implants is that the batteries only last, in the best case, 4 to 5 years. Then you have to have another surgery and the entire device needs to be replaced - you can't replace just the batteries as they are hermetically sealed inside the device.

http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/h ... -1.2298829

...
Doctors encouraged him to diet and exercise, and fit him for a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) system, which delivered pressurized air to the back of his throat. But the system was bulky and uncomfortable.

“After having it on an hour I couldn’t sleep with it for the rest of the night, so I threw it off,” Conte told the Daily News.

That’s a common response, according to one of his doctors.

“The major problem is the tolerance, given the discomfort of breathing against a pressurized system, which is not natural,” explained Dr. Ana Krieger, director of the Center for Sleep Medicine at New York-Presbyterian Hospital Weill Cornell.

Conte’s next step was a surgery on his palate that didn’t fix the problem, either.

“It was the worst surgery I ever went for,” he said. “I was in so much pain.”

His salvation came, interestingly enough, in the pages of The News. Two years ago, he read about a promising new therapy called Inspire, which was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration last year.
...
Like a pacemaker, the system harnesses electrical energy to tell the body what to do. A small device implanted into the patient’s chest stimulates the airway and tongue so they work properly during sleep. The patient turns it on at night and off in the morning using a Bluetooth-connected remote control. Because the pulses are mild, the patient feels no pain — and isn’t roused awake.
...
After four weeks of healing, he returned to the hospital June 18 to have the device turned on.

Since then, the results have been transformative. Conte is sleeping through the night, has come off his blood pressure meds and no longer feeling miserable.
...

It already has one comment to the story that could have been written by many here:

Bronx Teacher
It takes about 4 days of continuous use to get accustomed to a CPAP device. He just didn't want to put in the effort. I've been using a CPAP for the past 8 years and haven't missed a night without it. I'm a level 15 (severe) and my sleep test showed more than 60 apneas per night ... so if I can get used to a CPAP machine, so can this guy. This is a non-story. Use the freakin' CPAP.

[Morbius]

And the thing about implants is that the batteries only last, in the best case, 4 to 5 years.

Most batteries last for 8-11 years. The generator battery cannot be recharged so once the battery runs out you will need to have the generator replaced. This is a very common procedure with many implants.

[yaconsult]

And the thing about implants is that the batteries only last, in the best case, 4 to 5 years.

Most batteries last for 8-11 years. The generator battery cannot be recharged so once the battery runs out you will need to have the generator replaced. This is a very common procedure with many implants.

My estimate was based on my experience with my device. Since theirs is only turned on at night, their estimate seems reasonable.

So, are you considering getting one, Morbius?

[RogerSC]

I have a different take. While I agree with you that it would have been better if this guy had come to this site to see if he could get used to pap therapy with the support of this site, he didn't just give up and not do anything even though obviously, someone gave him bad advice about the UPPP surgery. It sounds like he is doing well after the Inspire implant and I would think everyone on this site would be happy in that regard. Even though most of us wouldn't do the procedure in a million years, we can relate to the quote below.

Since then, the results have been transformative. Conte is sleeping through the night, has come off his blood pressure meds and no longer feeling miserable.

“It’s changed my life,” Conte said.

This week he’ll return to Krieger to evaluate the treatment and make any necessary adjustments. But Conte doesn’t think much will need to change.

“I put it on every night and it’s worked miracles for me,” he said.

49er

I agree with 49er here. While this most likely doesn't work for everyone, and lots of people don't want to take a risk with surgery or implants, I'm glad that this guy has found something that works for him. He sounds a lot happier, that's all to the good. Just because it isn't cpap doesn't make it a bad thing. While I'd like to see sleep study results, this person sounds a lot healthier than he was.

Another alternative for CPAP therapy, sounds like. Nothing wrong with that, something to keep an eye on.

[RogerSC]

A study about this implant that gives some more interesting quantative results:

http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1308659

[Morbius]

And the thing about implants is that the batteries only last, in the best case, 4 to 5 years.

Most batteries last for 8-11 years. The generator battery cannot be recharged so once the battery runs out you will need to have the generator replaced. This is a very common procedure with many implants.

My estimate was based on my experience with my device. Since theirs is only turned on at night, their estimate seems reasonable.

Good save.

So, are you considering getting one, Morbius?

For what?

[yaconsult]

Hey, if he's happy with and can afford to have an implant and replacements, more power to him. Who knows? Maybe we'll all have them in some years.

My quibble was that he tried CPAP for one hour and "threw it off". No mention of any further attempts.

The last time my implant was replaced, the charge to the insurance company was $125,000. The cost of a top-of-the-line CPAP machine is under $1,000.

[ChicagoGranny]

Hey, if he ... can afford to have an implant and replacements, more power to him.

Not exactly. His lack of determination and ingenuity in using CPAP drives up the cost of insurance for everyone.

[Goofproof]

Socialism and Medicine don't mix well. The House and Senate, The Federal Judicial System, and the Executive Branch, all have their Healthcare systems, we the people have Obamacare.

Socialism only works for two classes, the ruling class and the worthless class,maybe I better define that for you, "The Won't Work Class"... Jim

[49er]

Hey, if he's happy with and can afford to have an implant and replacements, more power to him. Who knows? Maybe we'll all have them in some years.

My quibble was that he tried CPAP for one hour and "threw it off". No mention of any further attempts.

The last time my implant was replaced, the charge to the insurance company was $125,000. The cost of a top-of-the-line CPAP machine is under $1,000.

Good points but do we really know that he only tried CPAP for one hour and that the press reports are accurate? They never make mistakes in reporting, right? Also, I thought most insurance companies require that pap therapy and/or dental devices be tried for a certain period of time before they pay for sleep apnea surgery although there are always exceptions to the rules as perhaps this was the case with this guy.

49er

[The Choker]

Socialism and Medicine don't mix well. The House and Senate, The Federal Judicial System, and the Executive Branch, all have their Healthcare systems, we the people have Obamacare.

Socialism only works for two classes, the ruling class and the worthless class,maybe I better define that for you, "The Won't Work Class"... Jim

You got that right. Politicians have taken the safety net and made a nice hammock.