2 weeks with my TAP and no improvements

[robertin75]

Hello:

How long did you guys had to wait before noticing improvements with your oral appliance?

I was diagnosed with UARS, RDI = 31, could not tolerate PAP machines and recently was prescribed the TAP oral appliance which I find it very comfortable and easy to wear but unfortunately I haven't noticed any improvements on my daytime sleepiness and fatigue.

Maybe this is not the answer to my health problems that stared almost 14 years ago.

Thanks,
Roberto

[Grand-PAP]

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[robertin75]

Thanks for your comments.

Maybe I need to give it more time.

I'm sure my sleep dentist would have to make some adjustments to the TAP at some point if I don't notice improvements.

Right now I am using the lowest level of jaw forward advancement.

[cowlypso]

Another sleep study using the dental device might be warranted if adjusting it doesn't work. This would tell you if the device is working or not, and if other sleep disorders might be coexisting.

[jamiswolf]

Roberto,
Running a recording pulse oximeter may reveal some useful information. The combination of a drop in oxygen level and an increase in pulse are pretty good clues that an apnea has occurred.

One other thing you might consider. Mars, a member here, has done considerable personal work utilizing a variety of techniques to improve his apea using a positional approach. Things such as ensuring side sleep rather then supine and wearing a cervical collar to maintain neck extension while sleeping. He has several threads about this, and apparently is having good success. You may be lucky enough to have a positional component to your apnea...many people do.
Jamis

[robertin75]

Another sleep study using the dental device might be warranted if adjusting it doesn't work. This would tell you if the device is working or not, and if other sleep disorders might be coexisting.

I don't think a sleep study is warranted at this time.

As I said I just started using the device so it may take a while to judge if it's not doing anything at all.

[robertin75]

Roberto,
Running a recording pulse oximeter may reveal some useful information. The combination of a drop in oxygen level and an increase in pulse are pretty good clues that an apnea has occurred.

One other thing you might consider. Mars, a member here, has done considerable personal work utilizing a variety of techniques to improve his apea using a positional approach. Things such as ensuring side sleep rather then supine and wearing a cervical collar to maintain neck extension while sleeping. He has several threads about this, and apparently is having good success. You may be lucky enough to have a positional component to your apnea...many people do.
Jamis

Thanks Jamis I will search for Mars posts.