Expert Interview: Dr. Ira Shapira, Founder of IHateCPAP.com

[sypark]

Please join me for my next Expert Interview on Tuesday, October 23rd at 8PM Eastern, when I’ve invited Dr. Ira Shapira, founder of IHateCPAP.com. We’ll talk about the main reasons why people hate CPAP and what you can do about it.

Click here to register: http://doctorstevenpark.com/expert-inte ... tecpap-com

[edm_msu]

Is anyone familiar with Dr. Steven Park? How well does he know sleep apnea? Is his information biased or accurate? Is he worth listening to?

Thanks,
Ed M.

[jnk]

Is anyone familiar with Dr. Steven Park? How well does he know sleep apnea? Is his information biased or accurate? Is he worth listening to?

Thanks,
Ed M.

I have heard Dr. Park speak on a number of occasions, and I consider him to be very knowledgeable when it comes to sleep apnea. He views things from the perspective of an ENT surgeon, of course, because that is what he is, primarily. And he is not a sleep doc, as such. That said, he is also not one of those ENTs who push outdated surgeries or who needlessly steer people away from PAP therapy, from what I've seen and heard. His first effort is to make sure everything is done to make a patient successful with PAP therapy, if possible, before moving on to other approaches. Some are spooked by his acceptance of patients' wishes, at times, to try nonstandard treatments, but I file that under "respect for patient" and "open mind." He does not so much lead patients down that path, but he is willing to follow them further than many strict mainstream docs are comfortable with. So I am comfortable listening to Dr. Park, I have learned a lot from him, and I respect his willingness to engage with people like Dr. Shapira.

Dr. Shapira's Web site, however, is offensive to me because of the name. I believe his intent is innocent: he wishes to be of help to people who have failed to make a success of PAP therapy. I applaud that intent. However, the name of the site still offends me personally. From my point of view, he does not appear to be as balanced as Dr. Park, for example, when it comes to the importance of suggesting that patients give PAP therapy, the gold standard for OSA, full consideration before their trying less-successful (when used) approaches. Dr. Shapira uses old statistics on CPAP compliance in his efforts to push dental approaches, in my opinion. His personal position is clear (to me) when his site states: "Dr. Shapira will refer patients for CPAP treatment, but does not do so often." (http://www.ihatecpap.com/cpap.html) Enough said, for me. But, hey, that's just me.

Hope that helps.

[chunkyfrog]

This does sound interesting. . .

[SleepingUgly]

Can someone post a link to the MP3?

[edm_msu]

Here is the link to all of his interviews: http://doctorstevenpark.com/expert-interviews
The IHateCPAP MP3 is not available now, but should be soon.
Ed M.

[jen4700]

I watched the video for the ihatecpap device and it made my jaw hurt just watching! I wonder what dentists think of it.

[jnk]

Dental devices do have some potential drawbacks, including altered bite, movement of teeth, pain, dry lips, and excessive salivation.--http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/sl ... nea?page=2

Of course, the biggest drawbacks for people with significant SDB are (1) lack of efficacy data and (2) the fact that long-term adherence figures ain't all that great for dental devices, either. Well, and (3) the expense. Oh yeah, and (4) no standardization of what "success" is. Not to mention, . . . oh, never mind.

I used one before PAP therapy and in conjunction with PAP therapy. I did have some temporary jaw problems once or twice. The kind my dentist made from scratch was very small, only moved my jaw forward a slight amount, and trained me to keep my jaw shut during sleep.

Oral devices have their place--they just ain't PAP.

Maybe I should start a site called IHateIHateCPAP.com.