PureSleep as an alternative to CPAP? Input requested.

[Chuck Connors]

I'm helping a brother out in terms of bringing him to appointments with his sleep doctor. His sleep study showed that he has sleep apnea and is at a level of 6. A CPAP machine was prescribed and he used it for a couple of weeks, but felt he couldn't tolerate it very well and returned the equipment to the doctor. The sleep doc suggested that he looks into PureSleep, an oral appliance. A couple of questions: 1. Does this device require a prescription? 2. If a prescription is required, is this a device usually prescribed by sleep doc or a dentist? 3. Does it actually work? 4. Is PureSleep the market leader, or are there other manufacturers considered top notch? Thank you for any information. -Chuck-

[Julie]

It may be great for snoring, but I didn't see any claims on the Googled ad that said it also keeps your airway open when apnea keeps closing it. If his doctor's that ignorant about apnea he needs another doctor! We could definitely help with his Cpap issues though if we had a chance to know what they were, what equipment he used, etc... it's what this forum's all about after all.

[Janknitz]

With mild apnea there is a chance that an oral appliance could help. Whether that particular device can help I have no clue. A dentist who specializes in oral appliances can be consulted and then he should be retested while wearing the device. Caution, they can be expensive and not necessarily covered by insurance.

[49er]

I'm helping a brother out in terms of bringing him to appointments with his sleep doctor. His sleep study showed that he has sleep apnea and is at a level of 6. A CPAP machine was prescribed and he used it for a couple of weeks, but felt he couldn't tolerate it very well and returned the equipment to the doctor. The sleep doc suggested that he looks into PureSleep, an oral appliance. A couple of questions: 1. Does this device require a prescription? 2. If a prescription is required, is this a device usually prescribed by sleep doc or a dentist? 3. Does it actually work? 4. Is PureSleep the market leader, or are there other manufacturers considered top notch? Thank you for any information. -Chuck-

Hi Chuck,

Check out this study on oral appliance therapy that I have frequently mentioned on this forum.

https://advancedbrainmonitoring.app.box ... 7pjn8s11y4

The TAP appliance is more effective than a fixed appliance even for mild apnea.

49er

[zoocrewphoto]

I'm helping a brother out in terms of bringing him to appointments with his sleep doctor. His sleep study showed that he has sleep apnea and is at a level of 6.

Is 6 the ahi during the study, or the pressure determined from the second part of the study?

[Kenwood]

I used the PureSleep prior to CPAP. Its a Dentist only thing as they have to take molds of your upper and lower teeth and then send the molds in to the company to make the mouth guard. Mine was about $300 and insurance (dental or health) would' not cover it. It basically forces your lower jaw forward. It helped a little with my snoring, but my sleep apnea was too severe (untreated AHI 131). I eventually had to stop using it as it really hurt my jaw and I couldn't move it for a week. The next year I was on CPAP.

[chunkyfrog]

My dentist says the oral appliances rarely help, and when they do, the effect is minimal.
He has apnea, and tried one himself because he wanted to avoid cpap. It didn't work.
Note: some insurance plans may cover an appliance; most don't.

[Too tall]

I spoke to my dentist about this. He has sleep apnea and tried the device but decided it was uncomfortable and could eventually cause issue with TMJ or Jaw related problems. They do work however in many cases. I'm still interested. That's about all I know but am very interested in any replies.

[Chuck Connors]

I'm helping a brother out in terms of bringing him to appointments with his sleep doctor. His sleep study showed that he has sleep apnea and is at a level of 6.

Is 6 the ahi during the study, or the pressure determined from the second part of the study?

The 6 is the ahi during the initial sleep study. -Chuck-

[Chuck Connors]

I'm helping a brother out in terms of bringing him to appointments with his sleep doctor. His sleep study showed that he has sleep apnea and is at a level of 6. A CPAP machine was prescribed and he used it for a couple of weeks, but felt he couldn't tolerate it very well and returned the equipment to the doctor. The sleep doc suggested that he looks into PureSleep, an oral appliance. A couple of questions: 1. Does this device require a prescription? 2. If a prescription is required, is this a device usually prescribed by sleep doc or a dentist? 3. Does it actually work? 4. Is PureSleep the market leader, or are there other manufacturers considered top notch? Thank you for any information. -Chuck-

Hi Chuck,

Check out this study on oral appliance therapy that I have frequently mentioned on this forum.

https://advancedbrainmonitoring.app.box ... 7pjn8s11y4

The TAP appliance is more effective than a fixed appliance even for mild apnea.

49er

Thank you. I'll check it out. -Chuck-

[49er]

I'm helping a brother out in terms of bringing him to appointments with his sleep doctor. His sleep study showed that he has sleep apnea and is at a level of 6. A CPAP machine was prescribed and he used it for a couple of weeks, but felt he couldn't tolerate it very well and returned the equipment to the doctor. The sleep doc suggested that he looks into PureSleep, an oral appliance. A couple of questions: 1. Does this device require a prescription? 2. If a prescription is required, is this a device usually prescribed by sleep doc or a dentist? 3. Does it actually work? 4. Is PureSleep the market leader, or are there other manufacturers considered top notch? Thank you for any information. -Chuck-

Hi Chuck,

Check out this study on oral appliance therapy that I have frequently mentioned on this forum.

https://advancedbrainmonitoring.app.box ... 7pjn8s11y4

The TAP appliance is more effective than a fixed appliance even for mild apnea.

49er

Thank you. I'll check it out. -Chuck-

Hi Chuck,

You also might want to go to http://www.apneasupport.org/sleep-apnea ... n-f20.html and look for postings by sleepdent. I have found him to be very helpful.

49er

[the block]

All the puresleep did for me was mess up my jaw. I couldn't take it for more than a couple days.