Mountjaro and sleep apnea. 60-70% success?

Forgive me if this has already been mentioned, but I heard today they are hoping to get this passed by years end. It could help me and hopefully others as I'm afraid I had to stop using my machine due to severe dryness of the eyes(I could hardly open them in the mornings) which somehow was getting internally through to the eyes. I have myasthenia gravis and the steroids have caused serious eye issues but held me together but I just can't cope with more eye complications. The funny thing is that the wife says I dont snore as much anymore these days and that's without the machine and I believe that I have learnt to keep my mouth shut during the night, hence less dribbling, snorting and snoring etc, etc....

Mentioned this to my supplier(SLEEP CENTER) a few months ago as questioned why they were still billing Medicare for the mask rental each month and they keep sending me stuff(some of it for another mask) that I no longer want or use and boy they can sure charge over the top. It seems and it's the first time I ever read the small print, that Medicare pays for 13 months and then I am on my own? Anyway, they never replied.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/roberthart ... udy-finds/

Some things to note about the studies and related expert commentaries on tirzepatide as it relates to OSA, according to an article by one published freelance journalist:

"Participants received regular lifestyle counseling sessions about nutrition and were instructed to reduce food intake by 500 kcal/day and to engage in at least 150 min/week of physical activity."

"Sanjay R. Patel, MD, . . . raised concerns about whether patients outside of a trial would stick with [GLP-1] therapy, noting studies have shown high rates of discontinuation of GLP-1 receptor agonists."

"Louis Aronne, MD, said he believes the trials demonstrate 'the treatment of obesity with tirzepatide plus CPAP is really the optimal treatment for obstructive sleep apnea and obesity-related cardiometabolic risks.' Aronne is the Sanford I. Weill professor of metabolic research at Weill Cornell Medical College, New York." [Underlining added by me.]

"Aronne added there is still much to learn. It is still not clear whether tirzepatide had an independent effect in the OSA trial — as has been seen in other studies where the drug clearly reduced cardiovascular risk — or whether the positive results were primarily due to weight loss."

Tirzepatide Significantly Reduces Sleep Disruptions,
Alicia Ault, June 22, 2024
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/ti ... 24a1000bm1

I have found that Mounjaro has noticeably reduced my AHI during my continued APAP use. But then I have also lost a significant amount of weight.

It is my belief that there is much yet to be discovered about the full effects tirzepatide and semaglutide have on the body, especially long-term.

Here is a link to the take of ResMed's Chief Medical Officer, Carlos Nuneztake, on it all:

https://www.resmed.com/en-us/emerging-therapies/

And although I am on Mounjaro and feel I am benefiting from it, I agree completely with ResMed's stated position further down in the FAQs at the above ResMed link:

"There are no studies that demonstrate that weight loss medications are a replacement for or are more effective than PAP therapy for treating sleep apnea. In some cases, patients may benefit from a combination of weight loss medications, like GLP-1s, and PAP therapy. Your doctor will be able to determine the best treatment plan for you."

bran wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 02, 2024 4:26 pm

It seems and it's the first time I ever read the small print, that Medicare pays for 13 months and then I am on my own? Anyway, they never replied.

Medicare uses a 13 month "rent-to-own" payment for the CPAP machine; Medicare pays for 80% of the monthly rental and the patient pays the rest. After 13 months, the machine is paid for and is now owned by the patient. Masks and other supplies are paid for on a Medicare schedule where the cost is again split 80%/20% between Medicare and the patient.