Neck position during sleep

Mike Popitz, MD · Post by **Mike Popitz, MD** » Wed Jan 07, 2015 3:32 pm

Dear all readers,
I am an Anesthesiologist with over 25 years of airway management and study of the effect of head and neck position on the airway. I have a wonderful patent for a head and neck position pillow that has been sold internationally for airway management since 1990. It places the patient in the sniff position but on their backs, and was designed for use by a trained medical personnel to stabilize the patients head and neck in the position that best opens up the airway and straightens out the different axes of the airway, making placement of a breathing tube the easiest and safest. Over the past twenty years, the sniff position has become the gold standard for the airway management position as it also relieves most obstructions of the airway that are due to anatomic variations or pinching off of the upper airway due to incorrect head and neck positions such as chin to chest. Many many people and sleep study centers have tried the multiple designs I had developed. Recently, I have patented a lateral sniff position pillow that has all the benefits of the sniff position PLUS it has the patient or the sleeper lying on their side instead of on their backs. The lateral position has been confirmed many many times as the best position for people with sleep disordered breathing such as Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Snoring. Opening of the airway is best for everyone as it improves oxygenation, ventilation and decreases tiredness and decreases strain on the right heart. This new design, the Lateral Sniff Position Pillow is just going through its final stages of manufacturing. This process has proven very slow as many companies have been less than ideal to work with. There are many head and neck positioners on the market, but none of them utilize the sniff position, but mine. Please review the literature and read about the sniff position. The lateral sniff position pillow is ideal for anyone with sleep disordered breathing, but especially for the group of folks who can't tolerate CPAP or APAP or BIPAP, or those that can't afford it or whose insurance doesn't cover its cost, or those that are using positive airway pressure devices but would like to try to get off of them, or would like to be able to use lower pressure settings. Thank you.

poppi2 · Post by **poppi2** » Wed Jan 07, 2015 3:43 pm

palerider · Post by **palerider** » Wed Jan 07, 2015 4:05 pm

dat thing must be made out of magic fairy dust unicorn fart foam!

Popitz Sniff Positioner, Standard, 9.5"x8.5"x6", cs/10 Item # 932531 1+ $150.75
Popitz Sniff Positioner, X-Large, 15"x18"x5", cs/10 Item # 932532 1+ $240.75

decent price breaks per unit when ordering 20 or more. ie, you'll only walk funny for days, as opposed to being in the ER with bleeding and tears.

OkyDoky · Post by **OkyDoky** » Wed Jan 07, 2015 6:05 pm

Everything he says makes sense for a person under anesthesia but for an active sleeper I'm not sold.

palerider · Post by **palerider** » Wed Jan 07, 2015 7:28 pm

OkyDoky wrote:Everything he says makes sense for a person under anesthesia but for an active sleeper I'm not sold.

"Here's your new pillow, gimmie your wallet"
"ok, it's a bit funny looking, but I can deal... but, what are all these straps for?"
"oh, they're to hold you in place so your airway stays in it's optimal position all night"
"but, what if I'm uncomfortable and need to turn over"
"don't"
"ok, but what if I have to go pee?"
"oh, we've got that covered, for only 89.99 more, you can use the sleep apnea catheter system"

Julie · Post by **Julie** » Wed Jan 07, 2015 7:46 pm

The whole thread (of pg 2 on this ancient thread) should have been deleted, not responded to - It's spam like any other and is not allowed. By replying, you keep the thread high on this page and unsuspecting newbies will get into it. Why didn't you leave it alone or delete it?

palerider · Post by **palerider** » Wed Jan 07, 2015 8:06 pm

Julie wrote:The whole thread (of pg 2 on this ancient thread) should have been deleted, not responded to - It's spam like any other and is not allowed. By replying, you keep the thread high on this page and unsuspecting newbies will get into it. Why didn't you leave it alone or delete it?

or at least the spam crap from doctor gimmie-your-dough.

perhaps an email to carolyn?

ChicagoGranny · Post by **ChicagoGranny** » Wed Jan 07, 2015 8:39 pm

Julie wrote:The whole thread (of pg 2 on this ancient thread) should have been deleted, not responded to - It's spam like any other and is not allowed. By replying, you keep the thread high on this page and unsuspecting newbies will get into it. Why didn't you leave it alone or delete it?

palerider wrote:or at least the spam crap from doctor gimmie-your-dough.

perhaps an email to carolyn?

OK you two busybodies, let's not you two try to decide what can be posted in this forum and what can't. You had the chance to read it, look into it and make your own decision about it. Let other people have the same chance you did.

If you think other people can't make their own good choices, you are going to be surprised.

There are plenty of products that people learn about on this forum and these types of posts are not properly called spam.

And as for you old members' dislike of old posts: all of the comments on the first page of this thread are still very relevant!

OkyDoky wrote:Everything he says makes sense for a person under anesthesia but for an active sleeper I'm not sold.

Yes, I agree with you. The product is also expensive as pointed out by PailRider and it looks uncomfortable to me.

A much better choice, IMO, that is actually used by people here with good success, is the soft spinal collar. I use one and find it easy to wear, comfortable and highly effective in opening up my airway and reducing my pressure needs. Member Sheffey has reported it eliminated his 20 cm APAP pressure spikes and keeps them generally under 14 or so.

And it is cheap if you want to give it a try - under $10 at some local drugstores and on Amazon!!!! I think you will like it better than the Lateral Sniff Position Pillow.

palerider · Post by **palerider** » Wed Jan 07, 2015 8:59 pm

ChicagoGranny wrote:OK you two busybodies, let's not you two try to decide what can be posted in this forum and what can't. You had the chance to read it, look into it and make your own decision about it. Let other people have the same chance you did.

*ducking* yes granny, I'll be good granny, no need to get the switch, granny... *hides*

Julie · Post by **Julie** » Wed Jan 07, 2015 9:34 pm

But I was just getting started!

Michael Popitz, MD · Post by **Michael Popitz, MD** » Thu Jan 08, 2015 3:42 pm

I read all the posts and am sadly surprised at what you all had to write. First of all there is no price noted anywhere as it has not been
for sale as of yet. Calling what I have written spam is also very sad. I am trying to develop pillows for people suffering from sleep disordered breathing based upon medical and scientific evidence. Why would people want to dis any thing that is meant to help them? My devices were initially designed to assist medical people to safely put patients off to sleep and were the basis for this new patent. This doctor is not asking for your money, just trying to present a new idea to those with the need to try something else if not happy with their current treatment. But for you folks that are just plain not happy, there is no cure.

ChicagoGranny · Post by **ChicagoGranny** » Thu Jan 08, 2015 3:57 pm

Michael Popitz, MD wrote:am sadly surprised at what you all had to write.

It's the internet Michael, get over it.

Michael Popitz, MD wrote:First of all there is no price noted anywhere as it has not been
for sale as of yet. Calling what I have written spam is also very sad. I am trying to develop pillows for people suffering from sleep disordered breathing based upon medical and scientific evidence. Why would people want to dis any thing that is meant to help them?

You got some feedback that you can learn from if you try.

If everyone one had said, "Great idea!", what could you learn from that? Nothing.

Innovators who are so easily discouraged don't ... innovate.

OkyDoky · Post by **OkyDoky** » Thu Jan 08, 2015 4:10 pm

Michael Popitz, MD wrote:I read all the posts and am sadly surprised at what you all had to write. First of all there is no price noted anywhere as it has not been
for sale as of yet. Calling what I have written spam is also very sad. I am trying to develop pillows for people suffering from sleep disordered breathing based upon medical and scientific evidence. Why would people want to dis any thing that is meant to help them? My devices were initially designed to assist medical people to safely put patients off to sleep and were the basis for this new patent. This doctor is not asking for your money, just trying to present a new idea to those with the need to try something else if not happy with their current treatment. But for you folks that are just plain not happy, there is no cure.

I undersand the position necessary for intubation and open airway but when I looked at your pillow, with the angles and edge at the side, I couldn't see how it would accomdate an active prone, side to side sleeper with a Cpap mask. Have you trialed it with Cpap users and evaluated leaks and reviews?
http://popitzpillow.com/home/

palerider · Post by **palerider** » Thu Jan 08, 2015 4:53 pm

Michael Popitz, MD wrote: First of all there is no price noted anywhere as it has not been for sale as of yet.

if it's not for sale, you might wanna these people to quit selling it.

(just in case the aliens come steal that web page):

Michael Popitz MD · Post by **Michael Popitz MD** » Fri Jan 09, 2015 4:32 pm

Yes you are right, the original medical products for airway management are sold by
AliMed. No one has the rights to sell the new lateral sniff position product yet.
And yes, there are trials going on currently to test the efficacy of the product, to evaluate leaks, comfort and obtain reviews.
Again as an airway person, I developed this lateral pillow based upon the reviews I had received from the world over then
hundreds and hundreds of people had had success with my supine products for their sleep disordered breathing and had
asked me to create a design for side sleepers. I thought that people suffering from these problems would be happy to try
something that works. I never in a million years would have thought that I would have received such a rude series of replies.

Neck position during sleep

Re: Neck position during sleep