CPAPtalk.com

Can you sleep sitting up. Does not help all types of Apneas.

If your apneas are the obstructive kind maybe this sort of mouthguard which moves the lower jaw forward may work, especially in conjunction with O2. I tried something like this years ago and got some relief for my snoring if I slept on my side. Almost any type of moldable silicon sports mouthguard can be made to work in this fashion if you mold it (after putting it in hot water) and hold your lower jaw forward as it sets. Check online sport retailers for all the different kinds, and there are dozens and dozens.

Here's something similar to the one I used:

http://www.amazon.com/Grinding-Mouth-Gu ... _sbs_hpc_2

If you are a mouth breather you may have to get creative and cut a few holes in it to allow air to enter, but hey, it's only for a few weeks, or maybe a month?

i had the surgery about 3 years ago
i was on O2 while not on the machine
i got back on my machine in about 7 - 10 days

my sleep dr worked with the other two doctors and i finally said
enuf is enuf... i am going back on the machine

my pressure is about 12

An update.

I got a tentative date for the pituitary surgery, Friday, the 13th (of December).

I also ordered a Oral 452 mask in the hope of convincing the surgeon to let me use this. The time lags in getting this, and getting use to it, and hopefully being able to close off the nasal cavity, were such I wanted to have the order placed early (and insurance will pay for this as they would for an other mask, when I had not bought one recently). I am not optimistic about being able to use this with his blessings however.

I talked to a dentist about appliances. She was very helpful, and even gave me a free consultation (she did not know how to bill Medicare).

The most common appliances force the lower jaw forward, which requires attaching to both the lower jar teeth and upper jaw teeth. Alas, I have no upper jaw teeth (implants failed) and use an upper denture. While it might be possible to make the upper attachment to the denture, she was not sure this would work.

She suggested the AveoTSD which is a device that pulled the tongue forward and helped hold the airway open, at the cost of she said discomfort and having what looks like a pacifier in the mouth (see http://www.glidewelldental.com/download ... octors.pdf) for a picture.

This has the virtue of being the cheapest option (the device needs no fitting, with most people (95%) being able to use their Medium size and there is no fitting beyond that (although the dentist might show you how to use it) and could add on his fees. Because it is already made (no custom fitting), the only time needed is the shipping. With more complex devices that need fitting and lab work, it might not be ready for the surgery.

The device is only sold to dentists and doctors, and she offered to place an order for me ($139) and just charge me that. She also said a doctor might be able to order it for me.

I am not certain how this would be reimbursed (I have Medicare, Cigna, and a dental plan). On the face of it, it appears to be a durable medical device and subject to those rules, but something tells me the usual suppliers would not carry it, but might be willing to special order it, but would probably add a very large markup.

I also notice that the literature describes it as a snoring treatment, not a sleep apnea one (It has FDA approval, but probably only for snoring). This could complicate getting reimbursement.

I am inclined to go with this. It would get perhaps 7 weeks of use (and then back to my machine), and might have some use as a backup for when the power fails (and it does regularly) and for camping or travel, it it seems to work.

I would appreciate any advice from someone who has used this device, or had experience with getting reimbursed for it since there are a number of issues on the insurance side.

hi prof ed, I haven't used this particular device, but I did use a "tongue repositioning device" for a couple of years before getting on CPAP (see link below). It didn't work as well as my CPAP, but it was better than nothing.

Good luck with your surgery!

http://translate.googleusercontent.com/ ... 5DYavbmtDg

I had a pituitary tumor removed in 2012 and my neurosurgeon knew about my cpap use and I used it while still in the hospital. I wouldn't have been able to sleep if not for the cpap. Although with blood pressure checks and pills I didn't sleep much anyway.

The thing some do when the power is out, is to sleep sitting up, but usually not on ones back. Like I was in the hospital, and put the back of the hospital bed up, rolled onto my side, I think I did pretty well. I had a pulse Ox on and the nurse never came in and woke me up saying what is wrong. Like braced up on a couch on one shoulder with ones head on the back of the couch.

About 1960, My father used to say he could sleep better sitting up in the car, with bench seats. than in his own bed. Obviously, he had sleep apnea as well.

Works for some, not all.