Can't sleep with CPAP? Watch this!
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 ก.ย. 2024
- I am a doctor who helps people use CPAP. CPAP is often difficult to tolerate but there are things you can do to make it easier. I will go through some of the things I do to help people use CPAP and sleep well with it.
Obviously you ought to seek your own doctor's advice rather than watching this video but I still hope you find this useful.
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** Disclaimer - The information in this video is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this video is for general information purposes only and does not replace a consultation with your own doctor/health professional. **
I know it's your job, but it blows my mind how simply you explained why I have congestion when I use my cpap, and for some reason my sleep doctor doesn't know why. It seems so simple.
22 years since first diagnosed with severe sleep apnea here. 4 sleep tests, 3 or 4 sleep doctors, and not one single nights relief since being diagnosed in late 1999! CPAP never helped so its sat in the closet for most of these years. I made it to 60 recently and am very surprised I have. I completely believe that stat about life expectancy being 59-62.
Shame on this industry, at least here in the USA. Bunch of tests, bunch of money, same old story...."Here, wear this and good luck". None can explain the why of it all, none have cared enough to identify the WHERE the obstruction is, and none gives you more than 15 minutes to explain anything. And good luck if you have MIXED apneas with centrals. They seem clueless at that point.
Wish I could find a Dr. like you here in the USA. You'd no doubt save a life. Thanks for your videos.
I'm sure there are some great Doctors out there who are miles better than me. keep pushing and don't give up. you'll get there.
I had a similar reaction to watching the video. I was also diagnosed with severe sleep apnea and given a cpap. I have one very large tonsil and at the time had an unbelievably swollen soft palate due to allergies. I spent years dealing with the allergies and my soft palate isn't swollen like it had been. The swollen palate also caused problems when I spoke that I only realized once I got my allergies more under control. Did my ENT care about any of that? Not one bit but he did tell me that I would need to lose weight to help my sleep apnea. How about the giant mass of soft tissue in the back of my mouth that is so obstructive that it literally affected my speech 😡. To hear Dr. Veer talk about health standards blew my mind! I don't believe anything like that exists here in the USA. It's literally just do what ever makes the most money. The state of Healthcare in the US is just a joke!!
@@stephaniegenova5469 Have you been checked for GERD? I'm beginning to think large tonsils and other damage to the throat from GERD can cause OSA.
If I'm very careful with my diet, avoiding carbs, dairy and acidic triggers, my OSA seems to calm down dramatically.
Completely agree, treatment of sleep apnea in U.S. sucks. It's just like you describe, 15min diagnosis after sleep study and all they want to do is slap a face mask on you; not look down your throat on why it's happening, and tell you if you lose some weight things might improve. Ever think I might be overweight because of the sleep apnea? Or it's built into my anatomy that should be corrected? i.e. huge tonsils, fat tongue, narrow restriction in the throat, jaw too far back etc.. None of this is looked at, there are no standards, it's all based on the insurance companies guidelines. I wish we had national guidelines like what Dr. Veer is describing in the NHS. What a relief it would be that someone would actually take the time and find the root cause before slapping on a mask and saying they did their job, now go figure it out..
Yes . Thinking about giving up. It’s just too much trouble
Using CPAP felt like I was being waterboarded, no variation in settings worked sufficiently. I’ve had a custom MAD made and it has changed my life. I had severe obstructive sleep apnea at over 80 events per hour and I can’t wait to see how much that’s improved. I can’t tell you how awful it was to be functioning on no quality sleep, I felt like I was dying in slow motion, I probably was.
Any side effects? Teeth shifting or TMJ?
What do you mean waterboarded please?
@@dinobambino21 MADs are used to treat tmd (I’m a tmd patient and had one of these made by a tmd institute in USA)
Agreed
@@Sunshine-vz2on drowning
OMG a Apnea Doctor that doesn't blame it on weight and act like if you just ate a little better and worked out a little more. I swear to god. Thank you. I am a wide gentleman. I always have been. A lot of my anatomy is just big. This includes my tounge. One of my problems is and has gotten worse is I move too much in my sleep. I root in my pillow. I kick my legs. I twitch. Last sleep test I had I failed. Why they haven't recommended Inspire is beyond me. Maybe state medication doesn't cover it. Like WTF. This makes so much sense, it is a tried and true technology used for ages on other things. I am wasting away Doc. I will write them.
I had my sinuses cleaned up, and my uvula, tonsals and adnoids out along with my soft pallet raised. It was a rough recovery but I would do it again in a heartbeat!!! It has been 7 years and I sleep great with no snoring!
So do you still wear a cpap or are you clear from that machine now? 🤔
Yeah…no snoring sure but did it fix your sleep app? If so did you get checked again to see how many episodes?
@@Littrell1966 how did your doctor decide this???? I’ve been complaining of not being able to breathe to my doctor. She just keeps telling me I need to take allergy meds and decongestants and I’ll be fine but I’m not no matter what. Even trying cpap has not helped me.
It’s so brilliant that you examine patients when they are asleep because that’s when the actual problem occurs. I wish more sleep docs would do this
This is beyond wonderful. It's like the first person ever understanding that sleep apnoea is causing overweight. Every doctor I visited told me otherwise which frustrated me the most. Families dont get it and blame thei loved ones for being lazy. You should be given a medal or sth.
Same hear my misses thinks I'm just lazy and eat too much - I try and explain APNEA causes all sorts of issues - deaf ears!
Unfortunately, it’s hard for some to empathize with what a lot of us are going through.
I had the opposite, yet still serious issue - because I was thinner my girlfriend, family and doctors all assumed I couldn’t have sleep apnea because I wasn’t overweight. People just assumed I was lazy! Either way, medical misinformation and preconceptions are more harmful than good for a lot of us.
I just read an article today about a study which showed that CPAP can cause weight gain.
One of the few videos on TH-cam that’s actually helpful and explains a lot. Thank you!
I am engineer, and all you explained have a lot sense, thanks for share this information. Priceless.
I lay down and try to go to sleep and then I wait to the last second and put my mask on before I fall asleep. That is the easiest way for me instead of having it on for an hour or so waiting to fall asleep. Works for me
When I try that I wake up in the morning with it still on the night stand 😂
@@davidbarnes4742 because you settle your breathing rate. Most relaxed.
I love the way you explain everything in terms we can all understand. It's also great to be given several options as well. I am also having difficulty tolerating CPAP. Never have felt better since using it. I was not overweight prior to being diagnosed but since using it I have gained weight. My health care provider has never sent me to an ENT to be examined for blockage. She also was skeptical about the CPAP causing my weight gain. I wake up congested. I just quit using it. Thank you for such valuable information. Wish I lived near someone like you so I could get the proper treatment.
I have been diagnosed with severe sleep apnea after 1 over night test. Next I went to the hospital and within 20 minutes walk out with a cpap machine and a nose mask. Next a phone check up less than a week later - where I said I was really struggling with it. I was asked 'what's your problem' and I said that it makes me panic and I have to take it off. To be told I have to try harder and do what they say. I have had no physical examination or anything to find out what the problem is. I feel the cpap machine is just a cover all - go away and that will solve your problem, but it isn't. They are monitoring me every night and there is all this pressure to do as they say. The way I feel at this moment is I can't do this for the rest of my life - it's just so depressing....
I know how you feel . I’m only trying hard to use cpap because I will lose my drivers licence if I don’t ~it’s depressing
I am in the same boat. For years and years I have not slept well and have never in my adult lifetime experienced waking up in the morning feeling refreshed. I’ve spent years feeling exhausted and down and depressed and have become overweight due to the lack of energy and motivation. Finally after talking to so many family and friends who have been diagnosed with sleep apnea and use CPAP, swearing that it changed their lives completely, I finally made an appointment with a Sleep doctor and had the sleep study done last month. They immediately determined I had severe sleep apnea and put me on CPAP. I am in my first week of CPAP and have not slept with it once. Even after taking sleeping pills I cannot fall asleep with the CPAP machine. I use the ramp setting and make sure the mask is correct etc but no luck. Everyone I talk to says that it just takes weeks or months to get used to but none of them have said that they couldn’t fall asleep at all with it. Each night I try it with hope and end up rolling around unable to sleep for 3 to 4 hours before I finally take it off…and then immediately fall asleep. My sleep doctor says I have an enlarged tongue which is too far back in my airway, plus enlarged tonsils. He does want me to see an ENT to possibly have my tongue shaved and tonsils removed, but that is a long process and does not help me at this moment. If I don’t use the CPAP for at least four hours each night the insurance won’t pay for it and I will be given the bill. This is stressing me out even more since I literally cannot seem to sleep with it. I work 13 to 16 hour days seven days per week and cannot afford to lose half my night’s sleep (even if it is bad) rolling around trying to fall asleep. It’s so frustrating and disheartening.
I stayed awake through my entire study. When I completed my study I was told I had 16 apnea events. I said thank you and went home. It’s scam connected to big pharma!!!
Indeed, it's like they treat you as though you need to quit smoking and just keep at it. I didn't choose to have severe sleep apnea and now I need to stop doing that to myself because my health is going downhill. i.e. weight gain, high blood pressure, tired at work, depressed, unmotivated to do things like exercise because your too tired.. They just shove a mask at you and say "use this", no real diagnosis of the true cause of your severe sleep apnea. Just a band aid to stop it that doesn't fix the root of the problem. I don't want to wear a mask for the next 40 years of my life, that's utterly depressing to me. I can't even take a nap without snoring the moment I fall asleep and start having oxygen deprivation therapy that my body insists on doing to itself.. I've tried the face mask, the nasal pillow, tape over my mouth, chin strap, I can't stand it for long. I'm a mouth breather now (no doubt due to the apnea). It feels like I'm having to kludge one kludge on top of another to force my body to try and take in the forced air that wants to escape out of every orifice. I wake up at every turn because of the hose and the CPAP on my face. I guess I'm not a super heavy sleeper that ignores things stuck to your face, so I wake up.. I don't think I've ever had one good sleep with or without the CPAP, still tired in the morning, can't keep it on for more than a few hours, never 7hrs. What's the point of having something on that short of a time, it's not doing much "therapy" for me? I wish there were national guidelines like the NHS has for us poor saps living with sleep apnea in the U.S. Treatment is utterly lacking here. They don't want to spend any money on the real problem.
You need to get settings right, talk to your provider
I use an under nose only mask and I love it, have used it for 4 years now and don't want to go a night without it
Just diagnosed with severe apnea. Haven't seen a specialist yet, but it is the next step. I'm nervous, confused, scared, embarrassed. Your final words truly gave me comfort to move onto the next phase of this journey.
I've been struggling with CPAP for four months. Some nights are okay, some are exhausting. But I'm staying in the fight. This video is so informative, I just want to give you a hug. Thank you Dr. Veer
What kind of cpap are you using?
You are such an amazing Doctor and I wish you were treating me. I’m 2 weeks into CPAP and you are describing exactly what challenges I’m having.
Me too x
After 10 years of dodging my CPAP, I am finally back on it with success. I could not tolerate it in the past. Watching your content and lankyleftys, educated me a lot and had a great influence. I bought myself a philips dreamwear mask, adjusted the CPAP pressure, bought the chinstrap from hope2sleep and it was a game changer. You're a legend, thanks Vik!
This is me to a T. I got into the medical field and understand more now, and this video really put capstone on it for me. Thank you. Tonight is night 1.
the pressure in my machine always felt way too high but the doctor said it was set as low as it goes and i was unable to adjust it at all without going to the doctor and having them do it. my machine feels like a jetstream blowing through my head when all i feel i need is just a gentle breeze
Is Using a chin strap hard under your CPAP?
You really have a lovely delivery of fairly complicated information. Thanks for all these videos - no info videos on the cpap life come close to your content - thank you
Thank you so much! I have pulmonary embolism/right bundle branch issues, pulmonary hypertension, and my wonderful docs have been trying to get me to try it, but I couldn't breathe. Thank you for the tips. I breathed solely through my mouth for the first few minutes. Before I knew it, the air had warmed and moistened, and I was able to breathe.
I have a similar medical background. I'm really nervous about wearing it. Anything in/around my face gives me anxiety. The sleep study was panic inducing and I barely slept. Enough for them to get some numbers and it wasn't good.
I'm in a bit of shock. I feel as though I've been suffering for decades in a medical vacuum. After watching this I am willing to bet my CPAP misery is due to both large tonsils and an enormous uvula. I wish you were in Ontario, Canada. I'll be heading straight to my G.P. for another referral asap tomorrow.
I'm on Ont as well. I was just diagnosed with severe sleep apnea. I go for the overnight to get the perscription/settings on June 8th. I'm so nervous. I had a hard time in the sleep study. I had a pulmonary embolism in 2020 and now anything near my face gives me panic issues. I've been trying to educate myself and watch/research machines. My biggest fear is the people talking about the humidity/water going into your nose.
@lisadale7605; I have same problem, please let me know your updates so I know what to do
@@lauracoleman8114 I have same problem, please let me know your updates so I know what to do. Thanks a lot
Just one day ago I found out or realized I have sleep apnea watched a few videos came across you man do you do a good video you don’t slow up you don’t drag it out you covered great I love the way you did this video I am saving this video
I have been on CPAP for nearly 15 years, and I thought I knew all about it. Wrong. I learned a great deal from this very expert surgeon - info I did not know. So thank you very much... I believe more awareness needs to be raised as regards this potentially dangerous medical condition.
You are so helpful. I wish I encountered you before I tried and failed at CPAP. It was demoralizing.
How many thumbs up can I give this video? I’ve watched many of your videos, and I feel like you’re actually speaking to me in this this one in particular. I’ve got most, if not all of the problems relating to sleep apnoea, have been tested, checked, seen an ENT (rude man, told me I have deviated septum, no further advice but just handed me a business card for his gastric surgeon mate). I know I have a small jaw and large tongue, I have to lean forward to get my tongue out the way just blow my nose. No comprehensive advice is given, just directed to the CPAP machine sale people. I really struggled to use the machine, waste of $2k imho, I no longer use it but take a daily antihistamine among other things, and sleep in a semi-foetal position to keep my tongue out the way while I sleep.
Thank you for all the wonderful advice
rather than foetal try keeping your neck slightly extended (look slightly up rather than tucking your chin into your chest), it might help.
thank you for your kind words.
I am and have always been a side sleeper but I still feel my tongue thrashing around when it wakes me up and I tape my mouth and can still move my tongue. Ugh!
Where I live in Colorado, we CPAP users go to a warehouse-like place where someone hopefully fits our masks properly, because that is the end of support, follow-up, or subsequent care of any kind. I have pretty much given up using mine, because I cannot tell it is making much difference for me at all, and I have no support person to ask what I can do to make my experience better. Thank you for guidelines. Maybe I will try again.
Oh my goodness, I have said that I have this exact problem for seven years to so many doctors and everyone just shrugged their shoulders and said you need to try a different mask, you need to try a different nose spray, you need to take a different allergy pill blah blah blah. Thank you so so very much for explaining this
Still plugging away at trying to treat this tricky condition. Referred to an ENT finally. The ENT's conservative reputation proceeds her, so we'll see. I prefer a more aggressive approach after many years of ENTs being the ones that have made the big improvements with surgical measures.
Thank you for your thorough discussion of all options and a wonderful positive attitude. It truly helps to boost my spirits.
fingers crossed for you
I got cpap and didn't get along with it at all so i went back to my local hospital and they gave me vpap, its the best machine ever ❤
Thank you for your infomation Vik. I have struggled with CPAP having tried it twice for 6 months periods each time. My AHI was 39 which is well in the extreme range. While I initially tolerated most types of masks, and my AHI came down dramatically, after a while I kept waking despite the warmers and humidifiers, and the benefit of the CPAP was outweighed by the sleep loss. I have investigated mandibular devices, but here in Australia they are over $2000 if you cannot access our NHS. In the meantime I have experimented with $80 boil and bite antisnoring devices. If you are careful, and take care to make sure you set up your device properly (ie: sufficient advancement without discomfort) you can expect a mild improvement. I have an 02 monitor and can sometimes get an O2 score between 9 and 9.6. It is not perfect, but it is working for right now, although I will still wake 3 to 4 times each night. I am 72, in otherwise good health and fitness, but I have forgotten what it feels like to wake completely refreshed. I still have my tonsils, and had not considered removal, but I will now. I am also doing the exercises you recommend. Thank you, this is absolutely the best source of information I have found. 👍👍👍
I understand tonsils can grow back, mine were removed at 5yo.
Having them removed at such an older age is very difficult. I have a friend in her 70s that had them removed and she's lost her sense of taste now. 😢
Absolutely brilliant! Everything he says, I am experiencing and I look forward to making my CPAP with my proven mouth piece work well together. So I can get 7-8 hours of sleep again and get my health back 100%!
Neither my cpap company nor my ear nose and throat dr. told me any of these things. The main focus the company has is getting 2200 bucks from me for a machine.
The is all very interesting. I was diagnosed with moderate sleep apnea about a year ago. I opted for a mandible advancement device in lieu of a CPAP. It's almost adjusted out to the full setting to keep my airway fully open. Took a little getting used to at first but because we travel often (don't want to lug around a machine through airports) and the fact that I was already wearing retainers at night for my teeth, switching over to the MAD wasn't that difficult. Love watching your videos to see what else is new in apnea treatment.
I absolutely love my cpap machine, have had it for 8 months(ish). I tried the humidifier on my airsense 11 first couple months and felt like i was being waterboarded so I decided to just not use that and not had an issue since. Never had an issue wearing my mask. I did the smart thing and asked lots of questions regarding the mask. I asked which ones are rated higher for comfort and then which ones get a better seal. Ended up getting F&P vitera. Its a full face mask and its very comfortable. I was concerned about comfort as i can be a light sleeper. That and was worried about the frame for the mask as it had a strip of plastic that comes straight up in between the eyes because sometimes things near my eyes bother me. But its great. Made the right choice for myself.
I'm pretty sure I need full face but hate the tube coming from the front. I'm a side sleeper. I have to tape my mouth so full face might help but I'm kinda claustrophobic and prefer nasal and pillows.
I love your sincerity and compassion.
Thank you so much Dr. I’m using cpap for the first time tonight (🇦🇺) and after an hour of trying to sleep, having a completely blocked nose and needing to yawn every few minutes but being unable to do so, which is incredibly frustrating, being confused about what is going on, (isn’t the device supposed to keep my airway open - not block it!!!), your advice has settled my raw nerves about it.
I had previously tried cpap about a year ago and it was a complete disaster, kept me awake for hours, however, this time I’m determined to make it work.
Your advice here is greatly appreciated and has put me at ease somewhat that there is a good chance things will get better.
Hey mate. Fellow Aussie here. I got diagnosed with mild OSA mid 2023 and it took near on 6 months to start feeling comfortable with the mask and wearing it all night. Still not perfect and I have some crap nights sometimes but overall it's good. Hang in there. Habits are hard to break but can also be hard to make. Wearing the mask will become habit and normal if given enough time. It's no small task but you can do it. Persist
Another excellent video Vik for which I could write an essay in response, but I won't 😁Best to write a website article and link your video in. In most patients, the nose needs help when wearing a mask all night and don't start me off on the fact that 98% of patients should be issued with a humidifier.
For the record, I've had surgery on my turbinates which has helped me breathe so much better in the masks. Also had Drug Induced Sleep Endoscopy and yes, tongue is a problem as well, but always side sleep. I'll stop now before it becomes an essay, but would encourage everyone to address any nasal issues, and thanks for this superb video Vik 👍
Thank you Ms Hope. Lovely to hear from you again.
After nose surgery you stop using cpap machine???
I was really struggling a lot, why i am not feeling comfortable using my cpap machine. Thank you for your great amazing demonstration ❤
I’ve just subscribed! THANK YOU Dr for such a wealth of information. I find when using my APAP, if the pressure allowance is set too high, I just don’t get a restful sleep and lose a lot of air. My hubby doesn’t get much sleep. I always had tonsil problems as a child, maybe I should be checked. That could be part of my problem as I’ve had sleep apnea since my 20’s and I’m not overweight. I look forward to watching more of your videos. Thank you so much for trying to help us with CPAP
Comment #2: Thanks again for your videos. Through one of them, I thought hey, what's to lose by buying that $30 silicone tongue grip you mentioned. I really felt ashamed almost of doing so, since the world abounds with useless gimmicks. WOW! I've been reliably giving my partner the silent treatment since the first night wearing it. The first night & morning my tongue hurt, but that's because I didn't trust how very little it takes to form a perfect seal for the night. Decades of absolute CPAP misery eliminated just like that. The first few nights I felt weird as I was waking from almost hallucinatory dreams vaguely remembered: I am now convinced I've been REM deprived for years. This does feel like a miracle. Thanks to you.
Having been diagnosed with sleep apnea for a few years, I just discovered that I have an enlarged aorta. I wished I knew or saw this video before I got on the machine. I wasn’t using the humidifier setting. Just a lot of unknowns. Be careful out there and if you’ve been on one for a while, have them do a heart scan. It can save your life.
Another great one. Always enjoy watching your videos. Always learning. Your videos are very informative n helpful.
Thank you JakeC !
Thank you for putting this in layman's terms !
You are an amazing doctor! Thank you for sharing your knowledge in such a positive manner.
Thanks for encouragement. Im going to try again tonight. I have to admit I became scared of my CPAP machine. Last couple of days it wakes me again with high blood pressure somehow - I feel really unwell with feeling of lack of oxygen and have to walk it off for at least an hour. My night is ruined.
I dont know whats the nature of my sleep apnea just yet but when I swim and Im oxygen deprived after a sprint when I try desparately to take quick breath sometimes it happens like the flap is suddenly shut and I cant take a breath at all. Dusturbing especially when in water and desperate for precious air.
Swimming does help though - at least thats my subjective observation.
Please keep bringing these vids. One of them just ticked all the boxes and sparked me seeking help which turned out to be 100% correct. Thank you again and if you ever needed a lab rabbit Im happy to assist.
Thank you for your kind words. wish you the very best.
I was diagnosed with mild-moderate sleep apnea 4 years ago. I had honestly tried to use the prescribed CPAP nightly … but I felt smothered and no matter how much I tried I inevitably woke up having pulled the mask off. My Veteran’s Affairs ENT said my sinuses were fine and mentioned that there is a non-CPAP and non-Surgical option - given my mild-moderate diagnosis: ie., she called it an “oral appliance” which required a specialty dentist who oversees the custom creation and fitting of the appliance.
I was referred to a V.A. dentist who specialized in the creation of a custom oral appliances. It required an initial visit to make a mold of my upper and lower teeth. The molds were sent to a lab which created the device to be worn during sleep. When the custom oral appliance was ready I returned to that dentist to check the fit and receive instructions on how to use it. The device has two parts which looked like “bite guards” which fit very snuggly over all of my upper teeth and the other fit snuggly over all of my lower teeth. Additionally, there were two bands which connected the upper “bite guard” part to the lower “bite guard” part. The bands are a certain length (I started at 27 mm I think) and together they restrict how far I can open my mouth. At the same time the two bands pulled my lower jaw forward just a tiny bit. It was not exactly super comfortable but actually much more tolerable than feeling smothered. Apparently, by preventing my mouth from opening while also advancing my lower jaw forward a bit the appliance prevented my tongue from sliding back toward my throat while asleep … preventing my slack tongue from blocking my airway. The appliance came with 6 additional sets of bands (27 mm, 26.5 mm, 26 mm, 25.5 mm, etc) each shorter set of bands restricted how far my mouth opened while advance my lower jaw a little more. After one month I returned to this dentist and he showed me how to change the original bands (27 mm) to the next shorter band (26.5 mm) . Again, when I wore the appliance that night my jaw was pushed another .5 mm forward which … with a little discomfort again to get used to. FYI, so, the monthly .5 mm advancement of your lower jaw is to allow you to get used to the slight discomfort of the unnatural forward position of your lower jaw.
Luckily, I tolerated the advancements pretty well so that the dentist allowed me to skip the smaller .5 mm adjustments and adjust the full 1 mm each month. Saved me a couple of months time and dental visits. After about 3 months (instead of 6 months) my jaw was advanced to the prescribed distance forward. The dentist ordered a new sleep test for me. Instead of 5 up to 12 AHI hourly events the sleep test logged 1 AHI event. I was blown away at the improvement … I was told I no longer needed the CPAP … only need to wear Sleep Apnea Oral device EVERY night and I’ll need to have another sleep test in another year … during which, the sleep test didn’t log a single AHI event.
No more CPAP-related stress for me. I’m a Navy Veteran with some service-connected injuries which means I have VA medical coverage and have no co-pays so I don’t have any idea what the dental visits or the custom appliance creation costs in everyday civilian $ … however, my brother (travels a lot for business and has to drag his CPAP machine everywhere) and he was interested (& a little jealous of me) in what the costs are and are Apnea Oral appliances covered by insurance … my VA dentist said it was his understanding that if a person is demonstrably unable to comply with CPAP use guidelines … then both private insurance and medicare both recognize and cover the Sleep Apnea Dental Appliance creation and related specialty dentist visits. Don’t know about % of costs covered - I imagine it varies.
One last thing: Again, Sleep Apnea Dental Appliances absolutely require a specializing dentist. The custom fitting is essential for it to work properly - you cannot buy an anti-snore devices on Amazon and expect it to manage your sleeping AHI events like the custom fit device. Between the initial assessment, oral mold fitting and 1st band adjustment (approx 1 month) you should be looking at around 3 - 5 months for appliance band adjustment tweaks. But if like me you can’t tolerate nightly CPAP and want to avoid oral surgery then these custom Apnea Oral appliances are proven to work for people with mild to moderate sleep apnea. I’ll admit that early days of adjusting the bands and having my lower jaw pushed forward was annoying at times … but now - more than a year using it every night - I am used to it … I pop it in before I go to sleep and have great sleep.
BTW, I bought a medical grade pulse-oxygen (with memory) which generates an all night report detailing sleeping O2 levels, pulse rate and logs motion. Using appliance I NEVER have an O2 level a reading below 94 % and all of my nightly O2 averages while wearing the oral appliance are 96% to 99% … usually 97%. Once or twice I have taken the appliance out to have a snack and forgotten to put back in and my pulse-ox ring shows thar my sleeping O2% level without oral appliance drops into the low 90s and have hit as low as 88% O2 when not wearing oral appliance.
I came across your channel after some CPAP research for myself.
I have malformed nasal passages, due to a dental complication in my teens.
I'm hoping this will help and so far, I've used a CPAP machine for a few days and I'm sleeping better.
I hope I don't need to get Nasal Surgery to open up my Nasal passages, but we'll see.
It's taken some adjustment to get used to a CPAP machine, but it's getting easier and Sleeping on my side helps a lot ATM.
I'm in the US, and it's been a nightmare getting used to my CPAP. Insurance gives me 90 days to get the right settings and mask, which sounds fine, but it's not. They won't cover anything that will help me, such as a sleep study, which makes everything take forever to figure out.
For me, it's been over 90 days and I'm expected to use my machine 4 hours a night for 20 days in a month, but it literally feels like someone is firing a leaf blower up my nose and the air is coming out of my mouth. I put off going to sleep because I know it's going to be a nightmarish experience for 2-3 hours before I just give up and take it off every night. I end up being more sleep deprived with a CPAP than I am with just sleep apnea.
Try mouth tape
I like this Doctor's information and calm demeanor.
I cant believe how my provider had me do a home test n ordered a machine without even examining me or discussing the results with me. The machine leaks and I am so frustrated. From watching this video, I think my problem is enlarged turbinates because my nostrils get blocked even when I am awake. Thanks for helping me understand how CPAP works and how to fix the leak problem. Either standards have changed or the US is different.
What a great video! I love my Cpap and any increased benefit is very appreciated. Plus I can help others who are having problems. These devices truly save lives and make them better at the same time. THANK YOU
Use CPAP gradually and often for short periods whilst trying to remain awake. Do not aim to sleep if you cannot wear it while pleasantly distracted; that’s never going to happen. Wait until you build comfortable acclimatisation, most patients can get established if they about fighting with it and take things gradually.
You're a brilliant doctor. Do you have a video on CPAP causing tinnitus? Should I try to find an ENT who can help me adjust the settings more precisely. CPAP was working just fine for 9 months, and now tinnitus has appeared all of a sudden. Understanding that relationship would be very helpful. Again, you are a Godsend.
This is such a good video. Very detailed being from surgeon perspective & to the point, thank you!
You are describing exactly how my nose blocks without using cpap. When it set right it is relaxing even during the day when not trying to sleep.
Just started cpap 2 weeks ago. Havn't been able to get past 5 hours yet, most nights i seem to rip it off after 3. I am very hopeful though that i can get used to it and do full nights because it can explain basically every health issue i have been having for years. Possible weight loss will be a bonus bnecause I have struggled with that too. I don't think i have had a refreshing nights sleep for over 15 years, but I am determined to figure out my sleep apnea whether its cpap or maybe a MAD.
I have been using the CPAP machine for quite long time now and normally I have no problems using it at all, just at the beginning I was taking it off almost every night, my sleep apnea was very severe and I already had a heart attack so I was desperate trying to find the way to get used to it so one day playing with the functions I have found a setting called Ramp, this Ramp function gives more air flow while you fall asleep and reduce the flow when you start sleeping, I have discovered that the Ramp function was the problem so I have switched it off and since then I have no more problems using it. What is weird is that the Ramp function was set on at the sleeping lab (???)
He is right, new to CPAP and I am using 1 hour before bed and in morning to get use to it. Its all about the mask type (nasal or full face airflow seems most normal) and the humidity settings. When you get those right it feels like perfect breathing.
Your chanel somehow found me - thank god. I just watched your tongue exercise video and commented on it about my recessed/weak jaw causing my sleep apnea.
I was put on CPAP about a year and half ago, I eventually got used to it after having to mess with the pressure settings quite a bit.
I was also put on an ACE inhibitor for high blood pressure - Ramipril.
I then recently, two months ago, started having panic attacks that I couldn't breathe properly as my nose was bunged up and I had to stop the CPAP.
I was prescribed DYMISTA nasal spray which I used after my ENT Dr saw I had a deviated septum and large turbinates which helped in bunging up my nose.
I then started getting post nasal drip and my throat started feeling blocked - it felt like something was stuck behind my adams apple area so I had swallow constantly - this all caused more panic attacks I would be up all night walking the streets to get cool air etc AWFUL feelings. (Partly why I'm awake at 0500hrs now too!)
Doing constant research I found an article about ACE inhibitors causing nasal swelling and post nasal drip - I managed to get a Dr's appointment and changed my type of blood pressure medication - stopping the Ramipril after two days stopped the nasal drip and blocked throat feeling - so much relief!
Hence where I am now awaiting seeing an ENT Dr about whether to have mandibular surgery for the apnea and also awaiting to see if deviated septum surgery will take place as my nose is still getting blocked.
I will also start trying my CPAP again soon.
I've never had issues. I thought I wouldn't be able to sleep w/ mine. First night, I slept 9 hours!!! Best sleep I ever had.
Lucky you
Fantastic. Love my cpap. Life saving.
I hate wearing my mask because my nose hurts after 4 hours with it on..
I started the Bleep and bought the V-COM and now I sleep and get very very low leaks if not any. My pressure is set at 6 . I also have a deviated septum. But The Doc taught me to sleep with tongue on roof of mouth.I practiced and it has worked. Most nights I get 20/20 for mask leaks. I stopped using the cpap with all different face masks. I quit till I found the Bleep ! Thank goodness. The V-COM makes the air go in slower so you dont have leaks, IT WAS A GAME CHANGER!
Also, I had enlarged tonsils for 20 years. One shrunk, the other had stones. My GP said “you don’t want those removed”, when I asked. I changed docs, new one referred me, ENT said they use a probe and radiation waves. I did it, it was not horrible and I don’t choke eating food anymore, I’m sure it helps with apnea some too.
Another great video Vik, keep them coming !!!
Thanks Dr! I had cpap for a couple months and was having touble sleeping through the night and would wake up every 2 hours. My specialist just told me to keep trying to use them and they were just not a viable option I just stop using them over time and it was just easier to sleep with my sleep apnea. Thank you for explaining why. It is a such a pity after doing multiple sleep tests and paying so much money to go and see a specialist I have to source alternatives myself.
Turbinates enlarge with cpap, tongue blocks airway, jaw too far forward, nasal sprays. Airpressure from cpap wakes you up, great tips.
Excellent video. So many need to hear this info. Very well explained.
I'm with Carlos... when I tried the CPAP I felt like someone was trying to suffocate me. I tried for over a month and never could get used to it. They keep pestering me to try again but I have no interest in trying again.
I just tried it for the first time last night. Made it 48 minutes with multiple gasps for breath….felt like I was being suffocated.
That's a very good explanation. I feel the same. (Night 5 on CPAP.)
I've just been diagnosed and am currently waiting for my CPAP machine. I won't lie, I'm panicking reading this, it's my worst nightmare. I panic when I've got a blocked nose, through having a cold. Can't see me lasting even 1 night tbh.
@@Tinabee1961it’s awful.
@@Tinabee1961 it’s so much worse than I thought. I looked forward to having the machine but it’s intolerable for me.
I can't stand the cpap. I never had trouble sleeping until I started this machine. It is horrible.
I think your videos are great. Your explanation of terms and options is very clear and easy to understand. I would like to know the reference material used where you have an overlay showing life expectancy statistics for patients with untreated sleep apnea. I want to read more on this subject and think this would be a great place to start.
Keep up the excellent work.
I've finally got a CPAP after 8 years of waiting since diagnosis and I can't get on with it. I'm devastated. Autism and face masks don't mix - I feel like I'm suffocating. My only hope is that an M.A.D. or something can work instead. :(
Finding it very difficult. Can't sleep without it, can't sleep without it.
I'll try again.
This is gold. Thank you for this information
Wow you are a breath of breath air!
I have been diagnosed with sleep apnea but don't actually think I have it as the sleep apnea machine does nothing for me. Please can you help me???
Love from India 🇮🇳
🇮🇳🙏
Thank you so much for your videos! I just got diagnosed with sleep apnea today and am having trouble coming to terms with it. I joined a support group on Facebook for sleep apnea and am learning so much from others experiences and from your videos.
Me too!
Me too. Heart burn, gassy bloated stomach, air blowing into my eyes, headaches, sore lungs and chest, blowing air out my mouth causes me to last 60-90 minutes at best. The modern day iron lung is a torture device. I'd rather have a shorter life with sleep.
My dad may have sleep apnea as well but never got tested. I got tested and had an AHI of 85.2 (I stop breathing or have partial stops that many times an hour on average). For me I think it is my nose. I am just glad I do not have my dad's nose and palette as he was born with orofacial clefts (Cleft lip and cleft palate). It has caused him enough issues with his dentures as it is. I do however have huge tonsils that had been scarred so much through years of tonsillitis that they have holes in them. Right now they are inflamed and I haven't had tonsillitis not for 20 years.
Thank you for this - I've always felt like my mask made my nose stuffy but I thought that sounded crazy. This is so validating!
thank you so very much for all your extremely valuable information you are godsend to spend the time to inform so many who like me need such informed insight
Cpap also causes heart problems. Doctors say will what’s worse dying while you sleep or dying of a heart attack.
I'm waiting for my appointment for my machine , I told my GP back in September 2010 that I had sleep apnea and he said it was panic attacks, I recently had total hysterectomy for cancer (which can also be caused by untreated sleep apnea and type 2 diabetes ) while in recovery i had sleep apnea and now just being taken serious for it . I am really angry that I was fobbed off and then developed type 2 diabetes and endometrial cancer) you can look this up , both diseases can be from undiagnosed and untreated sleep apnea .
I've been using it for a month & gained 6 pounds.💔💔💔
I always thought sleep apnea happened in bigger sized people. Then I was diagnosed with sleep apnea due to neurological problems ( brain damage ). The first time I used one they gave me a nose one for a few months. Then allergy season started and the CPAP bugged me. Trying a full face this month. Thank you for this video. Wow I have a deviated septum I need to let my sleep doctor know it.
What is really hell about it is if you can't stand the heated air in a full mask. I turned off the heat on mine entirely, and now I understand why I still have a problem.
I agreed to do a home sleep test, woke up the first time having ripped off the tubes that were taped down to me, the second time I woke up with the nose tube wrapped around my neck chocking me. I sent back the machine and said that I would never do the test again. I was convinced to try a sleep study in a sleep clinic and had the worst sleep of my life but told I have severe sleep apnea and insomnia. I have never woken up laying in the same spot that I've fallen asleep in. I have woken up 180º turned around though. I take clothes off in my sleep, face masks, bandages... I've woken up sitting on the edge of the bed, in the bathroom. I describe my sleep as very active. I explained this to the sleep doctor and he was dismissive and said CPAP is the only option (I'm suspicious that he gets a kickback for selling CPAP, in Canada only a portion is covered by healthcare), I initially agreed to a titration sleep test but cancelled it because I don't see how it's remotely plausible that I would use CPAP without ripping it off my face as soon as my consciousness is asleep, or yank it off the nightstand and break the very expensive machine. I'm hoping the ENT I'm suppose to see later this year will take my concerns seriously and have solutions other than external equipment that needs to be in my mouth or attached to my face, as these are not solutions for me, and even attempting to use them to date has been mentally stressful. I'm even more frustrated after hearing your explanations, as the doctor noted that as it is my nasal passage is nearly completely obstructed and my GP prescribed nasal spray until an ENT visit. How did the sleep doctor think I would be able to use CPAP for that alone!
Quality content! I learned a lot from you! The nose is really an easy organ to hate.
I have the humidity on the lowest setting, otherwise, I can't breathe! However, with low humidity, I often wake up with crusted bogeys and sometimes hardened blood that I have to 'dig' out so I can relieve the pressure and breathe again! My AHI is on average 7 ish so the CPAP is working but could be better.
A GP once diagnosed Rhinitis but never recommended meds or sprays, so I'll watch your Spray video and give them a longer period of time to get used to, thank you.
This is a great video...I'm trying to get used to my CPAP but it is a challenge. I have a deviated septum so I can't really use nasal pillows, so I'm trying to get used to the mask but it's just hard for me to fall asleep and trying to get used to exhaling against the air pressure. I also started using Flonase for my nose because I do have inflammation in there, so that might help.
Liked and subscribed. 🙂👍
My Dr told me a CPAP wouldn't help my deviated septum. He said " it's like trying to force water thru a kinked hose." He did a day surgery to correct it and I've had MUCH better sleep since then. Sleeping on my side helps also.
Same for me. I try using a full mask cpap and I just can’t sleep with it. I haven’t had a good nights sleep for over 20 years…
how do you exam a person while sleeping exactly? what instruments and you do this in the hone of the person?
DISE - Drug Induced Sleep Endoscopy: th-cam.com/play/PLTfMZZx759CI4Z7gLzp6jipbjjVV23sNW.html
Wish I would’ve had you for a doctor instead of the one I had which didn’t really care or give me time of day. Sleep apnea has many “components “ to it which my doctor and his nurse don’t investigate fully.
been a month and a half still cant get passes 2 hours a night...... feel like i cant breathe had pillows hurts the nose and blows out my ears and it irritates my throat...... this is ridiculous.....
You are amazing. Thank you for this.
I love your videos so informative ! ~ thanks for sharing your wisdom
I saw your video on drug-induced sleep endoscopy. I had that done at Jefferson University in Philadelphia. They said I had an enlarged Lingual Tonsil. I was excited that they finally knew what was causing my apnea. I got the surgery (I've actually had a total of four) but it made no difference in my sleep quality. Now, I choke a lot on my own spit. It lowered the quality of my life. I've been going back and forth between ENT and Pulmonary doctors for years. I'm done with Sleep Medicine doctors! They are clueless.
Another excellent video presentation
thank you!
For me it has been the constant dripping running of my nose throughout the next day and on 2nd day I add sneezing. Cleaned and replace weekly daily doesn’t matter
Excellent and informative video. I wish you were my doctor. Thank you.
The mask was my problem so uncomfortable and moved when I moved at night, so would be awake trying to get it comfortable. Also was causing me severe dry mouth so I don't use it, funny thing is the hospital have never contacted me about not receiving data from my machine.
Interesting - I'm in the process of seeing a new sleep doctor and an ENT so it will be interesting to see if they have similar findings. I do know there's a slight deviation in the septum and my sinuses are always inflamed so it would make sense that that is why I have never been able to tolerate the CPAP. Hoping that will change soon!
I've had septoplasty twice, once in my early 20s and a few years ago at 37. The first surgery they reduced my turbinates and tried to open my sinuses as well and it caused empty nose syndrome, which I describe as feeling like brain freeze in my nose when I inhale cool air. My second surgery has helped with the frequency of the empty nose issues. My biggest struggle now in all the hypopnoeas I am having. I know they are coming from my soft palate because even awake and sitting up I am having breathing issues that I can feel are caused by it. I am on CPAP now and it seems to be helping but it's a huge struggle to get used to.
I heard the brand new Nightlaser helps im getting it for my horrific sleep apnea in some months
Did you have Vivaer or Turbinectomy reduction ?
Thanks Vik for the tips currently on cpap. Trying my best.