Any experience with Sleep Apnea device implants?

[mentalbreak]

Unable to tolerate CPAP and considering Inspire device for significant sleep apnea. Please share any experience you may have.

 

[rapmarks]

I have been told I would not be eligible due to head and neck cancers

 

[Passepartout]

I was told I'm ineligible due to having 'central' as opposed to obstructive sleep apnea. Fortunately, I tolerate the VPAP quite well.

 

[1Kflyerguy]

I have been curious about these, but I tolerate my old school CPAp very well, so this would be hard to justify.

 

[artringwald]

Unable to tolerate CPAP and considering Inspire device for significant sleep apnea. Please share any experience you may have.

I've found that an oral device works well for my sleep apnea. It keeps the lower jaw further forward to keep the throat open. The model I use is made by Somnodent.


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[rapmarks]

I have been curious about these, but I tolerate my old school CPAp very well, so this would be hard to justify.

Yes if you are compliant you don’t qualify

 

[TheHolleys87]

Our son in law’s father has it and is doing well with it, but we don’t see them very often, so I don’t know any more than that.

 

[isisdave]

I have been curious about these, but I tolerate my old school CPAp very well, so this would be hard to justify.

Except that the CPAP they gave us (so we have two!) are awfully big. It would be nice to carry this internally, whether traveling to timeshares or anywhere else. Especially cruises where there sometimes is no outlet at bedside.

 

[jrb916]

Except that the CPAP they gave us (so we have two!) are awfully big. It would be nice to carry this internally, whether traveling to timeshares or anywhere else. Especially cruises where there sometimes is no outlet at bedside.

Easybreathe.com makes a travel cpap. I haven’t bought one yet, but interested in them.

My research about Inspire has been mixed, so I haven’t pursued it further. My big & clunky cpap works, so probably won’t change soon.

 

[jp10558]

Well, my sister had a CPAP, couldn't stand it. Went back and was told insurance changed the eligibility criteria so now she doesn't qualify for treatment for apnea even though the test values were the same. She did want the implant. Seems kind of like a scam to me.

I have a CPAP which I love and have no problem with. The newer ones are smaller than the older ones, though I quite dislike the changes to other parts of the devices making them harder to pack and unpack and operate. The other thing is the whole "locked down" cannot just buy a CPAP - so I don't think most could (in the US) actually get something from Easybreathe.com cause insurance wouldn't cover it, and the doctors wouldn't program it. You used to be able to just buy "automatic" ones off Amazon, but no more. I'm not actually sure if Easybreathe can even legally sell you one directly without going through the home care companies (scam IMO).

 

[rapmarks]

Except that the CPAP they gave us (so we have two!) are awfully big. It would be nice to carry this internally, whether traveling to timeshares or anywhere else. Especially cruises where there sometimes is no outlet at bedside.

I am thinking of not bringing mine on upcoming cruise

 

[jackio]

I am thinking of not bringing mine on upcoming cruise

They gave us an extension cord, which worked fine but we rolled it up during the day so we wouldn't trip on it. They also gave us distilled water.

 

[jp10558]

I am thinking of not bringing mine on upcoming cruise

Yea, it is a medical device - planes have to let you fly with it not eating up a personal item (but then you have yet another bag to navigate in the airport).

 

[rapmarks]

Yea, it is a medical device - planes have to let you fly with it not eating up a personal item (but then you have yet another bag to navigate in the airport).

Yes I am not flying but it’s just a pain to travel with.

 

[SmithOp]

Well, my sister had a CPAP, couldn't stand it. Went back and was told insurance changed the eligibility criteria so now she doesn't qualify for treatment for apnea even though the test values were the same. She did want the implant. Seems kind of like a scam to me.

I have a CPAP which I love and have no problem with. The newer ones are smaller than the older ones, though I quite dislike the changes to other parts of the devices making them harder to pack and unpack and operate. The other thing is the whole "locked down" cannot just buy a CPAP - so I don't think most could (in the US) actually get something from Easybreathe.com cause insurance wouldn't cover it, and the doctors wouldn't program it. You used to be able to just buy "automatic" ones off Amazon, but no more. I'm not actually sure if Easybreathe can even legally sell you one directly without going through the home care companies (scam IMO).

Have you tried cpap-supply dot com?

All I had to do was upload a copy of my CPAP prescription from the sleep study and was allowed to purchase machines or supplies. I purchased the travel version, very small, the size of your hand. If you go on YouTube there are videos showing how to access the settings, or just use auto sense.

I still keep up my home machine because Medicare pays for the machine and supplies, I have to go to the sleep center annually to renew the prescription. They just review the report of my usage, the last few times it's been done via a Zoom call.

 

[rapmarks]

Have you tried cpap-supply dot com?

All I had to do was upload a copy of my CPAP prescription from the sleep study and was allowed to purchase machines or supplies. I purchased the travel version, very small, the size of your hand. If you go on YouTube there are videos showing how to access the settings, or just use auto sense.

I still keep up my home machine because Medicare pays for the machine and supplies, I have to go to the sleep center annually to renew the prescription. They just review the report of my usage, the last few times it's been done via a Zoom call.

Last year I got a call from Wisconsin that I needed an extra appointment. I was in Florida getting daily radiation and chemo treatments snd extremely sick. The dr absolutely refused to do a zoom call. When I saw her in September she knew my cancer was back and I was leaving for Florida. Yet she expected me to come in during December I could not even get a Florida sleep dr to answer my call. I ended up having my family dr certify me. And I was quite pleased when that Wisc sleep left the practice.

 

[jp10558]

Have you tried cpap-supply dot com?

All I had to do was upload a copy of my CPAP prescription from the sleep study and was allowed to purchase machines or supplies. I purchased the travel version, very small, the size of your hand. If you go on YouTube there are videos showing how to access the settings, or just use auto sense.

I still keep up my home machine because Medicare pays for the machine and supplies, I have to go to the sleep center annually to renew the prescription. They just review the report of my usage, the last few times it's been done via a Zoom call.

I'll have to check it out. I thought the rule getting them off of Amazon meant that you could no longer buy direct to consumer. I also didn't love being locked out of the settings of the device - it's rather easy to know if you don't have it set right as you have trouble breathing with it in OR it hurts from the pressure...

I also don't love the "you have to come in" for the now yearly required prescription (vs every 3 years before). TBH, IDK why you need an ongoing prescription for a CPAP anyway. All around it I don't get the gatekeeping - usually it's a struggle to get someone to start using one, why put up roadblocks? What is the *possible harm* to IDK someone getting a CPAP that "doesn't need one"?

Anyway - yes, with the remote sending of the data, and the fact that they never seem to do any tests on me when I've been in there, AND that they want to do the appointments at like 7AM for some insane reason - yea, I wish it could be a zoom. Actually, I wish it could be a patient portal "renew the paperwork, I'm still using the machine"...

It's all a money making scam.

 

[1Kflyerguy]

Similar to SmithOp, I use an online provider, cpap.com for my supplies. They don't take insurance, but provide a superbill that i can manually submit.

I also have an older small travel machine, but its lacking in modern features, I keep thinking buying a new travel machine..

 

[jp10558]

Similar to SmithOp, I use an online provider, cpap.com for my supplies. They don't take insurance, but provide a superbill that i can manually submit.

I also have an older small travel machine, but its lacking in modern features, I keep thinking buying a new travel machine..

The $35 prescription renewal is tempting. IDK if dealing with Insurance myself would be worth using the website though.