Anyone use a sleep apnea mouthpiece?

[NRLArt]

Are you sure insurance won't cover it? Even if they won't cover the cost of the machine, why $1500? The unit itself doesn't look to be that expensive for cash for a travel resmed APAP. Quick google showed me $600ish.

ResMedAirMini Auto-CPAP Machine: 15-NIGHT Risk Free Trial: Ships Free

One of the smallest CPAPs in the world is also one of the most advanced. AirMini brings ResMed's proven AutoSet Auto-CPAP algorithms, industry leading EPR comfort technologies, and unmatched design and quality to a truly portable Auto-CPAP. AirMini is quiet and small -- weighing just 10.6 ounces...

www.directhomemedical.com

I looked at various models and they all come out to about 1200-1500 USD. The Machine as you mention is 600ish USD. You need the battery to power it if you are camping. A battery that can last about 24 hours (assuming you don't have a way to charge it if you are out for several days) runs 379.99. Add in an adapter kit, specific filters, an antibacterial hose, the nose piece and headgear. Also you'll buy some spare pieces and it adds up. I added in a carry case and a couple other niceties and with tax it was just about 1500 bucks. I checked a couple different sites and they are very close in price...

 

[bighit]

Ok, I know this isnt a question about getting fit, but I use a cpap for sleep apnea and I'm MUCH better off when I use it! Obviously, I cant lug it around when I'm camping and hunting without power. Has anyone here used the mouthpiece type devices for their apnea? Any feedback, good or otherwise? Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

No

 

[Tulsa Reiner]

Since I posted that wise crack (post #61), I've been diagnosed with sleep apnea, and I only weigh 175 lbs at 6'0"!! The diagnosis was made after I developed atrial fibrillation, a common complication of sleep apnea.
I had an at-home sleep study and had "mild sleep apnea," meaning 5-10 episodes of apnea/hr.
Then a followup study was done after wearing my PureSleep.com mouth device for a month, and concentrating on sleeping only on my sides. (No supine/ back sleeping allowed!), and my apnea was cured-- only 1 episode in 5 hours. So I now sleep religiously with my mouth device. I DO NOT want right heart failure. I already have a fib, and have to take a heart pill and anticoagulant for it, both expensive but essential medications.
I relate this story to illustrate that severe snoring and sleep apnea are not something to be ignored. And to say that choice of treatment should be done under the direction of a pulmonologist, not a dentist. I'm fortunate that the mouth device from PureSleep.com was effective treatment for me.

 

[Paulyester]

I bought one of those solar generators and take my CPAP with me. I'm looking into getting that surgery that eliminates the need of a CPAP.

 

[Tulsa Reiner]

I bought one of those solar generators and take my CPAP with me. I'm looking into getting that surgery that eliminates the need of a CPAP.

Ask lots of questions before you have the surgery. I've known several people who had it, without benefit.

 

[Paulyester]

Ask lots of questions before you have the surgery. I've known several people who had it, without benefit.

Perfect, that's the feedback I needed. It didn't logically make sense to me when they explained it to me.

 

[comfisherman]

I got diagnosed with it this year, it's a pain as I'm not inside all that much. Hardest part was before they tuned it down it never let me sleep all that much. Mine is due to neck shape caused by loosing the genetic lottery, upside is it takes very low setting to fix the issue.

Ended up getting a double zip cold weather bag and a 6 foot extension, put the machine at my feet and run the hose up through the bag. It's a much better solution to waking up with icicle boogers or the coldest my lungs have ever felt. Downside is the longer hose whistles a bit and I can only fit a small beanie underneath.

What are yall using for battery backups? I've been lucky to have either room for a big bulky ups or access to a honda 2000 and a long extension cord. But I've got a long remote trip for much of Feb, and it's gonna be cold and no power, except vehicles during the day.

Seems there are several companies that make models that should get me enough Amp hrs, anyone have strong opinions on brands? Solar recharge is moot as the sun will just be starting to rise that far Noth in Feb. Anyone used one in the cold? How much reserve does it kill?

 

[muleystalker]

I got diagnosed with it this year, it's a pain as I'm not inside all that much. Hardest part was before they tuned it down it never let me sleep all that much. Mine is due to neck shape caused by loosing the genetic lottery, upside is it takes very low setting to fix the issue.

Ended up getting a double zip cold weather bag and a 6 foot extension, put the machine at my feet and run the hose up through the bag. It's a much better solution to waking up with icicle boogers or the coldest my lungs have ever felt. Downside is the longer hose whistles a bit and I can only fit a small beanie underneath.

What are yall using for battery backups? I've been lucky to have either room for a big bulky ups or access to a honda 2000 and a long extension cord. But I've got a long remote trip for much of Feb, and it's gonna be cold and no power, except vehicles during the day.

Seems there are several companies that make models that should get me enough Amp hrs, anyone have strong opinions on brands? Solar recharge is moot as the sun will just be starting to rise that far Noth in Feb. Anyone used one in the cold? How much reserve does it kill?

I ended up buying the ResMed travel CPAP, it works good. I bought one of their battery packs. I also picked up a 12v battery pack/jump starter from Costco for about $30, about 6"x3"x1". It comes with a cigarette lighter charger and so did the one from ResMed.

Buy ResMed AirMini Auto Travel CPAP Machine Voyage Bundle - The CPAP Shop

Lightweight and compact—only 10.6 ounces! Same technology, quality therapy and proven algorithm as the AirSense 10 Doubles as both a home and travel CPAP

www.thecpapshop.com

https://www.costco.com/type-s-8000mah-portable-power-bank-jump-starter-with-lcd-screen.product.100813421.html

 

[Buzzsaw]

In my experience, the mouthpiece causes severe dry mouth, just FYI

 

[Tulsa Reiner]

In my experience, the mouthpiece causes severe dry mouth, just FYI

This is true, if you can't breathe thru your nose due to nasal anatomy. But the CPAP will do the same thing in that situation.
I keep a bottle of water at bedside.

 

[Tulsa Reiner]

I got diagnosed with it this year, it's a pain as I'm not inside all that much. Hardest part was before they tuned it down it never let me sleep all that much. Mine is due to neck shape caused by loosing the genetic lottery, upside is it takes very low setting to fix the issue.

Ended up getting a double zip cold weather bag and a 6 foot extension, put the machine at my feet and run the hose up through the bag. It's a much better solution to waking up with icicle boogers or the coldest my lungs have ever felt. Downside is the longer hose whistles a bit and I can only fit a small beanie underneath.

What are yall using for battery backups? I've been lucky to have either room for a big bulky ups or access to a honda 2000 and a long extension cord. But I've got a long remote trip for much of Feb, and it's gonna be cold and no power, except vehicles during the day.

Seems there are several companies that make models that should get me enough Amp hrs, anyone have strong opinions on brands? Solar recharge is moot as the sun will just be starting to rise that far Noth in Feb. Anyone used one in the cold? How much reserve does it kill?

If you have a low grade obstruction, you might be satisfactorily treated with the PureSleep,com mouth piece, It only costs $70, so it might be worth a try. Still, I wouldn't switch to it without input from a sleep specialist (usually a pulmonologist), and probably a sleep study done while you are using the mouth piece. Sleep apnea is not just a problem of severe snoring; it is a life threatening condition. I have two friends who developed right heart failure, and died, because their sleep apnea was diagnosed too late. I relate this not to be dramatic, but to encourage everyone to take sleep apnea ("a bad snoring problem") seriously.

 

[comfisherman]

Have a good Dr that does the apnea stuff, long and short of it is his take is a machine is about the only solution for me. I cannot perceive better sleep but my number don't lie. Just have to figure out how to love with it.

That resmed travel looks like it draws about a third less energy than my current machine. Granted I've not put a gauge on mine, maybe at the setting I use it's lower use. I'll try the Costco jumper setup, it's a lot cheaper than these goal zero things I've been looking at. Hard part will be scooting under the 5 ah lithium battery airplane restriction, but probably can cargo a bigger one ahead of my trip.

 

[Old Rooster]

Just another advantage of the mouthpiece no power needed

I have been using a cpap machine since 2004.This past summer our electricity went out from about 9:00 PM to 8:00 AM so I did not get any sleep.
Going to check on the mouth piece real soon.
This forum sure covers a lot of things that can save a person's life.I love it here.

 

[muleystalker]

I have been using a cpap machine since 2004.This past summer our electricity went out from about 9:00 PM to 8:00 AM so I did not get any sleep.
Going to check on the mouth piece real soon.
This forum sure covers a lot of things that can save a person's life.I love it here.

You can get a back up battery pack for your CPAP, most of them run on 12v, some run on 6v. I have used it when the power has gone out.