Comments on: A Sleep Apnea Treatment I Can Live With

By: Dean Rodgers

Dean Rodgers — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:23:50 +0000

I think the oral appliance is also supposed to help with TMJ.

By: Obstructive Sleep apnea

Obstructive Sleep apnea — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 03:14:04 +0000

For sure it is never easy, sleep apnea, my son has it and I used to suffered also. The bad news: we live in a very small town in Australia, and we don’t really have any sleep clinic here like in Europe and the USA.

By: Jenny

Jenny — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 05:32:52 +0000

Hello, I have TMJ with deterioration that is bad on one side and I have moderate Apnea….does anyone know a dentist/physician that is very knowledgeable in both, I’m finding it quite easy to find someone knowledgeable in one or the other but not both…please help, I live in Washington State and am willing to go to Oregon and Idaho if need be.

By: kate

kate — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 20:22:18 +0000

Hi, I first wrote here 11/09. Thanks for all posts. I sent for a snoremenders.com oral appliance. It came to Washington State from the UK in a couple weeks. I’m using it every night and feel much better. The best part is the stress reduction! My bed partner is finally sleeping again through the night & no longer complaining about my snoring or cpap blowing all night.

It gets washed every morning & regains shape in hot water, should last 9 months. It has saved me! How can I get a sleep study to check apneas now? I know I’m much improved, no daytime symptoms. Hooray!

By: Snoring Mouthpieces

Snoring Mouthpieces — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 20:54:00 +0000

Sleep apnea is one of the worst things to have.

By: Rusty

Rusty — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 03:34:30 +0000

Have had my TAP 3 for about 3 weeks now. Have had CPAP for almost 3 yrs and was taking it off at night, averaging 3 hrs / night. Am taking it back 7 full turns which is a bit more than 1/2 way. Have not had the home slp study yet but will be scheduling. Have BC/BS but they would NOT agree to pay for DDS or DMD to fit. Had to find a Otolyrongologist (sp?) to fit who was in Network. Had to give BC the treatment codes and it was approved with no preauth. Dr charges $1500 and BC will probably get them to reduce to $1000 and they pay 50%. Actually have looked forward to wearing it and have not taken it out at night yet. Have bruxism but dr said TAP would provide cure for both. DDS is very proficient and a partner with my sleep dr but BC did NOT care.

By: Dean Rodgers

Dean Rodgers — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 18:37:19 +0000

It is very important you advance slowly. If there is pain, stop for sure. Also, make sure you do the exercises that put your jaw back where it is supposed to go during the day (bite on those little pieces of rubber that come with the appliance.

By: Patrice

Patrice — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 17:28:43 +0000

I have moderate OSA and just picked up my TAP 3 from the dentist today. I think I have had sleep apnea for a long time, but nobody would ever listen to me since I’m a female in my 30’s and about 130 pounds. It’s been a long road to this point as I’ve been living with a year of chronic pain from a minor car accident and all my Dr’s are now hoping that solving my OSA will help me heal an relieve my pain (headaches, dizziness, neck pain). I tried the CPAP but could not sleep at all with it on. I tried 2 different masks and became even more exhausted because I would try it for 2 hours each nigh then give up. I also have TMJ problems that my dentist is trying to fix so when I tried on the TAP today it made my jaw quite uncomfortable. She says that will get better and to wait until I’m comforatable before advancing it. I’ve been wearing a night guard for many many years so I’m used to sleeping with something in my mouth. Having them locked together will be a new experience though. How am I supposed to talk in my sleep now…LOL. I’m trying not to get too excited in case it doesn’t work…since I’m not sure what else to try after this. This blog give me some hope. I’m really happy for those of you who have had success!

By: Gina

Gina — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 06:00:49 +0000

I recently got a tap 3 too. It is so much better than cpap. Any thoughts though about how to stop drooling? It’s crazymaking. Ps. I live in pdx also.

By: Diane

Diane — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 05:09:04 +0000

Scott & Jill,

First my apologies for such a late reply. The holidays kept me busy with out of town guests.

Well Scott you sound like me when I want to purchase something. I over analyze and try to cover all the bases, but with these appliances, it will really come down to a test drive! lol! If you are happy with your dentist and you seem to work well with him….then that is a great starting point. As for being able to tell the difference using MY appliance….it is funny, the first most remarkable notice was that I was DREAMING SO MUCH! Then, I was able to accomplish more by the end of the day, my mood improved and so did the color in my face! I still felt a bit tired, but I was seeing changes! Now, I am almost at my 2 month point wearing the appliance. My headaches have greatly improved! My stamina has doubled….. I am so very happy! This HAS really made a difference. Deep down, knowing that I have eliminated such a looming risk to my health is such a blessing.

Now JILL….as for your question, I really don’t know. That remains to be seen. But if your doctor has ordered an appliance for you, he must have a sense that you could benefit from it. I sure hope so. You must do an overnight sleep study using your new appliance for your results to be confirmed.

Hope to hear from both of you that your appliances render wonderful results! Keep us posted!