I can't tolerate the cpap! My breathing is so bad I have horrible headaches and nightmares every night. I'm afraid to go to bed in case I die in my sleep.
Nothing seems to work. What have you tried that worked?
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
Read about tape over the mouth. My husband swears by it. There are articles that come up with a search of "sleep apnea tape".
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
My dentist made me an EMA and it worked. Here is the website:
If you can't use the cpap, you can get insurance to pay for it.
The first EMA gave me a headache, so he made me one that allows you to open your jaw at night.
The EMA cost about $300, I believe. I went from having no life due to sleep apnea back to my normal, active life.
Then, I was able to lose weight and the apnea went away permanently!
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
The EMA pulls your lower jaw forward, thus pulling your tongue forward. This way, the tongue can't fall back when you sleep and block your airway.
The EMA allows the dentist to adjust it, that is, the amount that your lower jaw is pulled forward, as much as you need.
It uses the upper jaw as an anchor to advance the lower jaw.
Many dentists are now treating sleep apnea by giving patients these devices. My dentist uses one, my dental hygienist uses one and the office manager's husband uses one, etc.
Check your dentist's website to see if he advertises these devices.
The EMA is a trial device. It lasts 1-2 years. Eventually, it wears out. Then, you can get a permanent device that won't wear out. That costs more.
But, this way, you have tried out the device and you are sure you can use it and it works for you.
I highly recommend it. You cannot lose weight when you have sleep apnea. I read a medical article on it. It is because the apnea has your body producing a stress hormone continually. And, as long as you are producing it continually, you can't lose weight.
With the device, I got rid of the apnea and then the additional weight that I had gained came off and the apnea was a thing of the past.
Sleep apnea is a terrible stress on the body and will damage your health in so many ways. These dental devices are the latest solution to this horrible problem.