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Apnea

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If you haven't done so yet, try a Breath Right Nasal Strip. That will tell you how much the deviated septum is contributing. Personally, I'd do the dental appliance first. If it doesn't work out, all you've lost is two trips the clinic.

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john999,

I have the same issues as you. Too much flesh in soft palate and deviated septum. Add to that dentures I soak every night. My DX was severe OSA and I was given a BiPap. Even with the machine, I was only getting a couple of hours of sleep at a time. I'd wake up struggling to breathe through my nose and mouth, my mouth dry as a cotten ball. Out of frustration, I tried Breathe Right Strips. I am now getting a good 6 to 7 hrs sleep without interuption. At my age(66), unless the strips stop working for me, operations are not an option.

SEMPER FI

ONCE A MARINE, ALWAYS A MARINE

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  • HadIt.com Elder

I originally got a CPAP from my Medicare HMO and had to pay 22 dollars a month for it. It was automatic and set pressure by sensing what was good at the time. The VA gave me one later and set it to 11. My problem has been at times it triggers a panic attack and according to Mrs Pete all hell breaks loose.

Because of chronic broncititus I am seeing a pulminary Doc who is going to try and get me back on CPAP. All I can say is that I did pretty good on it for a while but right now trying to get back on track. Don't give up I believe in it. I think that it takes a lot more monitoring than VA is willing to give.

Good Luck

Veterans deserve real choice for their health care.

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Last I knew my pressures were in the 24 range, VA gave me a Bi-PAP I use a full face mask(before full face I had major cotton mouth issues and was destroying teath from clenching), if I don't clean my mask daily and wash my face just before bed I have seal/leak problems. I had to nix out the pressure let off on exhale because it was causing noise oscillations. My humidifier all the way up will make me think I am being steamed like a piece of poached fish! I do not have a diviated septum.

Have you checked your meds to see if they could be causing the dry mouth problem??

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The full face mask that works best for me is not a standard VA inventory Item, they special order me when its time for a replacement. I think I am on a sullivan mask. the two other Standard VBA inventory masks they tried sucked!!

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Something else to consider: For those of you who are struggling with high pressures: There is clinical research out there documents wearing the dental device while wearing the mask lowers the pressures needed to treat the apnea

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