Danie13

Hi SleepDent,

Thank you so much fro your reply. I actually slept without the TAP last night and ironically slept so much better not waking up at the same god awful hour of 5:30AM! I do hate the fact that my mouth is forced to stay closed with just that small opening - the mouthpiece has popped off several times throughout the night from me inadvertently trying to open my mouth. With the TAP, we started at 16 turns then went to 20 and then went to 22 turns because he said I would need that much protrusion. I wasn't experiencing this issue at 16 turns so maybe I will speak to my dentist about going back to the beginning. I have a sleep study tonight that I have to do with the device. I have spoken to him about trying another oral appliance but he is hesitant because I was diagnosed with moderate Apnea and says the other devices aren't as effective (not sure if that is true or not). I really just want to feel better and I just seem to be feeling worse. I have been so worried that something is wrong with my heart or lungs due to this suffocating feeling of not getting enough oxygen that I've gone for several tests; an EKG, an Echo, a stress test, 3 pulmonary tests to see if I suffer from asthma....all passed with flying colors. I am actively trying to lose weight I am 48lbs overweight, all the doctors say that might cure my apnea. With the added issue of anxiety and depression that I suffer from my life has become one big nervous mess.

Regards,

Danie

Hi,

I was diagnosed with moderate positional OSA in September 2017 - sleeping on my side my OSA is mild. I tried the CPAP but I could not tolerate the air pressure. I suffer from extreme Anxiety and the CPAP is just not an option for me as it sends me into a panic every time I wear it. My Pulmonary doc suggested I try an oral device so I went to a dental specialist who fit me for the Dream Tap. I've been wearing the device since Dec 1 2017. We have been adjusting the turns to keep moving my jaw - I am up to 22 turns but I feel like my breathing is getting worse. For the past month I have been waking up between 5:30 and 5:45 AM consistently feeling like I can't breath and not getting enough oxygen. The feeling of breathlessness stays with me all morning until I guess my body regulates itself. I am so scared this is happening because I can't take a deep breath and it makes my anxiety worse. I told my dentist who scheduled a sleep study to see how the appliance is working so I will be doing that within the next few days and then seeing my Pulmonary doc at the end of this month. I don't like the dreamTap because I can't open my mouth it feels very restrictive. I have completely stopped snoring but I don't feel like it has helped at all with my breath - in fact I feel worse. Has anyone found the oral appliance to make them feel worse? Any feedback suggestions? I feel pretty hopeless. Thank you Danie