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Liz6352
+0 points
·
over 6 years
ago
Original Poster
Hi Everyone, My doctor says I am a good candidate for the Inspire Implant. For reference, I'm a 55 yo female, 125# & physically fit; severe apnea, constantly exhausted, headaches, dry mouth, periodontis, TMJ. Oral devices make me gag. Tried & tried ResMed CPAP & pillows; still gagging & gasping. The implant sounds great, but it is a more or less permanent surgical procedure, so I'm doing my due diligence. I've perused old forum posts on the topic and most of the more detailed posts are 2-3 years old, so I'm looking for more recent feedback. And yes, I'm aware of the product Ambassador reviews; I guess I'm looking for more feedback on the nonaffiliated, average patient experience. Are there any particular considerations I should think about before doing this? Any adjustment issues or complications I should be aware of? What about scarring? Should I be worried that this procedure prohibits future use of MRI procedures? Thank you so much for your time!
I had my surgery on Dec 15th of 2017, They Activated my Inspire on Jan 10th. My follow up sleep study proves my Apnea is gone....
I have a ton more energy and stopped falling asleep at my desk... I still wake up a couple times a night, However I am not gasping for air or sleep deprived anymore.... I will tell you up front they are looking at making me an ambassador but I am not one now. I have written my Inspire rep, my doctor and the sleep lab thank you letters, This has truly saved my life. I am only 52 and feared I would have a stroke or heart attack because of my Apnea. I would say go for it. I can't speak of the MRI issues, I am looking at it that this device will make it so I won't need an MRI. Randy
My husband had the Inspire Implant surgery on 2/1/18 and it was then activated on 3/6/18. His overnight sleep study is 4/11/18 at which time we will SEE how the device is working for him.
Here is what I CAN tell you... the surgery is quick and so is the recovery... he came home with three incisions that were approx 2inches in length but were “super glued” so no stitches or infection. He was in pain the following day but after that he was much better. He had to totally heal prior to turning on the device and that is why they waited a month or so to do that. We met with the Inspire rep 3/6/18 and she set the parameter of the device based on when my husband could feel a sensation and then taught us what to do from there. Once home we turned the device on, it glows green (meaning it is on) and after 30mins it will start sending impulses. (you choose the delay start up time that suits you giving yourself enough time to fall asleep)... then every 3rd night we would turn up the device a notch and were told to keep doing this every 3 night until no longer tolerable. It was tolerable and actually he maxed out on the highest setting two weeks ago. He is still exhausted and has no energy. I can tell you that since I sleep right next to him his apnea has gotten worse ... the duration is longer with much more gasping. We have double checked the battery life and ensured that the device is on due to the issues explained...everything is AOK in that arena.
His overnight sleep study is in two days and hoping for answers to why this is happening. I can update you once we have completed this phase of the Inspire. Like everything up to this point I am certain we won’t have the answers right away.
Wow !
I have just stumbled across your post after four years since it was published.
Highly interested to know the long term outcome, so I hope this post finds you.
Hi Liz,
It sounds like you have researched this well........ my experience has not been as good as most recipients of this technology.
First of all, the inspire representatives could not have been nicer and more helpful in the early stages although this last year they have basically avoided me because my experience has not been successful. Also my surgeon is excellent and a super nice gentleman. I think they have tried to do everything that possibly could be done.
Here are the issues I’ve had with the procedure: (please note that I am a fit, 158 lb man)
*Lead wire/electrode between the stimulator under my chin and the generator in my chest is very prominent in appearance and looks very odd in my opinion. Very difficult to shave that area now which would not be your problem :)
Overall it causes my entire neck area to look odd, when I raise my chin, it feels very taut it is quite unsettling. Also on several occasions the area under my chin feels like it is knotting up for some reason which is painful.
generator planted in my chest wall is also very prominent and does not look good (Took away some muscle mass which I have not been able to regenerate with all types of exercise) not being able to have an MRI is also huge for me. I did not know I would have that limitation until after surgery :(
The rib cage sensor has not been a problem
The actual sleep outcome results of using this technology has also been unsatisfactory for me. I was waking up more tired using Inspire that I was using a CPAP. Also it would cause my jaw to pop and my ears to ring after a night of using inspire.
There were other issues as well but I won’t burden you with too many details. If you do wish to discuss further if you may feel free to call me at 205-254-0460. I know there are numerous people who have had a good experience with this technology and I am very happy for them. I really wish it had worked for me but it has not and I wish I had never gone through this difficult and expensive surgery. I wish you the best of luck with your decision.
I have just stumbled across your post after four years since it was published. Highly interested to know the long term outcome, so I hope this post finds you.
I'm interested in hearing from anyone who has had the UPPP surgery and, if so, whether it worked. I had it and it was excruciatingly painful and it didn't help my apnea. I'm concerned that the Inspire device won't help either since some of the soft tissue and uvula were removed.
I had the UPPP in 1999 and, unfortunately, it was not successful. I had deviated septum procedure done at the same time. I can honestly say with no exaggeration that the pain was so excruciating I would pass out and I wanted to die. I thought that, in fact, I was going to die because it was so difficult and painful to try to breathe through both my nose and my mouth.
It was also a very traumatic experience. I was told it was an outpatient procedure or a one night hospital stay at the most. For reasons I still don't understand, I was in the hospital five days. My husband was working and caring for our 10 year old son so he didn't ask a lot of questions about what might have gone wrong. After only three nights at home, the stitches in my tonsil suddenly came apart when I was on a phone call and blood squirted all over the kitchen and me. My husband rushed me to the E.R. at about 1:00 in the morning. The surgeon was called in after the E.R. doctor couldn't stop by bleeding by cauterizing it. I then spent one more night in the hospital.
After the excruciating pain that seemed to last forever and the putrid, nauseating evacuation of my packed nose, I felt sure it had to fix my apnea. Alas, it did not.
I was only in my late 40s and in good health so I expected a positive outcome. Many years later, I was told by a different doctor that my surgeon was known for his outdated equipment and techniques. I never got a satisfactory answer from him when I asked what went wrong. I switched doctors and went on to try using practically every CPAP mask available, I now use a nasal mask, but It took literally years to find one that fits right and is somewhat comfortable.
That is my real-life nightmare of my UPPP and deviated septum. I can't possibly recommend it to anyone. I wish you well if you decide to try it, though. I'd be interested in hearing the outcome if you do go through with it.
Best of luck!
If you're a candidate, everything will be explained including MRI which will depend on the model of the unit. I have the 3028 model and it allows for certain MRI's, not all. Good luck Liz.
Ok Sierra, I won't know my AHI now with Inspire until July...unfortunately they can't get me in for a sleep study until then. I will be telling you that info then.
They do a follow up sleep study 2 to 3 months after the implant to quantify the results. I knew it was working 5 weeks into it. More energy. Lost 25 pounds and I stopped taking naps. Brain fog went away and I felt 10 years younger. I’ve now had it 4 years. Saved my life. Brought my life back.
So quantitatively my AHI dropped from 29 to 4. This was based on before inspire and a 2 month follow up sleep study after activation. Inspire works. You have to have patience and listen to the doc and Inspire team.
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