Have you tried the Inspire Innovation sleep apnea device? Share your experiences!

Hello @Choctaw‍, thank you for opening this discussion! The Inspire device does seem like an intriguing solution, let me tag some other members who may be able to share with you.

Have any of you tried the Inspire sleep apnea device? If so, can you share your thoughts with us? What was the implant procedure like? Have you seen good results from it?

If you haven't tried it, does it sound like something you'd be interested in?
@Healym19590401‍ @Llwood48‍ @KymKay‍ @Tamara‍ @Kcooper‍ @Ilove2sew‍ @npatcha‍ @Paultheump‍ @indiansquall.dc‍ @Redlady1‍ @ElsieLouise49‍ @Chelleb‍ @Vrsa76‍ @knbdapne666‍ @Nana2014‍ @Tammycordie‍ @America2019‍ 

Feel free to share any thoughts or experiences with us here!

Take care,
Courtey

I could not get used to the CPAP as well and tried many masks. I now have the Inspire implant device and I am working with the Inspire rep to become accustomed to it. It sends a pulse to your tongue every couple of seconds to push it forward and open your airway. It is a different feeling and takes some getting used to. You do have a remote to turn the device on when you go to bed and turn it off when you wake up. You gradually increase the strength of the pulse until you reach a level that the Inspire unit is helping reduce your sleep apnea episodes. 

The surgery takes about 3 - 4 hours as they make an incision in your upper chest to implant the device and then an incision in your lower side abdomen to run a lead from the device to your diaphragm. Finally, they make an incision under your chin on one side to run the leads from the device and attach the leads to the back of your tongue. Recovery takes about a week and there is no lifting or activity for usually about 2 weeks. The unit is activated about a month after the surgery to allow for a full recovery.

There are also some restrictions that you need to be aware of such as no MRIs can be performed except with precautions. No skydiving (-: and some other activities that may cause problems to the device.

Let me know if you have further questions.

@npatcha Wow thank you so much for sharing. I've been curious about this as an option for me since it was first brought up on here. Any idea about insurance coverage for it? 

My insurance covered 100%. I had UnitedHealth at the time. Although I had to dispute their first denial, Inspire handled the dispute and supplied a 32 page justification and the claim was approved. 

I’ve had my CPAP for several years and am intrigued by Inspire. I’m eager to see what others’ experiences have been. I’m moving in a few stages and hate to think about hauling my CPAP with me.

Does this work for Central & obstructive?

@npatcha how was the insertion procedure? Seems like it’s a bit greater than minor surgery.

@tkl60124 sorry, I hadn’t scrolled up for surgical details. Ugh!

I also had the inspire device implanted - 3 years ago.  I honestly can say it has changed my life and my husband's.  I used to constantly wake him up with my gasping for air in my sleep after an apnea or my snoring.  Inspire has all but eliminated both.  It does take a bit of getting used to - especially feeling your tongue get pushed out which really is funny!  But when you turn it on at night, it gives you 20 mins to fall asleep and then starts the rhythmic motion.  You can delay that longer of course. Sometimes I wake up in the night...then I hit the button which pauses it for a few minutes til I fall asleep again.

Not being able to have an mri is an issue though. There are new mri machines that have been developed that address this issue.  I hope these machines will be in use near me soon, because I have a shoulder that needs an mri.

Hope this info helps!