Why I Choose CPAP Therapy Over Inspire
Have you seen the commercials for Inspire? Inspire therapy is very intriguing to me. The thought of never having to wear CPAP is a nice idea. If you’ve read previous articles of mine, I frequently talk about how my experience with CPAP has been relatively easy for me.
What is Inspire?
For those who haven’t heard about Inspire I’ll give you a quick overview. It was first approved by the FDA in 2014. Inspire involves surgically implanting a small device in your chest. The device helps stimulate the hypoglossal nerve and prevents the airway from collapsing during sleep. It’s controlled by a small remote control that you can use to turn it on and off. Inspire has been shown to be effective in reducing the symptoms of sleep apnea and improving the quality of life for many patients.
Weighing the options
Having a device implanted in my body gives me pause. I’ve had my fair share of surgeries over the years. Each one comes with its own risks and possible complications. If you are like me and are concerned with the risks associated with Inspire therapy you can still go with CPAP.
CPAP has been around since 1988. I’ve always considered it an easy and effective therapy for sleep apnea. CPAP can be difficult when you are first getting started. It wasn’t easy for me. When I first started in my teens I didn’t give it a fair try. Actually I quit before I even started. That is a regret I write about a lot.
Benefits and risks
Some people find it difficult to find the mask that works best for them. Some people talk about experiencing dry mouth, nasal congestion and other side effects while using CPAP. For me, once I got used to CPAP therapy I found the benefits far outweighed the inconveniences.
I have never been one who liked the thought of having something artificial implanted into my body. The risks for me far outweigh any benefit in my book. If something goes wrong with my CPAP I can call my Durable Medical Equipment Supplier and have it replaced. If something happens to the Inspire device it will probably mean some sort of procedure. That is not convenient in my opinion.
Choose what's right for you
While Inspire seems to give patients some flexibility with their treatment I don’t think it’s for me. However it might be for you. I always want to stress that you should consult your doctor about all of your options after a sleep apnea diagnosis. They can help you determine which treatment is right for you based on your needs and preferences.
Remember to always consult with your sleep doctor when you are experiencing side effects and complications. Both treatments have some side effects. Doctors can’t help you if you don't make them aware of any symptoms that you may be experiencing.
I am curious as to what you think about Inspire. Have you tried it? Are you thinking about trying Inspire? What is driving your decision? Has anyone been told by a doctor to not use Inspire? Please share your experiences. I am curious. It’s good to know that there are advances going on in the sleep apnea field. Who knows what will be available to us in the future.
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