Clinical guidelines for the manual titration of positive airway pressure in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

Continuous negative external pressure (cNEP) is an investigational treatment for OSA. Unlike many PAP devices though, cNEP machines do not use a mask and do not cover the nose or mouth.

I am very sorry to hear that you are struggling with your sleep. Unfortunately, this sounds like something you may need to speak with your doctor about since it does not seem like you are struggling with your CPAP therapy.

Regarding the efficacy of surgical treatments for OSA, Dr. Cacho says the best results occur when tonsils that are too large are removed. Improvements may also occur in individuals with OSA who have a piece of their tongue removed to reduce its size, she adds.

Of all of these, many agree the most difficult to overcome is removing the mask while sleeping. Obviously, if the mask isn’t on, it can’t make a difference in how you feel—and you may even feel worse.

“This approach can involve using special pillows designed to support the head and neck for side-sleeping, wearable devices that detect and alert you when you roll onto your back during sleep, or even shirts or vests with built-in mechanisms that make sleeping on your back uncomfortable,” she added.

If you’re still tired after CPAP, implementing these solutions and products into your sleep care routine can make all the difference.

You may need time to adjust to using your mask. There is a range of different styles and designs available and most people are able to find a mask that fits well and is comfortable. The different styles of mask are:

Hypoglossal nerve stimulation is a relatively new treatment that involves a surgeon implanting a thin, flexible tube in the muscles between the ribs and an electrical pulse generator in the chest (below the collarbone).

Generally, Inspire will not limit normal daily activities. However, you should ask your Inspire therapy-trained doctor more info about any activities that are particularly strenuous, like weight lifting, or those that use a large or unpredictable range of motion in your upper body and/or arms, such as working as a firefighter.

Your doctor may choose to adjust your pressure, or try to help you pinpoint exactly your struggle is.

Physicians should monitor for compliance and follow up with their patients closely especially during initiation of CPAP therapy to ensure long-term success.[7] Patients must disclose any adverse effects that may limit compliance which must then be addressed by the physician.

CPAP is often prescribed by the primary care provider, nurse practitioner, internist and the neurologist for patients with obstructive sleep apnea. However, in order to have good compliance, patient education is vital. Many patients use these devices for a short time because of discomfort.

Compliance Matters: Many people quit CPAP therapy due to initial discomfort. To get the most out of your treatment, practice wearing your mask and keep your equipment clean.