Has anyone tried zQuiet for sleep apnea?

[erincon23]

DH definitely has sleep apnea, but we (after talking with his doctor) don't think that a CPAP is necessarily the right remedy, because of why he is having this issue. There's a doctor in the area who will create a custom night appliance, but it's REALLY expensive. We saw an infomercial for this on TV last night, and they offered a 30-day trial for $9.95, and if you keep it, it's an additional $59.95. The price seems right, and I guess if it didn't work, we'd only be out the $9.95, but I was wondering if anyone here has any experience with it.

 

[dizcrazee]

I tried a dental appliance for sleep apnea (one made by a dentist). It didn't work for me at all, and I wasted a lot of money on it. Also, it was extremely uncomfortable.

I finally broke down and got the C-PAP machine, and it has made a huge difference for me. It improved my quality of life greatly, and I would go so far as to say that I may not be here today if I hadn't gotten the machine. I had severe apnea, which is nothing to play around with. I wish your hubby the best!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

DH definitely has sleep apnea, but we (after talking with his doctor) don't think that a CPAP is necessarily the right remedy, because of why he is having this issue.

Just curious about this. Do you mind saying why?

 

[erincon23]

Just curious about this. Do you mind saying why?

The doctor said we could try the CPAP, but he felt that the apnea was more caused by the way my husband's jaw falls back while he sleeps, which cuts off the airway. I guess there are several causes for apnea. DH's brother has it also, and he's had mixed success with the CPAP. A friend of DH's found that the CPAP didn't help at all, but a night appliance made a difference. I can see it when DH is sleeping (it's very evident when he's sitting up asleep, like in a chair) -- the jaw falls back and then he starts to choke and startle awake. We've had a little "home-made" help by putting a fan right in front of him and having it blow in his face -- it helps as long as he doesn't roll over, which of course isn't realistic for an all-night solution. But when we travel, we take a small fan with us and set it up, and it does make some difference.

By the way, if you're dealing with this -- DH's doctor had him do an at-home apnea test. A company sent us a kit with finger clamps, wires to tape to his head, and a monitor that recorded his breathing and movement. It told us what we already knew -- that he had apnea -- and cost us $500 (fell under our deductible). When DH lost his job, right after that, we didn't get the recommended CPAP -- couldn't afford it -- and when he got a new job, with new insurance, the doctor wanted to do the same thing again! I absolutely wouldn't let him -- yes, the test tells you that you do have apnea, but doesn't tell you why, and a CPAP isn't the only, or often even correct, remedy. So we talked to him and explained what the jaw problem looked like, he examined DH, and that's when he said we would probably not have success with the CPAP. Don't always take the first word as the only word.

 

[Poohforyou]

I've never heard of an at home test. I'd recommend getting a sleep study done at an actual sleep center. That would help get to the bottom of your db's issue.

 

[BearcatsFan]

I've never heard of an at home test. I'd recommend getting a sleep study done at an actual sleep center. That would help get to the bottom of your db's issue.

+1 I've never heard of an at-home test, either. My DH had to do two sleepovers - once to be diagnosed, and once to see which machine/pressure suited him best.

He could not use a CPAP but instead uses a CFLEX.

Hope you get some answers for your DH soon.

 

[bearloch]

does anyone hve it just when sleeping on back? my hubby mentioned to me that he has been noticing it with me. UGH!!!!!!!!!!!! But says when im on my side or tummy im fine.

thanks

 

[erincon23]

The at-home test was a little odd. Didn't make a lot of sense to me. I wanted him to do an in-center test, but when the insurance we had wouldn't cover it, and DH wasn't working, that was out. That's when we talked the doctor and he wanted to do another at-home test and we (I) vetoed it.

Bearloch, does your hubby say you just snore when you're on your back, or does he think it's more? Like does he say you choke or shake to wake yourself up? If you're just snoring, DS's ENT says that's just a "social problem."

 

[arminnie]

If the CPAP doesn't work and it's a jaw problem then he most likely needs jaw surgery.

That's what one of my friends had to do. She was at the top sleep center in the world - the one that actually defined sleep apnea.

 

[castmemberb4]

Is this diagnosis coming from a GP ? I don't like the way my nephews GP handeled his sleep apnea test and set up. Both my brother and I have sleep apnea and went to an Ear, Nose & Throat Dr. who sent us to a sleep institute. We both had 1 test and they calibrated our CPAP that night. My nephew was sent to a hospital for his test where he didn't sleep well so I feel they didn't have accurate information. Then he had to go back for the second test that another PP mentioned. I have never heard of a home test and while I believe it's legitimate I can't see that it would be accurate.

As for your DH situation with his jaw, I work for a dentist and while they now have access to sleep apnea appliances I don't feel most dentist are qualified to treat SA. Your DH certainly sounds like he would benefit from the appliance though. The way you describe his jaw movement sounds like exactly the type of SA a well trained dentist would be able to treat. Just make sure he/she has had adequate training.

BUT The fact that the fan blowing on his face helps, makes me think a CPAP would work for him, that's exactly the way a CPAP works. It blows through the mask into your nose and keeps you breathing.

Lastly Please don't take this lightly, I had a very close friend who "died in her sleep" a few years ago. I feel strongly that she had sleep apena.
ALSO I want to back up the PP who said it makes a very real difference in the way you feel. All of us, me, DB, & DN get better sleep, go to sleep easily, and wake up feeling rested. Without the CPAP we would all wake up feeling tired.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

The doctor said we could try the CPAP, but he felt that the apnea was more caused by the way my husband's jaw falls back while he sleeps, which cuts off the airway. I guess there are several causes for apnea. DH's brother has it also, and he's had mixed success with the CPAP. A friend of DH's found that the CPAP didn't help at all, but a night appliance made a difference. I can see it when DH is sleeping (it's very evident when he's sitting up asleep, like in a chair) -- the jaw falls back and then he starts to choke and startle awake. We've had a little "home-made" help by putting a fan right in front of him and having it blow in his face -- it helps as long as he doesn't roll over, which of course isn't realistic for an all-night solution. But when we travel, we take a small fan with us and set it up, and it does make some difference.

That is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and many people have it in a similar fashion. Oftentimes, CPAP can help, but you really have to give it a try first. Unfortunately, cost for sleep studies and reimbursement for CPAP have changed for the worse. It's not insurmountable, but appliances have to be taken to the doctor's office and a microchip examined to see that the patient's actually been wearing it properly before they'll pay for it in some cases. There are different setups that patients can try for maximum comfort. Usually after treatment, patients feel a whole lot better once they're getting good quality sleep, but more importantly, their long term health will be improved, too.

http://journals.lww.com/heartinsigh...nea_Affects_The_Cardiovascular_System.10.aspx

http://www.sharecare.com/question/how-does-sleep-apnea-affect-heart

 

[bearloch]

He says when Im on my back he thinks I stop breathing hes been watching me and says I go for 3 mins or so but nothing on sides and stomach lol I gotta make a doc appt at least I dont like back sleeping.

 

[powellrj]

My DS had the at home test. It was what the VA would pay for at the time. It maybe different now. He said everything kept falling off in the night and it didn't show anything. Duh. I'm not surprised.

Has your husband tried sleeping with a travel pillow backwards? Before I got my c-pap that is what I was doing because I would start to snore the minute my head fell forward so the pillow would keep it from falling. Its one of those horseshoe type pillows.

 

[Strawberry's mom&dad]

Home sleep testing is mandated by some insurance companies now. It can be fairly accurate if is used appropriately.


I purchased the Pure Sleep oral appliance for my self after using one of the home testing units on myself.(yes I work in a sleep lab). I have mild sleep apnea. Anyway, I tried to use the oral appliance, gave it several weeks trial. I never slept a whole night with it in. When I woke up it was often in the bed or on the floor. My jaw was very sore the entire time I tried using it.
At the time I purchased the device it was buy one get one free. The second one my husband is using. He has been wearing CPAP for 5+ years. He has to use a chin strap to help keep his mouth closed during the night. He now uses the oral device to keep his mouth closed. He has had no issues with it.

Would I recommend it? If all you do is snore or have mild apnea, meaning apnea hypopnea index or AHI less than 10, then give it a try. AHI greater than 10 CPAP will work. It does/can take a few weeks to get use to. Make sure that you have a good fitting mask. It will make a huge difference in how you feel

 

[funkychunkymonkey]

He says when Im on my back he thinks I stop breathing hes been watching me and says I go for 3 mins or so but nothing on sides and stomach lol I gotta make a doc appt at least I dont like back sleeping.

My moms the same way! she got the cpap and it wasnt doing much for her so we tried a homeade solution. We bought one of those spike balls for dogs and made her a custom holder for it that goes on a belt and around her. It keeps her from sleeping on her back (too unconfortable) so she has no issues! worked like a charm and her sleep specilist is thrilled!

 

[Sadie22]

does anyone hve it just when sleeping on back? my hubby mentioned to me that he has been noticing it with me. UGH!!!!!!!!!!!! But says when im on my side or tummy im fine.

thanks

Yes, it can be worse in some positions. Through a sleep study it was determined that my husband is fine sleeping on his side but has more apneas when sleeping on his back. I'm the one using a CPAP, and mine does not work as well for me on my back. i need to sleep on my side as well.

 

[erincon23]

The Zquiet arrived yesterday. It looks like a double mouth guard, hinged. DH had a couple seconds' trouble trying to get it on his teeth, but when he did, said it wasn't uncomfortable and he could breathe fine with it in.

He didn't snore all night! I sleep poorly and wake up alot, but I never once heard him make a sound. He doesn't think he rolled over at all during the night, and he woke up feeling a lot less tired than he usually does. So, early results -- SUCCESS!

 

[Poohforyou]

The Zquiet arrived yesterday. It looks like a double mouth guard, hinged. DH had a couple seconds' trouble trying to get it on his teeth, but when he did, said it wasn't uncomfortable and he could breathe fine with it in.

He didn't snore all night! I sleep poorly and wake up alot, but I never once heard him make a sound. He doesn't think he rolled over at all during the night, and he woke up feeling a lot less tired than he usually does. So, early results -- SUCCESS!

That's awesome . I know my DH felt so much better once he got his CPAP. It took me a few nights to get used to the humming noise from it but it's been a lifesaver overall. Hope it continues to be a success.

 

[MELISAZACK]

all I can say is my DH has moderate sleep apena he has had a cpap machine for over two years and it has had to be increased in pressure since we had it.
This ISN"T a problem to fuss with and not have it handled correctly we have had 2 family members die from not having a cpap machine and having sleep apena - one middle age and one a child. very sad.. My DH went to a sleep center to be tested I would never of agreed to a home testing for it.. no possible way that is accurate (at least in my opinion) we also used a cardiologist when his issues started and our clue was Extremely loud snoring.
good luck, but I would do the test again inconvience or not and go from there.

 

[elmo2wdw]

Has anyone had the surgery to help with sever sleep apnea? My husband was just tested and he has severe sleep apnea (stop breathing over 130 times in 3 hours...up to 27 seconds at a time).

Thanks for any info!