Has anyone heard of or used the TAP appliance??  I just fount out about it on the internet.  Says it pulls your lower jaw forward while sleeping, keeping your airway open, without the use of a cpap machine or mask.


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REMstar Auto M Series w/C Flex & Smart Card
Heated Humidifer
ComfortLite 2 w/Direct Seal Size 5
Encore Viewer Software
Pressure: 10

Hello,

 I have been using the TAP 2 appliace for almost 3 years now. I could not tolertate CPAP. These devices do work for some people, but they are not for everyone. I am certainly glad that it works for me. I had mild apnea and snoring. It is certainly worth checking into. I would look for a Dr who has experience with the device.
Good luck!

djmv,

Do you know the primary cause for your sleep apnea? If its mouth related (i.e., large tongue, tongue base), Oral appliances may work better than CPAP. Otherwise, CPAP (or surgery) may be the only options for you. Unfortunately, not all ENTs and sleep doctors seem to consider Oral appliances as the first treatment and recommend CPAP even for people with mouth problems which is not great.

I use a TAP 3 and it's the best money I think I've ever spent. I'm a hopeless Insomniac and tried my best to use the CPAP but no amount of drugs or determination would work. The TAP 3 has given me a new outlook on the whole thing. Commenting on logcators post above, I recently visited the ENT and it was determined that the cause of my OSA was the base of the tongue sliding back and he felt the oral appliance would work better than a CPAP anyway. I'm in agreement why insurance doesn't cover these and why it's not considered first line treatment, I have severe OSA (per diagnosis) and I feel better now than I have in months.


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Read my ongoing story at Sleep Apnea Sucks

I got a TAP after failing with CPAP for nearly a year.  They tried about 15 different masks & nose devices,
and none could hold a seal.  All night long I would hear sounds like a train coming out of my mask,
so loud they woke me up and even woke up my husband.  A friend recommended a dentist who
specialized in oral appliances. The ENT had told me my problem was a huge tongue.  The dentist
disagreed that this was the source of my apnea. I had an imperceptible overbite of 5mm.  It is not
obvious to myself or anyone else, biut it was enough that he thought I had suffered from apnea my
whole life.  I don't snore, but I did always need much more sleep than anyone I knew.
Oh, and I have severe apnea - 30 apneas per minute.

The TAP was very easy to get accustomed to for me. I had no problems with adjusting to the TAP 3.

My insurance, BC/CS Carefirst (or carelast) :D did cover a portion of the TAP 3.  I believe I paid $1500
and they covered about $800.  If your insurance comopany rejects you, you must fight it.  They clerks
are trained to return things if they can find any possible reason to do it.  Since the formal organization
of sleep doctors have approved BOTH CPAP and Oral Appliances for treatment of sleep apnea, you should
write a letter to your insurance company telling them this fact.  You might even try to Google the formal
announcement that they approve both.  I have found that arguing with them often works.

Good luck to all who make the jump from CPAP to oral appliance.  St. Remy


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St. Remy
Night/Day Sleep Study Gtwn.Univ.
29 apneas/hour; no REM; no deep.
Oxygen desat 90-84%
14 cm H2O pressure
Failed CPAP use
TAT oral appliance 8/13/07

Oops - typo - 30 apneas an hour


_________________
St. Remy
Night/Day Sleep Study Gtwn.Univ.
29 apneas/hour; no REM; no deep.
Oxygen desat 90-84%
14 cm H2O pressure
Failed CPAP use
TAT oral appliance 8/13/07