success of therapies

[GayK]

I am a 67 yr old female and recently had a sleep study and was diagnoticed with mild obstructive sleep apnea with a rate of events at 8 per hour increasing to 11 per hour in supine sleep and a saturation low at 82%.  Recommendations CPAP or other treatment (may include oral dental applicances by a dentist or ENT evaluation for surgical treatment options).  I am having trouble finding a dentist who is able to file with Medicare for the dental appliance.  Have you had success with the dental appliance?  Would you recommend a ENT evaluation?  I hate to jump right to the CPAP - it seems quite cumbersome.  I take medication for high blood pressure and had a mild ischemic stroke 3 years ago.

Gay K  

[Steven Y Park, MD]

I haven't seen Medicare cover dental devices for sleep apnea (but I could be wrong). I've seen regular insurance cover it on occasion, but it really depends on your policy. You can see an ENT, but not all ENTs are able to determine which option would be good for you. In light of the fact that you have a history of hypertension and stroke, you should consider getting it treated one way or the other. CPAP is covered by Medicare and is the best initial way of treating it. Once you're started on it, you can take your time looking at other options.