DIY Sleep Apnea Fix Update: What We’ve Learned

This is a follow up on a recent video about my adventures with sleep apnea. Seek guidance

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[nanette]

You really have the kind of voice and mannerisms of a great journalist/ media personality, you need your own tv show! Thank you for having the courage to speak out to help others, it’s refreshing to see your kindness.

[johncware]

People want advice from people they can trust...from a friend. And you videos over the course of years have demonstrated a high level of integrity and approachability. That is why you got so many views.

[curtismmichaels]

My VA clinician said I'm part of a small percent of her patients who uses my CPAP. Before using it I needed 2 hours in the morning to get to where I could think clearly. Now I wake up rested, alert, and ready for my day. I'm sure my experience is nowhere near universal, but when the difference is that profound... well, I know what you mean about giving thanks every day. Thanks for the info and the perspective.

[wk]

I read the book Breath also. I am now a mouth taper. I used to use a CPAP. I recently went to a sleep clinic. The doctor did not want me to use the tape. I did not however had trained myself to breath through my nose. The sleep clinic found I no longer suffered from apnea. Occasionally, I have to go back to taping as my mouth drops open. So happy I am no longer on the CPAP. I also feel I sleep better breathing through my nose at night. I track my sleeping through a Garmin watch. I am better for all these changes.

[Simon-plzi]

I completely cured my severe sleep apnea through diet and exercise. I began walking daily and lifting light weights, cut out all refined foods, sugar and alcohol. I ate only a natural whole food diet (no snacking). Within 3-months my weight returned to normal, and my sleep apnea ceased. I was no longer waking up choking and gasping for air in the middle of the night. Today I still exercise daily, eat only whole unrefined foods and cut out all alcohol. Today I rarely even snore, and no more sleep apnea!!

[yahalam]

I have a full beard and trimmed mustache so the perpendicular taping is not practical, I cut the tape one inch wide to cover the lips only, putting it on horizontally, 2" (2" sideways X 1" up and down tape) allows 1/4 " clearance on each end so cough and a little talk can come through. This method has changed my life! Thank you! Instead of naps all afternoon, I get one nap every other day and get much more work done! By the way, I really like your channel, and watch almost all your videos. Doctor Craftsman you the man!

[nigelwylie]

I have been using CPAP successfully for over 20 years. But for those who can’t get along with it, it is good to hear some alternatives.

[keithkamps]

I was diagnosed with sleep apnea and didn't realize it until I wrecked my car because I fell asleep and the next thing I know the car is careening off the center medium. After that incident my wife scheduled an appointment with a sleep doctor. I was diagnosed and subscribed a CPAP machine and it has literally changed my life. Thank you for sharing your experience.

[BTimmer]

Scott, I’m one who learned about mouth taping in the academy. I purchased some of the Griff Grip you mentioned and received immediate help. I also purchased an O2 ring and found that with mouth taping I could maintain over 90% oxygen levels without my Cpap machine. I then upgraded my CPAP machine from a recalled Phillips to an Airsense 10 Card to Cloud. My Cpap doctor recommended some specific medical grade tape which I’m now using. With taping and CPAP use my O2 levels are close to a flat line at 96%.

Keep sharing about this on your channel.

[jayrichardson]

I've been using a mouth guard I got from my dentist for 4 yrs. now. I get six +hrs of. Uninterrupted sleep most nights. I do feel much better since I started using it. My wife says I used to snore terribly and that I hardly snore at all now. Feels like there is still room for improvement so am going to try the nose strips
And vitamin d. Thanks for bringing this up, no need to procrastinate any longer.

[busjoyfully]

I also have been taping my mouth shut since I watched one of your videos. It has been great. Much better sleep. No dry mouth. The first two nights my brain panicked because it was so use to breathing through my mouth. Took me some time to adjust. Thank you so much.

[GreenEarth]

You never cease to amaze me, SERIOUSLY We are a sleep deprived society . As a retired Professional Firefighter, I simply figured that my shift work for over 25 years seriously forever affected my ability to ever sleep soundly again. Being woken up throughout the night at all hours by alarm calls is known to "throw off one's circadian rhythm", basically eliminating the ability to ever feel rested in the morning ever again. I'm going to try this option, exactly as presented, vitamins included. I will journal for 2 months and report back to this channel. I am a very open minded individual, and I have found that Doctors in my area here in Nova Scotia, Canada, are VERY, VERY, CLOSE MINDED. I am lucky if I get 4-5 hours of sleep a night. Tonight I fell asleep at 11pm and woke up at 1:32am, it is now 3:29am locally. I found this episode while searching how to locate an air leak in my son's plumbing system in his brand new house (pex pipe under concrete slab protected by foam insulation somehow is leaking) and the Inspector arrives in 2 days. I believe in FATE and KARMA, BIG TIME. Your Youtube channel is BY FAR one of the very best on the Internet. I wish you all excellent health and much happiness. Thank you for this topic.

[Traderjoe]

I started doing the taping after your first video and really had no problems and I stuck with it. I have a mustache and goatee, so I don’t think that the method shown here would work as well, but I will try it. I think you’ve saved a lot of people from potentially dying earlier in life then they otherwise might have if they hadn’t done anything. So, thank you for that.

[peacefulpath]

I am so glad I came upon your video. I, too, am one who has not been able to tolerate CPAP and have gone "off script" with other remedies. I use nasal strips as you do, and do a nightly saline nasal wash. I wear an O2 Ring that tracks my oxygenation while sleeping. I found out that my numbers were better if I sleep upright with firm pillows and sometimes in a recliner. I find encouragement in your success, and am glad I'm not the only one on this path. Thanks for sharing your story.

[joannhacker]

I taped my mouth with one wound closure adhesive strip put on diagonally. I will try the nasal strip since it was hard to fall asleep at first. But I woke up refreshed this morning with out an alarm clock. My blood pressure was low again which is normal for me. Last week it was high and was told by Dr to monitor. Good sleep is important for good blood pressure. Thank you for your video. It’s encouraging.

[donaldross]

As a mechanic day time sleepiness and falling to sleep while driving customers cars scared me badly. I am retired now. The Good Lord was watching over me and I never wreaked or got in an accident while driving customers cars. Yes I have been using a CPAP machine for 20+ years now. When my allergies flare up the CPAP machine struggles to keep up. I will try the mouth tape. Some morning I get up with headaches because the machine failed to overcome head congestion. Thank you for sharing. As I talk to many people I am surprised how many have sleep apnea. A good night sleep is a vary valuable thing. Now I think about you climbing around in the rafters of that building you are making, glad you are getting a good night sleep.

[johnsrabe]

I’m glad you included those warnings. You’d like to think common sense would prevail, but it often doesn’t. Given the reticence many doctors will have toward endorsing these treatments, I think a better question for one’s doctor might be “will it hurt me if I do this, ” instead of “will this work?”

[TheGardenerNorth]

I use the Nasal strips along with my CPAP and it definitely makes a difference. When it comes to nutrition and sleep I definitely take D3 and Magnesium. If you really want to dial things in, keep a sleep journal. Yes, a sleep journal! Just simple note pad, kept right by your beside and when you wake in the morning take notes on the quality of sleep you had and what your daily or pre-bedtime habits were the night before, right down, to how many hours, mid sleep wake ups to stuff like did you have a beer or whiskey. Just by taking notes you really begin to understand what is effecting your sleep patterns either good or bad. You might be thinking this is going way too far, but for some people like me, I suffered from severe insomnia and apnea that it started to effect relationships. Now I have more energy and no 'fog brain' throughout the day. Also the taping of the mouth does work. If you're having trouble taping your mouth shut, get your wife to do it she'll be happy to. LOL!

[unknown-qlfk]

I saw your first video on tape, then tried it, it helped, so i picked up an anti snore chin strap and it did the same as the tape for like 10$ and you dont nedd to tape your face

[jamessisco]

I finally got my wife to tape her mouth shut! Thanks so much, I finally get good sleep because she’s getting good sleep. You guys are awesome!