Sleep Apnea
 

Hey everyone, looking for a little help. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea in November and have been using my CPAP machine for a couple months now and it is working well for me. Im starting the paperwork for the FAA SI. One of the things I need to send in is a letter from my doc to the FAA explaining that the CPAP machine is effective in treating my sleep apnea. My doc is asking for a template letter. Any chance someone can send me their letter for my doc to use as an example? Just want to make sure it includes all the pertinent info. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

V/R
Ken

RE: Doc Template Letter
 

PM me. I should be able to help you. You probably have by now though.

On the one hand, bummer about your OSA condition. On the other hand, Kudos for taking care of yourself and your passengers by getting treatment!

I too have this condition and I decided I wasnt going to hide it but face it head on. I was up front with my AME about it and his office made the paperwork so easy for the special issuance.

I've been using the Airsense 11 since last summer and I've never felt better. When I wake up in the morning, there is such a feeling of wellness.

As for the therapy itself, I actually like the feeling of the increasing pressure as I inhale. It's like you start to inhale and the machine assists and does the rest for you. The best way I can describe it is "Low-gravity breathing".

I hope other pilots get checked out and get some SLEEP!

Hey,

I'm having the opposite problem. Diagnosed with OSA almost 5 years ago. Have CPAP, have over $1000 in masks sitting on my closet shelf after trying this for years. Cannot get good fit, masks all leak, lead to feelings of claustrophobia, have given up on sleep studies because the answer is always 'you just need to get used to it'. 5 years and I'm still not 'used to it'.

And I only get a good night's sleep when I DON'T use this equipment. WTF?

Does anyone have any experience or alternative solutions that are FAA approved (besides CPAP/BPAP)?

PM me with anything helpful, please.

ID

My stepdaughter couldn't get CPAP's to work so she went with the Inspire surgically implanted device. She's doing great with it. I don't know how the FAA looks at it but it's not major surgery. It's expensive without insurance, around $30K-$40K. Here's some info on it:

https://www.ncoa.org/adviser/sleep/i...device-review/