Sleep Apnea Stories

By Emma CookseyHealth & Fitness

Sleep Apnea Stories episodes

August 11, 2021 31 - Brandon Wilds - New Treatment - eXciteOSA
Emma is joined by Brandon Wilds, one of the first patients to try out the eXciteOSA device for treating mild sleep apnea and snoring. Together they discuss:
* Brandon coping with daytime sleepiness and seeing a sleep specialist;
* Sleep studies at home and at a medical facility;
* Being prescribed a CPAP and having a lot of problems with it;
* Learning about a new treatment called eXciteOSA and being one of the first patients to try it;
* The eXciteOSA device - what it is and how it works;
* Brandon on how much better he is feeling now.
Emma mentioned Project Sleep's program "Rising Voices of Narcolepsy". Sign up for updates from Project Sleep and learn more about the program here: https://project-sleep.com/rising-voices-of-narcolepsy/
This episode is sponsored by:
Mute Nasal Dilators www.mutesnoring.com
eXciteOSA www.exciteosa.com
and Betterhelp www.betterhelp.com/emma
Please note: eXciteOSA are a sponsor of this season of the "Sleep Apnea Stories" podcast but Emma had complete control over the editorial content of this interview.
Disclaimer: this episode of the podcast includes people with sleep apnea discussing their own experiences of medical procedures and devices. This is for information purposes only and you should consult with your own medical professionals before you start or stop any medication or treatment.
37 min
July 29, 2021 BONUS - Emma Cooksey - Women and Sleep Apnea
Emma was recently invited by Fariya Doctor, a Feldenkrais practitioner in Canada, to give an online talk about Women and Sleep Apnea. Since raising awareness about Sleep Apnea is part of Emma's mission with this podcast, she jumped at the chance! This bonus episode is an edited audio version of Emma's talk. In this episode Emma discusses:
* Her own journey with Sleep Apnea;
* Overview of symptoms to look for and how these can often present differently in men and women;
* Case Studies of women featured on the podcast and different reasons they went years without diagnosis;
* Different treatments for Sleep Apnea, including CPAP, Mandibular Advancement Devices and Inspire. Emma touches on other less well known treatments, like palate expansion, buteyko breathing, myofunctional therapy, didgeridoo playing and the new Excite OSA treatment.
Vote for the Podcast (takes 1 minute - voting ends 1st August 2021!!!) - The Sleep Apnea Stories podcast got nominated for awards at this years WEGO Health Awards! If you'd like to support Emma and the podcast to win an award, click the link below, scroll to underneath the categories and click "Endorse this patient leader".
https://www.wegohealth.com/Emma34/awards
Complete Short Survey (takes 2-5 minutes) - If you listen to the podcast, please compete this short survey to help shape future episodes.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VD5JMPV
Follow the podcast on Instagram: @sleepapneastories
www.sleepapneastories.com
Follow Fariya Doctor on Instagram: @movement_detective
https://fariyadoctor.com/
58 min
July 07, 2021 30 - Emma Cooksey - Vivos DNA Appliance, Myofunctional Therapy and Buteyko Breathing
For the final episode of this season, Emma gives an update on her own journey with Sleep Apnea. She explains her goals of getting to the root cause of her Sleep Apnea and introduces the people who are helping her:
* Emma discusses her Myofunctional Therapy experience working with Kaitlyn Shrum. They discuss Emma's classic signs of a compromised airway: high vaulted narrow palate, tongue-tie, history of thumb sucking and mouth breathing. How they worked together before and after Emma's tongue-tie release.
Kaitlyn Shrum - Myofunctional Therapist
Instagram: @southernspeechandmyo
www.southernspeechandmyo.com
* Emma discusses her functional breathing training with Jo Brierly, this included Buteyko breathing re-education. Jo shares the trauma she experienced as a result of a terrorist attack and how discovering breath work changed her life.
Jo Brierly - Functional Breathwork Coach
Instagram: @thebreathingclinic
www.thebreathingclinic.org
* Emma discusses her palate expansion, using vivos appliances, with her dentist, Dr Michelle DeFelice Hucke. Dr Hucke shares about her intake procedure for these devices and the expected outcome.
Dr Michelle DeFelice Hucke - Dentist
Instagram: @jaxbeachesfamilydentistry
https://jacksonvillebeachdentist.com/
* Emma introduces her husband to listeners of the podcast!
Jason Cooksey - Emma's husband on supporting a partner with sleep apnea.
Connect with Emma on Instagram @sleepapneastories or email [email protected]
The sponsor of this episode of the podcast is Mute Nasal Dilators www.mutesnoring.com
Vote for the show in this year's "WEGO Health" Awards: scroll to the bottom and click where it says "endorse this patient leader" https://www.wegohealth.com/Emma34/awards
Please complete this 5 minute listener survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5TWGMT5
1 hr 21 min
June 30, 2021 29 - Chandra Hartman - Epigenetic Orthodontics and Sleep Apnea
In this Episode, Emma has a conversation with Chandra Hartman about her palate expansion. Together they discuss:
* Living with chronic respiratory issues of bronchitis and allergies as a child;
* Chandra living without health insurance but suspecting she had Sleep Apnea for years;
* Working with a Traditional Chinese Medicine doctor to treat respiratory issues;
* Chandra becoming interested in the work of Weston A. Price and Epigenetic Orthodontics;
* Connecting with a Dentist who offered Epigenetic Orthodontics, including Vivos appliances;
* Being diagnosed with severe Sleep Apnea at the age of 45 and using a CPAP;
* How Chandra's life has changed since her successful treatment.
Follow Chandra on Instagram: @chandra.hartman
Chandra's blog: https://elitrope.wordpress.com/category/epigenetic-orthodontics/
Follow the show on Instagram: @sleepapneastories
Email Emma: [email protected]
This episode is sponsored by Mute
45 min
June 23, 2021 28 - AJ Block - Didgeridoo for Sleep Apnea
Emma is joined by AJ Block. AJ is a musician and teacher who runs a program specifically designed for people with Sleep Apnea. Together they discuss:
* AJ's background as a musician and how he found the Didgeridoo;
* The "Didge for Sleep" project AJ has put together to help people with Sleep Apnea;
* The 2005 British Medical Journal Study (linked below) which concluded the Didgeridoo did help reduce AHI in a group of Sleep Apnea patients who were trained in playing the Didgeridoo;
* The need for a lot more research into the effectiveness of Didgeridoo training for Sleep Apnea and AJ's willingness to be involved in upcoming research projects.
Here are the links AJ discussed on the episode:
Didge Project YouTube channel click here
https://didgeforsleep.com/
https://www.didgeproject.com/sleep-apnea/didgeridoo-sleep-apnea-update-2019-a-sleep-apnea-patient-log/
Here is the link to the free class Emma took and discussed on the episode:
https://www.didgeproject.com/didgeridoo-fundamentals/
To follow the Didge Project on Instagram: @didgeproject
British Medical Journal Study: click here
This episode was sponsored by Mute Nasal Dilators https://mutesnoring.com/
To follow the show on Instagram: @sleepapneastories
If you want to be featured in an upcoming episode, please email me at [email protected]
To share your story with the non profit "Airway Revolution" follow this link: https://www.airwayrevolution.org/share-your-story
32 min
June 16, 2021 27 - Elizabeth Thiel - At Home Sleep Study
Emma is joined by Elizabeth Thiel, a 39 year old wife and mother living in Atlanta, Georgia. Together, they discuss:
* At home Sleep Studies - what to expect from this sort of test;
* Being prescribed a CPAP machine and working to find the right mask;
* Problems with delays getting CPAP masks with insurance compliance requirements in mind;
* Durable Medical Equipment companies vs ordering CPAP supplies online;
* Comfort CPAP Covers/Liners;
Follow Elizabeth on Instagram >>> @ladyzbird
Follow the show on Instagram >>> @sleepapneastories
For details of the Philips CPAP Recall click here scroll down and click where it says "affected" CPAP machines.
For details of Emma's "Mastering Your CPAP" online video course, click here.
To join the email list and get your FREE printable pdf "CPAP Lessons I Learned the Hard Way" click here.
This episode of Sleep Apnea Stories was sponsored by Mute Nasal Dilators.
39 min
June 09, 2021 26 - Dr Shelby Harris - Insomnia and Sleep Apnea
Emma is joined by Dr Shelby Harris a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who specializes in Behavioral Sleep Medicine. She treats Insomnia patients using Cognitive Behavior Therapy specifically for Insomnia. In this episode we discuss:
* What is insomnia and how do you know if you have it?
* The distinctions between sleepiness and fatigue and how accurately describing symptoms can help in diagnosis;
* The possibility of having Sleep Apnea along with Insomnia and how these different conditions can be treated concurrently;
* The pro's and con's of wearable sleep trackers, such as apple watches, oura rings and fitbits;
* Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Insomnia vs traditional sleep aid medications;
* The importance of consistent sleep hygiene.
Follow Dr Harris on Instagram @sleepdocshelby
www.drshelbyharris.com
"The Women's Guide to Overcoming Insomnia" by Dr Shelby Harris - available on Amazon and Audible
Follow the podcast on Instagram @sleepapneastories
New or struggling CPAP users - check out Emma's new online video course "Mastering your CPAP" https://sleepapneastoriesacademy.thinkific.com/courses/mastering-your-cpap
This episode is sponsored by Mute https://mutesnoring.com/
34 min
June 02, 2021 25 - Vashanti Ganesh - PCOS and Sleep Apnea
Emma is joined by Vashanti Ganesh. Together they discuss:
* A family doctor being unwilling to prescribe a CPAP despite a diagnosis of Sleep Apnea;
* Suffering with incontinence as a symptom of Sleep Apnea;
* PCOS - Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, what it is and some of the symptoms to watch for;
* Sleep Apnea being common in women with PCOS;
* How Vashanti brought her PCOS symptoms under control with lifestyle changes;
* How much better Vashanti felt when she was prescribed a CPAP at last;
* Vashanti's work as a health coach supporting women with healthy living.

Vashanti's free sleep guide she mentioned is available here: https://vashantigita.dropfunnels.com/guide-2-2/sleep-guide/
Follow Vashanti on Instagram: www.instagram.com/vashantig
Follow Vashanti on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vashantigita
Follow the podcast on Instagram: @sleepapneastories
Email Emma: [email protected]

Struggling with your CPAP? Sign up for Emma's "Mastering your CPAP" online course here
44 min
June 01, 2021 2 - Karen Wolk - Inspire Implant for Sleep Apnea Treatment
Emma is joined by her guest Karen Wolk. They talk all about Karen’s journey with sleep apnea, from having panic attacks and a cognitive impairment affecting her memory, to being diagnosed with Sleep Apnea. Karen explores the different treatments she tried including medications, a nasal surgery, CPAP and BIPAP machines before finally finding relief with an ‘inspire’ implant. Karen discusses how the technology works and the tremendous impact it has had on the quality of her life. Finally, Emma and Karen discuss the silver linings to come from their sleep apnea diagnoses. Connect with Karen on Linked In or Instagram: http://linkedin.com/in/karenwolk Instagram: @kwolk

37 min
May 26, 2021 24 - Brittny Sciarra and Karese Laguerre - Myofunctional Therapy and Sleep Apnea
Emma is joined by Brittny Sciarra and Karese Laguerre to discuss their work as Myofunctional Therapists, also called Orofacial Myologists. Together they discussed:
* What Myofunctional Therapy is and why it can be beneficial for many people with Obstructive Sleep Apnea;
* Myofunctional Therapy as part of a treatment plan for children with Sleep Disordered Breathing;
* Karese shares her own experience with advocating for and getting treatment for her children with Sleep Disordered Breathing;
* What normal resting tongue posture looks like and why it is so important, especially in children as their palate develops;
* How to find airway-focused healthcare professionals who might not be easily found in your area.
Find Brittny here: https://www.ctorofacialmyology.com/
Follow Brittny on instagram: @ct_orofacial_myology
Find Karese here: https://www.themyospot.com/
Follow Karese on Instagram: @themyospot
Follow Emma and the podcast on Instagram: @sleepapneastories
Find Myofunctional Therapists here: AAPMD or AOMD
Sign up for email about the show here and get a free pdf with answers to common CPAP problems. When you're on the email list, you'll be the first to know when Emma's upcoming online course "Mastering your CPAP" goes live!
This Episode was sponsored by Mute Nasal Dilators
43 min

About Sleep Apnea Stories

From the publisher's feed

Sleep Apnea Stories is a podcast featuring guests who are coping with sleep apnea and the medical experts who treat them. The goal of the podcast is to shatter stereotypes around sleep apnea. We also want to build a community of people coping with Sleep Apnea to provide inspiration and hope to listeners. Do you have Sleep Apnea? Would you be willing to share your story with our community? If so, I'd love to hear from you! Email: [email protected]