Afib and sleep apnea

[Stressbaker]

Has anyone with Afib used the Inspire implanted device for sleep apnea? I was wondering if an electrical device in the body would set off afib episodes?

[CDreamer]

I have never heard of this device before today and sounds interesting so just looked it up. I can’t answer your question about this particular device as I don’t know exactly how this device works but would say I had an electrical device implanted, ergo a pacemaker, which stopped my AF.

If SA is the cause of your AF, which for many of us in undoubtedly was at least a contributory factor, and this device stops the SA then I can only conclude it would help lessen the AF burden. CPAP worked well for me so I wouldn’t make the qualifying criteria, even if it were available in Europe.

[Maglynne007 in reply to CDreamer]

interesting article. I’ve had PAF since @ 2019 and was diagnosed with OSA about 7 weeks ago as my oxygen level dropped to 70% and the pulse oximetry measured over 200 episodes of something and nearly 200 episodes of something else (I was stunned with what the clinician was telling me and didn’t take in what the figures referred to, simply because I felt like I hadn’t slept all night as when I started to fall asleep the pulse oximeter vibrated and kept me awake what felt like most of the night. So the figures seemed quite high considering I thought I hardly slept). I was told I would be getting a CPAP machine as soon as possible but that the NHS was struggling to get hold of them and that they have changed suppliers. It’s coming up to 8 weeks now and still haven’t heard anything.

[CDreamer in reply to Maglynne007]

Unfortunately - that is the way of it in the NHS at the moment, not saying it’s right as of course it’s a worry.

I recently moved and have waited 8 months for a handover to a new clinic for monitoring - even though I was diagnosed in 2014 and am looking for a review and support. I got an appointment through yesterday - for video conference with ‘a sleep specialist’ - no idea who or what qualification they have - for tomorrow????!!!

There are long waiting lists everywhere - if you can afford it I would strongly recommend you go privately. A CPAP machine will cost approx £600-700. The machine I got from the NHS is the same one I would have bought - Resmed AirSense. What you do need is very good advice and tutorial on how to use it, time to find out which mask to use and good telephone support for supplies.

[Maglynne007 in reply to CDreamer]

Thank you for the advice. Just checked when my appointment was - 31 October- so just phoned the clinic at the hospital to enquire on the progress of the CPAP - only to be advised that my “paperwork” hadn’t been handed over to be put on the waiting list for the CPAP. The advisor said she would chase this up so that I am at least on the waiting list. Oh dear looks like it’s going to be a long wait. May look into funding one myself in the New Year (will have a read up on the subject). Thank you

[CDreamer in reply to Maglynne007]

You do need support to begin with - you have to chase all the time don’t you? I find it exhausting.

[CDreamer]

You may have already seen this article but for anyone like me who was interested and wants to know more - I found this article quite informative

healthline.com/health/sleep...

[Stressbaker in reply to CDreamer]

I had not seen this article! Thanks!