Re: WOW and OMG! REPORT back ASAP (as soon as you know)!

The two mouthguards that Dr. Park says he recommends to patients to try before committing to custom fit ones are PureSleep and SomnoGuard. I decided on the SomnoGuard, and went with the one that is one step down from a customized one, the AP. It's maybe $100 more than the lesser versions. But the AP stays in the mouth better and is more adjustable. I figured for myself, since I'm sure this is going to help, to give it a real try I needed to try something as close to the expensive custom fit ones as I could. The AP costs about $169, which I think is quite reasonable for something that'll last maybe 3 years and get me the good sleep I'm so lacking. I ordered from http://www.nosnorezone.com
(and by the way, their customer service has been great so far).

I think for someone on a tighter budget might be happy with the next one down, the SomnoGuard 2.0 ($65.50) ... it just isn't quite as adjustable, and some people sometimes have problems with it occasionally slipping out of the mouth at night.

I think the absolute latest it should arrive in the mail is next Friday, but it really all depends on how long it gets held up in customs and how slow mail delivery is. Nice thing is, the last time I ordered something from Canada, my Sota SilverPulser, it arrived quicker than things I've ordered from within the United States. So I should be able to start using my SomnoGuard AP sometime this week.

I do hear it can take a while to find the ideal position for your jaw. You don't want to rush into advancing too much, or you'll have jaw soreness while your jaw adjusts.

I've never been one to snore, except for a rare unladylike snort, which I'm sure are a few of those times when my airways have collapsed enough that I needed the startle to wake me enough to correct my breathing.

Dr. Park's book points out that a lot of women who have UARS or apnea may not snore or even have noticeable breathing problems—they do have the physiology for it and it's mild enough they don't realize they have it ... until pregnancy or as they age more, because hormones and weight change. As we gain more weight it closes up the airways more, or as we age muscle tone relaxes more. Then it will become more of a problem and sleep breathing worsen, which starts the horrendous cycle of progressively worsening UARS and apnea. Acid reflux numbs the nerves that tell your throat and airways to stay firm, so they relax more, closing off the airways, which causes a vacuum effect, sucking up more acid ... so closing off the airways, more vacuum, and over and over and over... And those who DO snore are creating more of a vacuum. It's a vicious cycle!

Remember, if you snore, you most likely do have apnea or UARS. If you don't snore (and you DON'T have to be overweight), you still may have UARS and not even know it. Consider it a possibility if despite a healthy lifestyle and doing all you can to fix your sleep problems and you STILL remain tired.

I'll definitely let you know how it goes for me! I'm really excited—real SLEEP!