Bus driver says life changed after treating his obstructive sleep apnea with Inspire® therapy

Sleep issues persisted for Michael Tandarich for several years before he found Inspire^® therapy.

He snored throughout the night and felt groggy during the day. It made it difficult to drive. Michael later learned he had obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in 2008.

He used a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine first. This only lasted a few months before he gave up on it.

“It wasn’t for me,” Michael said. “I felt claustrophobic and would rip it off at night.”

A few years passed and Michael still had multiple apnea events every hour. Doctors recommended an oral appliance next. Tandarich said it worked, “OK,” but sometimes fell out of his mouth while he slept.

His wife is a nurse practitioner in an ear, nose and throat provider’s office. She told him about Inspire therapy when a doctor at the practice began offering the procedure.

He qualified and received the Inspire^® implant in April 2022.

Michael now feels more rested when he wakes up. He has more energy throughout the day and rarely snores.

“I love it,” he said. “It’s changed my life for the better.”

He’s also able to travel more since he only needs to bring his Inspire^™ remote. Michael feels more alert when driving a bus around his hometown in Michigan, as well.