Forty years later: Vietnam veteran finds relief with Inspire® therapy

Richard Gutierrez struggled with his obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) for almost four decades before starting Inspire^® therapy.

Richard served 9-and-a-half years in the military. He didn’t leave until late 1977. He learned about his loud snoring after members of his unit told him it bothered them. He also noticed he felt tired and lacked energy each morning.

But Richard never suspected OSA at first. That happened later when his wife Diana said something. His snoring kept her awake. But it also made her anxious when Richard stopped breathing in his sleep over 35 times per hour.

“(My wife is) my soulmate,” Richard said. “I don’t know how she actually put up with that pressure every night – not knowing if your husband actually stops breathing. That would scare the heck out of her.” Richard’s severe OSA diagnosis in 1980 meant he needed to try a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine.

Richard also had PTSD and anxiety after serving in Vietnam, however. He started with a large mask that he routinely ripped off in the middle of the night. This even happened after he received smaller masks to try over the next 18 years.

“My wife said within the hour after I fell asleep, I was ripping the thing off,” he said. The lack of quality sleep took a toll. He stopped being active with a lack of energy and often woke up with brain fog.

Then hope came one Sunday morning when Richard read a newspaper article. It mentioned Inspire therapy and included quotes from his sleep doctor. Gutierrez quickly made an appointment and went through the qualification process.

He received the Inspire^® implant in August 2019. The results were almost instant about three days after his provider turned his therapy on. Gutierrez now has more energy. He feels healthier and is active again.

He became the president of the University of Texas El Paso (UTEP) alumni association in 2005 and often does things for the university now, as well. Richard even built a miniature golf course in his backyard. Some of the holes spell out UTEP.

“I am 76, and I am not stopping,” he said. “I feel that I get up with energy, and I want to move around.” Richard said the best part is knowing his wife is also getting benefit.

“That is the most important – quality of life – not only for myself but for my spouse,” he said. “She doesn’t worry about that anymore. She can rest. She has a better night’s sleep.”