Kansas man enjoying motorcycle rides again with Inspire® therapy

Stucker recalls snoring loudly at five or six-years old.

He camped with his parents and brother often back then. They slept in a bunk bed with Stucker above them.

Stucker’s dad used to kick him to wake him up as soon as he started to snore.

He was in his 40s on a hunting trip when Stucker’s son-in-law mentioned he might have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). A sleep test later confirmed the diagnosis.

Stucker used a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine to treat his OSA.

It reduced his apnea episodes at first. This changed 20 years later.

He didn’t feel as well-rested and began to stop breathing in his sleep again.

No adjustments or mask changes helped despite an effort to try.

Stucker moved on to an oral appliance but that didn’t work “at all,” he said.

He later learned about Inspire therapy. He researched it and began the qualification process.

Stucker received the implant in May 2022. Activation came about a month later.

Stucker’s sleep apnea episodes are now down to just five times an hour.

He also appreciates the ease of travel. He and his wife can go on trips and not carry around a CPAP machine.

He is back to enjoying life and his motorcycle rides again.

“It does make a big difference,” Stucker said. “We love to ride motorcycles, and it is basically impossible to take the CPAP along.”