Oklahoma man pursues new dreams thanks to Inspire® therapy

Cognitive issues started to plague Rick Rice’s life before he turned 40.

It took a misdiagnosis and several more years before the true culprit revealed itself – severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Even then, Rick didn’t notice a meaningful change in his life until after he began using Inspire® therapy in 2022.

“It’s nice that I am not going to die in my sleep, but 98% of my satisfaction is the cognitive ability I have regained,” he said.

Rick’s journey to better sleep began with a visit to a psychiatrist in his late 30s.

He began to struggle with concentration, even for small, daily tasks. His doctor believed he had attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and prescribed Ritalin.

The medicine did not improve his brain fog.

He thought he may have something other than ADHD, so he went back to the doctor.

An eventual sleep test confirmed he did not have ADHD. He did have severe OSA.

Rick stopped breathing 46 times per hour while sleeping. And the lack of rest began to affect his mind and his work as a lawyer.

He left the office early some days to nap. He also struggled with long drives to court.

Rick also lacked energy to organize and clean his office.

He used a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine after diagnosis. But the result disappointed him.

Rick switched to different machines and multiple masks. None of them felt comfortable enough to use consistently.

He only slept about two hours a night while trying to use CPAP. Rice felt desperate.

Rick saw an advertisement for Inspire therapy on TV in 2021 and quickly made an appointment with an Inspire-trained provider.

He qualified and received the Inspire® implant in 2022. It only took two weeks before he noticed better sleep.

His Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) reduced to almost zero within months.

Rick Rice said he loves to wake up each morning and spend time with his wife now that he gets better sleep. Rick began using Inspire® therapy in 2022 to treat his obstructive sleep apnea.

“My wife says that I am happier,” Rick said. “I am more energetic. She’s thrilled. I used to snore like a freight train. I don’t snore at all anymore.”

The benefits of treating his OSA affect multiple aspects of Rick’s life. This includes his work as an attorney and his relationship with his wife.

He said he used to have a mountain of papers on his desk and lacked energy to organize anything. Now, his office is clean.

Rick is also more productive with his mental state improved. This even surprised his three legal assistants who work for him.

“I keep them busy all year long, and they have said in the last few years that I am wearing them out with the amount of work that I get done,” he said.

He now wakes up with his wife early every day. They talk about current events and enjoy the mornings together due to his increased energy levels.

He also takes more vacations with his wife. Rick can even drive long distances to work without falling asleep.

“I am sleeping better,” he said. “Every night I turn it on is a complete, total success of sleep.”

This led to one of Rick’s biggest dreams. He and his wife want to be on 'The Amazing Race' on CBS.

He continues to apply with the hope of selection. Rick said he can only possibly compete on a show like that because Inspire therapy improved his life so much.