Pennsylvania teenager sleeping restfully with Inspire® therapy

Max Osbaugh slept terribly for years. The Pennsylvania teenager has Down syndrome and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

People with Down syndrome are more likely to have OSA.  His mom, Kristina Cressler, spent years looking for solutions before she found Inspire^® therapy. 

The whole family can now sleep through the night without interruption. 

“It has helped us have better sleep and a better quality of life,” Kristina said. 

The years before Inspire therapy were different. 

Max dealt with multiple health problems since birth. He even needed surgery to repair a heart defect as an infant. 

Kristina also noticed he stopped breathing while he slept. This is a scary thing for a mother to witness. 

Max later received a severe OSA diagnosis and first began using a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine for treatment. 

It didn’t work well. Max took his mask off at night due to a lack of comfort.  

Kristina slept next to her son for years due to her concerns. 

She woke up multiple times to put the mask back on his face during the night. 

“It was a huge challenge for a long time,” Kristina said. “It was almost like I had an infant again because I was up constantly.” 

Max’s doctor then mentioned the Inspire therapy clinical trials for children with Down syndrome and OSA.  

Max Osbaugh and his mother Kristina Cressler enjoy time out together. Max has Down syndrome and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). He sleeps better and is doing more by himself since treating his OSA with Inspire® therapy.

Kristina decided to try and get Max into the trials when she realized other treatment options weren’t working. 

He qualified and received the implant in the summer of 2020. 

Kristina noticed his sleep slowly started to improve after Max’s provider turned the device on in July that year. 

Max’s doctor worked to fine-tune his therapy. Eventually, he started sleeping throughout the night by himself. 

His heart problems also improved as time went on. 

“He used to struggle to get up in the mornings, and now he gets up himself,” Kristina said. “He gets dressed and is upstairs and ready to go.” 

Today, Inspire therapy is FDA approved for children aged 13-18 with Down Syndrome. Candidates must have an Apnea-Hypopnea Index between 10-50 and are unable to benefit from CPAP. 

Learn more about Inspire therapy for children with down syndrome at www.inspiresleep.com/pediatric-down-syndrome