Those trips on winding, narrow roads became scarier when Ross started to nod off at the wheel.

Ross later discovered she has obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). It took several more years before she found Inspire® therapy and started to enjoy consistent, better sleep.

The time between falling asleep at the wheel and finding a treatment option that worked took its toll.

Ross felt tired all the time and snored loudly. But this all began well before her initial diagnosis.

“I’ve probably had OSA for years,” she said. “When I was younger, I would drive from point A to point B and not remember how I got there.”

Ross first realized her sleep patterns might be abnormal after her partner had a heart attack. The incident prompted her to go for that first sleep study.

She soon began to use a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine but couldn’t tolerate it.

She continued to nod off while driving and lacked energy and focus all day.

Then, Ross read about Inspire therapy in a newspaper.

She decided to meet with an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist to discuss.

Ross qualified for Inspire therapy and received the implant soon afterward. She began to see results shortly after activation.

She still needs to use oxygen to help saturation levels since she sleeps at a higher elevation. But Ross is now waking up more refreshed.

“I’m still a light sleeper, but I’m sleeping less disturbed,” she said. “The team of tools I have is helping me to get better sleep every night.”