Arizona man sleeps better, remains active after treating OSA with Inspire® Therapy

Sturmon said his father fell asleep while driving and even dosed off in the middle of a conversation during the early afternoon.

Sturmon believes his father had a shorter life because of undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). \

That’s what motivated him to find a treatment that worked for his OSA – eventually discovering Inspire® therapy \

“There is no way I am even close to what my dad used to do, so I know the difference,” he said. “To have this type of technology, and then you’re able to travel and you feel so rested.”

“It is wonderful.”

Sturmon snored like his father as he grew older. His wife Patricia told him he also stopped breathing in his sleep.

This is what initially brought Sturmon to a doctor to get a sleep study.

“I knew he had some sort of sleep problem, but at that time, there wasn’t a lot of education about it,” Sturmon said.

Sturmon tried to use a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine for four years.

He remained tired and lacked energy during the day still. His favorite activities also became more challenging to do.

Sturmon continued to use CPAP despite issues.

He couldn’t find a comfortable mask. It was also too difficult to carry machine parts and distilled water while traveling.

He and his wife retired and moved to Arizona. That’s when Sturmon began golfing a few rounds a week.

Sturmon struggled to get through 18 holes some days due to exhaustion.

He later saw a news story about Inspire therapy and began to research.

He was dreading an upcoming European trip with his wife. That prompted him to make an appointment with an Inspire-trained doctor.

Sturmon later qualified and received the Inspire implant in 2018.

He went from just a few hours of sleep a night to a consistent seven hours. He noticed the extra rest affected his energy levels in a positive way.

Sturmon played 27 holes during a round when he was in his 50s. He struggled to play an extra nine holes with OSA symptoms, though.

He is now back to playing like before 26 years later. And he golfs four to five days a week.

“When I was 60-years old, it was tough,” he said. “Now, there is no problem because I am rested.”

Sturmon also uses his time at the golf club to help others with similar sleep struggles.

He said he noticed some people his own age needs to nap following a round and he doesn’t.

He shared his experiences. And he later found others needed help to treat their own OSA.

Several friends started their own journeys since his conversations.

There are now three others using Inspire therapy at the same golf club.