My NEW Plan for Treating Serious Sleep Problems

[@silvertongues2]

Sounds like you’re fighting the good fight, keep up the good work and keep the faith! You’re doing exactly the right thing, it’s only through more awareness and more people asking for the right help will it all come together!

[@Pete40-b1u]

More valuable content. Good luck with your vision. Sounds so obvious to all work along side each other. Fingers crossed you’re not beaten down by red tape and politics. Thanks for taking the time to film. All the best Pete

[@alierrett]

This is definitely needed. It's taken me years to understand that my chronic fatigue was primarily because of sleep apnea. It then took another year on a waitlist to see an ENT and then it's so far been a 9 months waiting for a sleep study, even though I've already had a sleep study privately that shows I already have REM phase sleep apnea To get to this point I had to do all the research myself and then ask my GP for referrals. If I hadn't done the research myself I wouldn't have got any help at all. GP's can only refer you when they actually understand who needs to see you, and as you said sitting on a huge waitlist just to see someone that might not even be able to help is a huge waste of time and NHS resources I have heard of people in the US having this type of approach and it makes so much more sense for complex health issue Good luck Vik, I hope you manage to get this idea off the ground

[@UncleChoppy]

The MDT sounds like a wonderful idea Vik. I admire your energy and vision and desperately hope you can get something up and running. In the meantime, please be reassured that your videos have already helped me (and countless others) understand my problems. I am just an ordinary person with limited education, but I feel that you have summarised the problem with much modern medical care in that increasing specialisation, while necessary, can lead to the loss of the bigger picture with a patient's condition.

[@mal7175]

You're spot on in this video. I've had sleep apnea since I was 15, unfortunately just after the era of austerity began. I didn't know what it was at the time, but it was clear that my tonsils along with frequent tonsillitis were affecting both my sleep and speech. However, because I didn't meet the '7 tonsillitis infections' a year threshold I could not have my tonsils removed on the NHS. I'm now 30 living in the US, and within 12 months of visiting an ENT here I've had multiple sleep studies, a septoplasty and more recently a tonsillectomy. To say this has improved my quality of life would be an understatement - my mood, focus, happiness is so much better and it's sad to know how many people are being impacted by the NHS's underfunding.

[@jok2373]

As a sufferer I feel it must be a multi strategy approach as you say; with something so complex this is what’s needed

[@katiecuttle7398]

Vik this is so helpful and not rubbish. I paid to see you back in March and the first thing you said was how much was going on with me. You told me to get my GP to refer me to the insomnia team at UCLH which was a nightmare, but fast forward 9months and i have just had my in patient sleep study. Im on your waiting list which should work out I see you in March 26. You give people like me hope even if i have to wait. My local NHS trust said I hadnt got sleep apnoea, you said yes straight away. It makes a big difference when you see somebody who knows what they're talking about. The MDT will be amazing. Happy New Year and thank you.

[@ItsTheLyricalMC]

Thank you for all the information you post Vik. It can often feel totally helpless trying to navigate sleep issues on your own, especially while perpetually exhausted and misunderstood. Even trying to find support privately (out with the NHS) seems to be a real challenge in the UK. With that being the case, just having a medical professional discussing these issues and providing advice, whilst also being transparent and empathetic is a huge boost. Much appreciated for everything you are doing, it really does give us hope that it’ll be possible to go from just existing to living.

[@kevinsargent6720]

A team approach is the best idea I have ever heard about sleep apnea. When my wife had a different problem all the doctors were worthless until she went to a place that always evaluated using a team of 4 doctors (3 from separate fields 1 training) that is the only evaluation that saved her.

[@urielvillegas4383]

Dr. Veer, you have been an enormous help to me through your videos. Keep going, don't stop.

[@ShayMaxx]

Diagnosed 2018 (had symptoms 2012-2018) CPAP helped but symptoms persisted Found out in 2023 I have REM issues CPAP was not effectively treating 2024 found out I have tongue base collapse thanks to you Over a decade of sleep issues, mostly living in a daze / no energy or focus. Hopefully will fix it soon so i can enjoy my 30's unlike my 20's

[@lacarouselle]

Tongue base collapse??

[@StavyySlav]

Here in the Americas there is a preference for the cheapest treatment options by insurance companies rather than addressing the root cause of the issue or providing comprehensive, long-term solutions. If I could give it one sentence it would be "Insurance Focuses on Cost, Not Cure". Treatments like surgery, oral appliances, myofunctional therapy, and multi-disciplinary evaluations are often not covered or only partially reimbursed; leading to a barrier for access. I like your idea about having a MDT. Incorporating holistic approaches with a team of specialists to develop comprehensive treatment plans. Often times a single lifestyle change will reduce AHI by ~3 (depending). If we can have a holistic treatment plan of multiple remedies I think we can get a sustainable sleep plan in order. Would love to hear your thoughts!

[@chriswright5230]

You really are lovely. I'm currently with the sleep clinic at the Royal National ENT for sleep issues. Recently audiovestibular has been looped in, and I've been referred to their psychology department. I still think there's jaw and possibly hormonal stuff going on. Will mention this when I have my sleep study results on 14th. Thanks for being so thoughtful with all this. I'm super depressed so is giving me a little hope.

[@MJB0110]

Hi Vik, you make so much sense. Good luck with your initiative. The problem is the NHS is such a massive organisation that change takes so much time, effort and energy, (even putting aside the politics, influences and agendas of key decision makers). I say this as someone who works in the NHS. However, anyone with OSA (myself included) will 100% agree that it is worth trying for the ALL the valid & complex reasons & impacts that you have clearly stated in this video.

[@NeverMyRealName]

This makes a lot of logical sense. you should definitely implement this approach! A multi-disciplinary approach works for everything in life. you need to have the proper team to handle these complex and ambiguous issues.

[@stevenmunoz6146]

Vik you're one of the only people in the UK with power who understand UARS, can you please speak about it more? UARS sufferers in the UK do not get much information so I think it would be a very appreciated thing to do since you understand it well

[@gustc765]

It seems to me that UARS sufferers get short shrift just about everywhere in the world. Much more attention needs to be paid to UARS. It is not just a mild form of OSA.

[@Hapilez]

Yeah that idea would be 100x more efficient and a holistic approach for patients, can't go wrong. I do have nasal congestion year around but I've found when using a MAD with a CPAP I feel better, however modifying the MAD to open my mouth more (more surface area open) seems to produce better results of energy, must be more air coming in with an open mouth? is there science backing this up?

[@Dilshaad22]

I just love to hear from this awesome Dr. He is right to the point and he has good dream. Hope his dream come true. Most important he understands where the problem is and not faking it. Wish you all the best from Canada

[@Rca1969]

Great idea! I happened to do that myself here in Spain using the public and the private health service simultaneously. I visited all the specialists you mentioned plus the allergist and the Maxilofacial surgeon. I’m now preparing my teeth for an MMA to treat my OSA as I am a clear candidate. Thanks and happy new year 🎉

[@robertp.wainman4094]

Such sense - revolutionary thinking!

[@lotuspoints]

The worst thing is that 'sleep specialists' only help the people with severe symptoms. When your problem is just at the beginning, no serious heart issues, no hypertension...but why do we have to wait to get worse until we get fixed?

[@markwildor6000]

Thanks!

[@angiethornton8715]

You are 100% right there is too many narrow medical professionals as more and more complexities into play so effectively the patient does come to be the expert by experience thank fully I have good medical professionals who recognise this

[@ludovicoriccardonocco5007]

Great video Vik and happy new year! 😊 hoping you got my suggestions via email re adding an Allergist/Immunologist to the MDT and topics for the podcast. Hoping to speak to you soon in our follow up 😊

[@FionaPeggs]

Happy New Year, Vik! I love the MDT idea, and as a non-medical person, it makes much sense to me to join up our thinking when it comes to sleep disorders, and offer the wrap around service that is so badly needed. Please don't forget professionals for the psycho-social aspects of the illness, psychology/psychiatry/mental health (feeling fairly miserable at the mo!). Newly diagnosed with UARS, following a sleep study last summer, and currently trialling CPAP (with an AHI of 4), it's thanks to your pearls of wisdom, that I will be reviewed by ENT in a few weeks time. I'll keep an eye on my thyroid levels too... endocrinology is also an interesting discipline to consider for a review, given my mid-life stage! A pioneer and a legend Vik, don't give up.... wish we had someone of your calibre here in Ireland. Feel free to rant anytime... we are all here for you! Sincere thanks for all that you do for us.

[@anitazala7482]

Don't feel rubbish about it. You are doing the best that you can and of course you need a team of specialists to fulfill your dream of helping people on a global basis. I am 63, with severe sleep apnea and overweight. After getting used to my cpap, I am now taking all the steps to see specialists in bioidentical hormones and getting the problem tackled from several sides. Wish you the best for 2025 on your journey to build a center! Many greetings from Switzerland, Anita

[@avivat3010]

This sounds like a brilliant idea! I hope you can make a go of it. Thank you for all you do. Hopefully other countries will see your success levels and join in. From a Canadian.

[@MrBrianDuga]

Love this. It’s what inspired me to become a holistic practitioner.

[@Charlie-eh6xc]

Sounds like a similar idea as the breath institute in america. Great idea Vik, i really hope something like this takes off in the UK. You are literally the only doctor that gives me hope in this broken system. You're not the one failing your paitents, that burden lies solely on the NHS. Especially those of us with UARS we slip straight through the system, in america they score AHI and RDI together to determine sleep apnea severity, in the UK they only look at ahi. So with an AHI of 6 im seen as 'mild' which is an insult as my symptoms are severe and with and RDI of 28, under the american system i am recognised as such! The NHS needs a serious overhaul, its failing people everywhere not just sleep medicine.

[@belindawarren2513]

An excellent idea and rolled out nationally!

[@TLaelSimmons]

This is incredibly helpful - I’m in the U.S. & will see the doctors you mentioned for your MDT this year to find more holistic solutions to my sleep apnea & other sleep issues. Thank you and God bless you.

[@mrichards913]

You have explained this situation well Many thanks Best regards

[@rainbowconnected]

You're such a lovely person and it gives me hope to see doctors truly dedicated to helping their patients like this. So I don't think it's true that there's no value in the video. This is a brilliant idea and I hope that you're able to get the support you need to implement it! You mentioned the challenge of "if you can get the doctor to believe you". This seems to be a major block to getting proper care for a lot of people, particularly women. Obviously, the responsibility for fixing that should fall on doctors who choose not to believe their patients. However, if you'd be willing to share any suggestions for patients on how to increase their odds of being believed and getting care they need, it would be most appreciated.

[@lillybarcelo5]

It's a great idea if they can see all these doctors in a day or in less than a month so the information will be the same for all doctors. Blood work and other things might change if it takes more time.

[@gustc765]

Bless you, Dr. Veer! The team approach you propose sounds wonderful! In the meantime, I have come to the realization that it is up to ME to take charge of my health and treatment, by learning everything I can from experts like you (thank you!) and by paying close attention to my body. In addition to my prescribed PAP machine, I use OSCAR, Somnopose, an O2 ring, ViHealth, an Apple watch, a blood pressure machine, a simple weight scale, and regular journaling to track what seems to be working (or not) for my sleep quality. I have seen very good results using these mostly free or inexpensive tools.

[@YasarZaman-kt8ei]

I agree. It will not only save lives, but also save nhs time and reduce costs.

[@alexanderwildauer4058]

Yes - please make such a sleep ambulance! I’ll visit you for sure! I‘ve had 5 nose surgeries in the last 8 years and maybe my congested nose comes from something different than nasal passage air flow problem 😢

[@craigstenhouse679]

I've been bouncing around the health system in New Zealand for around 15 years - lots of sleep/heart and other problems, but still not anywhere near resolved. An MDT would be awesome. Great initiative Vik! Good on you! Do you want to move to NZ??😁

[@AG-ey6ds]

Good useful information. "The menopause" is the truth. I didn't realize it could cause sleep apnea. I read one study that also mentions if you have previously had MD, you are 5 times more likely to have it during menopause increasing yet more risk of sleep issues. It's not fun.

[@thelazyanalyst3723]

same thing has happened in all professions. Private equity is the root disease to the overspecialization symptom

[@nibussss]

i felt like this video has a lot of value. even if we dont get many doctors, a mdt of even 3 specialities may be enough. in any case dont know why sleep is neglected . i ts 1/3rd of our lives. even if theres no mdt i wish sleep issues were taken seriously by doctors and fast tracked.

[@hatfieldmain]

That would be ideal and this approach would also apply to other conditions that could use an holistic approach but as you say the resources are not there.

[@LianaCavalcanti]

Sign me up when you open your sleep centre! I have sleep apnoea and I think this is what causes me my weight gain - which despite being on CPAP for over 13 years now (and with about 90% compliance) didn't stop me putting on weight. GPs refuse to refer me to an endocrinologist to check my thyroid because my "blood tests are fine". I'm a dog walker so exercise is what I do the most on my business. I say I'm like a cat and never show symptoms of my health conditions until it's too late - I feel I will die without a closure to what is the issue with my spiralling weight gain. It's super frustrating.

[@paulinereid5226]

Another excellent video - thank you so much

[@cafekat]

Thank you so much for your videos!! I understand if you can’t engage with questions here. I only ask in case you can. Either way, thank you again for all your work to share your knowledge! I had a sleep study that didn’t find sleep apnea. My nose swells shut every night and it’s like breathing out of a pinched straw even without the nightly swelling. I’ve had allergy shots years ago, and when I was retested, my allergist said I don’t have allergies anymore. I looked into Vasomotor rhinitis to see if that could be causing this, but there don’t seem to be treatments for that that I haven’t already tried. I had a septoplasty and turbinate reduction, but it only helped slightly. I still need tissues wherever I go and get dizzy if I try to breathe out of my nose for too long. I also have a high, arched, narrow palate, and it doesn’t feel like there’s enough room in my mouth for my tongue. It’s always pushing against the back of my front teeth and it’s somehow really uncomfortable. I think it’s because I have a tongue tie and it doesn’t let me have the proper tongue posture that I’ve read about, but idk. I have daily headaches, and eye, neck, and shoulder pain. When I talk about these issues, I’m sometimes seen as a hypochondriac, since my sleep study was fine. He didn’t give me a copy of the results so I don’t know much more. He did say that I didn’t get much deep sleep. But I didn’t have a typical night of sleep during the study anyway. I just don’t know what to do now. I’m DESPERATE to fix this because I’ve not been able to sleep well for my entire life, and the mental and physical exhaustion has kept me unable to keep up with life. I had to quit sports I love because most of time I’m too tired to think, let alone exercise. For my sleep study, I went to the best ENT in my city. But they didn’t seem to know what UARS is. I think that’s what I might have, because two dentists and my childhood orthodontist said I have a small mouth. And when I was evaluated before going on accutane, the attending dermatologist told me to get tested for sleep apnea after he looked at my medical history and mouth. I’m sorry to post all this. Every day it’s hard to think because I’m so tired. I can only sleep for 2-4 consecutive hours at most, and I wake up overheated and unable to breathe out of my nose. Since the ENT thought I was fine, is there anything I should try next? Or should I accept this? I sincerely do not want to bother doctors or waste their time. But I can’t breathe, can’t think, and it feels like it’s been slowly killing me. I used to get so tired that I’d cry because everything would hurt, but after getting medication for adhd, I can stay awake throughout most of the days. Do you have any advice? I’m sorry to leave such a long comment and I don’t expect a reply. Just wanted to try because I’m not sure what to do now. If nothing else, please know that I’m deeply grateful for all the educational content you share. The world needs more caring doctors like you and I’m so excited for the future with people like you leading the way to better practices. I hope you have a happy new year☀️✨🎉🪩:)

[@BlingyBea]

🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@pauljames-il9ny]

Hello Vik Veer! 👋 Your videos on various sleep issues, especially obstructive sleep apnea is soooo invaluable to me and I’m sure soooo many people, so thank you! I’m hoping you read this comment because I’ve noticed you’ve mentioned restless leg syndrome numerous times when discussing obstructive sleep apnea. This really caught my attention because I’ve been suffering for over 10 years with aching, sore, tired and burning legs and I’ve always suspected this was somehow connected with my OSA. My questions are…are the two related?? If so, how?? Perhaps you could answer my questions here OR talk more about the relationship between the two in a new video…thanks for your time! Your knowledge and compassion for us is greatly appreciated. ❤️🙏❤️

[@keithharrison1453]

Entirely agree with the plan. However, for those who need help right now, who cannot wait for the Plan to become a reality, and cannot get any sensible help any time soon, from my own experience with Sleep Apnoea, my advice is as follows: firstly, if this is even slightly suspected, then immediately strive to get a firm handle on what is actually happening when you sleep. Buy an Oximeter, and log your oxygenation, pulse and movement. The first night will probably show you if you have a problem, as you will see deep oxygen drops, and with a related impact on pulse rate, and then movement as you wake up suffocating many times, albeit briefly. Some units have a buzzer feature, that will wake you if oxygen or pulse rate goes under or over limits you can set. That's better than suffocating, so it's better than nothing. That identified, obviously push for NHS help but, that won't come quickly, so the next step is to engage in a change of lifestyle immediately. Cut out sugar, seed oils and almost all carbohydrates, and in tandem with that, start exercising. Anyone can do one press up. So do one press up a day no matter what. Keep that up, and soon doing two will be easy. Keep that up, and the numbers will grow faster than you can now imagine. Add walking, running, weights or static rowing if you can do that, but try for a mix of activity with short vigorous bursts, as that works better than longer gentle exercise. Diet and exercise may solve the issue or, at the very least, will begin to get you away from the worst effects of Sleep Apnoea. For many, losing weight and getting fitter, may present the cure but, it will certainly alleviate the problem and may see off a worse outcome. If later prescribed Sleep Therapy equipment, regard that as a temporary measure, keep up the diet and exercise, and aim to get off the equipment one day, as it does have an adverse effect, especially at higher pressures if those are needed to keep airway open. By adverse, I mean it does seem to affect heart rate and things like your pulse change rate when asleep. Lower pressures help, but initially you just have to let the equipment determine the pressure needed, as keeping the airway open is the initial primary aim. Later it should be possible to reduce pressures, provided you keep up the self-help in terms of diet and exercise. There is no easy or fast cure but, if you engage the self-help measures outlined above, as fast as possible, you will be heading in a better direction even before getting any NHS help.

[@jaybuno891]

My sleep problem has to do with age, snoring, I guess we need melatonin? Big important thing for me was replacing my pillows. Now I am using a very low pillow, just under 2 inches high, and my snoring seems to have improved a lot. Of course losing weight, and exercising helps a lot.

[@neilbrandon]

It's amazing how many folks have AF, hypertension, diabetes, etc and are never tested for OSA.

[@Desertphile]

There are no treatments that will allow me to sleep. For 60+ years I have slept at most four hours a night, yet every day I must function and hide how much I am suffering. I suppose if there was a way to help me sleep, I could not afford it: I live in the USA. I dread laying down to sleep.

[@BlingyBea]

🙏🏻🙏🏻why hasn’t your Dr given you sleeping pill to help you sleep?

[@davea6314]

In Britain you have might a wait-list to see certain physicians, but you don't get medical bills so large that you can go bankrupt as can happen in the U.S.A.. I'm an American who once lived in Britain and was in the British N.H.S. system. I returned to the U.S.A. with no health insurance (It was before the A.C.A. came into effect.). In 2016 and 2020 was a volunteer on the Bernie Sanders for President campaign so we could get universal healthcare here in the U.S.A.. Bernie Sanders was pushing to emulate Denmark's healthcare system. Denmark has done a better job with universal healthcare than Britain. The greed of private health insurance companies has no bounds, which is why Luigi is celebrated as hero here in the U.S.A. for taking out a greedy C.E.O. of a health insurance company with blood on his hands for denying medical coverage for the sick and dying so his shareholders could profit financially.

[@cozettcontemplates]

I'm in the US wishing I could come to your MDT clinic

[@mcfly2727]

MDT = As part of potential new sub Department within NHS ENT?

[@sheasquatch]

Thanks for the work you're doing. Have you explored buteyko breathing for sleep apnea? It's been the most effective thing outside of CPAP I have found so far.

[@serenity8145]

How long on average should it take to get an NHS appnt with you? It’s been almost a year since I requested my GP for this. Sleep MDT sounds like a fantastic idea and would be so helpful for patients to have such an option.

[@Charlie-eh6xc]

I've also been waiting almost a year. NHS waiting list is a joke

[@kimk2071]

I wish I could be seen by you in your country. I am suffering so badly with this. I've lost everything. I've got nothing left but my existence.

[@myratan8168]

The waiting time in NZ's free public health system is crazy. I did my sleep oximeter test last June, I'm still waiting for my results 7 months later and my gp and I aren't allowed to contact them for the results. I'm assuming my results are mild or normal which makes me bottom of the list and they won't treat mild OSA with cpap anyway, only moderate and severe get a funded cpap. In that time I've gone private to a clinic that is similar to what you are wanting to create (ENT, respiratory/sleep etc) - I have mild osa and self funded a cpap. My boyfriend is also waiting for his results from public test 4 months ago. His daytime fatigue has worsened significantly since then and is falling asleep mid conversation which is concerning since his untreated OSA could kill someone driving. We are guessing his is moderate or mild due to the wait. My dad has severe apnea and got a results appointment with a week.

[@NecropsY1]

Im having horrible sleep apnea and my heart is racing - i think i still have my tonsils - do they need to come out? im freeking out i cant sleep what should i do

[@screenbook]

Dr. Vik, do you think if there is a device that would push very cold air into the nose by inserting something similar to the sleep apnea device, that could be worn daily for ONLY 10 to 15 minutes before sleeping , sending cold air, like almost 0° c, Do you think this would make the nasal less swollen, consequently, reduces nasil congestion, passes more air, and makes breezing and sleeping much better?

[@RyanWilliams222]

No value in this video, my ass! You are describing how to move an incredibly important field of medicine forward! I love this video. Keep spreading the word! ❤

[@johnburrows3385]

Not easy to sleep properly with post nasal drip.

[@colemaninmaui]

I think I’m that women you are talking about.

[@nibussss]

i am a person who was assessed with 120 iq in 2012. im not sure if people with a 120 iqs should be vegetables at home because of sleep apnea. they shud be out there bettering the world. doctors need to take ownership.