For Dwayne Immel, restless nights had become the norm. Loud snoring and frequent awakenings were disrupting not only his sleep, but his wife’s as well. Like many people, he assumed the constant exhaustion was simply part of getting older. But a sleep study revealed a far more serious issue – obstructive sleep apnea.

During the study, doctors discovered that Dwayne had stopped breathing nearly 70 times an hour while he slept. He tried continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, the most common treatment for sleep apnea, but it wasn’t the right fit. It caused Dwayne headaches and migraines, and the noise made it impossible for him to rest. After several weeks, he knew he needed another option.

Hope came from an unexpected place – a coworker had recently undergone treatment with the Inspire V device, an implanted neurostimulation device designed for patients with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea who can’t tolerate CPAP therapy, and shared positive feedback with Dwayne. Intrigued, Dwayne talked with his primary care provider, who referred him to Dr. Andrew Shorb, otolaryngologist at WellSpan Health.

Dr. Shorb introduced Dwayne to the Inspire V system. The device is implanted in the chest and contains a breathing sensor with an additional lead implanted in the neck that gently stimulates the nerve to activate muscles in the tongue. This muscle stimulation helps to keep the airway open and facilitates normal breathing during sleep.

“When sleep apnea goes untreated, the heart is under constant stress,” said Dr. Shorb. “By restoring normal breathing during sleep, therapies like Inspire can help reduce cardiovascular risks while dramatically improving sleep quality and daytime energy for the right patients.”

Dwayne had the Inspire V device implanted in August 2025 – and the difference was immediate. The fifth generation of the Inspire device is able to be implanted with a faster surgery and other benefits. He now sleeps quietly through the night and wakes up feeling rested and energized. Looking back, he realizes the daytime fatigue he once blamed on age was actually his body struggling for air night after night.

“The care I received was absolutely wonderful,” Dwayne shared. “Dr. Shorb’s attention to detail made a difference, and the nurses were friendly, kind and caring every step of the way. Without that care, I wouldn’t have known how serious my condition was.”

Today, Dwayne is enjoying better sleep and a better quality of life – proof that when patients have access to innovative treatments and compassionate care, restful nights and healthier days are possible again.

How healthy is your heart? Find out by taking the assessment.