Provent for sleep apnea

Has anyone tried Provent for their OSA?

http://www.proventtherapy.com/about-pro ... erapy.aspx

We had a big discussion on Provent not too long ago. You can get a prescription from your doctor- you need a special form from the provent people -and get a trial pack of ten for about $15.00. You would be the first that I know of who has tried it (if you do). The consensus was essentially negative, in theory only.
Mary Z.

I thought the time when things "closed off" in OSA was upon inhale, not exhale, so how would this help when the pressure is created on exhale? (I'm clueless when it comes to understanding pressure, etc., so maybe it isn't as simple as I'm looking at it.) Also, what if you breathe through your mouth even part of the time?

Pam

EDIT:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/article ... .6.538.pdf.

Has anyone actually tried it and compared the pressure breathing out with this versus the pressure breathing out against xpap pressure?

I actually just started using the Provent device. I have to say after about a week of use, I'm actually really happy with the results. I'm definitely going to keep using the Provent!

I've been using CPAP for about 18 months and have had pretty good success with using a machine (once I switched over to an APAP machine). I have moderate sleep apnea with an AHI of about 22 (without treatment). My APAP machine settles out at about 8.6 pressure with about 1.9 AHI

Although APAP was working for me, I had been curious about Provent, and finally decided to try it. I like to camp and kayak and wanted a solution that would work without power available and without having to carry a bulky battery on camping trips.

I went camping about a month ago and figured I might as well try the Provent for that trip. Even though I hadn't heard much positive about the Provent device I figured I'd give it a try. I thought I might end up tired in the morning, but I figured I wouldn't be any more tired that if I slept without any device.

First about the device: the device is small, basically a small valve set in something similar to a band-aid. There are two separate pieces (one for each nostril) and they fit just over the nostril. You need to wash your face just before putting them on so that the oil on your face doesn't interfere with the adhesion on the Provent device. They are one-time use devices and you throw them away after using them. When you put the on you can inhale without any resistance. On your exhale there is resistance.

Yes. They feel pretty weird. Really weird. Especially the first couple of nights. Yes, CPAP feels pretty weird too in the beginning, but I think the Provent was weirder. The resistance on the exhale is pretty substantial. I'd say it is much more substantial that a pressure of 12 on a CPAP machine (my old CPAP machine was set to this constant pressure .) You need to just relax your breath and let it go out naturally, slowly. Very slowly. It is so slow, that it feels strange when you are awake. But when you are sleeping your breath slows down to this kind of a rate so it is natural when you are actually asleep. The instructions say to breathe through your mouth while you are falling asleep if it doesn't feel comfortable breathing through your nose and then you will naturally start breathing through your nose when you are asleep. This is exactly what I did. I eventually fell asleep and when I woke up at night I noticed that in fact I was breathing through my nose (at least some of the time).

The first night seemed like a pretty rough night when I was sleeping. I felt like I woke up a bunch during the night. (I kept waking up and noticing the odd pressure on my exhale and then had to remember to open my mouth again so it didn't feel so weird.) But amazingly, the next day I was fully rested and full of energy. I felt great. Each day I used the Provent, the sleep got easier. Every day I've used it I've felt great the next day.

I only had a small number of the Provent device (I had the sample box) so I had to wait to get more from the supply company. I just received the shipment yesterday, I used the Provent last night. Breathing using the Provent is getting to be more "normal" feeling (it still isn't as normal feeling as the APAP, though).

I'm really very very pleased with the Provent device. I feel great. I feel fully rested. And they are so easy to use. I don't have to worry about sleep positions or where the tubing is or the mask being pushed into and off of my face when I lay on my side. Since they are one-time use devices, I don't have to worry about cleaning them. I feel much more free not being connected to a machine. My neck doesn't hurt (which it always did after configuring my body to sleep with the CPAP tubing and mask.) My nasal passages are clear and not irritated.

The Provent device does take getting used to. You need to be ready to accept that it feels weird and to breathe through your mouth if necessary. Yes, my mouth became dry doing this. (But heck my mouth was dry for about a year when I was using my old CPAP device....it is only moist now that I got the S9 with the heated tube.)

I don't think the Provent is for everyone. The pressure on my APAP machine is at about 8.6 and I think this is a good match with the Provent. I tried both the lower resistance Provent and the higher resistance Provent. I'm sticking with the higher resistance version because I think it was more effective for me. And I don't really notice the difference of exhaling through the higher resistance version versus the lower resistance version.

A month's supply of Provent costs about $50 (I think that is what is was.) It isn't currently covered under my insurance policy but the supply company (Liberty) said that they expect insurance to start covering it towards the end of the year. You'll need a doctor's prescription to get a supply or sample of Provent.

I'm going to keep using the Provent. Definitely for camping and travel. I might even use it ALL the time instead of the APAP machine.

redpoppy,

You may be telling 100% truth. However, when a topic about a new device is posted and very soon thereafter a brand new member posts a glowing review on the day he joins, it makes me suspicious. Suspicious that you work for the supplier and regularly scan forums and blogs for the word "Provent" so that you can post a glowing review.

Are you aware that in the suppliers own tests of efficacy, http://www.proventtherapy.com/pdfs/pdf0 ... ctions.pdf, the device reduced AHI and AI by approximately one-half to one-third?

That is just not good enough for CPAPers!!

On the other hand, some of the subjects had an AHI of zero using the device. So it might be worth trying just to find out if you are one of the lucky exceptions for which the Provent is highly effective.

I would like to do a trial nap with Provent and my oximeter.

roster wrote:redpoppy,

You may be telling 100% truth. However, when a topic about a new device is posted and very soon thereafter a brand new member posts a glowing review on the day he joins, it makes me suspicious. Suspicious that you work for the supplier and regularly scan forums and blogs for the word "Provent" so that you can post a glowing review.

I was thinking the same thing roster. Being a newbie I didn't respond.

I"m sorry you feel that way. I've actually never posted to a forum before . I've read alot of posts and have really appreciated the information I've gained from reading on the forums. I don't usually have anything to input. This time I actually had something to input.

Thanks for the warm welcome.

By the way, I don't work for this company or have anything to do with this company. Just wanted to share information.

Feel free to send me a personal message if you want.

redpoppy25 wrote:I"m sorry you feel that way.

Don't feel sorry. As much as I praise this forum and recommend it to people, it is good to be skeptical. There is a tremendous amount of bad information and advice on the internet and this forum is not immune by any means.

Another thing that makes me skeptical is you never mentioned how you came to possess the Provent devices. Can you tell us or do you need some time to invent that part of the story? I can't answer - only you know the truth.

Please continue to update this thread about your experience with Provent. Do you have a pulse-oximeter to help judge the effectiveness?

snoresliketrain wrote: I was thinking the same thing roster. Being a newbie I didn't respond.

We like to learn from newbies and catch the senior members in mistakes.

Let it loose.

So with this device, you can inhale but exhale little?! I am breathless!

Love your comments Rooster.

Does Provent work if you have a moustache?

The moustache has nothing to do with whether or not it works. (excessive nose-hair might be)
The recent interest is apparently being stirred up by the manufacturer with well-placed ads and interviews.
These devices have been around for some time--and are an ongoing expense that will not amortize with time.
CPAP is scary for some--many lack the proper equipment (new full data machine with comfort features, and comfortable, fitting mask)
Others have poor education and little or no support.
Still others cannot wade out of De-Nile, and will not work on the best and often the only solution covered by insurance--xpap.
The members of this forum have educated themselves and each other, and are actively involved in our treatment.
When alternatives are developed that are as effective as what we are using now, someone will check it out, and report back.

One thing that really bugs me is when I try to do research online, and end up in forums where people representing the manufacturer post glowing reviews. I've seen this happen again and again, from everything to medications to auto mechanics. I believe there are advertising companies that specialize in this. A company called Extrovertic does this. They call themselves "healthcare marketers" and they pride themselves on creative ways of marketing healthcare online. They have people who do nothing but post glowing reviews in online forums.

I don't know if that has happened here, with the Provent discussion, but it makes me suspicious when someone who has never posted before suddenly appears out of the blue with a long success story about a product.

Suspicious; and by golly, totally disgusting.
Tawdry, filthy, money-grubbing worms.
Feeding deadly denial with vomit-spewing misinformation.
Knowing full well their 'work' results in ruined health, disability, and early death.
How can they sleep at night?
Hey spammer; get a real job--or just sell your body--it would be more dignified.

chunkyfrog wrote:Suspicious; and by golly, totally disgusting.
Tawdry, filthy, money-grubbing worms.
Feeding deadly denial with vomit-spewing misinformation.
Knowing full well their 'work' results in ruined health, disability, and early death.
How can they sleep at night?
Hey spammer; get a real job--or just sell your body--it would be more dignified.

Nice poem!

For a minute there, it sounded like you were channeling Allen Ginsberg.

Nate