Provent sleep apnea therapy

[Vort]

Anyone use it? Feedback on its effectiveness? Any opinions why it would require A FREAKING PHYSICIAN'S PRESCRIPTION TO TRY IT OUT?!

[MorningStar]

That's a good question.

[RipplecutBuddha]

If you mean C-PAP therapy, I've been using it for a few years now and I love it. It took me a couple weeks to get used to the mask over my nose, but after that I barely notice it. I've also never slept better in years, so I'm all for it.

there are more advanced machines available too. C-PAP = constant positive air pressure. There are now machines called V-PAP or Variable positive air pressure.

I dunno expressly why a recommendation is needed to try one unless it's possible that the long-term therapy could be damaging somehow in the long-term. What was frustrating to me at the start was that it cost 750 bucks for a one-night sleep study to determine if I even needed the therapy, and then another 750 for a separate doctor to interpret the results. Then the cost of the machine (replacement parts are far from cheap, of course).

this far down the road, however, and I'm glad I did it. I just wish it had been more affordable at the time.

[pam]

Anyone use it? Feedback on its effectiveness? Any opinions why it would require A FREAKING PHYSICIAN'S PRESCRIPTION TO TRY IT OUT?!

I've heard of it but I haven't tried it.

Untreated sleep apnea can be deadly. I would think with any kind of therapy that could possibly affect the breathing may be the reason a physician has to prescribe it.

I also think a doctor would have to determine, based on a sleep study, whether Provent would even work for them or if a cpap would be better.

[applepansy]

CPAP is treatment for sleep apnea. It does not prevent it.

Vort, I've never heard of a preventative treatment. Has your doctor described it to you? I assume it needs a prescription so that your insurance will cover it. You might also need a referral to whomever provides this preventative treatment. Unless....its a pill or a machine. If its a machine its a CPAP and again its not preventative.

I have non-obstructive sleep apnea. The CPAP is for obstructive but they tried it on me anyway and it didn't work out. I'm on O2 when I lay down (or sit for any length of time.) I don't oxygenate when I'm at rest. I have to be moving.

Have you been diagnosed yet?

Ripple, The VPAP is nicer. It has a cannula similar to O2 but bigger, which forms the seal inside your nose (more comfortable than the mask). Still expensive. When I had the sleep study done the whole thing cost about $1,000.

The problem I have with any continuous or variable air pressure is it causes my lungs to hurt. The therapist who did my study didn't believe me. Fortunately my doctor did.

Edited April 17, 2012 by applepansy

[MorningStar]

Provent is a new device that is supposed to be an alternative to CPAP. CPAP Alternative for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatment | Provent Therapy It's not a machine.

[annewandering]

My husband has the non obstructive type as well. We have been told there are cpap machines that deal with that now but he hasnt tried it yet.

I use a cpap and despite severe reservations and a long time to get used to it it actually works. Amazing. I really thought it was a scam.

The povent looks like it is just a filter over your airways that keeps a small amount of air from being expelled thus building up pressure. Honestly, I would be concerned that it would build up air in the body and cause an asthma attack. Maybe that is why it has to be prescribed?

If I were going to try it I would just stick some tacky tape or cloth with lots of holes over my nose. Thats what it looks like to me and its a lot less expensive. ^^

[Vort]

My husband has the non obstructive type as well. We have been told there are cpap machines that deal with that now but he hasnt tried it yet.

I use a cpap and despite severe reservations and a long time to get used to it it actually works. Amazing. I really thought it was a scam.

The povent looks like it is just a filter over your airways that keeps a small amount of air from being expelled thus building up pressure. Honestly, I would be concerned that it would build up air in the body and cause an asthma attack. Maybe that is why it has to be prescribed?

If I were going to try it I would just stick some tacky tape or cloth with lots of holes over my nose. Thats what it looks like to me and its a lot less expensive. ^^

It is not just a breathing obstruction; as you point out, if that's all it were, you could stuff cloth up your nose for the same effect. Instead, it's a valved device that allows air in but impedes it going out. The effect is to increase the pressure in your airway, thus keeping it open until you take your next breath. Seems like a decent idea.

I still don't understand why you would possibly need a physician's prescription for a couple of non-medicinal nasal patches. That is, I don't understand it until I put on my tinfoil hat. Then the conspiracy becomes all too clear.

[MarginOfError]

I still don't understand why you would possibly need a physician's prescription for a couple of non-medicinal nasal patches. That is, I don't understand it until I put on my tinfoil hat. Then the conspiracy becomes all too clear.

My best guess from a cursory reading is that it isn't available over the counter yet for a couple of reasons:

1) It still requires a sleep study prior to being obtained

2) It's efficacy is still being evaluated

3) There has been no study done to evaluate whether the general public could safely and properly use the device without a physician's instruction.

So it sounds like a few more years of research are coming up before it gets approved for over-the-counter use.

[applepansy]

My best guess from a cursory reading is that it isn't available over the counter yet for a couple of reasons:

1) It still requires a sleep study prior to being obtained

2) It's efficacy is still being evaluated

3) There has been no study done to evaluate whether the general public could safely and properly use the device without a physician's instruction.

So it sounds like a few more years of research are coming up before it gets approved for over-the-counter use.

In a nut shell...lab rat

I couldn't resist. Seriously though, I've had so many issues with new meds and such that my doctor won't even suggest something until its been out on the market for over 10 years. LOL

[bcguy]

I had my free sleep study at the VA hospital long ago. About a year, ago, I am on my second cpap. I probably would be a miserable mess if I never did go though the study.

The best thing about the cpap, is it keeps the blood oxygen high enough to allow for a complete sleep and also, prevent future heart issue or possible short life span.

[Just_A_Guy]

My best guess from a cursory reading is that it isn't available over the counter yet for a couple of reasons:

. . .

3) There has been no study done to evaluate whether the general public could safely and properly use the device without a physician's instruction.

Maybe I've just read too many products liability cases, but I'm coming to the conclusion that "the general public" couldn't safely and properly use a toaster oven without expert assistance.

[RipplecutBuddha]

The thing that I keep coming back to is that the machines actually increase the amount of oxygen with each breath because additional air is moving with each breath. The provent idea seems good except I doubt it would be effectual with moderate-severe sleep apnea. The machines keep air pressure up in the system, and as far as that goes, I see it can work. However for some cases, I just don't see it as sufficient to treat the condition on the more severe side.

The risk of sleep apnea is not that there is too little pressure, but that too little air is being circulated and the body is slowly starved of oxygen. At least that's the main problem per my understanding. I just don't see this provent being an option for all people with this condition, myself included.

[pam]

The thing that I keep coming back to is that the machines actually increase the amount of oxygen with each breath because additional air is moving with each breath. The provent idea seems good except I doubt it would be effectual with moderate-severe sleep apnea. The machines keep air pressure up in the system, and as far as that goes, I see it can work. However for some cases, I just don't see it as sufficient to treat the condition on the more severe side.

The risk of sleep apnea is not that there is too little pressure, but that too little air is being circulated and the body is slowly starved of oxygen. At least that's the main problem per my understanding. I just don't see this provent being an option for all people with this condition, myself included.

I have to agree. I have obstructed sleep apnea. During the sleep study I quit breathing for 10 seconds or more 60 times in an hour. Even with a cpap machine they tell me that I'm still not getting enough oxygen so they also ordered me an oxygen concentrator. My bedroom feels like a hospital room.

[Vort]

The thing that I keep coming back to is that the machines actually increase the amount of oxygen with each breath because additional air is moving with each breath. The provent idea seems good except I doubt it would be effectual with moderate-severe sleep apnea.

Your reasoning seems sound, but controlled studies have shown it effective. So whether it makes sense or not, it appears to work.

The risk of sleep apnea is not that there is too little pressure, but that too little air is being circulated and the body is slowly starved of oxygen.

But why is too little air being circulated? Is it because the volume of the trachea is so large that you can't move the dead air? No. In the majority of cases, those of "obstructive sleep apnea", it is because the airways collapse so you can't breathe.

Generally speaking, it's not the lack of oxygen that harms the sleep apnea sufferer. Rather, it is the lack of ability to get good, deep sleep. This sleep deprivation can have devastating effects, including brain damage and stroke.

[pam]

Generally speaking, it's not the lack of oxygen that harms the sleep apnea sufferer. Rather, it is the lack of ability to get good, deep sleep. This sleep deprivation can have devastating effects, including brain damage and stroke.

Lack of oxygen causes strokes as well. Which for someone with obstructive sleep apnea is caused by not receiving the oxygen the brain needs.

I kind of took your comment as saying sleep deprivation would be more harmful than lack of oxygen.

[MorningStar]

All I can think about is how my husband and I might both have these things attached to our noses someday and how romantic it will be when we kiss each other goodnight.

[Dravin]

All I can think about is how my husband and I might both have these things attached to our noses someday and how romantic it will be when we kiss each other goodnight.

Something like this?

[MorningStar]

Yeah, my seductive powers will be amplified!

[Vort]

Use, night #1: Had bad apnea all night. Didn't sleep well. Obviously, I'm not used to the patches, but I think it did not work for me last night even besides that. To go to sleep, you have to breathe through your mouth; normal breathing is not possible (or desirable) while wearing Provent. After you go to sleep, you naturally seal up your mouth, and that's when Provent (supposedly) takes over. So last night was a definite "bad", but we'll see how it goes.

Cost is very expensive: >$26 for a box of ten pairs, enough for ten days. And insurance does not cover it. I'm sure I saw it available for less money on the internet, so if I manage to use it successfully, I will buy it for less.