Anyone planning to try Provent?

[needzzzzs]

I'm intrigued by the idea of Provent (those little one-time-use valves one inserts into the nostrils each night). No machine, no hoses, no masks.

But...how does one monitor therapy on these things? I've got a question in to the company that makes Provent. If your sleep doc approves, you can get an inexpensive trial of them.

More questions, of course: Will insurance pay for them?
And how much do they cost, if insurance won't cover them?

One thing that appeals to me is the idea that they might suffice for traveling. Now that I'm pretty used to the machine, I don't mind it so much (though of course I'd love not to need such a thing), but lugging it along while traveling sounds like a pain-in-the-you-know-what.

Debbie (who slept the entire night last night -- almost 7 hours -- without waking up once!)

[DreamDiver]

Also comes with a nicotine prescription so you can wake without taking that first morning drag on a cigarette.

I'm not convinced this isn't more than a snore stopper. I wonder what percentage of sleep apnea patients could actually benefit from this -- and what studies they did.

[LoQ]

I'm intrigued by the idea of Provent (those little one-time-use valves one inserts into the nostrils each night). No machine, no hoses, no masks.

But...how does one monitor therapy on these things? I've got a question in to the company that makes Provent. If your sleep doc approves, you can get an inexpensive trial of them.

More questions, of course: Will insurance pay for them?
And how much do they cost, if insurance won't cover them?

One thing that appeals to me is the idea that they might suffice for traveling. Now that I'm pretty used to the machine, I don't mind it so much (though of course I'd love not to need such a thing), but lugging it along while traveling sounds like a pain-in-the-you-know-what.

Debbie (who slept the entire night last night -- almost 7 hours -- without waking up once!)

Anyone know how to try them?

[Lizistired]

LoQ, It looks like they restrict the flow out of the nostrills during exhale and open on inhale. That the back pressure is supposed to keep the airway open for inhale.

Needzzzzs, You could probably wear an oximeter and get a good comparison, if you think it's something that would work for you.

Here is the link to the dr info page. Their stats say "Reduced AHI to <10 or by 50%". Good for people that won't wear the mask at all.
http://www.proventtherapy.com//images/u ... doctor.pdf

[LoQ]

LoQ, It looks like they restrict the flow out of the nostrills during exhale and open on inhale. That the back pressure is supposed to keep the airway open for inhale.

I guess my understanding of it is different. It looks to me like they create increased resistance during expiration, which creates pressure until the start of the next inspiration; that suggests that they keep the airway open during exhale until the start of the next inspiration. You think that is wrong?

[DreamDiver]

LoQ, It looks like they restrict the flow out of the nostrills during exhale and open on inhale. That the back pressure is supposed to keep the airway open for inhale.

I guess my understanding of it is different. It looks to me like they create increased resistance during expiration, which creates pressure until the start of the next inspiration; that suggests that they keep the airway open during exhale until the start of the next inspiration. You think that is wrong?

Sounds right to me. So your nose probably feels 'ful'l during exhale. Hmmm...

[needzzzzs]

I have an oximeter on order. I was wondering about using one to measure effectiveness of therapy.

Wonder why you were able to put the link into your email and I couldn't? I got a message when I tried to post the Web site that said links weren't allowed.
You must be special...

Debbie

LoQ, It looks like they restrict the flow out of the nostrills during exhale and open on inhale. That the back pressure is supposed to keep the airway open for inhale.

Needzzzzs, You could probably wear an oximeter and get a good comparison, if you think it's something that would work for you.

Here is the link to the dr info page. Their stats say "Reduced AHI to <10 or by 50%". Good for people that won't wear the mask at all.
http://www.proventtherapy.com//images/u ... doctor.pdf

[needzzzzs]

If you go to the vendor's web page (just put proventtherapy into Google and you'll get there), there's info you can use to take to your doctor. You do need a doctor's Rx to get the 10-day trial supply.

Debbie

Anyone know how to try them?

[archangle]

Your pressure would have to drop to 0 when you inhale with Provent. Otherwise, no air.

I wonder if something similar couldn't be done with a reusable device with vents held on by straps instead of glue. It sounds a little bit like they're making it unnecessarily disposable, just so they can charge you for it again and again, instead of just a one time charge.

[Lizistired]

LoQ, It looks like they restrict the flow out of the nostrills during exhale and open on inhale. That the back pressure is supposed to keep the airway open for inhale.

I guess my understanding of it is different. It looks to me like they create increased resistance during expiration, which creates pressure until the start of the next inspiration; that suggests that they keep the airway open during exhale until the start of the next inspiration. You think that is wrong?

Needzzz, It's good to feel special Maybe it went through because it was to a pdf.
No LoQ, I don't think it's wrong.
I'm suprised that upon inhale the airway would not still colapse.
Exhaling carbon dioxide is as important as inhale, and I wonder how the resistance would possibly affect sleep stages.
I didn't look to see if there were more detailed sleep study stats out there.
I'm curious what the cost is. I would like to try it, but I don't know if I want to go there while I'm "rent to own" with my S9.

[roster]

I wonder if something similar couldn't be done with a reusable device with vents held on by straps instead of glue. It sounds a little bit like they're making it unnecessarily disposable, just so they can charge you for it again and again, instead of just a one time charge.

I thought the same from the first day I saw the Provent. Surely you could put "permanent" valves in something similar to ResMed nasal pillows with standard headgear?

The disposable approach with glue seems not only unnecessary but ridiculous.

[Lizistired]

I wonder if something similar couldn't be done with a reusable device with vents held on by straps instead of glue. It sounds a little bit like they're making it unnecessarily disposable, just so they can charge you for it again and again, instead of just a one time charge.

I thought the same from the first day I saw the Provent. Surely you could put "permanent" valves in something similar to ResMed nasal pillows with standard headgear?

The disposable approach with glue seems not only unnecessary but ridiculous.

Not really if you consider the primary market to be people that can't get used to wearing a mask, or don't want to.
The adhesive should be more effective at reducing or eliminating leaks.
I, and many here would probably configure straps to reuse them.

[nineteencats]

Your pressure would have to drop to 0 when you inhale with Provent. Otherwise, no air.

I wonder if something similar couldn't be done with a reusable device with vents held on by straps instead of glue. It sounds a little bit like they're making it unnecessarily disposable, just so they can charge you for it again and again, instead of just a one time charge.

I had the same thought.

[base2balls]

They cost around $70.00 for a 30 day supply and I don't think that is worth the money if it doesn't work. I saw them at the sleep clinic where my mother had her study. I don't think they are any better than those breath right strips in my opinion. I think it is too much money for some thing you use just one time. I'll stick with my nasal pillows. Oh yesss, what if you have to blow your nose when you have those on, or sneeze or get a nose bleed???? No thnks. Huggies, Fay

[Lizistired]

They cost around $70.00 for a 30 day supply and I don't think that is worth the money if it doesn't work. I saw them at the sleep clinic where my mother had her study. I don't think they are any better than those breath right strips in my opinion. I think it is too much money for some thing you use just one time. I'll stick with my nasal pillows. Oh yesss, what if you have to blow your nose when you have those on, or sneeze or get a nose bleed???? No thnks. Huggies, Fay

I think you need to check their website on that price. I am not going to look, but it seems they were 20-30 dollars for the trial pack.
It's one of those things that may or may not work for each individual and there is an adjustment period.