I’m using AlaxoStent with PAP therapy for Palatal Prolapse

[SleepyCPAP]

Viewed the video from Alaxo again they show the middle sinus. Is it easy to tell which one you are in?

I assume it is going through the middle sinus passage. If it was too high or too low it would not make the curve for the throat. As long as it goes through, I’m not worried!

Every once in a while something gets stuck as I’m pushing. I’m gentle and don’t poke too hard. I just pull out part way and aim differently. Hard to explain. Also, I tilt my head back. In the first days of starting the stent I might have moisture in my eyes or runny nose, but that went away as I got used to the process over the next days.

I use the same nostril that my ENT used to scope my throat. I don’t think it matters, I just figured if a scope can get through then this small insertion tube can too.

- SleepyCPAP

[Denase]

I ordered this product on 4-6-2022, credit card promptly charged. I have yet to have the product sent. A call to the person I was working with to find out the issue said I will call the person that knows and call you right back. Never got the return call. I understand product delays with covid, supply shipping issues. But show the item as "back ordered" charge my card when you ship the item. I am having second thoughts. Paid on 4-6-22 today still nothing.

[SleepyCPAP]

Hi,
Sorry to hear they are not responsive.
I get great response from act@alaxocanada.com
Give that email a try. That is their follow-up team address.
Of course today may be a holiday for workers, but still worth a try. I think they are on Vancouver time zone.

[Denase]

Thanks SleepyCPAP I will give them a try.

[Denase]

Today still nothing.

[SleepyCPAP]

Just a quick update:

In the past four months of AlaxoStent use I have had no side effects or issues (other than getting used to it the first days). It continues to work wonderfully in combination with my bilevel therapy at reduced pressure (minimum 4cm EPAP, the VAuto mode won’t go lower than that, and 3.6cm pressure support). The median EPAP over the last 30 days has been 4.02cm, and the 95% EPAP 4.28cm. Only the 99.5% chart shows any Flow Limitation numbers above 0.00: I’ve got an average 99.5% FL of 0.027. Basically, the VAuto doesn’t need to do much work.

I’ve had up to a 24-day stretch of 0.0 AHI, interrupted by a random single Hypopnea or CA now and then, and back to 0.0 AHI nights. As I told another new AlaxoStent user in a private message, I am feeling as if I have a selection of all my best nights of PAP therapy added up from previous years, all in a row now.

All benefits, no downsides. I feel really lucky to have found this combination.

- SleepyCPAP

[VVV]

How is that with the stent hanging out your nostril and the Bleep?

[SleepyCPAP]

I find that the Bleep dream ports help hold the stent tail in place, I still use a piece of tape on the tail, usually away from where the Bleep Dreamport attaches.

I do have to push a little more carefully when adhering the Dreamport, so that there isn't seepage around the AlaxoStent tail. I've also found an extra piece of tape over the edge of the dream port can help with any air seepage. The amount of air that might leak is so small it does not register on the machine, but that extra bit of tape over the edge helps me from being disturbed by any air noise.

- SleepyCPAP

[SleepyCPAP]

Update after one year of using the 6” AlaxoStent with my VAuto. I’m not signing in much anymore, since things are going perfectly. Here is a summary:

First year results

In the 30 days prior to my using the 6” AlaxoStent my machine scored 489 Obstructive Apneas, despite my 99.5% Flow limitation averaging 0.019. That indicated to me that PAP pressure was correct for inspiration, but expiratory Palatal prolapse was closing down my throat.

I then started the AlaxoStent on Dec. 16, 2021. In the year since starting stent use (combined with VAuto) my total Obstructive Apneas have been 7, and my 99.5% Flow limitation is averaging 0.032 (median pressure 7.48).
So, use of the stent with my bilevel brought down my Obstructive Apneas from 489/month, to 7/year, all while decreasing my average pressure on my VAuto (with the side benefit of no more air leaking into my belly at high pressures).

OSCAR calculates my average AHI over this past year is 0.042. That included early days of going down to as low as 3cm CPAP, to see how well the stent was doing on its own, with Hypopneas appearing at that low pressure. Since dialing in my current pressure (over ten months ago to EPAP 4 & PS 3.6cm), my AHI has averaged 0.022. Occasional random, short, CA’s or H’s slip through on some nights, but I’ve had a whopping 293 nights of 0.00 AHI in the past year. Over 86% of my nights since the pressure change 10 months ago have been 0.00 AHI!!!

I have not noted any negative side effects from use of the stent. No nasal or throat infections, for example.

A previous post mentioned that I had a sleep study with the stent alone, and it brought my AHI down from severe to mild - so sometimes I take naps without masking up, knowing I’m doing ok. I wear my O2Ring so I that’s how I know I’m doing OK.

[zonker]

I have not noted any negative side effects from use of the stent. No nasal or throat infections, for example.

well, you have me curious. you have no negative side effects from the stent. your ahi has gone down with the device. all to the good and congrats on that.

but how are you sleeping? wake up feeling good? no headaches or body aches? getting a full night's rest?

sorry if you mentioned that and i din't see it.

[SleepyCPAP]

but how are you sleeping? wake up feeling good? no headaches or body aches? getting a full night's rest?

Hi Zonker,

I don’t have headaches when I wake up. Those pretty much went away when I started CPAP a dozen years ago. For over 10 years plain CPAP was all I needed - until Palatal Prolapse developed and messed up my nights.

I can tell the difference if I’ve slept with only the stent instead of the combination of VAuto and Stent - such as for a nap, or if I come back to bed after using the bathroom and only use the stent for the rest of the night I might feel a little more groggy when I get up. I know from my sleep study with just the stent that it doesn’t eliminate all my apnea by itself, so that makes sense.

For a while I was sleeping longer with the stent and VAuto combination, then I got into a pattern of getting less sleep than I wanted. That has more to do with stress in my life - or my aging bladder interrupting. On nights where I’ve had less stress in the day I end up with nice long sleep.

[lynninnj]

Update after one year of using the 6” AlaxoStent with my VAuto. I’m not signing in much anymore, since things are going perfectly. Here is a summary:

First year results

In the 30 days prior to my using the 6” AlaxoStent my machine scored 489 Obstructive Apneas, despite my 99.5% Flow limitation averaging 0.019. That indicated to me that PAP pressure was correct for inspiration, but expiratory Palatal prolapse was closing down my throat.

I then started the AlaxoStent on Dec. 16, 2021. In the year since starting stent use (combined with VAuto) my total Obstructive Apneas have been 7, and my 99.5% Flow limitation is averaging 0.032 (median pressure 7.48).
So, use of the stent with my bilevel brought down my Obstructive Apneas from 489/month, to 7/year, all while decreasing my average pressure on my VAuto (with the side benefit of no more air leaking into my belly at high pressures).

OSCAR calculates my average AHI over this past year is 0.042. That included early days of going down to as low as 3cm CPAP, to see how well the stent was doing on its own, with Hypopneas appearing at that low pressure. Since dialing in my current pressure (over ten months ago to EPAP 4 & PS 3.6cm), my AHI has averaged 0.022. Occasional random, short, CA’s or H’s slip through on some nights, but I’ve had a whopping 293 nights of 0.00 AHI in the past year. Over 86% of my nights since the pressure change 10 months ago have been 0.00 AHI!!!

I have not noted any negative side effects from use of the stent. No nasal or throat infections, for example.

A previous post mentioned that I had a sleep study with the stent alone, and it brought my AHI down from severe to mild - so sometimes I take naps without masking up, knowing I’m doing ok. I wear my O2Ring so I that’s how I know I’m doing OK.

OK so I google alaxostent to see what it is and every time I click on a link I get porno pictures.

WTF?

[Dog Slobber]

OK so I google alaxostent to see what it is and every time I click on a link I get porno pictures.

WTF?

Try a different browser, sounds like you might have some malware.

[zonker]

Hi Zonker,

thank you for that.

how much does the stent cost?

[lynninnj]

OK so I google alaxostent to see what it is and every time I click on a link I get porno pictures.

WTF?

Try a different browser, sounds like you might have some malware.

Thanks- i did see more on my phone and found it intriguing.

The scan is running now. It was weird.