CPAPtalk.com

I just heard an interview with the person that invented this. My thought was that it may be a possibility to use when you go camping. It may not be the same as using xPAP, but it may be better than having nothing when your battery dies, or if you are backpacking.

I wish I had thought to ask my PCP for a script for this when I saw him last month. I wonder if it would just cause me to mouth breathe.
I just watched a video and they don't seem to know why it works, assuming it does.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDgfl2X ... re=related

Another one of Dr Park's experience with it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RWrIqD ... re=related

I have had sleep apnea for 2 years, could not use cpap, so I opted for the dental appliance, which was covered by my medical insurance. The dental appliances work and are easy to adjust to, however, I have (2 ) 5 part bridges on my lower teeth, I was not told by the sleep apnea dentist that you are only supposed to use those appliances if you have all your natural teeth. I used that appliance for a year and a half with great success except it pulled both bridges out at least 3 times, so after 6 visits to my regular dentist to recement, I was told it is destroying the bridges as every time they come off, more of the filed down teeth under the bridges are crumbing away and soon the bridges will not even fit anymore, and I would be stuck with paying for new bridges, and the problem would simlpy start all over with the newer ones anyway. I decided to look for an alternative, 2 weeks ago I found Provent online, researched it, called Ventus Medical myself and decided for 20 dollars I'll try it. I printed the doctors rx form, you must use that form,took it to my Primary, as my ENT and my Pulmonologist refused to write the rx. Obviously they have nothing to gain financially by me using an appliance they don't even sell!!! They both suggested CPAP and/or surgery, not a chance of either for me! I made some calls, found a local distributor (medical supply house) brought the script, picked it up, and can honestly say after 3 nights of use, Hallelujah! sleep at last! No snoring, no apnea events, according to my husband just a tiny bit of noises from my mouth as I'm breathing, exhaling thru the mouth I should say, but not enough to wake him up. This is an ingenious device if you ask me, not at all uncomfortable, I will continue for as long as this is available! Yes it will be a little expensive, but you can shop around for the best price as I did, and hopefully Ventus Medical will get the HCPC code soon and then it will be covered by insurance companies. I Highly Recommend!!

I'm glad to read at least several positive reviews from people who use the device. I have heard the theory that upon expiration there is enough back pressure from the device to keep the airway open on inspiration. Though it will not put 'PAP out of business, perhaps it will keep some people healthy who do not tolerate 'PAP.

mandylou wrote:No snoring, no apnea events, according to my husband just a tiny bit of noises from my mouth as I'm breathing, exhaling thru the mouth I should say, but not enough to wake him up.

1. How do you know there are no apnea events wihout instrumentation to detect them?

2. If you are exhaling through your mouth then the expiratory pressure that Provent is supposed to provide is lost and the therapy doesn't work.

I am skeptical of this testimony and the testimony of cangelos. It could be that Provent provides no or very little therapy for them.

It could also be that they are friends or even employees of Provent Therapy trying to generate interest and sales.

But if anyone with good knowledge of sleep apnea wants to try Provent I would encourage you to do so.

I will be less skeptical of testimonials when they come from forum members who have demonstrated they have a good understanding of sleep apnea and how this device works.

And what do the Provents do when you have a central and your brain forgets to tell your body to breathe?

Tap on your forehead to remind it?

mandylou wrote:my ENT and my Pulmonologist refused to write the rx. Obviously they have nothing to gain financially by me using an appliance they don't even sell!!!

And obviously my heart surgeon would be out of business if everybody refused heart surgery, so by this reasoning I should have declined surgery?

Until a representative sample of patients undergo a overnight sleep study while wearing this contraption,
I refuse to consider it a legitimate therapy option. Period.

Shame a member hasn't tried it yet. Note to self: ask doc for it.
I would like to try it, but like others I don't buy the testimonials from "guests".
I'm guessing I would have to wear a chinstrap or tape to try it. Or maybe try in conjuction with something like the AveoTST, which I also have an interest in.

What I find interesting in the concept is that I think my obstruction is in my sinuses and my doc insists that it is in my throat.... and of course he can't think outside what he was taught in his sleep doc certification.

chunkyfrog wrote:Until a representative sample of patients undergo a overnight sleep study while wearing this contraption,
I refuse to consider it a legitimate therapy option. Period.

Chunk, Go to the website and find the studies where PSGs were done. They did show some success. But nothing like we get with our CPAPs!

Lizistired wrote:
What I find interesting in the concept is that I think my obstruction is in my sinuses and my doc insists that it is in my throat.... and of course he can't think outside what he was taught in his sleep doc certification.

Maybe it is because he remembers what he studied in anatomy. The sinuses are not in the airway.

Now maybe you mean your sinuses have swelled up so badly they are blocking the nasal airway? This would be easy for the doctor to examine. Such a condition would also not cause sleep apnea because your mouth would open reflexively and you would breathe easily while sleeping.

Why don't you look up paranasal sinuses in Wikipedia and learn what they are? Then your doctor might take you more seriously at your next discussion.

When we inhale, the air goes in through the nostrils, up through the nasal passages, down the throat (pharynx) to the wind pipe (trachea), and through the tree-like bronchial tubes, to the tiny air sacs of the lungs where oxygen diffuses into the blood. This pathway is called the airway.

Cereal Killer wrote:The sinuses are not in the airway.

?? Duh?

Independent or company funded?

Lizistired wrote:

Cereal Killer wrote:The sinuses are not in the airway.

?? Duh?

Like I said, go look it up in Wikipedia and let this bit of your, duh, ignorance become part of your past.

I have read two testimonials in Provent threads from members who love them. Now, they haven't had sleep studies to prove their effectiveness. I think they work for a percentage of people. It is certainly a better alternative than nothing. For those of us who tolerate CPAP (or other modes) I wouldn't suggest a change. I appreciate the jury is out. Let's encourage those at the end of their rope to try other things and few are available. I do not work for the company and my only interest is the health and well being of our forum members.