Treating Sleep Apnea Without the Mask

New York Times ^ | April 9, 2012 | ANAHAD O’CONNOR

[nickcarraway]

About 28 million Americans have sleep apnea, which causes repeated awakenings and pauses in breathing during the night, sometimes resulting in loud snoring and gasps for air. For decades, the standard treatment has been “continuous positive airway pressure.” A mask worn at night pushes air into the nasal passages, enabling easier breathing. C.P.A.P. reduces and in some cases completely prevents episodes of apnea.

But the mask is like something from a bad science fiction movie: big, bulky and obtrusive. Many patients simply refuse to wear it or rip it off while asleep. Studies show that about half of all people prescribed C.P.A.P. machines stop using them in one to three weeks.

“For a lot of people out there, the C.P.A.P. machine turns into a doorstop,” said Dr. Joseph Golish, the former chief of sleep medicine at the Cleveland Clinic. “C.P.A.P. is very effective in the sleep lab. But when people go home, there’s a good chance they won’t use it, and the success rate of an unused C.P.A.P. machine is absolutely zero.”

Now an alternative form of C.P.A.P. is gaining popularity: a patch that fits over the nostrils. Called Provent, the patch holds two small plugs, one for each nostril, that create just enough air pressure to keep the airways open at night. It is far less intrusive than the traditional C.P.A.P. machine. It is also more expensive, and it doesn’t work for every patient.

Approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2008, Provent has spread mostly by word of mouth. But it has caught on fast. Its manufacturer, Ventus Medical, says it has shipped one million of the devices in the past 12 months, up from a half million total in the two years prior. Doctors say it has given them a new weapon in the battle against

[cherry]

is that a prescription type of item or can I just order for myself...?

[Paleo Conservative]

is that a prescription type of item or can I just order for myself...?

It's prescription from a physician, but it is fitted by a dentist. First you have to get your physician to order a sleep study. Then depending on the results of the sleep study, the dentist will have to determine if you're a good candidate for this device. It depends on your sleep index from the study and BMI. Yes the CPAP is the "most effective" method of treating sleep apnea, but it's hardly the most convenient. If you don't have severe sleep apnea, and your BMI is less than 30-35, it might be a good solution. I'm planning on traveling to Europe this summer, and the mouth piece is much lighter and takes less space than a CPAP, which adds another piece of carry on to take.

[Crim]

Great thread...

[Crim]

I couldnt stand it....pulled it off within an hour every night...

Trying to get a Bi-pap to try out...but I need to go the sleep lab before they will issue one..

[BlueLancer]

"...and it is scraping the skin off of my nose."

My wife's apnea and snoring had made it almost impossible for either of us to get a good night's sleep when we were first married. About five years ago, she was put on a CPAP machine and it changed both of our lives for the better. We both get a good night's sleep almost every night now and, when she started experiencing rawness and soreness on the bridge of her nose, she talked to the doctor about it. She now wears a very soft reuseable gel-type rubber pad that is shaped like an upside-down T. Putting the leg of the T up the bridge of her nose, between her eyes, and the arms of the T down either side of her nose, it has completely relieved her of all of the problems that the CPAP facemask was giving her.

ResMed Gecko Nasal Pad

[Marie Antoinette]

FYI

[commish]

MY CPAP has been a huge blessing. I have severe apnea (scores were off the charts) and the CPAP has helped immensely.

MY biggest problem is I am a mouth breather (Dems will have a field day with that admission LOL) and have had to work diligently to stop that aspect. Tried a chin strap and it was unbelievably uncomfortable so finally settled on a full face mask and just training myself to keep my mouth shut (something my wife wishes would happen during waking hours too).

Also have severe sinus/allergy issues that I have had to treat with meds but also have begun using a Nedi Pot nightly to keep the airways clear (works like a charm even during pollen season).

Final problem is Ihave a full beard and stubbornly refuse to shave it off.

it has taken many months to find the right combo of strap settings, sleeping positions etc to prevent leaks and also training myself how to sleep and learning ways to effectively treat my sinus issues, but I finally hit the right combo and for the last 6 month or so my life has completely turned around in respect to energy, overall feeling, mood, etc.

Final peice of advise - WASH YOUR MASK! WASH YOUR MASK! WASH YOUR MASK! at a minimum weekly, but every few days if you can remember — Warm water and a soft soap (Johnson’s baby shampoo works wonders). Keeps the seal soft supple and working like a charm. Also regularly clean all other parts (Especially the water resevoir for the humidifier) and replace filters when recommended.

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

Folks,,,, I’ve tried everything! This has been going on non-stop for over 50 years. Very narrow bridge. Constant post-nasal drip.. And I mean constant. 50 year ago, doc wanted to poke a hot wire up there to open up the sinus cavities. He had done that for my Father. Freaked teenage me out!

[Twinkie]

Me, too, pretty much. Several years ago, I got addicted to 4-Way Nasal Spray; couldn’t breathe without it. HAD to use it every day to breathe, BUT it got worse and worse. That went on for months and months.

I prayed, and prayed. Then one night, I looked down at my blouse and my nose was dripping drops of blood on it. Drip, drip, drip, then gushing clots of blood and stuff. Finally, after over an hour of that non-stop, husband took me to the ER. (didn’t want to, I was weak from non-stop bleeding and forced the isssue!) It went on for about two total hours before it finally decided it was through.

Nose was unstopped, and how! Have been pretty much unstopped for the most part for all these years; but I NEVER use the high powered nasal sprays any more. Just use an occasional homeopathic remedy and spray, also the 1% grapefruit spray which I get at the health food store.

So, you never know exactly how the Lord will choose to answer prayers.

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

WOW! That’s quite a story! I was addicted to the sprays too. But, as you know, they just make things worse in cases like ours!