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Permalink Reply by Tim on June 29, 2009 at 8:42pm

According the Sleep Review article, it is about as effective as OSA surgeries, 50% reduction in 50% of cases. It might be useful for somebody with mild apnea, and perhaps with lower end moderate apnea. I am curious about how it works (if it does work). At least it doesn't involve surgery.

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Permalink Reply by Mike on June 30, 2009 at 12:03am

i've heard about it from one person who tried it and couldn't get used to it. that's my only data point, though. i know dr. park has free samples for his patients.

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Permalink Reply by PSW on June 30, 2009 at 1:40pm

I tried the Provent strips. They did absolutely nothing for me. Essentially, you wrap a bandage-like nasal stip around you nostrils. Prior to being diagnosed with moderate-to-severe apnea, I unsuccessfully tried using nasal "breath right" strips to stop snoring. The Provent strips, although different than the nasal strips, yeilded similar results. I suspect that they may be more useful if you have mild OSA.

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Permalink Reply by Melinda Hertel on June 30, 2009 at 3:01pm

I have tried it. I have mild OSA and love using CPAP. I could not fall asleep with the Provent--every time I doze off, I jerk awake like I do when I don't use my CPAP. I work with a physician who samples it and we have only a few patients that have done well with it. The important thing is if you try it and you tolerate it, your doctor should order a nocturnal oximetry (overnight oxygen level test) while using Provent to make sure it is working. Ventus Medical should be coming out with another version that is less restrictive on exhalation. I am eager to try it to see if I can tolerate that.

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Permalink Reply by Mike on July 2, 2009 at 11:31am

Melinda, I hadn't heard about Ventus coming out with an updated version. Please do let us know when they release it!

Melinda Hertel said:

I have tried it. I have mild OSA and love using CPAP. I could not fall asleep with the Provent--every time I doze off, I jerk awake like I do when I don't use my CPAP. I work with a physician who samples it and we have only a few patients that have done well with it. The important thing is if you try it and you tolerate it, your doctor should order a nocturnal oximetry (overnight oxygen level test) while using Provent to make sure it is working. Ventus Medical should be coming out with another version that is less restrictive on exhalation. I am eager to try it to see if I can tolerate that.

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Permalink Reply by Noah Calderon on September 8, 2011 at 11:20pm

I tried Provent Therapy three nights in a row.  Each time the little filters have come off my nose.  I guess I blow them off.   The highly specialzed filters Provent claims to use, are  little more than clear plastic tape with a punctured hole in it.  I acutally had much better success taking clear medical tape and puncturing a small hole in it and then placing it over my nostrils.  It stayed on the whole night.  But can't say I felt any better.

  

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Permalink Reply by Mary Z on September 9, 2011 at 2:56pm

Noah, thanks for your review of the Provent device. 

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Permalink Reply by Caroline Gaibel on September 13, 2011 at 11:45am

I tried Provent and absolutely could not tolerate it. I felt like I was inflating my head like a balloon or to make it even more visual, imagine yourself on an airplane flight. You begin to feel your ears popping from the pressure so you block off your nostrils and exhale strongly, but continue doing that all night. Imagine the joy! I thought I would levitate above the bed at any moment. It definitely did not work for me and that was the last straw after CPAP, oral appliance before I moved onto surgery.

I Share my story at

http://sleepapneasecrets.info/  and hope it brings you laughter during this sleepy time.

Caroline

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