Anybody has experience with the Provent system?
I would guess that it's useless for people with actual apnea (though it's promoted as apnea therapy...) but was wondering about it for my hubby. He is entirely addicted to nasal sprays and feels like he can't breathe the moment he lays down and hasn't put the spray in his nose. He's been doing that for close to three decades and it finally seems to dawn on him that he should probably stop it... Not like I haven't told him this for the last 20 years or so...
So anyways, if that system could "wean" him from the spray and maybe even help with some snoring (though it isn't usually problematic) then it would be well worth the 70 bucks. Just thought I'd ask here for input, it seems some have tried so many different things.
Please move the thread if it shouldn't be on the main apnea board.
RE: Anybody has experience with the Provent system?
It appears that only fastens onto the front of the nose. It would have little impact back in the throat, so may not be helpful.
Note: I'm an epidemiologist, not a medical provider.
RE: Anybody has experience with the Provent system?
It may help if he is prone to nostril collapse or has small nasal passages. Has he been to an ENT for a good examination of this? I had a similar problem and some surgery earlier this year to fix a deviated septum and trim my inferior turbinates has helped greatly. Failing that, chronic Rhinitis is what it is. Even with the surgery, I use sprays from my ENT and she says that they are OK to use long term. It sure does make it easier to breathe.
RE: Anybody has experience with the Provent system?
That's good advice Chill, but he will not see the inside of a doctor's office unless he is carried there tied up or dead....What is it with men and going to see a doctor? My guess is it's just the effect of long term use that one feels like they can not be without. I'm looking for something to help him transition to less and less nasal spray (he doesn't have colds or sinus issues.
RE: Anybody has experience with the Provent system?
If he is using over the counter sprays, I believe some of the are addictive in the sense that if you stop using them you have problems from that. He could go ask his doctor...  It is my wife that I can't get to go see a doctor.
12-13-2016, 09:36 PM
(This post was last modified: 12-13-2016, 09:48 PM by Sleeprider.)
RE: Anybody has experience with the Provent system?
Afrin and similar decongestants can have an addictive effect, and when used for years, they cause physical changes in the nasal tissues. Scarring, atrophy and loss of elasticity and even blood supply. Weaning sounds like a good idea, but the problem is a bit larger than most individuals can manage on their own. Believe it or not, a professional ENT specialist is probably the best bet.
Do a search on Weaning off Afrin or Afrin Addiction, and you will get a ton of results. It's not a problem to be made light of, and yet it's very important to get control of this problem. If you can get him on CPAP a nasal pillows mask may actually give him the relief from nasal congestion he has been seeking. In fact, it might be worth getting an inexpensive Airfit P10 off Amazon (or using yours with large pillows) and letting him experience nasal therapy and the relief it brings using your machine. It might change his mind. Anyway, this is going to be a difficult problem to solve, and like cigarette smoking and other addictions, he has to make the decision to do it, and may need to enlist professional help.
RE: Anybody has experience with the Provent system?
Plain saline solution may be used to irrigate and flush out irritating or infectious materials from the sinuses. There are several in pharmacies in the US; perhaps they have similar in Canada. These have been helpful for many sinus sufferes and are non-addictive. He might discuss using this with the doc.
Note: I'm an epidemiologist, not a medical provider.
RE: Anybody has experience with the Provent system?
I second the saline solutions. It may be a good method for him.
And, really, he needs to get over the doctor thing. Tell him to grow a pair and get over it. And you need to stop taking care of him. If he won't do it himself, then you can't do it for him. Period. He needs to take charge of his own health and be an adult about it. Be intelligent about it. If you keep looking up solutions for him, then he's never going to do that on his own. And he needs to. I'm not being mean, just honest.
PaulaO
Take a deep breath and count to zen.
RE: Anybody has experience with the Provent system?
Ha haha, I'm not that much of a Mommy to him...the only reason I'm helping him find solutions is because he asked for help, which is a step up from "not needing any advice." So today we got the saline solution, nasal strips and a Vicks inhaler. Holy cow, if the combination of that doesn't do it...
RE: Anybody has experience with the Provent system?
He may have some rebound from stopping the nasal sprays. It will resolve over time.
Alternatively, he could try a tapering approach where he cut the use by 10-20% each day or so, spreading out the times he uses it.
Note: I'm an epidemiologist, not a medical provider.
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