[Product Review] AlaxoStent Review (6” FDA Approved)

[G. Szabo]

ophiuchus, I was holding off on ordering the new hybrid stent as I wanted to wait until there are some reviews it before taking the plunge. I'd love to hear your thoughts on it after you receive it.

Hi jdip, 
The most prudent approach is to order only the inserting tube in the first step. It should cost a maximum of a few bucks, and then see how you can to deal with it. We would need to negotiate this reasonable avenue with the manufacturer.
Best

[jdip]

G. Szabo, thank you for sharing your experience thus far. Regarding the insertion tube being too rigid to go into the trachea, I remember DLEWIS mentioning something about that:

Anyway, I tried different angles/directions until I could tell it was in the right location. For me, I have better luck on the right side and angled more toward my nose (rather than cheekbone.)  When I find the right position, I can just push it in a little at a time and it goes right into the throat.

Hopefully that can be useful to you.

And good idea about trying it with the insertion tube first! I wonder if a clean thin straw could be used for this "trial" instead.

[G. Szabo]

And good idea about trying it with the insertion tube first! I wonder if a clean thin straw could be used for this "trial" instead.

Thank you, Jdip, for the reference. 

Indeed, I have made progress and now I can insert the full length tube. For my case the tube should be about 20 degree toward the cheekbone. Now I am trying to tolerate the deployed stent. When I deployed it too deep it scratched my trachea so badly that I needed to suspend my trials for two days. Hence, it is definitely better to check the position of the tube's end in the mirror before deploying the stent.   

As for the straw you are considering: It might be challenging to use it as a replacement. It is because the Alexo insertion tube is bent. I believe its curvature is designed to mimic the curvature of the nasal passage. Interestingly Alexo videos emphasize its cleaning with cold water. I suspect that the curvature might be lost in hot water because the plastic softens.

Also the tube is quite sturdy because at some point you will need to push it hard. 

Best

[BKeeper]

I find 2 things help me in getting the insertion tube past the downward turn of my airway.
- I tip my head back and occasionally swallow before hitting the back of my airway.
- I have found that there are differences in where I insert the tube in my middle turbinate as to how easily the tube will negotiate the bend. For me, the most open area of one turbinate does not point staight back, so if I insert at an angle, the insertion tube slides easily in. I just recently figured this out after over a year and a half of use! Prior to this, when I had trouble negotiating the bend, I would switch to the other nasal passage.

I guess the other possible question would be: in which turbinate the tube is sliding into? I think almost everyone has 3 turbinates on each side. I almost always use the middle one. If I accidentally insert into the upper turbinate, the tube will not slide around the bend in back. I have almost never slid into the bottome turbinate, but maybe the bend there woulde be less accute.

Good luck!

[G. Szabo]

And good idea about trying it with the insertion tube first! I wonder if a clean thin straw could be used for this "trial" instead.

Here you are the dimensions of the tube if you want to find some alternatives: OD 4 mm, Length 166 mm. I would suggest making the end of the tube dull so it cannot cut your flesh. You can either melt it a bit or fill it up with some silicone glue.

[G. Szabo]

I find 2 things help me in getting the insertion tube past the downward turn of my airway.
- I tip my head back and occasionally swallow before hitting the back of my airway.
- I have found that there are differences in where I insert the tube in my middle turbinate as to how easily the tube will negotiate the bend. For me, the most open area of one turbinate does not point staight back, so if I insert at an angle, the insertion tube slides easily in. I just recently figured this out after over a year and a half of use! Prior to this, when I had trouble negotiating the bend, I would switch to the other nasal passage.

I guess the other possible question would be: in which turbinate the tube is sliding into? I think almost everyone has 3 turbinates on each side. I almost always use the middle one. If I accidentally insert into the upper turbinate, the tube will not slide around the bend in back. I have almost never slid into the bottome turbinate, but maybe the bend there woulde be less accute.

Good luck!

Thanks BKeeper for your comments.

Now I am able to deploy the stent deep enough. Here comes the next issue. I can feel it at every swallow I make. It is a very uncomfortable feeling having a foreign body in my throat. It is like someone scratches your throat. How could you deal with it?
I believe, it malks no difference to be sleep deprived because you suffocate or waking up at every swallow you make.

[Crimson Nape]

G. Szabo - Please read this thread: https://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread...-t-have-to

Thanks!
- Red

[BKeeper]

G.Szabo, glad you’ve successfully inserted the stent! I think that now it’s just a matter of getting used to it. You haven’t had it this deep before, so it will take a few days.

For me, I’m using the older, longer stent. I found, by titrations using the Bleep mask and cpap, that I needed to insert maybe 10mm deeper than my uvula. This means that both my soft palate as well as my tongue were restricting my airway. I need the older, longer stent to get that deep. 

Why this is meaningful: at this depth, it is always a little scratchy for me when swallowing. Sometimes I am a lot more sensitive, and when I first insert the stent, I have to resist swallowing for a few minutes until there is a sort of mucus coating to take the discomfort away. If I don’t, the discomfort gets worse. After those first few minutes, I’m almost always good to go. 

I expect that with the depths built in to the new soft palate stent, that you will have more (maybe a lot more) comfort than I do. You just need to give yourself some practice - maybe awake - before trying a full night’s use. 

BTW - I think the new stent design is a marked improvement! I just wish there was an optional longer version :-).

[BKeeper]

G.Szabo, glad you’ve successfully inserted the stent! I think that now it’s just a matter of getting used to it. You haven’t had it this deep before, so it will take a few days.

For me, I’m using the older, longer stent. I found, by titrations using the Bleep mask and cpap, that I needed to insert maybe 10mm deeper than my uvula. This means that both my soft palate as well as my tongue were restricting my airway. I need the older, longer stent to get that deep. 

Why this is meaningful: at this depth, it is always a little scratchy for me when swallowing. Sometimes I am a lot more sensitive, and when I first insert the stent, I have to resist swallowing for a few minutes until there is a sort of mucus coating to take the discomfort away. If I don’t, the discomfort gets worse. After those first few minutes, I’m almost always good to go. 

I expect that with the depths built in to the new soft palate stent, that you will have more (maybe a lot more) comfort than I do. You just need to give yourself some practice - maybe awake - before trying a full night’s use. 

BTW - I think the new stent design is a marked improvement! I just wish there was an optional longer version :-).

[jdip]

G. Szabo, thank you very much for the dimensions. I hope you are continuing to make progress with the stent.

BKeeper, I'm curious. Since they don't sell the 6" one anymore, what's your plan for when you need a replacement stent?