Alaxo 6" stent and understanding pulse results

[Sleeprider]

You are only the second member I know to use the 6" stent and I have sheen the shorter nasal stent used a few times.  I think the ability to resolve palatal prolapse is fascinating, and if you read the link above, you will see "SleepyCPAP" eventually was able to treat just with the stent and leave the CPAP behind.  I look forward to seeing your results.  This is pretty classic for PP.  I hope you get a chance to read through the other thread. There are certain challenges to starting to use the stent that can be overcome, and the more you understand that, the easier your own journey may be.

[DLEWIS]

Thanks Sleeprider. Before becoming a member I decided to figure out what was wrong with my breathing and I knew it was related to the soft palate closing but I didn't know if this was abnormal or if there was even a name for it. In my research, I read all of SleepyCPAPs posts and threads to learn as much as a could. After studying his breathing patterns I realized that I had the same palatal prolapse issues and a sleep expert on SleepHQ who looked at my chart also confirmed this. I've also watched the Alaxo 6" stent video and have read all the reviews of other users and what to expect at first. They all say "stick with it" so I'm hoping things will go smoothly!

I have a few more images from this week (5/24, 5/25 and 5/26). These show breathing pattern before severe pulse drops. Also, I'll try to post last night's overall statistics to have a as baseline to compare in the future.

[DLEWIS]

Here is a screenshot of the statistics from last night (5/26-5/27) as a future comparison.

   

[SleepyCPAP]

Hi DLEWIS,

I finally saw the note you posted asking me to look at this thread.  I hope your 6" AlaxoStent will arrive soon.  My replacement still has not shipped, they said they were waiting for a shipment themselves.  

I don't believe we are the only two who are (will in your case) using this.  Others contacted me privately, but I don't think they made a thread to follow.  

I use my stent alone for naps, but otherwise find the best therapy is with stent and VAuto combined.  Lots of nights of zero AHI, good SpO2 ranges, etc.  I spent time reducing pressure (with Sleep Doctor's permission) on my VAuto, and have not touched the pressures since.  Nice and low (4cm with 3.6 Pressure Support) in auto mode.  I look forward to how your situation proceeds.

[DLEWIS]

Thanks SleepyCPAP

Apparently the pre-shipping label for the Alaxo 6" stent has been created but USPS is still waiting to receive it. Since I just got an O2 ring last week, at least it will give me some time to gather pre-stent O2 readings. I'm using the .csv files exported from Wellue (that I sorted by O2 level) to create weekly bar graphs to see how much time I spend at lower O2 levels. The goal will obviously be to eliminate time spent at lower levels and increase the readings at the optimum O2 levels. Sleeprider also said it will be interesting to compare levels before and after the stent.  Here is what I have for the first week. As you know, time awake gives higher readings than time asleep but the levels showing up below 93 are areas I'm hoping the stent can eliminate.

   

[BKeeper]

DLEWIS, your thread prompted me to add to SleepyCPAP's Stent review. I'll add that after early positive results I ordered a backup stent last year. It took 3 months to receive it. I chalked it up to supply chain issues.