Ok I am on CPAP and have been for 5-6 years!  At 60 yo I still love backpacking the Appalachian Trail.  As part of my job I travel some.   I can not carry my CPAP, so I want to get an "oral-device" to use on an occasional & limited schedule.

I have read excellent reviews on the "AveoTSD" oral-device, but seems its only available in New Zealand.  Does anyone know of a supplier closer to home?

Thanks  


_________________
Willee51

   Surely someone has purchased one of these things?  I do badly need an oral/temporary extremely portable device to use on backpacking trips.  

I am a 60-yo/male, 5'8", 167-lb, which means I am not obese, but a little over-weight!  I have a strictly organic & healthy diet and go to the "Y" 4-5 times a week.  

But, I snore like a Boeing 747.  If I do not use my CPAP, I wake up with a sore-throat that is indescribable and so sleepy my day is horrible.  So, backpacking for weeks at a time without an oral/temp device is near-impossible.

HELP!


_________________
Willee51

Hi willee51,

I purchased one back in about October as I was going to be staying at someone else's place and my snoring has been an issue in the past.  I don't think I persisted long enough with getting used to it as I only had one night where it stayed on right through (of those nights where I could get to sleep with it on...).  The night that it did stay on, I did *feel* as though I'd had better sleep though, so I'm currently giving it another go (hence winding up here, and registering so as to reply to this).  There seem to be suppliers based in Canada, but I presume that answering your question directly would breach the rules against posting commercial links.  Based on my experience, I wouldn't expect to be able to just pop one on when required, but I've just found a tip about using a dab of denture cream to help it stay in place, so I might buy some tomorrow, and my experience might change.  The pilot study (2002) mentions it coming in four sizes, but the device seems to have gone to market subsequent to that with just a one-size-fits-all model, so it might be a problem if your tongue is outside of average dimensions (I suspect mine might be a little wider than usual).

Anyway, I found a PDF of the pilot study - much of the medical detail doesn't mean much to me, but others here are probably in a better position to figure out what it means:
http://www.aveosleep.ca/pdf/Tongue%20Stabilizing%20Device%20-%20Pilot%20Study.pdf
Note that while the first three listed authors are from: Respiratory Research Unit, Dunedin School of Medicine - the fourth listed author is actually the 'inventor' of the device (from: Department of Oral Sciences & Orthodontics, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand).

Anyway, I don't know if this will be any help to you - as I say, I haven't used it enough to be able to recommend it, and I can't see anything definite online that would recommend it for anything other than something to try for simple snoring.  But I'll keep you posted if any of that changes.

Steven

  Thanks Steven for the reply, I will be interested in hearing from you on the subject in the future


_________________
Willee51

northislander wrote:

Anyway, I found a PDF of the pilot study - much of the medical detail doesn't mean much to me, but others here are probably in a better position to figure out what it means:
http://www.aveosleep.ca/pdf/Tongue%20Stabilizing%20Device%20-%20Pilot%20Study.pdf
Note that while the first three listed authors are from: Respiratory Research Unit, Dunedin School of Medicine - the fourth listed author is actually the 'inventor' of the device (from: Department of Oral Sciences & Orthodontics, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand).

I know there have been no posts on this topic for a while, but in case anyone is watching... I just ordered this device from a New Zealand pharmacy. I also found that, if you go to the manufacturer's site you can get links to net stores in Canada as well. I hope it works. I have tried a jaw-advancing dental aplliance and woke up last night choking on my tongue, so I have to go back to CPAP.

I work in a science field and read clinical studies every day. I read the study referenced above and it is very small; too small to draw any meaningful conclusions. My opinion after reading the paper (for what it is worth) is that this device probably will work well for some people, give partial results for some, and won't work at all for some. (Brilliant, ain't I?) I was a bit alarmed that the discussion mentions better results for dental appliances, but I am hoping this helps me, as my biggest issue is that my tongue is too big. God, that sounds sexy. But anyway, if anyone is using this device, can you share your experiences with it and let me know what happens if your nose is stuffy - will this thing still work?

Thanks.

Matt

Matt,

Please keep me informed on your success or otherwise on this product.  Additionally, I am interested if you have any problems with Customs!

I use a CPAP and have for about 6-years ( I am thin bodied & 60/yo).  I am a backpacker and cannot carry the CPAP, so I want a small portable appliance.  Prior to CPAP I used a dental-type appliance, that over time affected my "bite".

I to have a tongue that is far to big.  In fact the impression of my teeth are embedded around the outside edges of my tongue.  With the problems a tongue that is tooooooo big causes, its NOT SEXY.


_________________
Willee51

I got the device and have played with it. The instructions have you use it for 10 minutes or so for the first few days and work your way up. It is very easy to use. I have not slept with it because I have an oral appliance that seems to be working well.

My initial impression is that it is great for snoring. I can make a snoring noise any time I want to and it sometimes comes out when I sniff or laugh. (Oddly, I am not much of a sleep snorer.) What impresses me with the Aveo is that, try as I might, when it is in I cannot make a snoring noise at all.

The only bad part is that it is really hard to swallow without your tongue being able to move. Complicating this is that having something on your tongue encourages salivation. The pamphlet says that this dies down after a while, especially if you follow the gradual conditioning process they outline.

I am not sure I will use this for apnea because my oral appliance is working well, but it is a handy backup, especially for tavel or my appliance breaks.

I hope this helps.

Matt

PS I know the moderator has expressed concern about the commerical advocacy the forum got from the pharmacy in New Zealand, and I do not want to violate the spirit or rules of this forum. I will say that I got the device from them, it came in seven days, and I e-mailed them with a question and they responded within 24 hours. I was pleased with the service. (Moderator, if this is inappropriate commentary please let me know.)

I am VERY interested in hearing about experiences with the aveoTSD device.  After a year with the CPAP, I am hating every minute of it and need to find another method.  

Thank you!!

BuzzCap7

Hating my CPAP as I do, and dismayed by the price of the FullBreath Solution, I ordered the Aveo from the Canadian website and it arrived in a few days by mail. It's a plastic oval shaped tubular device open at one and and closed at the other. You insert your tongue into the cavity while squeezing on it to create suction, which then keeps your tongue protruded into the device when you let go. They warn you that you will drool, and boy are they right. Supposedly this reaction goes away after you get used to the device. I find it extremely uncomfortable apart from the drooling, and although I have given it the old college try for several nights I can't sleep with it. The CPAP is actually more comfortable for me. Obviously others may find it quite easy to wear. For me, it doesn't look like this will be the answer....

Apparently once you get use to sleeping with something in your mouth, it does work.

My Father decided to put his money where his mouth was due to his snoring issues
(before my mother kicked him out of bed I am sure) And they are both much happier
because of it. Sleeping better and getting a better quality of sleep.

If you are wondering where to get them outside of New Zealand PM me.

Hello! First Post. I have been using the aveoTSD for almost 2 years, this is after using CPAP therapy for 8 years. I can tell you this little device works. I have never snored, I use the aveoTSD strictly for OSA.

Gerry

I couldn't use CPAP, had a Klearway mouthpiece for 2 years that recently broke. Was looking for something that didn't cost $2000 and up. (What a rip-off this sleep disorder treatment continues to be) While the AveoTSD does take some getting used to (felt like my tongue was being yanked out of my mouth) I quickly adjusted and am having the best sleep of my life. What a lifesaver and money-saver, too. By the way I purchased mine from Canada at aveosleep.ca.