The Entire CPAP Industry -- My Experience Over The Years

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
Urban Frog
Posts: 1
Joined: Mon Jul 27, 2015 1:02 pm

The Entire CPAP Industry -- My Experience Over The Years

Post by Urban Frog » Mon Jul 27, 2015 1:47 pm

No new comer to sleep apnea, I've never encountered a worse business model. ResMed's delivery of their first S-9 meant dealing with sales reps who would hide with the machine in different rooms for fear of disclosing how to get into the machine's settings. While this went on for 2 years, I was concerned the machine's humidity control was defective. After much insisting on my part that it was, they had their "guy" check it out. Of course, he found nothing. Upon further insisting, a new machine was delivered to me. The humidity was finally adjustable and worked. Alas, during air conditioning I must set it to manual or suffer a desert dry mouth and leakage of air between my lips -- an awakening event. I am in the dark (pun not intended) on how many partial awakenings there are in one night. The machine hasn't a clue!

Over the last few years I had a letter to a local CPAP outlet intercepted and also encountered out right lying by another store regarding their not getting back to me regarding problems and appointments. The trial masks that I am given, stink! They literally stink!

All of the ResMed masks that I have tried over the last 5 years either leak or traumatize my face. I am forced to resort to an old Respironics mask that they all of a sudden quit manufacturing -- no warning by the 2 poor stores here. They dwell on the sale -- not the patient's well being. The separate comfort flap is bonded (glued) together by me -- a shame on the industry.

Since some decades on CPAP therapy there is never a "good" night. My last experience in a sleep lab meant listening to jabbering nurses, coughing, shift change outside my door and a no sleep experience. The room was said to be "sound proof".

Someday, someone will get it right. The masks off the shelves will stay there. The inept machines will speak the speak. You will never need to sleep in a lab again. Your every breath will be monitored. Masks will be additively produced -- perhaps on your own 3D printer. Volumes and oxygen levels will be measured by a new machine that will warn you when you are not getting proper CPAP therapy and the exact reason for this and how to correct the problem yourself. It's either this or costly over nights in a hospital setting and possibly taking on hypertension and obesity because of dramatically poor awake hours. Until this day arrives, you will continue loitering in sleep apnea home medical sales shops and deal with lower pay people who want you out of their office unless you buy another questionable piece of CPAP hardware.

Be sure, I have 2 shopping bags full of Philip's junk that doesn't work for me. There is even a zippered lining for a hose that weights it down so much that it drags on you all night as you move in your fitful unrest. It would make a nifty cloth case for a smaller casting rod. There is even a gel-like substance that has a liquid-like consistency. Perhaps you can get beyond the chemical smell stench -- I can't. Then there are Remzzzs -- little cloth cut outs that some patients now use as gun cleaning patches. There are many possible problems that CPAP patients face. There needs to be something far better.

User avatar
carbonman
Posts: 2526
Joined: Wed Jun 25, 2008 7:57 am

Re: The Entire CPAP Industry -- My Experience Over The Years

Post by carbonman » Mon Jul 27, 2015 2:18 pm

I wish...I wish.....somewhere over the rainbow.
Urban Frog wrote:Until this day arrives, you will continue loitering in sleep apnea home medical sales shops and deal with lower pay people who want you out of their office unless you buy another questionable piece of CPAP hardware.


It's not about them, it's about you.
"If your therapy is improving your health but you're not doing anything
to see or feel those changes, you'll never know what you're capable of."
I said that.

PoolQ
Posts: 498
Joined: Sat Jul 11, 2015 10:41 am
Location: Silicon Valley

Re: The Entire CPAP Industry -- My Experience Over The Years

Post by PoolQ » Mon Jul 27, 2015 2:49 pm

It's bad enough that I have considered going into the DME business, serious looking into it. I can think of 3 possibilities
1. There is no margin in the DME business
2. The owner of the DME is very greedy and does not care at all
3. The actual market is so small that it just can't support a local DME.

I think it is #1 or #2. One of the two local DMR's actually says on their website that they are trying hard to support their vendors pricing expectations. What a nice thing to tell your customers.
Sleeping MUCH better now

User avatar
chunkyfrog
Posts: 34377
Joined: Mon Jul 12, 2010 5:10 pm
Location: Nebraska--I am sworn to keep the secret of this paradise.

Re: The Entire CPAP Industry -- My Experience Over The Years

Post by chunkyfrog » Mon Jul 27, 2015 2:51 pm

I started out with local DME's and my BCBS insurance at work.
After a few months, I had enough of the gyp, wait, and runaround game,
I started getting my stuff (and an auto machine) from cpap.com.
Happiness ensued.
I am now retired, having done my research to find the best local dealer who will deal with Medicare.
If you are about to get on Medicare, feel free to use my link below.

_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 For Her Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Airsense 10 Autoset for Her

User avatar
LSAT
Posts: 13229
Joined: Sun Nov 16, 2008 10:11 am
Location: SE Wisconsin

Re: The Entire CPAP Industry -- My Experience Over The Years

Post by LSAT » Mon Jul 27, 2015 2:56 pm

Urban Frog.....Come on...don't hold back...tell us how you really feel.

_________________
Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: Fisher & Paykel Vitera Full Face Mask with Headgear (S, M, or L Cushion)
Additional Comments: Back up is S9 Autoset...... Buckwheat hull pillow

User avatar
billbolton
Posts: 2266
Joined: Wed Jun 07, 2006 7:46 pm
Location: Sydney, Australia

Re: The Entire CPAP Industry -- My Experience Over The Years

Post by billbolton » Mon Jul 27, 2015 5:01 pm

Urban Frog wrote:There needs to be something far better.
You could start with your own attitude.

It certainly appears that you set yourself up to fail, rathar than to succeed, and your have indeed achieved your aim!

_________________
MachineMask
Additional Comments: Airmini, Medistrom Pilot 24, CMS 60C Pulse Oximeter, ResScan 6

User avatar
CowFish
Posts: 240
Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2012 5:51 am

Re: The Entire CPAP Industry -- My Experience Over The Years

Post by CowFish » Mon Jul 27, 2015 5:31 pm

Urban Frog wrote:There needs to be something far better.
There is! Many of us figured out quickly that we should take care of our own therapy and our own destiny and then we jumped into educating ourselves and taking control of our own therapy.

You just totally wasted one thread. Do you want to make your second thread a positive one that starts you on the way to success instead of waiting for some supplier to make you successful?

User avatar
Wulfman...
Posts: 6688
Joined: Mon Sep 01, 2014 6:41 pm
Location: Nearest fishing spot

Re: The Entire CPAP Industry -- My Experience Over The Years

Post by Wulfman... » Mon Jul 27, 2015 5:35 pm

I'm going to agree (in various ways) with what some of the others have said.
How long have you been at this?
You know what they say........doing the same things over and over and expecting different results is called insanity.
Obviously you've been dealing with the wrong suppliers all those years and haven't put enough thought and effort into your own therapy. It only works when YOU take charge of YOUR own therapy.

I've used online suppliers like CPAP.COM for over 10 years and have had excellent service and products. No complaints here.
When I started, I did lots of research and picked out the masks and machines that worked best for me. Still using them after all these years. All things considered, I wouldn't have changed a thing.

You've got nobody to blame but yourself.


Den

.
(5) REMstar Autos w/C-Flex & (6) REMstar Pro 2 CPAPs w/C-Flex - Pressure Setting = 14 cm.
"Passover" Humidification - ResMed Ultra Mirage FF - Encore Pro w/Card Reader & MyEncore software - Chiroflow pillow
User since 05/14/05

User avatar
Bill44133
Posts: 1087
Joined: Tue Jul 09, 2013 8:34 pm
Location: North Royalton, OH

Re: The Entire CPAP Industry -- My Experience Over The Years

Post by Bill44133 » Mon Jul 27, 2015 6:46 pm

Urban Frog wrote:There are many possible problems that CPAP patients face. There needs to be something far better.
I am sorry to read that you have experienced lots of issues during your years of therapy. The medical field has let a lot of people down. That is why the failure rate for this therapy is so high. At this time CPAP is the "Gold Standard" for treatment.

Like everyone before my post said is you need to pull your big girl panties up and deal with it. Your life and quality of life depends on it. If you are to old or tired or sick to address your problems with therapy then have a family member or friend help you. There is nothing I have not been able to beat, and I have had my share of issues and masks.

Nothing that is good is ever easy, and this is worth your every effort.

I wish you well..

_________________
Machine: DreamStation BiPAP® Auto Machine
Mask: Zzz-Mask Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: DreamStation Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: Settings are IPap 23 EPap 19

User avatar
rachelp
Posts: 40
Joined: Thu Jul 16, 2015 12:38 pm

Re: The Entire CPAP Industry -- My Experience Over The Years

Post by rachelp » Mon Jul 27, 2015 8:16 pm

Yeah none of those things are my experience. I just started therapy and I did a nice home study in my own home. Got the results and a prescription from my doctor. Bypassed the DME's and went to various cpaptalk approved retailers and after a ton of research had all my equipment delivered to me. I'm in love with my machine and mask. Easy peasy. Buying my own equipment was well worth the out of pocket expense. No insurance hoops to jump through or DME suppliers.

_________________
MaskHumidifier

User avatar
chunkyfrog
Posts: 34377
Joined: Mon Jul 12, 2010 5:10 pm
Location: Nebraska--I am sworn to keep the secret of this paradise.

Re: The Entire CPAP Industry -- My Experience Over The Years

Post by chunkyfrog » Mon Jul 27, 2015 8:21 pm

Hey, fellow amphibian, don't just gripe and leave.
We have SOLUTIONS!
And SUPPORT!
I hope you're not a quitter.

_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 For Her Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Airsense 10 Autoset for Her

PoolQ
Posts: 498
Joined: Sat Jul 11, 2015 10:41 am
Location: Silicon Valley

Re: The Entire CPAP Industry -- My Experience Over The Years

Post by PoolQ » Mon Jul 27, 2015 8:32 pm

I would rather not have to file out of network insurance and with good insurance I will not pay out of pocket.
I live in silicon valley, a pretty large population center, and am pretty stunned that there is not a better in network DME here. For me it's not about getting what I need, I do that. It's how can someone run a business this badly?
First quote for getting my machine was 10 days from prescription, I ended up getting it the same day and after hours.
Two weeks or so later found out that I was not in the system yet so my Doc could not see my data.
Even though I picked up my CPAP at their office, the RT was right there, he never filled out the serial number and put it on the desk of the person that would enter it into the system-I read her the serial number over the phone
2 1/2 weeks in I got an email from the DME about the "7 day checkup" wanting to know how I was doing with my new system and my experience with the DME, yep 7 day follow up at day 18. This was an automated email, no idea what happened
The YELP reviews are even worse

This has not limited me in any way, it's just baffling that in this major of an area that this place is this badly run.
Sleeping MUCH better now

User avatar
Sheriff Buford
Posts: 4080
Joined: Mon Aug 09, 2010 8:01 am
Location: Kingwood, Texas

Re: The Entire CPAP Industry -- My Experience Over The Years

Post by Sheriff Buford » Mon Jul 27, 2015 11:37 pm

And you think it's going to get better with Obama care?

Sheriff

PoolQ
Posts: 498
Joined: Sat Jul 11, 2015 10:41 am
Location: Silicon Valley

Re: The Entire CPAP Industry -- My Experience Over The Years

Post by PoolQ » Tue Jul 28, 2015 2:45 am

The only reason my wife and I have health care is because of Obama. We were both unable to get insurance at any price.
Sleeping MUCH better now