Info on obtaining Resmed Aircurve 10 Vauto or other?

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
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RonS
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Info on obtaining Resmed Aircurve 10 Vauto or other?

Post by RonS » Wed May 20, 2015 11:12 am

My trusty M Series Auto BiPAP has apparently bit the dust after a lot of breaths.
It hesitates on startup, it's making a vibration-like noise while running.
I don't want my lungs connected to a machine that might burn up in the middle of the night so I'm on my backup cpap and it's not doing the job for me.

I called my pulmanologist who wrote a script for a replacement machine. Unlike last time when the script read: "Auto BiPAP, mask to fit" this time he was quite specific in his script as to machine, specifying
"Resmed Aircurve 10 Vauto"

Soooooo, I'm looking for a DME who can sell me one of these machines through my Oxford/UnitedHealthcare insurance (in network). The DMEs I've found so far only rent them.

I really don't want a DME intimately involved in my life, plus I'm changing insurance shortly and the coverage for DME is not as good so it will cost me more money if it is rented than if I can get one purchased outright, now.

Soooo, anyone know an in network United Healthcare DME that sells?

OR anyone know a BiPAP for sale for a reasonable price? I don't really even need the auto feature, just a decent BiPAP

Thanks!!
Ron

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robysue
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Re: Info on obtaining Resmed Aircurve 10 Vauto or other?

Post by robysue » Wed May 20, 2015 11:32 am

RonS wrote:My trusty M Series Auto BiPAP has apparently bit the dust after a lot of breaths.
Just asking: Are you using the M Series Auto BiPAP in Auto BiPAP mode? And do you know the PS setting?

The reason I'm asking is this: The Resmed VPAP Auto algorithm and the Resprionics Auto BiPAP algorithms have some distinct differences in how they increase the pressures, and if you've been very comfortable with the M Series's Auto BiPAP algorithm, you may find that the differences between the two algorithms are important to you.

On the Resprionics BiPAPs, the EPAP and IPAP are allowed to increase/decrease independently from each other. But on the Resmed VPAP Autos, the EPAP and IPAP are forced to increase/decrease at the same time and by the same amount. To be much more specific: In general, on the Resprionics BiPAPs, the EPAP (and only the EPAP) is increased for snoring and clusters of OAs or clusters of OAs mixed with Hs; and the IPAP (and only the IPAP) is increases for flow limitations, RERAs, and clusters of Hs that don't contain OA. On the Resmed VPAPs, both the EPAP and IPAP are increased for snoring, flow limitations, and clusters of OAs and/or Hs.

So it's worth finding out why the new script specifies a machine with a different algorithm for responding to your events.

_________________
Machine: DreamStation BiPAP® Auto Machine
Mask: Swift™ FX Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: PR System DreamStation and Humidifier. Max IPAP = 9, Min EPAP=4, Rise time setting = 3, minPS = 3, maxPS=5

SewTired
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Re: Info on obtaining Resmed Aircurve 10 Vauto or other?

Post by SewTired » Wed May 20, 2015 11:56 am

Ron, call your insurance company today. Tell them that you would like to buy a machine for LESS online and then file to be reimbursed. Find out if that is an option. If so, find out how to get the paperwork (most have you print it off from their online site today). That will save you a ton of hassle as many people have found it easier to deal with cpap.com than local DME AND the machine overall costs less.

I could not wait for the doctor visit and delays with Medicare so bought a used machine. It's on its way! You can also get a mask (pm me for details) if yours is getting old. Then, you could wait until you had your new insurance to get a machine. Many insurance companies require the rental because so many people give up on the cpap therapy, but you already are an old hat on it and can prove it!

_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Sleepyhead
Diabetes 2, RLS & bradycardia
Airsense For Her; Settings: range 8-12, Airfit P10 (M)

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RonS
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Re: Info on obtaining Resmed Aircurve 10 Vauto or other?

Post by RonS » Wed May 20, 2015 12:28 pm

Wow, thanks for great replies.

I am using the machine in straight BiPAP mode now. Let me tell you why.

After using the machine about 5 years, about 2 years ago I developed a hiatal hernia, and at the same time the BiPAP started forcing air down into my stomach. I guess they call this "aerophagia" and "air swallowing" but I hate those terms because with me it has nothing to do with the swallowing mechanism at all. I can literally feel bubbles getting forced down into my stomach as I am resting between breaths.

Anyway, I lowered the machine down until the bubbles stopped and now I run 8I/5E and that seems to just barely work without the negative side effects.

My backup CPAP machine is an old tank, and set at a straight 8. Running it through an old humidifier the volume is reduced, so the pressure has to be upped, but that causes the problem. Running it jury-rigged through my M-Series humidifier I can run at 8 and have no side effects. Of course it doesn't have a pressure relief feature, but at just 8 that isn't much of a problem. The issue I think is that my lungs don't deflate quite as much as they could so I'm not getting as deep breaths as I used to.

This is coming to a head because of my impending insurance change. My current insurance is good for DME, the coming insurance is bad for DME.

RobySue, I've been on the phone with insurer, they (so far) have said that they will ONLY work with a DME, wouldn't even start the pre-certification process directly with me. But I'm all ears! If you've got any inside info on any magic phrases to say to United, lay it on me!

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RonS
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Re: Info on obtaining Resmed Aircurve 10 Vauto or other?

Post by RonS » Thu May 21, 2015 6:06 pm

Well, I found a "Never Used" Respironics BiPAP Plus M Series for $250 on Craigslist. The owner was not able to get into the admin menu when I asked to get the summary data. So when I get there after the hour drive, I find that it actually was a little tough to get into the menue, one of the buttons was a little stiff. While the thing looked pretty clean, when I got into the admin menu, I found out that the blower had (get this) actually 0.0 hours!

The thing is spotlessly clean, even though it's 8 1/2 years old. While it's not an Auto, and it doesn't have the port for the smartcard, it will do for a while, while I save up for a 50% copay (or an outright purchase) for a new machine if/when needed.

I took a nap when I got home and set it up. Glorious sleeeeeeep.

PS I have a new polysomnogram scheduled for Tuesday. I get to take an Ambien.... woo hoo! I'm looking forward to that sleep after having had so much trouble since my old trusty BiPAP Auto bit the dust.

PPS I had just shy of 11,000 hours on my old machine. At 15 respirations per minute, that's just shy of 10 million cycles.

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grayghost4
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Re: Info on obtaining Resmed Aircurve 10 Vauto or other?

Post by grayghost4 » Thu May 21, 2015 6:31 pm

If you're not part of the solution you're just scumming up the bottom of the beaker!

Get the Clinicians manual here : http://apneaboard.com/adjust-cpap-press ... tup-manual

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RonS
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Re: Info on obtaining Resmed Aircurve 10 Vauto or other?

Post by RonS » Thu May 21, 2015 11:25 pm

grayghost4 wrote:I have one for sale

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/hab/5028813598.html

also have a S9 vpap if you prefer :

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/hab/4994196758.html
Grrrr.... I just bought the BiPAP Plus....
Well... We'll see what the PSG has to say in Tuesday.
Thanks for posting this reply!