CPAP therapist,machine coming tomorrow - questions

Tomorrow morning 2/4/05 a respiratory therapist is coming to give me a machine and get it all set up.

Problem is, I feel she is cramming brands & mask down my throat so I thought I'l ask for opinions here.

She's bringing a Fisher Paykal, probably a 221 and a "new" Fisher Paykal fask mask.

From this site I learned of light less leaking masks and inquired about them as well as nose pillows. (I also want a small and quiet machine with a humidifier. The machine sounds fine but its the mask I am already having a problem with.)

On the phone she steered me back to the Fisher Paykal saying, among other, things all masks leak, the nose pillows are uncomfortable & my insurance (direct blue) allows only one mask every six months.

The biggest rub is this: Once I open a (mask) box, that is the one I have for six months. I open it, its mine. Period. Can't try masks on first.

The sleep study only allowed me to try something that fit inside my mouth, which I hated.

I can see what may lie ahead. The mask leaks or doesn't fit well so, for six months, I use no machine.

Questions are this. What is your opinion on what I have described and is there a full face mask, whatever brand, you think is the best, lightest and well fitted for less leaks? (I would say I have a large face)

I would really like to make this work but I am not used to this, you open it, you bought it thing.

Thanks!

Guest,

Are you able to spend $100 +/- on another mask if this one gives you problems? You may have to. Going six months without cpap is not an option.

The "all masks leak comment" is very troubling. Are you renting the machine or is that going to be "it" till the end of time too. Are Respiratory Therapists exempt from the hypocratic oath. Do they have that RT after their name? Maybe one of the RTs on the forum could comment on what responsibilty they have to make sure their patients are appropriately treated.

My guess is that F&Ps are the only machines/masks they stock.

Are you using this particular RT because that's the one your insurance sent you to? Or your doctor or sleep clinic? If it's the insurance, call them and complain. Explain that you have no choice of mask, and that if the mask doesn't fit, you can't be compliant. And if you're not compliant, it can cause many more medical problems down the road with heart disease, etc. If you explain to them, nicely but convincingly, that cheap now can end up costing them much more money later, they WILL listen. That's what I did. Took a bit to convince them, but I got what I wanted in the end.
Again, if it was the doctor or clinic, let them know how limited the choices from this RT are, and how it is not possible to be compliant with something that DOES NOT FIT. Many times, someone will get recommended simply because they are the closest, not because they are particularly good. If the doctor/clinic knows that this is a problem, they may suggest another supplier.
Debbie

If your RT is employed by a company who pays the bills and mandates the equipment used then they are pretty much powerless on the equipment side of the fence. This does not excuse ingnorance or initiative. The RT might be part time and not really understand the significance of treating OSA. Again no excuse. I am planning on keeping a myriad of masks that the patient can try until he/she finds the one they like. Proper fitting, education and honest to goodness caring as you all can attest will allow for better compliance in the long run. Call the DME company and ask for the RT supervisor. If no results then contact the branch manager. The squeeky wheel get the oil. They will eventually learn to take care of the patient and do it right the first time...AUTOMATIC

Hey all! Ok, finally.... the day has come upon me to be an "Official Hose Head!" (Applauses are accepted at this time)

I am going to be officially hooked up first thing tomorrow morning! Are there any specific questions I need to ask the tech who shows up at my condo tomorrow? (Besides the usual.... Are you Single & Available?.... )I already asked to have an auto-pap, but was told that my doctor's order is for a Cpap and not an auto-pap. I didn't know the order would need to be written differently.

Any questions you may think is important to ask, that I should get info on... please let me know. Also, do you think I would need a special order for the humidifier (heat)?

Thanks, to all of you, in advance.....

Ok... the above is me!! Sorry... didn't mean to ask my questions as a guest.... but I am not the original guest that started this.....

Oooopss!!!

Hi, I was the originator of this thread. I thought I had signed in but I guess I was not. Sorry.

The supplier was on Direct Blue's list of suppliers as well as one recommended by the sleep clinic.

The RT says she has been using CPAP for two years and had been a RT for 20. Still, her opinions differed from my readings here and that bothers me a bit.

I will call the insurance company today and relate this mask thing to them.

I don't mind having to buy a new piece of I need one (a nose pillow for example) but one would think when I ask for a full face mask one would be fitted, thather than the first time I am able to fit it is the same moment its bought!

That's twice it put me in as guest, rather than my own name . Could it have somethign to do with previewing?

Hey Michael!

We will be twin "Hose Heads" starting tomorrow, too!

I have been on here since the morning after the sleep test... just to find out a little more about what I have. How long have you known? It's been since the 21st of January for me!

I am finding this forum to be extremely helpful... I just wish we were able to get answers to questions a little faster! I hate sitting on the computer all day long waiting for a reply or two, you know what I mean?

Oh well... Good Luck to you! I hope we are all successful!

goofy,

Actually I have known for a couple of years but the first sleep study was a disaster because I has sinus problems and could not breathe through my nose much. Only half the study was done.

Early this year I had nose surgery and they discovered I had actually broken my nose in an acccident in 1989!!

So, I went back forr a sleep study a few weeks ago (mostly for insurance reasons) and they confirmed I needed a CPAP. Of course my wife know trhat years ago!!

Anyway, after a lot of research, much of it on this site, and calling some "authorized providers", I selected one because of their reputation and their equipment.

I was taken aback by the RT's response I could not even try on a mask until I "bought it". Contacted Direct Blue this afternoon and there is nothing on our policy that states this "open it, buy it" thing. They are trying to contact the provider but so far have only been able to leave a call back message.

Hope you are having better luck!

Didn't have the keep me logged on thing clicked so it threw me in as a guest again!

"Wading thru the Muck", the person is supposed to be a licensed RT, the machine is one I am supposed to be buying, not renting and besides the Fisher-Paylkal they also sell Resmeds.

Go figure!

My experience is the Rt at the doc's "recommended" the DME (but wanted to assure me they make $ on it) What baloney. So I called a local outfit and the dr. recommended DME'er, and said THIS IS WHAT I WANT. They both hemmed, hawed, sniffed and fluffed, and I stuck to my guns. I said get me the 420E or I will order it myself, I DO NOT NEED YOU...the law only states (US--state to state?) the the doc writes the scrip for CPAP. Or in my case, because I demanded the 420E the RT rewrote the scrip (in her hand writing by the way---where is the doctor?) So low and behold, geez, I GOT THE 420E. Now the battle is for the GoodKnight H2O htd. humidifier. I said THAT ONE OR NOTHING. They hemmed and hawed, by now a da-- broken tired out old song, I said THAT ONE ON ORDER OR NOTHING. I do without.
So I ordered the humidifier myself. I called the DME'er today, I said ''gee how are you coming along with finding out about the htd. humifier?" She says "I'm tied up now" I said so am I..I said to her, you ''mentioned'' that you'd check to see if you can get it (the new humidier) she says "OH YEA?" like she never heard it before. Little does she know I know more than her. I'm being so nice to her it's pathetic and quite sickening. I know by now rested gal and wading are keeling over with DME'itis.

Anyhow, if you can "shop'' around before your DME'er comes, just let them know you've been reading and informing yourself, all I can say is, if you don't stand up to them, they'll dump any ole crap they have the best commission worked out on you, and then forget you exist.

My DME'er because I demanded the new humidifier said, ''well we'll loan you a humidifier" I said don't bother, I'll just order one myself someplace else. Then she says to me, "you've learned a lot from your sleep study, what to do, what you want" I said NO I LEARNED IT ON CPAP.COM, because I learned nothing from the doctor, his RT, you the DME and anyone else I've ''had'' to call............

Todya after I tell her the adjustment difficulties, 7th night tonight, she says,
GET READY----------SO IS THE APAP HELPING YOUR APNEA?

I SAID HOW THE HELL DO I KNOW? I ordered the softward from cpap.com and I'll follow MYSELF MYSELF..

Honestly, what we have to go thru eh?

Anonymous wrote:Tomorrow morning 2/4/05 a respiratory therapist is coming to give me a machine and get it all set up.

Problem is, I feel she is cramming brands & mask down my throat so I thought I'l ask for opinions here.

She's bringing a Fisher Paykal, probably a 221 and a "new" Fisher Paykal fask mask.

From this site I learned of light less leaking masks and inquired about them as well as nose pillows. (I also want a small and quiet machine with a humidifier. The machine sounds fine but its the mask I am already having a problem with.)

On the phone she steered me back to the Fisher Paykal saying, among other, things all masks leak, the nose pillows are uncomfortable & my insurance (direct blue) allows only one mask every six months.

The biggest rub is this: Once I open a (mask) box, that is the one I have for six months. I open it, its mine. Period. Can't try masks on first.

The sleep study only allowed me to try something that fit inside my mouth, which I hated.

I can see what may lie ahead. The mask leaks or doesn't fit well so, for six months, I use no machine.

Questions are this. What is your opinion on what I have described and is there a full face mask, whatever brand, you think is the best, lightest and well fitted for less leaks? (I would say I have a large face)

I would really like to make this work but I am not used to this, you open it, you bought it thing.

Thanks!

gailzee, Looks like you and I wil have some similarities.

The latest: Insurance company has no clue why provider is acting as they are cuz their policy says nothing like their "rule".

Insurance company called provider. Unable to get to correct people. Provider just called me, 15 hours before they are to deliver the CPAP. Claims they tried to call the insurance company back (after 4:30 PM) and were unable to reach the correct person. Said I could make appointment to return to the hospital sleep lab (30 miles from here) to try on their masks. Ones they sterilize between patients.

RT did not know what models they had in stock. I declined.

The RT said I could speak with her supervisor. Not today of course, but I could leave her a voice mail. (was told her answer would be the same) I told her the insurance company would be calling her supervisor.

Told her then just bring the unit in the morning and whatever mask she decided to bring, and if it did not work the insurance company would be informed I would be returning to the doctor and would not be using the unit.

Asked RT again about her statement about "All masks leak". She went onto the same tirade saying air blows into her eye every night.

Picture one moronic RT here folks.

FYI, just for the record, the RT's name is Debbie and she works for Klingensmith's in Butler, PA. Numebrs will be provided for those really interested.

So, unless something else changes matters, at 10 AM tomorrow 2/4/05she will deliver the machine, open whatever mask box she fancies, then off she goes to the next victim. I mean patient.

Sounds like a croc to me....unless your insurance is mandating it...which is also a croc...you should be able to choose the machine and mask that is right for you. My MDE told me different machine options...tried different mask and nasal pillows during my test...they even ordered my two favorite machines the ResMed Auto Spirit and the Remstar Auto Pro with C-Flex....right now I am trying the ResMed for a month then will try the RemStar if I feel I need to...both have humidifiers....She also tried several masks during the machine education and sent 2 home with me a nasal mask and nasal pillows....love the nasal pillows the nasal mask works too....

As far as every mask leaks...maybe a very little if it has been fit for you correctly without pressure to use a certain one....the ResMed Auto Spirit even has a mask seal test mode that you can use to adjust the mask/pillows.

If all else fail ask for a prescription and order it off of CPAP.com if your insurance will let you.

Later
Good Luck

The insurance company has not mandated the equipment, just a list of providers. This provider was one recommended by the sleep clinic as well as others.

As it stands, I cannot just get a script and buy the equipment online. I tried that. My doctor will give the script but the insurance co will not pay, even after I went over the numbers with them and demonstrated they would save about 40% of the cost.

My plan is to just go along with this RT's offerings, and if or when there is a problem and I am not in compliance just throw it back on the provider and the insurance company now taht I have made all attemts to clear the mattter up beforehand.

It really galls me that I cannot try anything before its a done deal. How is it people are able to try masks and machines before a final commitment?