Three cheers for cpaptalk!

Well, once again, I have to thank you all for giving me the information I needed to see that I acted in my own best interests. Went to the DME today to get "the stuff". Now remember, I had a prescription that specifically said S8 Elite.

Nurse brings out a F&P SleepStyle 600. This isn't even listed on cpap.com, so I have no clue what it is. I'm pretty sure it isn't what I want, though. I told her my prescription said S8 Elite. She'll be right back. Comes back smiling, "here we go!" Takes out an S8 Escape.

"But that's an Escape. I need the Elite."
"They're the exact same machine."
"No they're not, the Escape doesn't have EPR." (Trying to stay away from the data discussion if possible; don't want to annoy her any more than necessary!)
"Ok, one minute."
Comes back and tells me how ResMed recalled ALL of the Elites, they aren't shipping them anymore, and doesn't know when or if they will. (I call BULLS%$#!) But I can give this nice REMStar M Series Plus! It has EPR, too. (Damn, here comes the data conversation....and no point antagonizing her by correcting her error of EPR vs C-Flex.)

"But I really want the S8 Elite not only for the EPR, but for the data, so I can monitor my therapy. If I take the REMStar now, can I trade it in when you get the Elite?" (Since I know they will get them.)

"We can't take returns, because then we can't give them to someone else as new." At this point I really feel defeated, and will have to take the REMStar Plus. Then, a light bulb goes off....

"But you have rentals, don't you? What do you do if someone rents and then discontinues therapy?"
"We use those as loaners for people whose machines are being repaired."
"Ah! Problem solved! Just give me a loaner until the Elite comes in!"
"Great idea! Be right back." (She really was trying to be helpful, I think she was just delivering the messages her manager was telling her.)

So I came home with my loaner REMStar M Series Plus. I should have my S8 Elite this time next week. (Amazing, now they're shipping them! Who'd have thought!)

Oh, and she had the Activa mask (the one I wanted all along, and the sleep center told me I didn't need) right there waiting for me. At least that part was easy!

The whole time this was going on, I was thinking, I wish the cpaptalk folks could see me defending myself. They'd be proud!

Can't wait to go to sleep tonight!!!

WAY TO GO!!!!!!!

Oh excellent Darthlucy! Three cheers for you! I'll bet it feels really good to know what you want and stick to your guns. Sounds like your DME is actually OK, even though you need to know more than they do

Hope you have a great sleep with your new Activa

Bonnie

And proud we are! Great Job!! And sleep well with your loaner tonight!

Brenda

Yayayayaya!!!!!!!!!! So glad that you didn't come home empty handed and that you will soon get the machine you truly need. Good job!!!!

BTW, is Phelps your DME? That's my co-worker's DME and she mentioned they were based in North Haven. I forget the RT's name, though. If you're using the same one it sounds like it's better to deal with them at their office, huh? At least when they don't produce what you want you have options!

I hope tonight goes really well for you!

I can see benefits to both office and home. Like you said, if you're in their office you can send them right back to the back room to make exchanges. On the other hand, many (most?) DMEs are not set up with a bed so you can do your fitting lying down. I went to Peoples Home Healthcare on State St. in North Haven. I think I may have even seen Phelps on my way there.

In defense of the lady working with me today, I believe she was a nurse assigned to give me my equipment, under the direction of the RT. She really was trying to do right by me, to the best of her ability. At the end, we were joking that this was like going into a Chrysler dealer intending to get a PT Cruiser, and the salesperson takes one look at you and says, "Minivan!" You don't expect a car dealer to tell you what kind of car you need without listening to what you want, so why should this be different? It kind of made me think that we should be sensitive to the fact that when we're not getting what we want, it isn't always entirely within the control of the people trying to help us. They have bosses too!

Congrats for sticking to your guns! I'm glad it is working out for you. I look forward to hearing how you do when you get your new machine.

Jen

Congratulations, darthlucy! You will love your S8 Elite when it arrives. It was good to read that they responded so well and didn't give you any real hassle.