DME and Mask fitting

I sent my DME an email days ago about changing out the mask.
Explained I am mouth breather.
Never heard back.
Called the following day and was told she would call me back but she never did.
Called and left a message, never heard back.

Today, I just went down there.
A different lady was there.
Took me into her office asked my name.
I told her I would like to try a full face mask like the Quattro FX.
Explained I had never had a different mask on then what I currently had so I needed some help.
She did not say a word, just worked on the computer.
Then she leaves and comes back with the Quattro FX.
Ok, I guess thats it then I think.
She puts on the mask and ask me how does it fit.
I said it feels ok but I have no clue how it suppose to fit.
She does not hook it up to the machine or anything.
That was it and I leave.

Come home take the mask out of the bag.
I notice that the back has a device to measure your face for the right size mask.
Strange she did not use it I think.
I take it out and measure my face then I ask my wife to measure it.
Both of us had the same size - a medium mask.
I look at the bag and she gave me a large mask.
I read the manual and its of course not the right size.
I hook it up and its leaking easily.

Frankly, I am pissed.

What I have learned since I started this sleep apnea thing is the following:
Take control.
Ask questions.
Dont let the doc or the DME drive the process. They either dont really care or dont take the time.
Cpaptalk.com has given me more information and help then both of the DME/Doc combined.

I will go back on Monday and speak with the owner of the company.
its hard enough to deal with the adjustment of sleeping with a mask so mediocre service makes it just so much worse.

I think the full face mask will be easier for me to use since I can't keep my mouth shut

Your DME experience is pretty normal . I can't keep my big mouth shut either so I use the hybrid by respcare. The manufacturers have a program going that lets you use different masks within the first 30 days of therapy. All the DME has to do is fill out some paperwork and they get reimbursed by the manufacturer. Simple...but in many cases they are too darn lazy to do the paperwork . YOU are your best therapist and advocate for cpap, keep reading and you will learn a ton of stuff on this forum. If it wasn't for the advice from the guys and gals here I would have NEVER made it to where I am today.... simple message...... be in charge of your own therapy, its the only way you will win.
Good luck
Nan

Good luck man, your taking control and that's good. So many people over the years on this forum and myself included have found out the amazing fact that DME's and the Medical Establishment in general probably cares more about their last golf game then you. I am not saying that there aren't good ones, I have found a few of good ones too but over all they seem very overpaid for the lack luster results one gets. Here is a great little read about the US Health Care System.

http://silver.neep.wisc.edu/~lakes/iatrogenic.pdf

I lived the first 2 years of my life in a hospital, and then was in and out all the way up into my teens, I had a few really good years for my own health but then my parents both came down with Cancer and died within 3 months of each other. We fought the cancers and the docs for 3 years before they passed on and the Docs only gave them months to live originally. Then my health failed again and have been fighting the Docs since and I am 41 now.

Things I have learned:

1. Educate yourself, learn everything you can about what they are talking about in regards to your conditions.
2. Take Control, never let them drive the bus for you.
3. Always Know ALL your treatment options, some may not be available to you but at least you know to explore them.
4. Evaluate everything they want to do and research it before agreeing to anything.
5. It's your life and your FIGHT! not theirs, they get paid ether way.

So sorry about your experience. It's so d**n frustrating to have everyone tell us how "life threatening" sleep apnea is and then them not return a phone call! I got the same brush off yesterday. But today I was persistent and finally got someone to meet me up at the DME. I hauled everything up there so I could test the mask out with MY equipment with MY settings. I think I will be happy with my new mask. I'm actually looking forward to bedtime tonight to try it out.

This forum has been fantastic in educating me and helping me know what to even ask for.

Hope you get a mask that fits soon!

Your DME should ALWAYS let you try out any new mask in the office using a machine with your pressure setting. Preferably with you lying down.

I couldn't believe how helpful my DME was until I actually bought the machine. Then they were as cold as could be until I gave up trying to get help from them...this is their preference. They were my long lost friends when 5 years was up and I was due for a new machine. Got the new machine and they are back to ignoring me. I feel for people who struggle and accept the treatment not knowing what to do.