Not sure its working

The nights I actually keep it on all night I dont see a significant difference. I talked to the lady at Carelinc and asked for a machine that will actually give data since my compatible is lame and she said shed check with her supervisor then told me I need a prescription for it since it isnt needed. Doesnt sound right to me seems like everyone has a fully data compatible machine and I never ever here anyone mentioning needing a special prescription to request it?

There are most likely several reasons for that (your DME supplier saying you need a script):

1] All straight CPAPs and AutoPAPs are included under HCPCS billing code E0601 and thus reimbursable at one set amount. BUT the bare bones, compliance data only CPAPS are cheaper for them to purchase than the full data capable CPAPS and fully data capable autoPAPs. So their profit margin is greater if they provide you w/a bare-bones, compliance data only CPAP.

2] If your ordering doctor wrote a generic script for a CPAP at xx cms of pressure, guess which type of CPAP the DME supplier is going to provide? For the most part your ordering doctor has to be specific when writing the order for your CPAP for you to receive a fully data capable CPAP.

3] If you've had your CPAP less than one to three months they don't want to provide a more expensive CPAP because you haven't proved compliance.

4] If you are using it less than 4 hours per night and not using it EVERY night you are not establishing complaince and giving them all the more reason to NOT provide a fully data capable machine since it is likely you won't stick w/CPAP therapy.

5] If you've had your CPAP more than two-three months at most they don't want to make the exchange unless your doctor orders the exchange to a fully data capable machine because they will then have a used CPAP that can't be sold as new at new prices.

For insurance purposes you do NOT need a new script, but to get the DME supplier to provide you w/a fully data capable CPAP you probably will have to convince your ordering doctor to write such a script.

I would approach your ordering doctor (hopefully a sleep specialist) in this manner: I need some help w/my CPAP therapy. I have not been able to use my CPAP every night for at least 4 hours a night because ...... (insert a list of the problems you've been having w/compliance). And I don't know if you knew that my DME supplier has provided me w/a compliance data only CPAP. I know w/o a fully data capable CPAP you won't have the necessary data available to monitor my response to CPAP therapy and/or to make informed adjustments to my pressure needs.

Before calling do your homework. Check out the various fully data capable machines. Then you can continue your conversation w/your ordering doctor with, I understand the ..... (and here list two brands/models of CPAP that are fully data capable) are fully data capable so you can properly monitor my therapy and know what adjustments, if any, I might need.

I would suggest the Resmed S8 Elite w/EPR, the Remstar Pro2 or Pro2 w/C-Flex (pre M series) or the M series Remstar Pro w/C-Flex. If you don't need the EPR or C-Flex they can be turned off but if expiration pressure relief is needed these machines can provide it.

Good luck and God bless. CPAP "can" make a wonderful difference in your life! Stick with it!

The nights I actually keep it on all night I dont see a significant difference.

This may be your problem. How many nights DO you keep it on all night? When you DO keep it on all night do you have leaks?
Even if you used it every night, all night, and nap with it, it can still take time to feel results.

Brenda

Hi, I am new to the board, have been on cpap for three years, cannot seem to get pressure sores off the bridge of my nose, tried lining mask with moleskin, the sleep clinic suggested second skin, I do not think pressure sores are ever treated with moisture, and last night I tried a nasal insert mask from resmed. I only lasted three hours with it last night without it leaking. I have tired just the nasal mask with chin strap but I am a mouth breather and I was starting to backslide on my sleep pattern.

The new resmed quattro does not leak, but no matter what I use, bandaids, tissue, tegaderm, kleenex, sheepskin: I have that pressure on my face. If I line the mask with moleskin, it increases the leaking and the only way to clean it is dw40 which must break down the mask. ( I know that using dw40 cannot be healthy, I did wash it with clean soap and water after each use.) Moleskin is not the way to go. Of all the masks the clinic suggested the resmed product is the only one that fits my face the best. The mask should not be so tight it hurts your face. Am I correct?? The nasal insert mask does hurt my chin. I have spent nights waking up frequently from the leaks. I notice in the messages I have never heard of alot of the masks that people have. I will do some surfing about that.

Plus, has anyone had to deal with using 5fu cream for pre-basal cell lesions on your face. My dermatologist says I need to start using it on my face in the fall because of sun exposure in my youth. He says that cpap masks and 5fu is going to be really painful. I certainly cannot go 6 to 8 weeks without the cpap. He has used the liquid nitrogen on the troubled spots as much as he can and they keep returning. Any ideas on how to get around this other than placing tegaderm all over my face every night to cover the targer areas? Any suggestions will be welcome, and thanks in advance.

Seth,
Check your Private Messages. (upper right of monitor)

Cathy