Wish me luck!!

NyNurse33 · Post by **NyNurse33** » Thu Sep 28, 2006 3:25 pm

Nothing too major, but I'm going to my MD tomorrow for the f/u appt. It was originally scheduled a few weeks ago, but I had to reschedule. I've had the machine for a couple weeks shy of 2 months. I am going to tell her, I am suffering from aerophagia, discomfort with the pressure setting and that I am feeling more energetic so I'm sure I'll be going back to the gym and want to lose weight. This is all being done in hopes of her writing me a new script for the remstar m series auto c-flex. Of course there is truth in what I'm telling her, except the fact I have only had occasional aerophagia and return of acid reflux. The biggest factor, is that I was titrated while sleeping like a mummy on my back. Neither of which is how I sleep @ home. So fellow cpapers...work your majic, hope I succeed!!

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): C-FLEX, auto, aerophagia

Gerald · Post by **Gerald** » Thu Sep 28, 2006 4:20 pm

Melissa.......Go into your meeting with your doctor with the attitude that you are her "customer"......and that you know exactly what you want. Take charge of your own treatment....and don't let someone dominate your life just because the prefix of "DR" happens to be in front of her name. If she won't provide the service you want (a new prescription), take your business elsewhere (find another doctor). Be very nice, but be very firm. You'll get exactly what you want.

NyNurse33 · Post by **NyNurse33** » Thu Sep 28, 2006 4:22 pm

Thanks for the motiviation. Its funny, I have no problem doing that as a nurse/advocate for my patients, but when it comes to me, I become submissive and weak. I tend to say "yes and Ok" alot. Thanks again.

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Thu Sep 28, 2006 4:25 pm

In addition, go in there confident that you are taking responsibility for your treatment just like a diabetic person would need to ... you are afterall a nurse.

- r

Gerald · Post by **Gerald** » Thu Sep 28, 2006 4:27 pm

'Step outside of yourself" and move away from "submissive & weak"....operate just as you've said you do for your own patients. Become your own strongest advocate. Be nice, but don't back down.

bdp522 · Post by **bdp522** » Thu Sep 28, 2006 4:41 pm

Good luck tomorrow!!!!! Just pretend that we're all there with you! You know if we could we would!

Brenda

lferrel · Post by **lferrel** » Thu Sep 28, 2006 4:49 pm

Hi NYNurse,

Another slant on the weight issue argument in behalf of an auto is to point out, if it is true for you, that you are subject to weight fluctuations and because your pressure needs change with your weight fluctuations, you want an auto. The true implication of this argument is that people ought to have a sleep study whenever their weight changes > 10 pounds and that would be inordinately expensive and time consuming. Would it not be better to provide the patient with a machine that will adjust automatically to the changes in pressure needs that come with weight gain or loss.

Using the above argument, you do not need to lock yourself in to weight loss in order to justify the prescription.

Just a thought.

Hope it goes well!

Lowell

Offerocker · Post by **Offerocker** » Thu Sep 28, 2006 5:18 pm

Lowell,

Your post showed much insight and made a lot of sense!

I hope Melissa sees it before morning. She's a smart cookie, but may not realize it.

We WILL be with you, Melissa, and not just for tomorrow.

Born Tired · Post by **Born Tired** » Thu Sep 28, 2006 5:33 pm

Melissa,
Your being able to speak knowledgeably with your Dr. about the equipment and your treatment will probably go a long way in helping you get the equipment you are wanting. After learning from all the folks on this forum and being able to state why I needed certain equipment, my Dr. said, "I wish more of my patients would participate in their care like this." This is a great forum!
Hope all goes well for you.
Esther
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Offerocker · Post by **Offerocker** » Thu Sep 28, 2006 5:57 pm

I wish I could relay the same comments from my medical (cpap) contacts!
I get: "You read 'too' much".
Their loss (they fail to educate themselves or keep up).

With that one comment from them, I know it's time to 'move on' to someone who cares more about the subject, and is willing to have a discussion, not just 'mandate'.

I would have been lost without this site and the people here, and not just regarding cpap.

NyNurse33 · Post by **NyNurse33** » Thu Sep 28, 2006 6:03 pm

Awww...what a bunch of awesome people. Its like my own personal fan club. Very good point Lowell, and I am going to quote so many of you tomorrow, I'll need footnotes. Isn't this ridiculous, I've got butterflies in my stomach about this appt. Its so important to me. Love ya guys!!

krousseau · Post by **krousseau** » Thu Sep 28, 2006 6:19 pm

Butterflies are OK when you are making a change from "Yes...OK...Yes..." to I want to be an active participant in my treatment and this is how I am going to do that.
Have a great visit with YOUR doctor.

kavanaugh1950 · Post by **kavanaugh1950** » Thu Sep 28, 2006 11:20 pm

GOOD LUK MELISSA. I AM LIKE YOU, I CAN EASILY ARGUE WITH A DOCTOR FOR A PATIENT BUT HAVE A LOT OF TROUBLE BEING ASSERTIVE FOR MYSELF.

arthuranxious · Post by **arthuranxious** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 8:07 am

I did this performance on the phone for my doctor last week and have a Remstar Pro auto since last Wednesday. I prepared in my mind the following line.... since i would need frequent re-titrations as weight changes (a) it would be torture for me because it was such a bad experience (b) it would be financially unethical (almost like stealing from the insurance co.) to get a plain CPAP since it would cost the insurance company $2500 every time I get 10 lbs. off my tummy!
I have lost about 20 lb since first diagnosed and am determined to lose at least another 25-30, hopefully more.
Believe that it is crazy not to have auto-PAP when it can do so much more for you and only costs the insurer an extra few hundred dollars.

preemiern · Post by **preemiern** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 12:48 pm

Hi Melissa--I just read your post today--Hope all goes well with your appt!! Please let us know if you get the machine that you want. I just told my Dr. that I wanted to be able to have an active role in my therapy, and what machine I wanted and why, and she wholeheartedly agreed with me. So, I hope you are able to have the same experience with your doc. Let us know how it all turns out and best wishes--Cindy

Machine	Mask

Wish me luck!!

Wish me luck!!

Asking MD to RX Auto

Hi Melissa