Newbie with a few questions

DrowzyDave · Post by **DrowzyDave** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 5:51 pm

Hello all,

I was recently (October 2006) with OSA and CSA. During my sleep study in October, without CPAP, my AHI was 76.2 during the 3 hours prior to being connected to the machine. My OA number was 1, OH was 54 and CA was 127. I am assuming that OA stands for Obstructive Apnea, OH for Obstructive Hypopnea and CA for Central Apnea. At the end of titration, my pressures were 16/10 with a backup breaths-per-minute setting of 14.

About a month later, I was finally contacted by a DME for setup. I had to go to their office (a 30 minute drive away) to get the equipment. I was given a Respironics BiPAP ST with a nasal mask and a heated humidifier. After a few weeks I started feeling much better, but was having difficulty with dry mouth because I am a mouth breather. I tried several different chin straps but none of them worked very well.

I asked the RT about a full-face mask and all he could say was “people find them claustrophobic and they are hard to stop leaking” but he did not offer any real solution for my mouth breathing problem. Overall, the RT/DME experience was pretty similar to the majority of those posted here – no follow up, no contact, very little help.

About 2 weeks ago, my doctor switched me to a new DME. Within four days, there was an RT at my house setting me up on a VPAP III ST with a Fisher and Paykel 431 full face mask and a Humidaire 2I heated humidifier. Since then, she has been at the house 4 times delivering different masks/cushions, adjusting machine settings, and delivering and picking up a pulse oximeter. I am still trying to fine tune the mask thing – am now using the 432 which I find more comfortable than the 431.

This forum has been a much greater source of information than the RTs although my current one is very helpful. I appreciate the RTs that are members here that contribute their opinions even though many posts are bashing their colleagues.

Since this is such a large group, I am curious about the following things:

What is your DME’s policy for trying out new masks?
Does your RT come to your house or do you have to go to their office?
What pressures are the full-face mask wearers using?
Do many of you have central apnea also?

If any of you would like to take the time to comment, I would surely appreciate the input.

Thanks.

Dave

SleepySandy · Post by **SleepySandy** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 6:04 pm

DrowzyDave wrote:I asked the RT about a full-face mask and all he could say was “people find them claustrophobic and they are hard to stop leaking”

Oh, for heaven's sake. SOME people find them claustrophobic and it's hard to stop leaks on SOME masks, but neither should be blanket statements to keep people from trying FF masks. Are these RT's ignorant or just lazy? First it's FF masks can collapse and now they're ALL claustrophobic and hard to stop leaking. What's next?

Welcome Dave!

What is your DME’s policy for trying out new masks?
During my first visit I think I tried on almost every nasal mask in my DME's office. I was worried about how many masks were being wasted on me because once they're tried on they can't be sold.

Does your RT come to your house or do you have to go to their office?
I went to the office. No home visits available.

What pressures are the full-face mask wearers using?
I'm on an Auto. My pressure range is 9-14. My average nightly pressure is 9.2.

Do many of you have central apnea also?
Not me

bdp522 · Post by **bdp522** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 6:33 pm

DME came to the house with one mask. I had to resaerch them on my own and tell them which one I wanted. I have no centrals. I use a pressure of 9.5 and have used the hybrid, CL2, aclaim2, and optilife. They all work for me.

Brenda

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 7:18 pm

What pressures are the full-face mask wearers using?

My UMFF is good from 8 to 18,,,, no leaks

cflame1 · Post by **cflame1** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 8:17 pm

I've had a DME come to my apartment... it was kind of creepy... after that I decided that I'd rather meet him at his office. Shortly thereafter I got myself a new DME. Haven't asked for nor needed a housecall from this one.

I wear a hybrid... but also have a UMFF, and a 432. The UMFF leaks for me, and the 432 doesn't seem to keep sealed (might have the wrong size).

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 8:51 pm

SleepySandy wrote:Are these RT's ignorant or just lazy?

They can make a lot more money selling the cheapest little nasal masks (AND the cheapest CPAP machines).

It's ALL about MONEY! Your health doesn't mean diddley squat to them....there's more where we came from.

I did a lot of research online before I had my sleep study and came to the conclusion that since I can read, I could figure this stuff out on my own.....so I didn't use a local DME.

Den (saved myself and my insurance provider a lot of money....and headaches)

JohnMudie · Post by **JohnMudie** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 5:54 am

Welcome Drowzy Dave

You wrote:What is your DME’s policy for trying out new masks?
Does your RT come to your house or do you have to go to their office?
What pressures are the full-face mask wearers using?
Do many of you have central apnea also?

I drove 40 miles for original DME,( The A____ people) got offered choice of a Swift or a FF mask. Didn't go back.

Now work with online DME who are very co-operative. (Thanks Bonnie, Claudia and Johnny)

I am using Comfort Full 2 FF Mask with APAP set to 8->14, normally runs 8

Not very Central.

John M

sharon1965 · Post by **sharon1965** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 8:09 am

hi drowzydave...i like your avatar

What is your DME’s policy for trying out new masks?
i was told at my first visit that since this is a lifelong therapy, they feel that the mask is of utmost importance, so their return policy is 'bring it back if it's not working and try something else'...there doesn't seem to be a time limit, at least not that they've told me...i tried 5 different masks in the first 8 weeks of therapy...my RT is very nice, helpful-ish, doesn't really want to get into the ins and outs of more sophisticated machines but more than willing to try different masks with me...i do find their office to be a little on the relaxed side, which is great when you forget to return an interface for 5 weeks or so, like i have (still sitting by the front door, waiting to go back) but sometimes i feel not so well taken care of...and again, no follow up unless i instigate it...

Does your RT come to your house or do you have to go to their office? i have to go to their office which is literally 5 blocks from my home as they are on the main road in this city and i live downtown...very convenient

What pressures are the full-face mask wearers using?
don't know, nasal pillows only

Do many of you have central apnea also?
i have mixed apnea, approx. 60% obstructive, 40% central

take care drowzydave...good luck!
sharon1965

lpady · Post by **lpady** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 9:14 am

DrowzyDave wrote:About a month later, I was finally contacted by a DME for setup. I had to go to their office (a 30 minute drive away) to get the equipment.

First of all a MONTH LATER?!?!? Sheesh! I'd never have had the patience to wait that long! Heck, I wanted the stuff sooner than yesterday

DrowzyDave wrote:I asked the RT about a full-face mask and all he could say was “people find them claustrophobic and they are hard to stop leaking”

Yeah, and my RT said "most people don't use their machines for more than an hour the first night" as her reason for not giving me the wrong machine and then replacing it with the correct one when it came in. HA I've been on mine full time since day 1. I don't find my mask claustrophobic at all but I do have a problem with leaks towards the end of the night. I'm definitely a mouth breather and am severly congested most of the time (even after surgery) so there's no other way for me.

DrowzyDave wrote:About 2 weeks ago, my doctor switched me to a new DME. Within four days, there was an RT at my house setting me up on a VPAP III ST with a Fisher and Paykel 431 full face mask and a Humidaire 2I heated humidifier. Since then, she has been at the house 4 times delivering different masks/cushions, adjusting machine settings, and delivering and picking up a pulse oximeter. I am still trying to fine tune the mask thing – am now using the 432 which I find more comfortable than the 431.

WOW - Now THAT'S a DME I'd like to find!!!!! Talk about service! I was told this is how my DME would be - NOT, but then I have the "A" people. Thinking of making my next tatoo an "A" with the "NO" symbol over it

What is your DME’s policy for trying out new masks?
They only had 2 FF masks at "A" so I didn't have much choice. I did try them both but the first one cut into my eyes. I asked about return/replacement policy and there was some hemming and hawing and mumbling about 30 day guarantee so I'm not really sure

Does your RT come to your house or do you have to go to their office?
Office

What pressures are the full-face mask wearers using?
Currently using 9-12

Do many of you have central apnea also?
Sorry no centrals. Actually there were no apneas on the study at all - only hypops. But since getting the software I have found that I do have apneas, just not very many. Mostly hypops.

Best of luck Dave!

Linda

DrowzyDave · Post by **DrowzyDave** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 8:46 pm

WOW - Now THAT'S a DME I'd like to find!!!!! Talk about service!

Yeah, actually she called again yesterday to go over the results of the pulse oximeter data. She said she would like to switch me to the Adapt SV because I have many central apneas. Imagine, an RT actually evaluating treatment and trying to find the best solution. The first one I had was from the A___ people also. The new one is from Lincare and I am sure some people have had issues but for now, I am extremely happy with my current RT.

cheeks · Post by **cheeks** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 9:12 pm

Hiya!

What is your DME’s policy for trying out new masks?
I dont know, I am new as well. But after reading other peoples responses I am gonna call Apria and ask about a different mask thanks for the tips.

Does your RT come to your house or do you have to go to their office?
I went to their office

What pressures are the full-face mask wearers using?

I use a full face mask and my pressure was the lowest the guy at Apria had ever seen ( so he said) at a 6. I complained bunches and bunches at my sleep study for them to keep turning it down.

Do many of you have central apnea also?

Yes, I do but its mixed. Not sure of the cause though.

thanks for the topic

Machine	Mask	Humidifier

Additional Comments: Getting tired of feeling exhausted so often during the day and having to nap

Mask

Additional Comments: RLS, EDS, Depression (which will hopefully go away after xPAP??? )

Newbie with a few questions

Newbie with a few questions

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