what can happen if your eyes get air in them?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 8:36 am

I have Medicare. The DME said they won't replace my mask for 6 months!

girlsaylor · Post by **girlsaylor** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 8:46 am

After working many years in health insurance, I can say Gumby's right on target! That little 'we only allow you to exchange one mask' is crap. It's not your health insurer's policy, it's your DME trying to maximize their profits.

A couple of ideas - you can ask the DME what they do with a mask that is returned to them for exchange. If they send it back to the manufacturer, (which I thought I read can be done), they wouldn't be out anything, now would they, if they made a second mask exchange for you? Now if they don't do that, ask if they sterilize them and re-use them, for sleep lab studies or to issue to patients like yourself? Then, try to get them to work with you on your current mask issues once again. I see your machine is an M Series Auto CPAP. There's a smart card and data downloads for them to look at your data or have your sleep doc look at it, to determine if you're having leakage problems and not getting proper therapy from this leaky mask situation. Medically, I'd think both the doc and the DME would be in deep doo-doo if your therapy isn't working due to an ill-fitting mask. Maybe a call into your sleep doc is in order to get the ball rolling on this one.

Now, if these suggestions don't work, you can ask your health insurance how to file a complaint against your DME. Part of this process involves the health insurer sending a copy of your complaint to the DME for response, or calling or visiting the DME to resolve the issue. Once again, if your therapy isn't working (I mean, if you're leaking enough air to bother your eyes, I strongly suspect you're therapy is inadequate), they will want the DME to provide another mask and fit it for you.

Of course, if the leak rate is acceptable, based on the stats obtained from the smart card download (I don't know alot about the different machines), you're going to have to approach this a bit differently, and address it from a comfort issue standpoint. But I suspect your therapy is being compromised.

Just my thoughts.

girlsaylor

MrRandom · Post by **MrRandom** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 9:15 am

Thanks girlsaylor. Do you know what the definition of "acceptable leakage" is? My machine reports an average (7 day and 30 day) leakage on its screens. I don't yet have a card reader to look at what's stored on the smart card.

I'm going out of town tomorrow and won't be back until Tuesday, but when I get back I will contact the DME and see if I can at least get the old mask back since it is the lesser of two evils in this situation. I think they might give or sell the exchanges to the sleep lab, but I'm not sure exactly what happens with them. For as much money as myself and medicare have been charged by both them and the sleep lab, I'd think they could be a lot more helpful getting me a proper fitting mask

BarryKaraoke · Post by **BarryKaraoke** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 11:08 am

jomac30 wrote:mY EYE surgeon told me to use night time eye gel to moisturize them.

I had a "recurring corneal erosion" at one time, and my eye doctor had me get "Muro 128 Hypertonicity Ointment" from the drugstore (it's non-prescription from Bausch & Lomb). It's a small tube of this goo. You simply place a small amount in each eye before going to bed. You cant see much once you put it in (everything is kinda cloudy) but you wake up with moist, fresh feeling eyes. Even though I don't have the original eye issue, I still use it from time to time if my eyes get dry. It's great stuff and helps keep your eyes from drying out if you have chronic mask leaks.

JeffH · Post by **JeffH** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 11:15 am

BarryKaraoke wrote:
jomac30 wrote:mY EYE surgeon told me to use night time eye gel to moisturize them.
I had a "recurring corneal erosion" at one time, and my eye doctor had me get "Muro 128 Hypertonicity Ointment" from the drugstore (it's non-prescription from Bausch & Lomb). It's a small tube of this goo. You simply place a small amount in each eye before going to bed. You cant see much once you put it in (everything is kinda cloudy) but you wake up with moist, fresh feeling eyes. Even though I don't have the original eye issue, I still use it from time to time if my eyes get dry. It's great stuff and helps keep your eyes from drying out if you have chronic mask leaks.

I use this daily, and from what I understand it is ONLY for recurring corneal erosion. I have that, so I use it. I don't think it would be a good idea for someone to use this that doesn't have recurring corneal erosion.

I use the drops two to three times a day and the ointment in my eye before I go to bed. I also put Lacri-lube in the eye that has recurring corneal erosion.

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 11:30 am

I think these look pretty stylish:

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 11:31 am

MrRandom wrote:Where do you get silicone putty? Is that like those earplugs rolled out?

Its those earplugs used by swimmers to keep water out of your ears.

http://www.macksearplugs.com/product2.htm

O.

BarryKaraoke · Post by **BarryKaraoke** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 12:38 pm

JeffH wrote:I use this daily, and from what I understand it is ONLY for recurring corneal erosion. I have that, so I use it. I don't think it would be a good idea for someone to use this that doesn't have recurring corneal erosion.

It is an over the counter eye ointment that is also used for severe dry eyes. There is no harm in using it, it has no medication in it...it is just 5% Sodium Chloride (salt) in a petrolatum base.

That being said, it is also expensive for that little tube as you well know! There are probably better, more cost effective options.

BarryKaraoke · Post by **BarryKaraoke** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 12:39 pm

Snoredog wrote:I think these look pretty stylish:

Nice! They have that "Silence of the Lambs" look to them.

JeffH · Post by **JeffH** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 8:09 pm

BarryKaraoke wrote:
JeffH wrote:I use this daily, and from what I understand it is ONLY for recurring corneal erosion. I have that, so I use it. I don't think it would be a good idea for someone to use this that doesn't have recurring corneal erosion.
It is an over the counter eye ointment that is also used for severe dry eyes. There is no harm in using it, it has no medication in it...it is just 5% Sodium Chloride (salt) in a petrolatum base.

That being said, it is also expensive for that little tube as you well know! :shock: There are probably better, more cost effective options.

I know it is over the counter, but there is no indication for use for "dry eyes". In fact, being a salt solution, it would probably tend to dry out the eyes.

Might want to read the insert that comes with it.

jomac30 · Post by **jomac30** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 8:20 pm

I buy my tube of eye ointment at CVS. Their own name brand is just as good as the others. Don't use it until you are ready to go to sleep because you won't be able to see clearly once its in your eyes. The first time I used it I thought I'd watch TV in be, NO WAY!!
My opthalmologist told me to put the gel in my eyes, then close my eyes and go to sleep. (he doesn't know it takes me hours to fall asleep)

gasp · Post by **gasp** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 9:40 pm

GumbyCT wrote:
MrRandom wrote:The DME basically blew me off saying I'm new to using a CPAP so I just need to get used to the mask.
Be sure to check w/your Insurance carrier - let them know what your dme said & ask if you can choose another. You may have to go dme shopping too.

Mask fit is the most important part of this therapy. Don't let the dme blow air up your nose!!

Mask

Additional Comments: Equipment isn't correct, S9 ASV w/H5i

Mask	Humidifier

Additional Comments: Pursleep, Padacheek, Regenesis™ Pillow, Neti Pot, Travel Buddy hose hanger

what can happen if your eyes get air in them?

I second Gumby's suggestion!