Just need to vent...you don't have to listen

yawn · Post by **yawn** » Tue Aug 02, 2005 2:12 pm

I'm frustrated!!!! I just want this to all go away. I'm sick and tired of the whole thing. The masks, the machine, the foggy head, the incompetent DME. I talked to my DME today and told her that the Remstar Pro 2 smart card does actually contain data...not just whether I turned the machine on and off each night. She was surprised and skeptical. She works out of 2 locations and the location that's only 20 mins. away doesn't have the card reader or software but that doesn't matter because she doesn't know how to use either one anyway. I could mail my card to the other location (about an hour away) and ask them to "dump" it. Who knows how long that will take and I don't want to give up my card for that long. Plus I don't know if I would actually get the data or just their interpretation of it. I mentioned buying the card reader and software and she assured me that there was no way any vendor would sell it to a patient...only to a company (I know better). I mentioned wanting the reader and software to my hubby and he balked at the price. I know it's expensive but this is my health we're talking about. Money is very tight for us so I know that was just his initial reaction...he would let me get it if I tell him how important it is to me. So..(.just a little more venting) I tell my DME that I'm ready to return the SNAPP and Comfort Curve masks but would now like to try the Swift. That's ok with her but I will have to drive to the location to get it. Since there's only 1 person working there today, I have to call ahead. So, I call and am told the person is out of the office for about an hour (the phone rolled over to the other location). I go and do a million errands then run home within the hour to call again. Now I'm told that she's only going to be there for 15 more min (takes me 20-30 to get there) and then she's out for the rest of the day. Try again tomorrow.
This is all such a hassle. I've been wearing my Activa but sometimes it hurts my face after a few hours so I really wanted to try the Swift. I know, I know...patience...well, I'm not feeling very patient today. I'm not feeling any better and I'm wearing my mask every night (for a week or so)..I want to feel better and I want everything right now!
My kids are fighting, it's 100 degrees out and incredibly humid and I'm cranky!
Yes, I am acting like a 2 yr. old...I know it...you don't have to tell me. I just needed to vent. If you actually read through to the end of this, thanks for listening.....cranky Amy

WAFlowers · Post by **WAFlowers** » Tue Aug 02, 2005 2:39 pm

Go ahead. Vent. You're among friends who understand. We've been there (and/or are still there).

I just pulled out a CD "Don't Smoke In Bed" by the Holly Cole Trio. There's a song "Cry (If You Want To)". It goes:

Cry if you want to
I won't tell you not to.
I won't try to cheer you up,
I'll just be here if you want me.

So, we're here if you want us.

I'm sure each one of us has cause to vent occasionally. I just came back from the followup with the sleep specialist after my titration. I was expecting to have a prescription in my hands as I left. Instead, the sleep lab hadn't sent the report to the doc and he won't prescribe without seeing it. So, I'm still wating! GRRRRR!

WAFlowers · Post by **WAFlowers** » Tue Aug 02, 2005 2:56 pm

Hey, a later verse, same song, is even better:

Don't ever apologize venting your pain
It's something to me you don't need to explain
I don't need to know why
I don't think it's insane
You can cry if you want to

capt · Post by **capt** » Tue Aug 02, 2005 2:59 pm

Venting is gggggreat! I also use the Activa. I am not having the problems you are having, but sometimes I wish it would feel, as light and not quite so bulky, like my old Ultra Mirage felt. I gave all my old equipment(apap machine and mask) to my brother that lives in Ohio. He has no insurance to pay for the necessary equipment that he needed for his apnea.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Tue Aug 02, 2005 3:19 pm

Hi Amy,

Check your Private Messages when you get a chance.

th · Post by th » Tue Aug 02, 2005 3:19 pm

I mentioned wanting the reader and software to my hubby and he balked at the price. I know it's expensive but this is my health we're talking about. Money is very tight for us so I know that was just his initial reaction

Yawn, look at this link below on the card reader th

viewtopic.php?t=3687&start=0&sid=d4fdee ... d2a708a1f1

To everyone who is thinking of buying the card reader for the Encorepro software for the Remstar Auto, thanks to Tridens, I bought mine from http://www.2factors.com for $24 plus $6.00 in s/h. See link below. It is in Hong Kong. They list it as the DT3500, made by Mako, but it comes in saying "Infineer" on the reader, just as the Respironics one does. It was mailed out by them to me on 7/26 and I got it today on 8/1. Once you get it, all you have to do is use the driver that comes with the Encorepro software and it works perfectly.
http://www.2factors.com/index.php?sp=&p ... s=&lang=en
So I bought the software from this site, cpap.com, for $99 and the card reader from the Hong Kong site for $24 (without shipping, mind you) and ended up paying only $123 for both. It is a savings and it worked. If anyone has any other questions, ask away. I'm a happy customer with a few extra dollars in MY pocket with the same end result had I paid full price.
Thanks, Tridens.

lindas88 · Post by **lindas88** » Tue Aug 02, 2005 3:23 pm

yawn...You sure are having a bad day...just the 100 degrees would be enough to drive me crazy. It's only 17c here...62 f. I have the Activa and don't have trouble like you....but I think it would be uncomfortable if it were that hot out. You're allowed to be cranky once and awhile. Maybe tonight you'll sleep like a log and tomorrow you will be having a different day. I have frustrating days too. I feel like just forgetting it all then I'll have a couple of good nights and then it feels all worth while again. Just get through today and tomorrow will be another day. Maybe go into your bedroom and read a book...have some time for yourself. That's what you need.

capt...aren't you nice letting your brother have your machine and mask....what a nice thing to do.

yawn · Post by **yawn** » Tue Aug 02, 2005 4:13 pm

You guys are so great!!! I really appreciate your support and advice.
Bill...I'm frustrated for you...I know you were looking forward to getting your RX...I can't believe the Dr. didn't get the results of the study yet. Why did he want you to come in if he didn't have anything to tell you?! I really hope you get your RX soon!
Thanks again!!!! Amy

WAFlowers · Post by **WAFlowers** » Tue Aug 02, 2005 5:47 pm

Thanks Amy. Sounds like you're maybe feeling a bit better.

The appointment was set up weeks ago in the expectation that the doc would have (should have!) received the report by now. The nurse called the lab and told them that I was there waiting and to fax it over immediately. They said it would go out soon, but not right away.

My doc said to just give him my office fax number and he'd fax me the prescription after he gets the report.

Only good news is he really likes the GoodKnight 420 series and didn't blink an eye why I said I wanted a 420E. However I did not say it was an "auto" unit, just in case!

ITeach · Post by **ITeach** » Tue Aug 02, 2005 7:01 pm

Amy-Thanks for your encouraging words to my post. I talked to a couple of others today (all in the Chicago area-I think we only hit 96 today) and we are all cranky. Even my husband and kids are cranky. And they aren't even sick!

I would love to do the software too, but our finances are very tight now also. (With the air running 24/7 EVERY day it's no wonder!!) I am afraid to even mention it to my husband. I'm thinking about lugging my machine in to the sleep doc to check the data (they won't do unless I bring machine-not just card) but I can't get healthy long enough to do it.

Hang in there. By the way, did you say your kids were boys? Mine have been wrestling/pounding/taunting each other all day.

Hang in there. Fall is coming and it WILL cool off!!

Sue

WAFlowers · Post by **WAFlowers** » Tue Aug 02, 2005 7:23 pm

ITeach wrote:Hang in there. By the way, did you say your kids were boys? Mine have been wrestling/pounding/taunting each other all day.

School starts tomorrow here in Pinellas County and all I can say is ... HOORAY!

Except that I'll be getting up at 5:30 to make sure my son catches his bus (classes start at 7:05 ) instead of my normal 7:00 to 7:30 wakeup.

Rigby · Post by **Rigby** » Tue Aug 02, 2005 7:52 pm

Amy, I really understand how this hot weather can magnify every problem - I've actually thought about dropping some ice cubes into the water in my humidifier! Haven't done it - don't think it would be a good idea, but that's how the heat can affect us.

Sorry your DME isn't the swiftest but keep plugging along until you get what you need.

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Tue Aug 02, 2005 9:07 pm

yawn wrote: My kids are fighting, it's 100 degrees out and incredibly humid and I'm cranky!
Yes, I am acting like a 2 yr. old...I know it...you don't have to tell me. I just needed to vent. If you actually read through to the end of this, thanks for listening.....cranky Amy

Hmmm

Time for a good single malt on the rocks!. Or a G & T. or anything over 12% proof have one for me

Cheers

Doug

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Tue Aug 02, 2005 9:21 pm

For what it's worth........

I keep a small, plastic (pop) bottle of distilled water in the refrigerator for filling the humidifier tank. Last night I even put it in the freezer for awhile before I poured it in the tank (it was close to freezing). I do not use any heat in my humidifier, either. This morning my AHI was .3, which was one little hypopnea for the night. My average AHI for the last 7 days is .5. The COOL humidity works for me.

Just a thought.....on these hot days.

Den

yawn · Post by **yawn** » Tue Aug 02, 2005 10:33 pm

Ok Den, you're forcing me to show my ignorance. I didn't realize the humidifier worked if you don't turn on the "heat" option. I know I should be reading my manuals, and I usually do. For some reason, I just can't get myself to read them...maybe cause I'm always so sleepy..I don't know, It's probably more that I don't want to have this problem (denial) so I'm procrastinating. I wish I had read your post earlier because I've now come down with a sore throat. Cool air sounds really appealing tonight.

Sue, I have a girl (17) and a boy (12). Today they were fighting over who gets to read the latest Harry Potter book first. What a waste of energy!! It doesn't take much to get them fighting. My daughter heads off to college in 2 weeks..life should be quieter after that (with the exception of my sobbing over losing her...).
We just got 2 unexpected bills today totalling $2,800...I guess I won't be buying much of anything for awhile..sigh... Money problems suck! Stay cool.
Amy

Mask

Just need to vent...you don't have to listen

Just need to vent...you don't have to listen

Re: Just need to vent...you don't have to listen