DME problems affecting treatment

[noSLEEPforYOU]

I am still experiencing severe leaking with my mask and feel like throwing the machine in the trash. For over a month I have been calling the DME trying to get a different mask. They rarely answer the phone and could care less about the problem. My doctor has sent multiple RX to them and they just ignore him. The problem is I can't switch DME for three months.
I contacted another DME and they even tried emailing the other DME to no avail. I have tried a variety of things to make this mask work better but nothing works. My wife says I am snoring as bad as I used to and I am waking multiple times throughout the night.
Has anybody had similar problems with a DME.
I thought about contacting a lawyer or state medical board.

[Pugsy]

What mask are you wanting to try? Do you have the funds to purchase out of pocket?

What have you tried doing with your current mask that has resulted in failure? I ask only so that you won't get the same suggestions again to try to make the current mask work.

[Sleep2Die4]

The problem is I can't switch DME for three months.

You don't say, but I am assuming you are somehow tied to this DME by your insurance company.

If that is the case call your insurance company tomorrow morning and tell them exactly what you posted here. The insurance company has more leverage with the DME than you do and may be able to get the DME moving very quickly for you.

If you get somebody at the insurance company who doesn't want to help you quickly, ask to speak to a supervisor. Repeat your message to the supervisor.

I buy my own masks now from an internet supplier (cpap.com) so I no longer have to mess with local bullshit DMEs.

[noSLEEPforYOU]

I have tried adjusting my mask many different ways. I have tried using the gel pads, cotton balls, additional straps, tape and putty at the top of the nose.
The mask leaks bad at the top of the nose. The flexible rubber turns into a balloon and folds out. The mask is a small and according to the measurements I should have a med to large.
The sleep center wants me to come in during the day. I am barely holding onto my job and will be a candidate for the next group of layoffs if I take off. They don't live in the real world, they have personal days, sick days and ever holiday including a month off for valentines. I have work or get fired with 400,000 people waiting for my job.
I have called the insurance company and they refuse to do anything. I have a three month deal with this DME before I can switch.

I actually tried pushing a ear plug into the gap at the top of the mask. The plug keeps the rubber from inverting and slows the leak. The leak rate is still in the thousands.
My leak rate looks like my respiratory rate on sleepyhead it's at or above 36 most of the night.

[BlackSpinner]

The flexible rubber turns into a balloon and folds out.

It is supposed to balloon out. It works like a hover craft. By not allowing it to balloon you are defeating its design

[noSLEEPforYOU]

It is supposed to balloon out. It works like a hover craft. By not allowing it to balloon you are defeating its design

Possibly but if I don't it leaks worse. The mask leaks so bad that the air barely comes out of the front vent. Most of the air squirts out of the top and into my eyes. I seriously think I have the wrong size mask. The DME probably had that size and figured they can make me deal with it.

[Pugsy]

Have you read forum member Janknitz blog with ideas on how to make the mask work?
http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/taming ... e-quattro/
Instructions for the original Quattro but the principal is the same.

Also..have you watched the video on fitting this mask?
http://www.cpaplibrary.com/full-face-masks.html

Have you tried mask liners?

How about an anti leak strap? I have a friend that made one that attaches to the nasal portion of the mask because all her leaks were at the bridge of the nose area. She used an old pantyhose leg.
http://www.padacheek.com/PAC_AntiLeak_Strap.html

What other mask would you want to try? Would you be able to purchase it out of pocket?
Does it have to be a full face mask?

[noSLEEPforYOU]

Yes I have tried pantyhose, elastic, liners and have read fitting the mask.
I can pay out of pocket and get reimbursed. The problem is the DME has my prescription and the doctor keeps trying to make them help. I have another appointment in the neighborhood tomorrow and plan on stopping by his office.
The Pulmonologist has tried to help and responded quickly. The DME has had my prescription for two weeks and doesn't make enough profit off of selling a mask to bother with me.
The doctor has filed a report with the state, as I am only one of many problems he has with this DME.

[Pugsy]

Any doctor can write a RX for a mask or even a machine.
Get a new RX tomorrow and go elsewhere for a new mask or order online.
Or tell us what mask you were wanting....someone might have one here or know of one.
I have an extra Swift FX nasal pillow kind but you may not want that kind of mask.

We can't help you with your anger with your current DME but someone might be able to help you with a mask.

[Roger2]

. . . as I am only one of many problems he has with this DME.

Is your DME by chance Apria?

[TxBobS]

I never could get the Quattro FX to work on my face the way it is supposed to. It was always blowing out and leaking in my eyes which then caused me to wake up. The only way I could get that mask to work is to tighten it up so that the inner silicon piece was on my nose (completely collapsing the air cusion).

I had better luck with the Mirage Quattro but it still leaked on me. I ended up going with the Mirage Liberty. Different faces, different masks but perhaps you can get the leaks down by tightening up the straps pretty good.

[chunkyfrog]

I am another person who doesn't have the right face for Resmed full face masks.
Thank goodness for the competition!

[Janknitz]

NSY, I think it's time to take matters into your own hands and get some control of this situation!

I am still experiencing severe leaking with my mask and feel like throwing the machine in the trash. For over a month I have been calling the DME trying to get a different mask. They rarely answer the phone and could care less about the problem. My doctor has sent multiple RX to them and they just ignore him. The problem is I can't switch DME for three months.

Your rotten DME has run out the 30 day limit for exchanging the mask as far as the mask manufacturer goes. Now, a good DME would work with you on this, but this is clearly NOT a good DME. It sounds like the new DME will work with you with an RX, though your insurance may not pay for a new mask--it may have to be out of pocket. Some good DME's have sample masks that they are willing to give you in the hopes that you will become a long term customer. And it lets you try as many masks as you need to until you find THE mask for you. (BTW, I consider myself pretty good with masks, and I could NEVER get the Quattro FX to seal properly).

BUT you need to get the prescription into your own hands. From now on it's YOURS and DMEs may have a copy (not the original) if they wish. Your doctor sounds like he's working with you, so get it in your hands--if he won't give you an RX for a mask, ask any other MD. Unfortunately, you may be out of luck getting your insurer to cover a new mask until you are eligible for one on their replacement schedule, but if you can't afford OOP from the new DME and you look around hard enough, you can find other masks to try. There is a trial loaner program floating around here, lots of people may be willing to sell or give you unused masks, and there's always EBay or Craigslist (Ebay cannot sell the entire masks, but you can buy "parts" and often when you do, the seller will throw in the rest of the mask for free). Sorry you have to do this, but it's better than what you're going through now, and meanwhile you can continue to file complaints against the lousy DME, to perhaps (not likely) get some satisfaction there.

I know you're tired and I know you're frustrated, but it's up to YOU to take care of this. Nobody else is going to do it for you.

[Mary Z]

I thought about contacting a lawyer or state medical board.

This would definitely be more trouble than it's worth and by the time you get anything done your three
month period with this DME will be over. Have you tried reviewing the instructions about how to properly fit this mask? Though if It's the wrong size nothing will make it work. Does the DME have an office? Can you camp out on their doorstep?
Good luck. This is a bummer.

[chunkyfrog]

Do you own a tent?--poster board? Magic Markers?
Get yourself noticed--maybe incarcerated.
The media will eat it up!
--Maybe that's just me.