Who set you up?

[chinmullet]

DME - guy came out, unpacked everything, attached everything, plugged it in, stuck the mask to my face, adjusted the straps, and left.

Never heard from them again except incoming calls to sell me replacement parts.

[WearyOne]

I went to the DME office where the person unpacked everything, set it up, showed me how to use it, then packed everything back up. I then took it home and set it up myself.

[Denial Dave]

After my sleep doc reviewed my sleep study results with me, the DME came into the room and gave me my machine & mask in a carry bag.

It was all programmed with the Dr's prescription They gave me the same model mask that had been used during the sleep study the previous month.

The DME talked about on how to connect things, plug it in, etc... had me sign some papers and sent me on my way.

I took it home on a Wednesday, dumped in a chair near the bed and let the shock of needing a machine to sleep for the rest of my life settle in for a few days.

It was Friday night before I finally opened the bag & examined what the heck it was that I was given and starting using it.

thanks to the folks here, I've made some tweaks to the prescription levels.

[Randyp1234]

Technically the "tech" at the DME set me up at their office. But in reality - everyone here on this board set me up.

Randy

[MerMade]

Was tested at Sleep Dr office. They gave me an over night machine and mask. The Dr office faxed a prescription over to DME for all equipment and levels. I went to DME and the RT spent 1.5 hours teaching the use of the machine,cleaning and how to wear the mask. 3 weeks later I brought my machine and mask to the Sleep Dr office for a check and tune up and got a new mask tried on there. DME over nighted me a new mask Fed EX.

[renatae]

My sleep specialist's office offers supplies as well. My husband started CPAP about 5 years ago and has the same sleep group. They had him come to the office and demonstrated the machine and sent him home.

However, after reading here and elsewhere, and deciding I wanted an s9 Autoset, I called them before they set up an appointment, and asked if I could have an S9. Turns out they apparently only supply Respironics. They said they would get me in contact with a DME who supplies ResMed. I asked if I could have a specific prescription for the S9 Autoset for Her and they said they would search around and see if they could find a DME who had it. Later, they called back and said the DME would be contacting me, which they did. They said there was one more AutoSet for Her in stock. I was thrilled!

They came to my home with the machine and mask I'd asked for. When the RT found out I have a background in medicine, she asked me about different settings I'd like (ramp time, ramp level, etc.) and consented to make it possible for me to see some stats that would ordinarily be hidden.

The only thing I felt could have been better was that she had me sitting up with the mask, gave me about 3 minutes to see if it seemed to fit, then told me I could take it off. I was a little hesitant, as I was not certain it really fit me right as I didn't know how the pillows were supposed to feel. She didn't bring along any other masks. I had to ask about their mask exchange policy, which got her a little on edge. She said they preferred if you gave the mask at least one week's trial before requesting a different one. That was reasonable, and I was reassured I wasn't going to get stuck with something I couldn't tolerate.

Since then, they've contacted me monthly via automated calls about my compliance and whether I had any questions. All in all, a good experience.

[ChrisD]

I went to the Sleep Doc/DME office where the RT unpacked everything in front of me, set it up, dialed in the settings, showed me how to use it, adjusted my mask, then packed everything back up. I then took it home and set it up myself.

Chris

[zoocrewphoto]

I got mine at the DME. It was already programmed before i got there. I showed them a photo of the mask I wanted, and they fitted me for that. Gave me a short tour of the machine, and that was that.

My DME lied to me about the headgear I wanted. I needed a small, and they told me it did not exist. When I provided the order number, they told me they couldn't order it. My mom had an appointment with my sleep doctor, and they had a DME in the same building. So, I asked them for the headgear. No problem. My mom got her machine at that DME, and I went along. Same machine, much better introduction. And much better service. They even have a pager/on call system so if the machine breaks on the weekend or overnight, somebody can deliver a working machine.

[xenablue]

DME came to my clinic - RT (for want of a better description) showed me how to turn the machine on and off, fitted ONE mask and told me how tight to have it, sent me home with a folder with replacement instructions and lots of flyers about what the DME offers.

Came here and actually LEARNED something (a LOT really). I have a neurologist who is awesome - she knows SOME about the mechanics of XPAP therapy as regards the machines/masks etc., however she quite openly defers to places like this forum for me to tweak mask fits etc. Thankfully she helped me change DME provider as she was furious with the orignal one for not sending her my reports and not giving me the information I need to take care of my own therapy.

She inputs a lot about my actual therapy - RLS treatment, XPAP pressure etc., and we discuss how far she's happy for me to experiment to improve things. She is very concerned about leak rates and successful therapy so this is what we mostly discuss, but I don't expect her to be the expert with my machine/mask etc.

Bottom line - the good people here helped me set myself up and my neurologist and new DME answer any questions or address any issues I can't find the answers to here.

cheers,
xena

[BlackSpinner]

Who set you up?

That phrase could have several meanings LOL ...... As in set up to get ripped off. The DME - 20 minute appointment - 15 minutes to do the paper work, 5 minutes to get a mask slapped on and pack up the machine.

[HoseCrusher]

I was given instructions on how the machine worked and fit for my mask at the DME by a very good RT. I brought my card by a couple of times and worked out some of the details of the mask.

I was fortunate that the initial mask I tried (Swift FX) worked very well and I still use that mask after a couple of years of therapy.

The machine settings I needed to tweak on my own with the help of the people here. My prescription is for a pressure range of 5 - 17. Once I got a little more optimum range dialed in, I have been good to go.

The local sleep lab has monthly meetings that feature a main speaker and give you access to sleep lab technicians, RT's, and DME providers. Many questions have been answered at these meetings.

While the RT at the DME did a good job of getting me started correctly, most of the fine adjustments that improve my therapy came from suggestions mentioned here.

[RogerSC]

Went to the DME office where they showed me how all the pieces went together and how to adjust the mask. The guy also gave me their line on cleaning (LOTS of vinegar), and told me how often I should order new supplies (much more often Han necessary). Then back to my sleep doctor after 30 days. Not bad, I had to read a lot and fill in the blanks on cleaning and figuring out that I didn't need new supplies anywhere near the rate that they told me to order them. And I got lucky on the initial setup of the machine, but have since made several changes for comfort and better results. No more ramp, and currently trying it out as cpap instead of apap, and so on.

[archangle]

I got a brick Legacy REMstar Plus back in 2004.

Other than being screwed with a brick when I didn't know better, the setup was pretty good. I went in to the DME office, was given a reasonably good description of operation of the CPAP.

I got a Legacy REMstar Auto and set it up myself and did it wrong. I set it to 8 manual, instead of 8-20 auto. I got really sick afterwards for many months due to untreated apnea before I figured the wrong setting was what caused my problems.

[Lorenzowho]

Came to my home spent 15 mintues showing me machine and off they went

[jtmarten]

I did my own. Purchased my own equipment after telling the DME to pound sand when I saw their lease-only pricing structure.