Selecting a mask- Taking a shot in the dark with my DME

[NateS]

My expectation from reviewong posts on this site was that I would have a real choice and be able to try on several masks before making a choice and that therefore my selection would be somewhat more informed. The idea that making a selection of something I have to get "intimate" with every night based on what it looks like on the box was not what I was expecting.

fringel,

You are 100% correct. In fact, when I went to my original DME's office for my original setup, they had a long row of dummy heads displayed with demo masks on them to try and, in addition, they offered to order any one not displayed with a 30 day return. I would call and ask to talk to the manager at the DME. Maybe the person they sent out was a rookie they just hired and failed to train properly. It's good that you are willing to try to make that mask work, but I wouldn't let this issue go. Best to get it straightened out right now.

Regards, Nate

[ems]

I've never heard of "Encore" , although I've heard of something similar. However, I have never heard of anyone making adjustments to the machine remotely. If such a thing really does exist, I would love to know.

ems,

They can be adjusted remotely if they have a modem attached. My machine came with a modem attached, and the first adjustment was made remotely by my then DME, upon a faxed Rx from my sleep lab doctor.

Best wishes, Nate

Thanks, Nate... I'm really amazed. I know my machine didn't have a modem attached and don't know if I would have liked it if it did. Interesting though!

[NateS]

I've never heard of "Encore" , although I've heard of something similar. However, I have never heard of anyone making adjustments to the machine remotely. If such a thing really does exist, I would love to know.

ems,

They can be adjusted remotely if they have a modem attached. My machine came with a modem attached, and the first adjustment was made remotely by my then DME, upon a faxed Rx from my sleep lab doctor.

Best wishes, Nate

Thanks, Nate... I'm really amazed. I know my machine didn't have a modem attached and don't know if I would have liked it if it did. Interesting though!

I didn't mind the modem being attached as long as I liked my local DME. But when I got a letter from them telling me they were going to turn me over to another DME I never heard of due to the bidding business, I objected and pulled the modem off and threw it in the drawer!

Regards, Nate

[John from Brookston]

I think that it's sad that trying on a cpap mask is like trying on underwear, but that seems to be the case. In a perfect world, DMEs would have a sample of each mask that you could hold and look at and try on, but it is not the way it works.

Most of us have ended up with a random mask given to us at the sleep study, and have tried to make it work. There is always that 30 day return policy, or paying for a mask out of pocket from our hosts at cpap.com, and with a few extra dollars for mask insurance, you can return it if it doesn't work for you.

I spent my first 9 months with a full face mask I got at the sleep study for free, then got a nasal mask through my insurance. A few months later, I bought a brand new nasal pillow mask from another member here for about 50% off retail price.

If you think you need a full face mask and have chosen the Quattro FX, you should know that a lot of people love that mask. Give it a chance and if you don't like it you can try another one.

Good luck!

A lot of us have the same experience, don't we? They started me with a True Blue nasal mask, which is an OK mask, until I caught a cold, then I asked for another mask. The RT didn't like nasal pillows ("Them's shit masks") so I was handed a Quattro and told that the True-Blue was being phased out so I could just keep it (they got a lot of BS, don't they?).
I bought a Swift FX nasal pillow mask out of pocket and that's the one I'm going to have my insurance company buy me when it "wears out".

The Quattro's a good mask, especially if you read the essay "Taming the Mirage Quattro" http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/taming ... e-quattro/
I got to where we were getting along with each other OK, but that FX.... Wow! Sorry, Quattro, see ya next time I catch a cold... Maybe...

[fringel]

You are 100% correct. In fact, when I went to my original DME's office for my original setup, they had a long row of dummy heads displayed with demo masks on them to try and, in addition, they offered to order any one not displayed with a 30 day return. I would call and ask to talk to the manager at the DME. Maybe the person they sent out was a rookie they just hired and failed to train properly. It's good that you are willing to try to make that mask work, but I wouldn't let this issue go. Best to get it straightened out right now.

Thanks Nate. That's great advice and I am going to call them Monday morning. Its like what the other person said, telling me to go run marathon based on what the shoes looked like instead of how they felt.

In fact, I specifically wanted to try a different mask based on my research, the Han Rudolph 7600 v2. Looked like it might fit my needs. They said that (1) they never heard of it and (2)even if it did exist (note the implication) they didn't carry it and if they didn't carry it, they couldn't order it and I couldn't have it.

I expected the selection and the attitude more like what you found when you first chose a mask. If I don't get an explanation that I like Monday, I will be looking for a new DME.

Fred

[NateS]

You are 100% correct. In fact, when I went to my original DME's office for my original setup, they had a long row of dummy heads displayed with demo masks on them to try and, in addition, they offered to order any one not displayed with a 30 day return. I would call and ask to talk to the manager at the DME. Maybe the person they sent out was a rookie they just hired and failed to train properly. It's good that you are willing to try to make that mask work, but I wouldn't let this issue go. Best to get it straightened out right now.

Thanks Nate. That's great advice and I am going to call them Monday morning. Its like what the other person said, telling me to go run marathon based on what the shoes looked like instead of how they felt.

In fact, I specifically wanted to try a different mask based on my research, the Han Rudolph 7600 v2. Looked like it might fit my needs. They said that (1) they never heard of it and (2)even if it did exist (note the implication) they didn't carry it and if they didn't carry it, they couldn't order it and I couldn't have it.

I expected the selection and the attitude more like what you found when you first chose a mask. If I don't get an explanation that I like Monday, I will be looking for a new DME.

Fred

Fred,

A closely aligned suggestion: I have always turned down offers to have a DME representative (or, for that matter any salesman) come to my home. I insist on going to their storefront or office if they have one. You get a better idea of their professionalism, cleanliness, depth of their investment, likelihood of staying in business etc. that way. And it is a lot easier and less awkward to walk out of somebody's store than it is to ask somebody in your home to stop pitching their product/service and leave! Easier to walk out their front door than to show somebody your front door!

Of course this may all change if you are in the US and on Medicare, which you don't indicate, now with the new competitive bidding process being won by mail-delivery companies. But at least Medicare has a helpful website with listings by zip code, etc.

And when it comes to trusted mail-order companies like cpap.com and Amazon, I trust them implicitly. But storefront DMEs don't publish online catalogs and legitimate buyer reviews to study in advance like they do and don't have the nationwide reputation they do.

Regards, Nate

[fringel]

A closely aligned suggestion: I have always turned down offers to have a DME representative (or, for that matter any salesman) come to my home. I insist on going to their storefront or office if they have one. You get a better idea of their professionalism, cleanliness, depth of their investment, likelihood of staying in business etc. that way. And it is a lot easier and less awkward to walk out of somebody's store than it is to ask somebody in your home to stop pitching their product/service and leave! Easier to walk out their front door than to show somebody your front door!

Another good point. I am in the US and not on Medicare. The DME was selected by the doctor not me. At the appointment after my titration study, I was told I needed a bipap machine and that "XYZ Surgical" would contact me after they obtained insurance pre-approval. Three days later I got a call asking when they could come over.

Two points. One, I looked them up on the internet and their closest physical address was roughly a 90 minute car drive from my home. Second, I got the sense that home visits were the only thing they offered (although admittedly, I didn't ask). My sense of this came from the fact that their web site advertised their in home infusion services much more promentantly than their respiratory products and therefore I thought that in home service was the rule, not the exception.

When I call Monday, I'll ask to come into their office to try out some other masks.It worth the trip to help decide whether I'm going to give them another chance or go elsewhere.

Fred

[enghelp]

It's these stories that are the biggest sore spot for me. I get so mad at DMEs telling people what they need and not doing what is best for the patient. Lots of DMEs are trying to reduce inventory (a lot due to competitive bidding) and get a small set of masks they will use all the time. Best case is three nasal, three pillows, and three fullface. Most common case is 1 FF 1 Pillows and 2 nasal. They base the mask selection on "we got this one to work the most often." Remember that even though it doesn't feel like it, as the customer you have all the power! There are departments called customer service not supplier service. You are the ones paying the money and keeping them in business. Ask if more than one size comes in a package. If so demand to have those. If you don't like a mask return it and get another. If that doesn't work do it again till you find one you are happy with. Pillows usually seal the best but cause the most comfort issue, they are the most minimal as well. Nasal have good seal and good comfort. They are bigger than pillows but there is a new trend of minimalistic nasal masks like the Wisp and the Swift Nano. FF mask are the hardest to seal and should only be tried AFTER a nasal/pillows mask is tried and you are SURE you don't open your mouth with CPAP. If your DME is crappy, go to a new one, they will help you swith over. Everyone is fighting to get business now from complaint patients because that is where all the money is. Hope this helps.