Tomorrow is the big day!

[toryg51]

Tomorrow afternoon I pick up everything from Lincare. Thanks to this forum and everyone's wonderful advice, I'm getting the S9 and the heated humidifier with climate control. Anything I need to know before I go in for the fitting? Final advice or warnings? I know that the S9 is a new machine, but I don't know how new (manufacture date). And I have a sneaking suspicion that the humidifier is not the one with the dishwasher safe chamber. Are these things I need to nail down before tomorrow? How important are these factors? Thanks, everybody!

[chunkyfrog]

The s9 has several models; avoid anything that contains the word "Escape" in the title--
these machines lack feedback, especially leak data,
which is essential is determining effectiveness of your treatment.
Unless your Rx is for a BIPAP or other advanced machine, you will either want an Elite or an Autoset.
The autoset can be used in either auto or straight pressure mode, so it is a step up from the Elite.
Some dealers call these "premium" machines, in order to steer you to the stripped down Escapes.
Let us know if they try to give you any cr*p.

[toryg51]

Thanks, Chunkyfrog! I'm definitely getting the auto set; per everybody's recommendations here, I had the sleep center write a specific prescription DAW - and I have my very own copy!

[chunkyfrog]

Excellent, grasshopper. You have learned well.

[Sheriff Buford]

Try to figure out (ahead of time), what type of mask you are interested in. There are full face, nasal pillows, nasal, oral and total face masks. Know that you may go thru several before you find "yours". What works for me may not work for you. You are looking for a mask that is comfortable and doesn't leak. That might not be the one they are trying to sell you. When I switched masks, I brought my own pillow, hooked the mask up to a display machine (set at my pressure setting)... laid down on the floor and rolled around as I would in my own bed. If you can't "tame the leaks" at the DME, you won't be able to "tame the leaks" at home... especially at 3 am when you are frustrated.

Best of luck, and keep us updated.

Sheriff

[toryg51]

Heh. I bow to your knowledge, enlightened one aka chunkyfrog. But seriously, do I need to sweat the recent-ness of manufacture on the unit and humidifier? I'm on the 10 month-paytillithurtsandthenyou'llownit plan.

Thanks, Sheriff! During my titration night I tried nose pillows as well as a nasal mask. (Mirage FX for her) the nasal mask seemed to work well, so that is what I will start with. I have trigeminal neuralgia, so I'm never going to be able to do a FFM due to the pressure on my face. So fingers crossed the nasal mask will work as well at home as it did at the sleep lab. (tech said lowest leaks he'd ever seen! gold star for me! )

[Sheriff Buford]

I would kill to be able to use nasal pillows or a nasal mask! Good for you! The nasal mask is less intrusive and easier to deal with. The masks I use are a "last resort mask".

Sheriff

[Pugsy]

But seriously, do I need to sweat the recent-ness of manufacture on the unit and humidifier?

Probably not. They probably didn't have one sitting on the shelves and that means they likely had to order one...so it will most likely be very new.
Just check the run hours on the machine to make sure.

Here's a copy of the clinical/provider manual. It explains how to get to the ultra secret clinical setup menu where the run hours is located....therapy hours and run hours are not necessarily the same. Therapy hours can be reset to zero..run hours cannot.
http://www.apneuvereniging.nl/forum/pdf ... manual.pdf

The default setting from the factory for SleepQuality in the clinical menu is for "Usage"...change it to "On" if it is not already set to "On"...when it is set to usage only hours of use for compliance purposes is available.

The dishwasher safe tank..not a critical issue unless you plan on using the dishwasher all the time. The main thing is the newer tank that allows for easy removal of the lid for cleaning. I think it may be standard now...hope so. If not you can always get the other tank later when insurance allows for it or buy your own at cpap.com. It's good to have a spare tank anyway.

Check out the links in my signature line for software that will work with the S9 AutoSet. Send me a private message if you want ResScan but SleepyHead does a bang up job and may be all that you need. Again, no rush...just as you have time. I know there's a lot to absorb all at once.

Welcome to the forum.

[Jeannh]

My big day was last week - different DME, same issues. Here was my list:
- A copy of the auth if you needed one.
- A copy of the Rx, hopefully with exactly what you ordered
- The Medicare replacement schedule (to compare to theirs, which you will have to ask for)
- Get the name and extension of a local contact for questions.
- Get the process for reordering supplies.
- The # for your insurance co.
- They wanted a credit card, which I didn't give them.

I decided ahead of time that I would leave with nothing if they could not deliver my blower, humidifier and an appropriate mask. I had to get up and make for the door twice. Ask them to show you the "Run" hours (will be 0 on a new machine). They cannot reset this.

Sadly, be ready to be lied to. I heard things like "your insurance co won't authorize a new machine", "your diagnosis doesn't support that" (they had a wrong diag in their system, but I had my Rx), "this is mgf refurbished, so like new", "this is all we have", "it's against the law for YOU to change that". YOU are their customer and patient. If they cannot service your needs, another branch will.

Good luck. And welcome!

[toryg51]

You guys all rock - thank you!

By the way, is it a mark of getting old when you're more concerned about the "cheat codes" for your cpap machine than you are for your video games?!?

[oak]

good luck, tory!! sounds like you will have the right attitude and keep plugging away!! its not easy at first, but if you are the persistent type, it will be much easier!!

[Richg44006]

I had a call to Lincare today asking are few questions. Do did feel the tech was patient enough? Did you feel comfortable with them? Where to help you try on difference masks and difference makes. Where they trying to push more towards Philips or RedMed machines?

Any other thought about going with Lincare instead of another DME supplier.

Any questions would be most help well.

Rick
Username: richg44006
Email: richg44006@aol.coma

[oak]

Richg, put Lincare or Lincare complaints in the search box here and you will hear all sorts of horror stories about Lincare. YMMV, but they seem to have bad branches in every corner of the US. I would go with a local, non-chain DME if your insurance considers them "in-network." Call your insurance company to get a list of in network providers. If you have medicare, you can go to the medicare site to find those that are medicare providers. Your choices with medicare will be more limited.

[toryg51]

Rich - I have had very good service with my Lincare. My PCP put me on supplemental oxygen for a few months after my oximeter test, knowing that it would take awhile to get through the sleep studies, get the machine, etc. So that was my first interaction with Lincare. The one I use is about an hour from my home, and delivers into my area on Thursdays and Fridays. Working with them to get the oxygen up and running was professional and pleasant.

Yesterday I went down to the office itself to get the machine. I had spoken with them by phone 2-3 times in advance to make sure I was getting what I wanted (and what I had the sleep doctor prescribe). Again, very pleasant and professional. I spent about 45 minutes with the respiratory therapist and he was very, very good. Last night was my first night and I had some questions about how the mask was working, leaks, blah, blah, so I called Lincare this morning and spoke to the same RT. He had good suggestions and asked me to give it through the weekend and then call him on Monday to tell him how it was going. In addition, the Lincare driver actually was not supposed to be in my town today, but made a special trip to pick up the oxygen tank, since I no longer need it.

I know I'm lucky, based on the many horror stories I've heard!!!! Fingers crossed!

P.S. I use the Lincare in Vestal, NY