Will I get any info from DME?

bap40 · Post by **bap40** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 11:13 am

As stated in my last post, I am supposedly recieving the M seriea auto with A/Flex. I am wondering how much info I will recieve from my nasty tech on how to use this machine or am I going to be hunting down instructions from this board. Has anyone else recieved adiqwict information from their DME's or am I in dreamland hoping for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow? I have made an enemy of my tech so am not so sure she will provide details or not. All of you using this machine seem to know all the details, but where did you get them from trial and error, each other or DME's. I am supposing that the numbers should be set from my DME before I take actual possesion of my machine... Seems like most of these places are really not up to snuff and should be with handling people lives in their hands.

I am still playing with masks also.. My DME just handed 2 different types and brands to me with no explanation or even what kind they are and expects me to know the quirkes. Very frustrating to say the least. She KNOWS best I guess.

gandalf · Post by **gandalf** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 11:37 am

Don't panic..the APAP is easy to use and to change settings on. I am working on my third weak of starting CPAP. MY DME just handed me the unit without saying anything..but neither did I ask any questions as it sounded fairly easy from reading posts on this site..and it is easy.

Basically the M-series has 2 menus..one of which is always accessable and you can cycle thru with the arrow keys and change the values with the +/- keys. The second menu is only available by pulling the power cord jack from the back, holding down the arrow keys, and plugging in the power plug.
Again, you can cycle thru the options with the arrow keys and change the values with the +/- keys. You can reset back to the "user mode" by hitting the power button.

Simple eh? I'd start by just cycling through the menus and confirm they set up the unit to your prescribed values.

Mask questions you can ask..and I am sure someone will respond who has used that type.

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 11:39 am

Well, most masks come w/literature and many also come w/CDs or DVDs. Guess you will just have to figure out which masks they are and how to use them from those. Or did this friendly, helpful DME supplier's RT just hand them to you "bare-naked"?? (Don't you just love them? NOT!)

They really EARN that extra money insurances pay them over what the "unhelpful" online DME suppliers charge. NOT!

Really make this RT's day: call and ask her which 2 masks she just gave you. And ask her WHERE the literature for them is. And if a CD/DVD came w/them, shouldn't she have given THEM to you too?

That oughtta grind her teeth a bit.

As far as learning how to access the data from our machines I got that info from a fellow Resmed user on this forum via a PM. God bless our fellow forum members!!!! (Grateful Smile)

gandalf · Post by **gandalf** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 11:46 am

The masks I have seen so far have the company name and the mask name somewhere on the mask or straps. With that info you can ask questions but also you can look up the mask on cpap.com. Often they have info or pics on how the mask fits at the bottom of the page.

bap40 · Post by **bap40** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 11:56 am

As you figured she just hands them to me without any package inserts at all. Right now I am trying to find the better of the opus nasal pillows and the Respironics comfort gel nasal mask size small. I haven't gotten the leaks worked out on either one and I am supposed to decide on one or the other. I do prefer the opus, but again, I haven't worked out the leak problem and she only gave me one pillow size a small. The comfort gel one goes high up on my face, right up to my eyes and then I wake up with puffy eyes. As far as slepping with the machine, I am having no problems. I go to sleep in seconds it seems.

gandalf · Post by **gandalf** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 12:23 pm

You can check the size of the gel pad..its stamped on the pad. You may be able to get a smaller gel pad from the DME to try and also get Medium pillows to try for the Opus.

6PtStar · Post by **6PtStar** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 12:27 pm

Here is a link to the setup manual. Most DME's pull it so you stay in the dark. If this one is mad at you i'll bet they do.

http://www.cpap-supply.com/v/cpap-machi ... 0guide.pdf

It may not have the A-Flex but with this you should be able to figure it out.

Jerry

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 12:44 pm

Respironics has execellent mask fitting instructions + trouble shooting animantions on its site.

...I wonder what will happne when you mail the companies support or customer relations about how the mask was handed to you.

And this is how cpap.com sells the new (improved) Opus 360:

https://www.cpap.com/productpage.php?PNum=2645&PAID=505

All Sizes Included The Opus 360 comes with Small, Medium, and Large pillows included, fully assembled and ready to wear, making this a convenient out-of-box solution.

O.

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 12:48 pm

bap40 wrote:As you figured she just hands them to me without any package inserts at all. Right now I am trying to find the better of the opus nasal pillows and the Respironics comfort gel nasal mask size small. I haven't gotten the leaks worked out on either one and I am supposed to decide on one or the other. I do prefer the opus, but again, I haven't worked out the leak problem and she only gave me one pillow size a small. The comfort gel one goes high up on my face, right up to my eyes and then I wake up with puffy eyes. As far as slepping with the machine, I am having no problems. I go to sleep in seconds it seems.

Your DME probably has your other Opus pillows listed on Ebay

... somewhere near the listing for the manuals and filters that she took out of your machines packaging box.

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 3:02 pm

It may be that this DME has the equipment to sterilize used masks and has given you these masks to try and if you decide on one you will be given a new, still in the package, complete, mask of that type.

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 2:27 am

I say just confirm the machine has silk-screened "REMSTAR AUTO | A-FLEX" in white letters printed on it right below the On/Off button.

The small M series machine is the ONLY one A-Flex comes on. I would NOT ask the nasty RT anything, just make sure the machine is new comes with a hose and travel bag take it and run, you can always obtain a manual for it and programming it is simple.

First thing to do after you get it is check how it is programmed, probably set 4-20 or default settings from the factory.

granti55 · Post by **granti55** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 8:53 am

Hi there what is a DME

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 8:55 am

Distributor of Medical Equipment.

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 9:01 am

Or "durable medical equipment", whichever situation it fits the context of.

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 9:09 am

granti55 wrote:Hi there what is a DME

Deep Money Extractor ... Uh, I mean what ozij and slinky said.

Mask	Humidifier

Additional Comments: also have S8 Elite, humidifier, software,various other masks & card readers, Remstar Auto M, humidifier software etc.