Newbie

gdoc89 · Post by **gdoc89** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 10:35 pm

Hi, I have been on here for a couple weeks researching and learning. I am thankful to all who contribute to educating the uninfomed. I just got my CPAP this morning, and I'm definitely looking forward to some restful sleep! My sleep study was also explained for the first time today...my AHI for the first half of the night was 100. The doctor has me set up with a pressure of 10.

A couple questions....1) Would I be better off getting a data capable machine and should I push for one? 2) I went with the Respironics Optilife Nasal Pillow mask....any pros or cons to this mask?

Thanks in advance for your help.

ColoradoDreamer · Post by **ColoradoDreamer** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 11:14 pm

Welcome to the forum gdoc89,

Looks like you are off to a good start with the desire to research what you are embarking upon.

If you are interested in monitoring yourself then by all means upgrade your CPAP to at least the Pro model and get the software and card reader. You show that you have the Plus which is not going to provide you with the data you need.

I have not used the mask but others will be able to comment on your mask. Also, use the search command to find posts on that mask.

Hoover · Post by **Hoover** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 11:25 pm

I really like my optilife - my nostrils were sore for about a week and now they are toughened up. Some folks use ayr gel but I just roughed it and it got easier. I personally do not like the ff masks and this has been relatively easy to get used to.

I would def. upgrade your machine if you can.

Good luck!

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 11:26 pm

Ha! Got the Plus this morning, take it back tomorrow morning. Obviously, your DME supplier made a mistake (tongue in cheek). Your insurance is payng the same amount for that lowly Plus as it is for a good Pro so why not get the Pro? You get your data capability and the DME supplier does right by you. They give you static and try to wiggle outta giving you the Pro, they risk losing a customer.

gdoc89 · Post by **gdoc89** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 11:33 pm

Thanks for the quick responses! DME is Optioncare. How difficult is it to swap machines? I have a two month rental period which then goes to a purchase based on compliance I guess.

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 6:22 am

The sooner the better! And MOST CERTAINLY prior to the end of the rental period, BEFORE the purchase. Are you SURE it is a two month rental, then purchase and NOT a one month rental, then purchase?? The more hours you put on that F&P, the less happy the DME is gonna be about exchanging it.

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 8:12 am

Take it back!

You NEED to monitor your treatment ... even if the doc has no plans to do so.

Since you are in rental period, you are in a good position to demand the best options for your health rather than settling for the best options for your DME's profit line.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 9:02 am

I didn't know how to monitor my breathing until I started coming onto these forums. I didn't even know it was available. I bought an auto titration device. That did it for me and I quickly learned I was breathing out from my mouth at night. After going through hell on the Resmed Ultra Mirage for a year, I asked for the hybrid mask and after 2 or 3 nights of figuring out my size and how to correct the little leaks, I was all set. I can't say it's all been smooth sailing, but it's light years better than where I was.
Don't get too carried away with trying to have a perfect night every night. Go by how you feel. I feel wonderful with my new gear and although I still toss a bit and get up to go to the potty once or twice a night, I feel 10 years younger and have come down on my blood pressure meds.
I just bought a heated hose to lower the amount of water I use a night so I don't run out before morning.
These forums will help a great deal.

gdoc89 · Post by **gdoc89** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 10:46 pm

Hello again.....Slept pretty well last night, woke up about 3 or 4 times and put mask back on, but I think I got at least 5 or 6 hours with it. It definately does take getting used to! I am a little congested with a cold right now, not sure if its better to just "power through" or wait until I'm a little less stuffed up.

As for the machine, I talked to a rep at the DME today. She stated that I got the machine that was prescribed and I need a new prescription from the doctor to change. Called his office.....awaiting response.

ColoradoDreamer · Post by **ColoradoDreamer** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 11:47 pm

Did you get a prescription from your Dr. for your own use? If so, what does it say? My Dr. didn't know enough to be so specific to select a brand and model for me. The DME may be brushing you off. I suspect your prescription only says CPAP. If it does the Pro is also a CPAP as the Plus but has the additional data collection capabilities. It costs more and will dig into the DME profit margin.

If you don't have an original prescription ask for one when you talk to the Dr. office. They will give you one and then you will know what it says and you will be free to make purchases on your own. Last time I asked for my prescription I told them what to put on the prescription so that in the future there would be not doubt or limitations on what I could get.

And don't forget to get a copy of your sleep study.

gdoc89 · Post by **gdoc89** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 12:29 am

Definitely felt like a brush off from the DME rep today! Actually I do have a copy of the prescription....all it says is "nasal CPAP". I do need to get a copy of the sleep study, as I could not find it in my paperwork.

gdoc89 · Post by **gdoc89** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 6:18 pm

Success!

It took some strong arming, but I swapped my Plus for a Pro today. The DME rep initially told me that I got the machine prescribed for me and that I would need a new prescription to get a new machine. When the doctor's office faxed the new prescription, the rep then said that since my doctor rarely prescribes that machine, they were going to quetion "medical neccessity". At that point I told her that since this was a rental machine, I would be more than happy to return it and seek a different equipment provider. All of the sudden, making the switch became possible!

Thanks to all of the encouragement and info available here, I now have a machine that will allow me to be better informed!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 7:18 pm

Excellent!!
Glad to hear that you finally got what you wanted.

I like that. A DME questioning a Medical Doctor's prescription on the basis of medical necessity. Who do those Dr's think they are?

RickinNH · Post by **RickinNH** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 7:26 pm

Only 3 days...you went through far less agravation than myself. I finaly got the right machine but they took weeks to do the right thing.

fehler · Post by **fehler** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 9:26 am

Hay Guys

When i click on gdoc89 machine it shows she has the M Series pro not the plus am i seeing this right or not.

frank