My DME called today, shook her up a bit

[CompuTech007]

Interesting telephone conversation this afternoon with my DME. She asked all the typical questions they're required to for a 6 month patient check.

How's your progress..."pretty good I said, lost 20 lbs in 6 months, doc took me off my blood pressure med, I have enough engergy to ride my bike for 10-15 miles 5 days a week at 15 mph average. Still struggling with keeping my mask on but I think I have an average of about 3 hours a night now. Tried a couple different mask styles and managed to minimize the leaks. My DME was very pleased about all of the above answers and quite excited to know about the bicycling and the weight loss and no blood pressure meds.

Not sure what lead up the the next part of the discussion but I told her, Oh, and hey I learned how to "tweak" my machine and bumped up the low pressure setting from 4 - 11 over the last 6 months.

At that moment I heard a crapping sound on the other end of the phone...

DME said...You know you really need to be careful! Changing your pressure can be dangerous and you could really mess up your sleep and vitals and on and on about WHY I SHOULDN'T change my pressure. I then mentioned to her twice that if I was at the range that was initially set I'd not have this much progress. She did adventually say that "off the record...I'm extremely excited about your progress but I cannot recommend you self-titrate and if your doctor finds out he'll probably write you off and you'll be on your own for future sleep lab work and related procedures. Good luck with your progress and I'll call you again in about 6 months. Oh, and James, please do not adjust your pressure especially the top that you were titrated with.

I told her I loved her too and can't wait to hear from her again soon.

[deerslayer]

THIS LOOKS LIKE A JOB FOR THE CPAP POLICE

[jaxdaddy]

How dare you not follow blindly the instructions of a physician???
Good for you. Take care and most of all, SLEEP WELL!!!

[Sleeprider]

I wonder how she'd feel about those of us that were never titrated and started on APAP?

Eventually forums like this will take CPAP out of the dark ages, and make patients partners with their doctors.

[lcook7281]

I go to my appointments with laptop in hand and show the doctor the data right off the screen. No wasted paper, and he can tell me what changes to make and "well behaved" me makes said changes. My doctor and I make a great partnership. It seems to be the dme that causes all the problems.

Lisa

[OldLincoln]

It seems to be the dme that causes all the problems.
Lisa

Shock! Dismay! Rendering of robes!

The more I learned about this stuff it seems the less my doctor knows. It made me wonder if he gets most of his information by attending seminars put on by DME's who convince him that he shouldn't prescribe machines with low profit margins and really listen to the DME lab techs as only they really know the answers.

[KansasRT]

I have a lot of patients that I feel comfortable changing their own pressures and such, but I have a lot that I don't. MOST CPAP patients do not make the effort to see out forums or to spend money on the software. There is a big difference between tweaking your pressure and changing your pressure randomly for no reason and without any basis. Your DME RT may not know that you are informed and are not doing random things with your pressures. Most people are not informed and don't care to be. I love it when patients seem interested. I hate it when patients say,"Just show me how to turn it on and off. I don't need to know anymore. It is hard to tell the difference some times. Also, your DME RT has a liscence to uphold and she has to tell you that you should not change your pressure. Just like the police tell you you "Have to" wear a seatbelt.

[sleepycarol]

For the most part the users of this forum are unique that we do educate ourselves about OUR therapy. I have tried to steer friends that use xpap to this forum and they are like "oh well the doc, DME, (whoever) takes care of that and everything is just fine". MANY are not interested in taking charge -- they just complain that they can't use their machine, etc.

I AM GLAD that KansasRT and others hang out here to put things into perspective and to let us know that there are GOOD DMEs out there!!

Please keep up the good work KansasRT and know that we do appreciate you!!

[CompuTech007]

Yes, it is very refreshing to hear the "other side" comments. Thanks KansasRT.

I did make sure my DME knows that I am an informed person and one who researches before I jumping in with both feet. She did repsond with that in the future she'll call me and bounce a few things around for discussion. For the most part I feel my DME has both sides in perspective.

[Goofproof]

Also, your DME RT has a liscence to uphold and she has to tell you that you should not change your pressure. Just like the police tell you you "Have to" wear a seatbelt.

You are a fine asset for this forum. I think a lot of DME's are movated just like law enforcement, by profit, making & enforcement of some laws are no more than another forced tax.

As for as some peoples ability to be trusted to do the correct thing treatment wise, I remember when I was told to show a fellow worker how to drive a 100 ton Coal Haulage truck. He jumped into the cab, the first thing he ask was how to start it, I informed him that the first thing he needed to know was how to stop it. A little knowledge can be foolhardy. Jim

[Guest]

My DME called me this week. I cut him off in the middle of a sales pitch and said "I fired your sorry ass last year and I've gone with someone else."

That felt good.
Babs

[OldLincoln]

I have a lot of patients that I feel comfortable changing their own pressures and such, but I have a lot that I don't. MOST CPAP patients do not make the effort to see out forums or to spend money on the software. There is a big difference between tweaking your pressure and changing your pressure randomly for no reason and without any basis. Your DME RT may not know that you are informed and are not doing random things with your pressures. Most people are not informed and don't care to be. I love it when patients seem interested. I hate it when patients say,"Just show me how to turn it on and off. I don't need to know anymore. It is hard to tell the difference some times. Also, your DME RT has a liscence to uphold and she has to tell you that you should not change your pressure. Just like the police tell you you "Have to" wear a seatbelt.

KansasRt... I occasionally come across pretty tough on DME's, usually when I'm fighting with mine. The DME before this one was great and the one I just hired as a replacement appears to be like the first one. You mentioned the police and I guess I sound like the guy who got an unfair ticket. Like they say, it's not "ALL" cops, and it's not "ALL" DME's.

So, after this quarter's supplies, be prepared to hear praises about DME's as I really am that hopeful the new one will be the best.

[pratzert]

Next we're gunna get a letter from the DME's about not plugging in your machine without assistance from your DME.

And a note in very small print at the bottoms that says " Your insurance company will be billed a fee for this assistance."

Tim

[GumbyCT]

Also, your DME RT has a liscence to uphold and she has to tell you that you should not change your pressure. Just like the police tell you you "Have to" wear a seatbelt.

You are a fine asset for this forum. I think a lot of DME's are movated just like law enforcement, by profit, making & enforcement of some laws are no more than another forced tax.

We should always understand the other side, so KansasRT & other suppliers shouldn't take this the wrong way or as an attack.

Somehow the DME's here think it unfair to share your DME experience. Isn't that the other side for them? Shouldn't they also understand? Fair & Balanced?

In the seatbelt comparison something IS out of balance. One is a law AND is not only enforceable but punishable. And not a scare tactic that your doc (who prob doesn't trust them either) will write you off. Maybe the DME should act more like a pharmacist.

I thought I had a good DME. He told me he is a CPAP user which gives him a better understanding. He never had a PSG - go figure. Titrated himself.

Chastised me about having too many wires when I showed him my Repti Heater cable. Has to warn me about safety, yadda, yadda. So I asked him for a Heated Hose, said he 'd have to check into it. Then he told the VA (my supplier) he has never heard of a "Heated CPAP Hose" - Really!!

Probably Never heard of Google either then, huh? So now the VA claims a "Heated CPAP Hose" is not medically necessary bc of his recommendation.

Funny thing is during his very next visit - he claims he is getting frustrated bc of rainout in his mask. Wanted to know what to do - Really? I told him to try the "Heated CPAP Hose" , ha.

So there is another side again. Now I have to wonder if he was truthful with me about being a CPAP user. Is it possible that someone with yrs of experience as an RT & a CPAP user, really never heard of "Heated CPAP Hose".

GumbyCT - who will tell you the truth until it hurts.
Some can't stand the pain.

[mckooi]

I Like your style Babs.......you have styles....
Next tiem show us more.
Cheers