Scolded by doctor or DME for changing machine settings

[jmaziarz]

I'm sure this has come up before but I have not found the answer. What do you say when your DME/doctor says, "why did you change the settings on your machine?"

[Snoredog]

it would be a cold day in hell before a DME scolded me, they are just a crutch peddler, most with no formal training, I mean look at that low life thedean that visits here, perfect example.

and if the doctor gave me hell about improving my therapy? I'd ask for a copy of my medical records and that would be the last time I'd see that idiot.

it IS your health, best thing you can do it manage it yourself and understand what makes it better.

[IBTeri]

lol I was told I was breaking the law for changing my settings.

[Snoredog]

lol I was told I was breaking the law for changing my settings.

LOL they would like you to believe that, its called intimidation or lying to keep your business, but the fact is
It is NOT illegal to change the pressure yourself.

[alnhwrd]

How about the truth? "I changed my pressure settings to reduce my AHI"? There's nothing at all wrong with that. You could add, "I didn't want to wait for an appointment, and I didn't want to pay you to do something I am perfectly capable of doing". I might decide to tell my doc (who is a reasonable and decent fellow) but I would avoid the hassle and not tell the DME anything. And if its illegal to change your own settings, it must be illegal to buy your own aspirin , right?

[Slinky]

I agree w/alnhwrd and that is what I would be inclined to tell the doctor as well. ON THE OTHER HAND, if the doctor was scolding me for doing so AND if I had first called and asked for advice, assistance, whatever and it hadn't been forthcoming I would say: "I needed help, I asked for help, I didn't get it so I had no choice but to make the changes for my own comfort and well-being."

Well, I would if I was in a good mood that day. IF I was ticked off at being scolded and not receiving the assistance I asked for I wouldn't be as diplomatic. I'm a crochety ole broad that way (shut up, SnoreDog!!! ) AND - I'd also say "DON'T insult my intelligence by trying to pawn that "its illegal for the patient to change their therapy settings B.S."!!!

[Nodzy]

Been there too -- I was scolded for changing my settings on a straight CPAP during the 5-years they had me on the wrong machine, wrong pressure and wrong type of mask. I was trying to find a tolerable and beneficial point. The DME RT, and several PCP's lambasted me. Yet, not one, or even the pulmonary docs, ordered a reaassessment, followup sleep study or heeded my many complaints about intolerable therapy without felt benefit.

Through one period they had me on twice the dose of a particular med that they thought was needed. After major side-effects and misery I halved the tablets and finally found the med more tolerable and slightly beneficial. They chided me for that, but then prescribed that lower havled dose in a whole tablet for the same medicine. Now, that's 50% in a halved tablet, and 50% in a whole tablet -- but they didn't find the halved tablet to be a proper dose.

That's like smacking a child's hand for touching a knife, and minutes later asking that child cut or chop something with the knife. I think some of it is "control" of a patient -- them demanding that no matter what happens, only the med-types make decisions.

NOTE: They have currently prescribed a cholesterol med and direct me to split the tablets, and take a half-tablet each night. Now a halved-tablet is a proper dose, because they say so.

I know that medical knowledge and treatments evolve fast. But I was not aware that medical math was such a fluttering, sputtering, wishy-washy set of scales and procedures of calculation.

Nodzy [Thoroughly amazed at the modern machinations of misguided medicine.]

[carbonman]

What do you say when your DME/doctor says, "why did you change the settings on your machine?"

When the "RT" at the DME asked me why I wanted a data capable system,
I told her that I would be in charge of my therapy.

.....she replyed, "...oh."

Once I got the correct machine, I haven't been back.

I am in charge of my therapy and I feel MUCH better.

I wonder if these "RT" are strapping on a mask evernight???

[DreamDiver]

lol I was told I was breaking the law for changing my settings.

They would like for it to be illegal. There are two models of therapy. One is pro-patient, the other is pro-"Sleep-Industry". The Pro-Industry model is sadly promoted by large corporations whose bottom line is not patient therapy but rather gathering money for investors. Sleep medicine should not be about investors. It should be about patients.

You decide which is better for you:

[Slinky]

GREAT diagrams that say it all, DreamDiver!! IF I had a sleep doc w/a sense of humor I would print them out and give them to him.

D'ya suppose they'd let us post these two diagrams at apenasupport? Or TAS? Just to demonstrate how important it is for patients to take an interest and an active part in their CPAP therapy, of course.

[6PtStar]

I handed my Doc a report I printed off Encore before and after the change and said "This is why I changed the pressure" He looked at them and said "OK, keep up the good work"

Jerry

[roster]

I'm sure this has come up before but I have not found the answer. What do you say when your DME/doctor says, "why did you change the settings on your machine?"

If I read your earlier posts correctly, you could truthfully say, "Doc, you prescribed a minimum pressure of 9.0 and this was giving me an AHI of 8.1. This was absolutely unacceptable to me and my loved ones. I raised the minimum pressure to 11.0 and my AHI is down to 2.8. This is a lot better than your prescription. But it is still not good enough and I will continue to titrate for an optimal pressure with or without your help. What's your next question doc?"

[Snoredog]

lol I was told I was breaking the law for changing my settings.

They would like for it to be illegal. There are two models of therapy. One is pro-patient, the other is pro-"Sleep-Industry". The Pro-Industry model is sadly promoted by large corporations whose bottom line is not patient therapy but rather gathering money for investors. Sleep medicine should not be about investors. It should be about patients.

You decide which is better for you:

Say, you don't forecast Hurricanes do you??

[DreamDiver]

removed

[Slinky]

Ha, ha!!! Hurricane SnoreDog missed Michigan!!!!