got a new Auto Cpap machine and some questions

[iamdunker]

so i was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea and the dme supplier gave me a pr system one remstar auto cpap machine today. She said it is set at 10.5 and i asked her if it would automatically adjust. She said no (even though the machine is an auto) she had it set on regular cpap mode. Would i benefit from setting this unit on the auto mode without telling the doc or dme supplier? I guess i will give the regular setting a try for a few weeks but how will i know if the auto works better without trying it.

[jules]

I would recommend you keep the settings on the machine for at least 2 weeks to acclimate to it. I assume you will be keeping a lot of the data off it - at least the information one can get from the LED panel if you don't have the software. After those two weeks you might want to experiment. However any change you make needs to be maintained for a week minimum - these are pressure range change, flex number changes, mask changes. Obviously if something bombs get out of that experiment but don't just start playing with numbers and changing them every night or so.

Some doc's get pissed and "fire" patients who adjust their machine; some like that the patient is interested enough in their therapy to start getting to a better pressure range where is can be done over time not just a one night stand. You have a better idea on which kind of doc you have. The DME might through a fit but remind them they didn't tell you how to change this and so they are not responsible.

I am sure others will add their advice - I just would go cautiously and slowly.

[iamdunker]

i think i will do what you recommend. thx Another thing
I think that this DME is a phillips respritronics dealer cause she insisted i take the respritronics masks and machine, she did give me two masks to try(comfort gel full face&the fulllife full face mask) but it seems that these are two of the worst masks ratings wise on cpap.com. I mentioned the mirage quatro and she said they are only for patients with high cf/h20 rates. Personally i think she just wanted to dump these masks off on somebody(especially the fulllife in which she said everyone loves).

[jules]

the DME might have a preferred contract with respironics so makes better profit with those - the billing of your insurance should be the same no matter what FFM you get - they bill $ x for the mask, and $ y for the headgear (and maybe $ z for the cushion) - I stopped using a DME when they were playing too many of those games - oh online prices and DME prices are miles apart

insist on trying on other masks - can you go to the sleep lab and try some on too and maybe find a favorite one or two and go back to the DME and demand on of them? (you might need a doctor's script for a specific mask if they don't have it)

there are a limited number of full face masks out there and you might want to consider the liberty or hybrid and you might want to get a mask on cpapauction to trial where the price is less - buy out of pocket and next time get that mask at the DME with insurance money

[iamdunker]

yeah, my DME is prolly not the best but i figured i'd try it out and have the insurance pay for the first machine(or rent) while i get situated with this whole cpap thing. Also, i might actually like the fulllife after all. Although i have been switching masks nightly. It seems to be working.