Thanks Guys! My story and how cpaptalk helped me

[PhilinOK]

My story:
I am a 33 year old working for an Engineering Company. After being diagnosed with OSA several weeks ago, I began to read on it. I found this site and about two others that seemed to provide relevant information. Since then, I have concluded there is one site, this one. I came to read everyone’s stories and realized there was quite a bit to OSA. I thought that my insurance and the DME’s in this area were not like the one’s I had read about and trusted that everything would be alright. I went in and was given a PB 420g machine. I was given a Repironics Comfort Classic mask. I stated that my doctor said not to take the first mask I was provided, but was informed this was their policy, and that I could have another in three months.

I took all this home, and it worked great. I slept like a baby, for about a week. In my opinion, I was so sleep starved that anything was better than what I was getting (whaich was nothing – 80 episodes per hour.) Next, I realized my mask was not sealing at pressure (she had ramp on in my consultation), and my back was beginning to hurt. I could only lie on my back. It was at this point I REALLY began to dig in to this message board. I realized I had been gotten by the DME. My earlier assumption was wrong, and I was involved in one of these stories on this sight. I was going to spend the next 5 years with this plain-Jane machine and there was nothing I could do about it. But, you guys helped to teach me that I DO HAVE A CHOICE in who provides my medical equipment.

I began speaking with insurance and evaluating how to go about getting another machine, even though mine was only a week old. The fact it was a rental was a god-send. I had to go back to my sleep lab, consult with a tech (who finally gave me a mask that sealed at my 14cm), and convinced her to ask / have the doc add the C-Flex option to my Rx. The next week, I got a call from them and they said they could hook me up with another machine that had C-Flex, but the humidifier was a generic one that would not match and would eat up my nightstand. Keep in mind, there are more factors and things they did I am leaving out for time’s sake, but this was the straw that broke the camel’s back. So, I tracked down another DME, and made an appointment. I called the original DME back and asked what I had to do to return the machine…. Long story short, I ended up speaking with someone a couple levels up in the company, going to town on them for the fact that they let their contracts dictate how patients are treated, etc.. Finally, they asked what must they do to keep my business. So, they kept my business by providing me with my new Remstar Pro 2 C-flex w/ humidifier and a new ComfortCurve mask. I picked them up a couple of days ago. I really like the mask, and the C-flex really seems to help falling asleep. Heck, I slept for 16 hours over Saturday! I know everyone on here is APAP prone, or at least bi-pap, but the tech at my sleep center convinced me that at this point in time that I should avoid the APAP, essentially stating that the doctor would not go down that right until I showed a resistance or difficulty with standard CPAP treatment. I have the analysis software, so I figured OK, at least know, I have the information at my disposal to tell me whether or not it is working.

I really would like to thank all of you on this sight for sharing your insights and experiences. It has been of great value to me and you guys have helped me make the decisions that will keep me on my treatment - and probably being a little more proactive that the average bear....

[sleepy gal]

What a great resolution to your situation!!! Good for you for being so pro-active.

I know I have learned more from this board than anywhere else also. Great people, great administrators and GREAT information!

Hope your sleep continues to be peaceful and restful.

[yawn]

Wow Phil!!! I am IMPRESSED!!!!! You did exactly what you needed to and you really did it all on your own. Sure, you did your research, but you never posted any questions (or if you did, I missed them)...you figured this all out and got what you deserved. CONGRATULATIONS!!! Please continue to read this forum and gives us your opinions...we need everybody to help keep this such a wonderful forum and now that you're such an expert, others will definitely benefit from your wisdom (I"m serious!!!!)

Welcome and Congratulations!!!

Amy

[wading thru the muck!]

Phil,

Love to hear your story. Those first nights when you finaly start to get the good sleep you've been missing for years are great.

[catchin_zzzs]

Phil,

Congratulations on getting what you need (not what the DME wants to give you). Happy sleeping

LuEllen

[Sleepless on LI]

Way to go, Phil. As they say, "You da man!!!" Can you post your phone number so we can all call you to help us fight our battles, too? ONLY KIDDING!!!! Great going. You should feel great not only because you have a great machine and mask, but because you did your homework, stood your ground, got your point across and prevailed! Let's hear it for the our side!!!!

[rested gal]

Excellent account of what you did, Phil.

With that taste of what DME's normally give new users, is it any wonder there's such a high drop out rate in cpap treatment?

It really is a shame that anyone has to go to the lengths that Phil and others go to, to get what should be a rather simple, effective treatment...comfortably enough to be able to do it!

WTG, Phil.

[PhilinOK]

Well, thank you guys again for all of the insight, AND kind words of encouragement.

[susanhhill]

Phill did you use the place in Norman or OKC? or was it somewhere else altogether? Just curious!

[PhilinOK]

Susan - There is a sleep center in St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa... I used them. Really nice folks.

[tlc95066]

Phil - Good for you for explaining it to the DME. Sometimes I think people just accept what we are told without questioning the reasons. My husband calls me the "queen of free" because I ask questions until I am satisfied.

My husband was born and raised in Tulsa and his parents still live there. We go there every other year for christmas, and this is the year for us to travel. Is St. Francis the big pink hospital?
Teri