So how exactly do I get a different CPAP than the Escape II?

gradh · Post by **gradh** » Tue Mar 02, 2010 10:45 pm

Hi there! I'm a newbie to this whole CPAP thing and could use some advice. I had a sleep study one done about a month ago due to snoring complaints from my husband and I was diagnosed with hypopnea with an AHI of 11. I am now the proud owner of a Resmed Escape II, Resmed H4i humidfier and a Swift LT for Her mask. Even though I'd read some posts on this forum, I felt like I couldn't/shouldn't request a particular machine. So I accepted what I was given though I did choose the mask myself. I'm having a very difficult time so far getting used to the whole thing. The first night I was only able to wear it an hour, next night was about 2 and last night was about 4. But other than knowing how long I had it on, I know nothing about my night's sleep. So far I've read here that I should be able to exchange my CPAP for one that has more information. So far I've been using a Ramp of 15 minutes up to my prescribed pressure of 7 (which I guess is relatively low), an EPR of 2 and the humidifier set on about 2.

I just checked my prescription and it states at the bottom that unless specified (which is doesn't) that I can purchase the CPAP device of my choice. Does this give me the backup if I was to go in and request a different machine? I really want to know how the CPAP is helping me, if that makes sense. Actually, this whole post is kind of rambling so if nothing makes sense, just ask away!

Thanks!
Gina

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Tue Mar 02, 2010 11:09 pm

gradh wrote:Hi there! I'm a newbie to this whole CPAP thing and could use some advice. I had a sleep study one done about a month ago due to snoring complaints from my husband and I was diagnosed with hypopnea with an AHI of 11. I am now the proud owner of a Resmed Escape II, Resmed H4i humidfier and a Swift LT for Her mask. Even though I'd read some posts on this forum, I felt like I couldn't/shouldn't request a particular machine. So I accepted what I was given though I did choose the mask myself. I'm having a very difficult time so far getting used to the whole thing. The first night I was only able to wear it an hour, next night was about 2 and last night was about 4. But other than knowing how long I had it on, I know nothing about my night's sleep. So far I've read here that I should be able to exchange my CPAP for one that has more information. So far I've been using a Ramp of 15 minutes up to my prescribed pressure of 7 (which I guess is relatively low), an EPR of 2 and the humidifier set on about 2.

I just checked my prescription and it states at the bottom that unless specified (which is doesn't) that I can purchase the CPAP device of my choice. Does this give me the backup if I was to go in and request a different machine? I really want to know how the CPAP is helping me, if that makes sense. Actually, this whole post is kind of rambling so if nothing makes sense, just ask away!

Thanks!
Gina

If you weren't given "a choice", it seems to me that that wording would allow you to upgrade to at LEAST the Elite II machine.......which is fully data-capable......since the one they gave you is NOT.

Stick to your guns and get what you want.

Den

kwikwater · Post by **kwikwater** » Tue Mar 02, 2010 11:24 pm

Lots of ways to get into your machine. For a lot of people thing go on in the background that they don't know about. DME tend to give you a machine that fills the prescription but just barely. It's usually the brand, make & model they're making the best profit on. Sometimes a DME is assigned by the doctor for what ever good old boy reasoning and just maybe because the Doc finds one that gives good service. Then there's the insurance company who either sets you up to rent forever, rent to own or just buy it for you outright. It was ages before I realized all this. I got no choice in machines and little in masks. I got a data capable machine but it took me 3 years of CPAP to find this BEST resource in the world!!

Learn the system and make it work for YOU, not the other players!! Good Luck!

gradh · Post by **gradh** » Wed Mar 03, 2010 8:04 am

Thanks for the input!

What should I say when I call the DME back? It's Apria which I've read on this site can be a big pain in the backside to work with and I want to lessen any hassles that I might have calling them.

gradh · Post by **gradh** » Wed Mar 03, 2010 10:16 am

Please help...I'm a nervous wreck contemplating calling the DME to switch cpaps.

Gina

carbonman · Post by **carbonman** » Wed Mar 03, 2010 10:30 am

gradh wrote:I'm a nervous wreck contemplating calling the DME to switch cpaps.
Gina

These people are not God.
They work for you.

This is YOUR therapy.
This is YOUR life.

If you Rx says "your choice", I would get a Resmed S8 Autoset II.
It will give you all the options you will need to make this therapy work, for YOU.
If they give you a bad time, tell them you will go else where.
Lots of options.

Kick @$$, don't bother to take names.
See you on down the road.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Wed Mar 03, 2010 10:37 am

It's YOUR money that's paying for it.......yours and your insurance provider (to whom you paid premiums), so why should you NOT have the machine YOU want?

Den

JohnBFisher · Post by **JohnBFisher** » Wed Mar 03, 2010 11:04 am

gradh wrote:... Please help...I'm a nervous wreck contemplating calling the DME to switch cpaps. ...

It's normal for most of us to avoid confrontations. Unfortunately bad DMEs know this. You have two options.

Either you point out that it is your money (ultimately) that pays for it. You need the data capable machine to help manage your therapy and be certain it is as effective as possible.

Or ...

Talk with your doctor. The easiest (but riskiest) way to deal with this is to engage your doctor in the discussion. Check with your doctor about a data capable machine. The risk is that your doctor might not "get it" and back you in this decision.

I prefer the first approach. It takes that uncertainty out of the picture. Though in truth I did also discussed it with my doctor, who likes the idea of my tracking my own therapy.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Wed Mar 03, 2010 11:12 am

John,

Her doctor already wrote on the prescription (editing) "...that unless specified, I can purchase the CPAP device of my choice."
Seems pretty clear to me.

Den

gradh · Post by **gradh** » Wed Mar 03, 2010 11:31 am

Unfortunately, that sentence to them meant that I could choose the mask that I wanted...I disagreed and the RT told me I needed to call Apria's customer service line. I did that and the gentleman I spoke with said the same thing. I am now awaiting a call back from my doctor to have him write a new prescription that specifically states the machine I want. At this moment, that is the Elite II according to everything I've read here. I don't anticipate a problem getting the prescription written but I have my fingers crossed as it would make my life easier.

So how exactly do I get a different CPAP than the Escape II?

So how exactly do I get a different CPAP than the Escape II?

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Re: So how exactly do I get a different CPAP than the Escape II?

Re: So how exactly do I get a different CPAP than the Escape II?

Re: So how exactly do I get a different CPAP than the Escape II?

Re: So how exactly do I get a different CPAP than the Escape II?

Re: So how exactly do I get a different CPAP than the Escape II?

Re: So how exactly do I get a different CPAP than the Escape II?

Re: So how exactly do I get a different CPAP than the Escape II?

Re: So how exactly do I get a different CPAP than the Escape II?