Will I drive the DME Nuts, or are they used to this?

[backchat]

Hi- brand new here! Had my sleep study this past Sunday night and was diagnosed with severe apnea. Haven't gotten the Dr. report yet, so I don't know all the numbers. I did meet with the Dr. in the morning after the study, but I was so sleepy that I forgot to ask some questions. I received my machine on Tuesday- with a full face mask. The mask was horrible- I could not get over the feeling that someone had their hand over my mouth and was pushing back on my head. I called the DME in the morning and was back in the office on Wednesday afternoon. At this point, I received a nasal mask. It has only been 2 nights, but the "feel" is better and I think I can deal with this nasal mask.

A few days into this journey I have had a chance to explore this and other websites, and talk with a fellow apnea friend. Now I am curious to try the nasal pillow type of mask. I read in bed every night- usually to fall asleep. Reading with the nasal face mask is a challenge and not relaxing at all. Now that I have seen the nasal pillows with the side only straps, I think that might be an even better option for me.

Will the DME be mad/annoyed/irritated if I come in at my 2 week appointment and ask to try the nasal pillow system? I know I shouldn't care what they think, but I hate confrontation! Do most newbies challenge the system and try a handful of masks before making a decision? I am feeling overwhelmed by all of this new information and the fact that I have to make choices before I have even had time to explore what will work best for me. Is it within patient rights to go in and say, "Gee, this works alright, but I still want to try something else?"

[Janknitz]

I don't know about your DME, but most deserve to be driven nuts!

And, no. You aren't being a pest for asking because it's your comfort!! You can wait 3 months until you're due for a replacement if you wish, or you could ask now. Up to you.

[Orchid]

I don't know about your DME, but most deserve to be driven nuts!

And, no. You aren't being a pest for asking because it's your comfort!! You can wait 3 months until you're due for a replacement if you wish, or you could ask now. Up to you.

Couldn't agree more.. !

[nanwilson]

Your DME should trade out your mask as many times as you want ...within the first 30 days of cpap use. Its the manufacturers, not the DME that pays for this trade. The manufacturers pay the DMEs to allow patients to find their optimum mask...all the DME has to do is fill out some paperwork and they get taken care of.

[archangle]

How are you going to feel if you decide that the nasal pillows aren't the right thing and you want your mirage micro back? Apart from any question of "is it right to do this," and "will the DME let me switch back," are you going to be ready to go back? Will you stick with the pillow mask even though it's not really the best choice?

If you've found a mask you can wear and do CPAP all night with, it may be better not to mess with it. Lots of people never find that mask.

I believe that some nasal pillow masks need new pillows rather frequently.

I am irritated that lots of DMEs give new patients full face masks. They should really be a last resort when other masks fail won't work due to mouth breathing or other problems.

[SleepingBearDoNtWake]

I feel the same way, about confrontation. Though just remember this is all about your health! Also, I don't know if you will have th3e samw problem as me, but the DME will probably be wonderful when they set up you machine, or for the first 30 days or so, and then drop you like you never exsisted!
I was pissed off at mine, because I never ask them for anything, and I sent my data card in and they are only a few towns over. I email them twice and called twice to check on it, and they said they never got my message and that my card never showed up. Well it did show up 3 weeks later, they said.
So all I can tell you is that in these next 30 days that you have make sure you get everything you need. I didn't know at the time when they gave me a resmed s8 auto, that they had the S9, and so I have to wait another 2-4 years before I can upgrade to a machine that offers a few extra things that might be useful for me.

Mike

[ozze_dollar]

A lot of people will have a nasal mask and the nasal pillows. It allows you to swap and change when one is annoying you or your nose is marked and needs to heal. I find the nasal pillows comfortable but not as stable as the nasal mask.

[milw]

I just started last night for the first time, with nasal pillow (Swift FX) - read in bed with it on, lying on my side, for about an hour (reading on the iPhone, not a book). There was a slight obstruction from the strap but not too bad, it was pretty comfortable and I didn't have any leaking problems. I'll read again tonight, maybe a paperback and see how that goes. Hopefully fall asleep sooner tonight too!
cheers- Scott