meeting doctor 1 1/2 weeks

[doety]

I want to be sure I ask for the right machine.
After meeting with the Denver support group (wonderful, quite an education), I realized I needed to change from a regular CPAP (no data) to something else. I called my pulmonologist at Kaiser; they said I was due for a new machine. I told them I wanted one that was data capable and the nurse set up two appointments for me in a week and a half.
I want and need to be educated, but I don't have time to read everything here before I see them. Could someone please make some recommendations for me, in what to ask for (if I get a choice). Obviously there's so much I don't understand. But I'm looking forward to figuring all this out and being able to have some control. Right now, I have nothing. I have a humidifier on my CPAP...what's so confusing to me is that in the morning, sometimes it's bone dry, other mornings it's still full of water.
I would appreciate any advice.

[Janknitz]

II have a post on my blog that tells you which machines are data capable. See my signature below. You should know that with Kaiser you may not have much choice in the matter. As an HMO they can create a limited formulary and dictate what machine you get, regardless of your personal preference. so be sy
ure to ask exactly what machine they will provide before you decide you are going to pay your co-pay share.

the good news is that my regional Kaiser supplies ONLY data capable machines because the sleep lab monitors and actually CARES about efficacy (it saves them money if your apnea is properly treated) so they only have data capable machines on the formulary. WOW! What a concept!

However, I live in Northern California, so what goes for my Kaiser region may not go for yours. Be sure to ask lots of questions!

[2 B Sleeping Soundly]

Doety,

I must second Janknitz's experience with Kaiser, but in the Southern California area. From the very beginning up until now, I have felt that they were treating me in a fair, courteous, and competent manner, with the treatment of my severe OSA being first and foremost and the business side of a large HMO being distant second. Others may disagree or have had a less than perfect experience with Kaiser, but for me it has been nothing but positive.

I hope you have a great experience with them and get the equipment that you want and that most importantly helps you and your Doctor to best treat your OSA... : D

Good luck!

John

[BlackSpinner]

Since Jan signature doesn't seem to be showing

http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/2011/0 ... -machines/

[Mary Z]

Your machine has plenty of room around it for air circulation, doesn't it? I had trouble with my humidifier when I had put it in a box that wasn't large enough restricting airflow.
Good luck.

[teknomom]

Deoty, It was good to see you at the Denver meeting. My humidifier uses more or less water depending on if my bedroom air has more or less humidity in it. That could depend on room temperature, outdoor humidity and if you add any humidity to the air. You may find that a new machine with humidifier takes care of the problem, but it may still vary from night to night.

[archangle]

DMEs will lie to you about being data capable. They'll even pull out the SD card and tell you it's data capable. Unfortunately, many of them only record when you turn them on and off, nothing useful about your treatment.

Once again DMEs and doctors will lie to you.

Get a Philips Respironics System One (PRS1) Auto or Pro. Do not accept the PLUS, the others record much more data. There's an "AutoIQ" machine which only gives you full auto for 30 days, and then becomes a slightly improved PRO machine.

ResMed S9 AutoSet or Elite are just as good as PRS1. Do NOT accept Escape or Escape Auto. Particularly do not let them tell you it's an S9 Auto, because that might be an Escape Auto.

The Auto is better than the non-auto machines. It will do everything the non-auto machine will do, and shouldn't cost you any more under insurance. It will help if the doctor will prescribe you a pressure range, even if it's a small range like 10-14.

You usually do not have to go to the DME the doctor picks out. Find out which DMEs are in-network for your insurance. Kaiser might only have one DME available, though. Then ask the DMEs which machines they will provide you. Shop for another one if you don't like the answer you get from one DME.

If you have a large mask leak, you will use a lot more water, so that may explain nights when you use large amounts of water. If you have a data capable machine, you can check your leaks.