Switching Machines?

[Zeecat]

I'm not loving my F&P Icon. Is it worth fighting with my DME to get a different one or should I bypass them? I cannot find a specific reason for their choice of machine, and the Icon seems to be lacking in terms of increasing or changing pressure and I'm not positive but sensawake may be a bit of a farce. I was looking at the S9 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine.

Can a machine change make a difference?

[LSAT]

The Icon is much cheaper than the S9...that's why they gave it to you. They get paid the same from insurance whether they give you a $500 unit or a $900 unit.

[Guest]

Can a machine change make a difference?

YES, absolutely.

[tmr]

Can a machine change make a difference?

It depends in what problems you are having. You can turn off sensawake.

[Zeecat]

I have turned off sensawake since it seemed to do little or nothing.

I've seen instances of OA in my data in SleepyHead, but the machine doesn't change pressure. Obviously it's recording it since it's in the data, but doing nothing about it seems counter-productive. I'm also waking up snoring through my nose. My pressure is set at 4-10 as we are still narrowing it down.

[palerider]

I have turned off sensawake since it seemed to do little or nothing.

I've seen instances of OA in my data in SleepyHead, but the machine doesn't change pressure. Obviously it's recording it since it's in the data, but doing nothing about it seems counter-productive. I'm also waking up snoring through my nose. My pressure is set at 4-10 as we are still narrowing it down.

if you're waking yourself up snoring then you might want to think about narrowing it up

[Zeecat]

if you're waking yourself up snoring then you might want to think about narrowing it up

I made a similar comment and was given the "I'm a doctor and I do this for a living so stfu" look. I can't get into the sleep clinic until October, until then I am stuck with my ENT who doesn't have a lot of experience with the process outside of diagnosing sleep apnea. Not his fault, his focus is just elsewhere, but it means he relies heavily on the DME to fill in...

[Tatooed Lady]

if you're waking yourself up snoring then you might want to think about narrowing it up

I made a similar comment and was given the "I'm a doctor and I do this for a living so stfu" look. I can't get into the sleep clinic until October, until then I am stuck with my ENT who doesn't have a lot of experience with the process outside of diagnosing sleep apnea. Not his fault, his focus is just elsewhere, but it means he relies heavily on the DME to fill in...

That's when you give the "I'm the patient, and I need to LIVE WITH THIS STUPID THING STRAPPED TO MY FACE AT NIGHT" look (and comment, if needed). If your therapy isn't working, and no one else will help you, you need to help yourself. So long as you're thinking about what your issues are, not making drastic changes, following your numbers in SH (or some similar program) and adjusting a little here or there to make the numbers reasonable, as well as your comfort...who are they to give you the Hairy Eyeball?

[palerider]

if you're waking yourself up snoring then you might want to think about narrowing it up

I made a similar comment and was given the "I'm a doctor and I do this for a living so stfu" look. I can't get into the sleep clinic until October, until then I am stuck with my ENT who doesn't have a lot of experience with the process outside of diagnosing sleep apnea. Not his fault, his focus is just elsewhere, but it means he relies heavily on the DME to fill in...

That's when you give the "I'm the patient, and I need to LIVE WITH THIS STUPID THING STRAPPED TO MY FACE AT NIGHT" look (and comment, if needed). If your therapy isn't working, and no one else will help you, you need to help yourself. So long as you're thinking about what your issues are, not making drastic changes, following your numbers in SH (or some similar program) and adjusting a little here or there to make the numbers reasonable, as well as your comfort...who are they to give you the Hairy Eyeball?

what she said... I can't tell you how to get into the icon's settings, but it's not difficult, and others here can point you in the right direction. for *many* (not all) people, 4cm starting point is too low, and they're a lot better with a higher starting point on an auto machine.

[jencat824]

Zeecat,

Try to get the DME to switch the machine if at all possible. I will admit to anyone who will listen I'm an Icon hater. I got mine replaced, but my circumstances were different. I have the PR S1 560 & I love it. If you can get an S9 Auto set, that's the unit to shoot for, if not, a unit like mine is comparable & since its cheaper than the S9 Auto set, you might have more luck.

You say your Icon is auto, so you can't use the approach I did. Mine was straight CPAP so my Dr. wrote a script for APAP. That won't work for you, so I would simply try to get the DME to switch the machine to one you want.

Depending on exactly what your Dr. prescribed, you may or may not have any leverage from that angle. If your Dr. wrote APAP machine, without specifically naming a unit, then you probably won't get anywhere unless you are just a wonderful negotiator.

If all else fails, you could purchase one out-of-pocket. A member here, STL Mark had one running recently very reasonably priced. He is highly praised by a lot of long term members here who have bought from him, so that's a thought. Also secondwind.com sells gently used machines.

Good luck with the DME, I hope it goes in your favor,

Jen