Another new guy.

danw61 · Post by **danw61** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 1:58 pm

I’ve been reading this forum for a few weeks now. Great site! I’ve had sleep apnea for a few years now, but haven’t gone to a doctor about it before. I’m going now because I’m starting to have some heart problems. (I know, I know, at least I’m starting to get treated now.)

I had a sleep study & it showed 10 AHI.
I subsequently had a titration study done. The first 4.5 hours I was at a pressure of 4 & had 1 central & 1 obs. apnea over that time. The last 2 hours I was at 6 & had 0 apneas. A delta sleep rebound was noted also. (I’m not sure what that is.)

The Dr. gave me prescription (which I took instead of letting them keep to fax to dme) for CPAP @ 6cm with Swift II and heated humidifier. Because of information I got from this site, I told him I wanted a machine with data capability. He agreed it was a good idea. Most of his patients use Respironics & he has the software. I didn’t tell him I’ve already managed to obtain a copy of the SW . I tried to talk him into an apap. He said he never prescribes an apap unless patient has a problem with cpap, also he doesn’t trust the algorithms. I said my allergies (I get allergy shots) make my OSA symptoms get better & worse from one day to the next. Also, we can set it in cpap mode & be able to use it for re-titrating if needed down the road. He wouldn’t budge. (Also, he owns the sleep lab.)
Is an apap overkill for my mild needs? Probably, but I’d like one anyway if I can.

He didn’t write the specific machine on the prescription, but I will insist on at least the pro model in the m-series line to get data.

When I mentioned that I may want to get the machine online. (billmyinsurance.com takes my insurance.) the Dr. was very strongly against it. He says I need to have the support and that the pressure may need to be changed which the dme needs to do. (I didn’t tell him I already know how to change settings from reading cpaptalk ) and he was worried I might have problems with the mask etc even though I used the Swift during titration & it was fine. He said if my cpap breaks down in a couple of years then he agrees that buying a new one online would make sense.

I do like the Dr. overall and don’t want to piss him off and the apap isn’t really necessary for my mild pressure of 6. I’m supposed to go to the local dme that most of his patients go to next week. I’ll probably just go ahead & do that but I’ll make sure I get at least the m-series pro. If I really want it I can get the apap w/ aflex from cpap.com myself later & the humidifier & mask will still work with it. I could use the old machine for a backup & traveling. What do you think?

My insurance should cover everything up to $1500/year (no deductable or %) unless they decide I’m getting a better machine than I need. In which case they’ll only pay for the cheeper machine & make me pay the difference.

Also, thank all you members out there for making this such a great site. I have learned SO MUCH here. It really helped when I went in to talk to the doctor.

Sorry for the long post.
Dan

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): respironics, humidifier, cpap.com, swift, Titration, CPAP, DME, AHI, Prescription, APAP

Nodzy · Post by **Nodzy** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 2:22 pm

It’s great that you're getting treated. Trust your doctor as you would a politician -- question what is told to you. I would bet that you've read some of the absurdities posted here that doctor, RT's and DME's tell people. Again, question, question and question.

Long post? Don't fret it. Getting the details out spelled-out is important for those reading, and for you to get good feedback.

I won't suggest about your machine/situation. But for me, unless I know they're providing what I need, feel that I need and want... I'll obtain one of my choosing. After joining this board, reading many hundreds of posts, and making a decision based on valid user information and experience... I made a wise and right choice.

Good luck in your treatment.

Nodzy

BarbarainCT · Post by **BarbarainCT** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 3:28 pm

If the DME is Apria (or probably any other DME) and they don't give you what you want, walk out and use our host. Give your local guy a chance but don't accept less than the machine you want. I didn't find this site until too late.

Barbara

jasper · Post by **jasper** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 3:41 pm

You really should use your local DME.

They know more than you do about sleep apnea.

You wouldn't know what to do with the data anyway.

Only a DME can get the software.

They make less profit on the lower end machines like M-Series Plus.

They will respond faster than an online provider.

Ok, ok, everyone came off their seats and then got back on when they sensed the heavy sarcasm.

In all honesty, I just spent 2 months trying to get an APAP with A-flex, and ran into one run-around after another.

Ordered a unit this aftenoon from cpap.com, AND IT ALREADY SHIPPED!!

Ok, I guess I'm stubborn and a slow learner, but I know where my loyalty will be from now on.

Welcome to the forum Dan, and don't worry a bit about long posts. Like the old saying goes, the only dumb question is the one you don't ask.

Good luck...

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 4:58 pm

Personally, I'd price the A-Flex package thru billmyinsurance.com As long as you have the script I see no reason why you can't get the machine you want online and your mask thru the local DME. I dislike my local CPAP DME so much I get my masks and supplies from my local 02 DME supplier and have NOTHING to do w/my local CPAP DME except to bide my time until my capped rental is up w/them in October and my CPAP becomes MINE.

I'm not necessarily promoting the A-Flex autoPAP, but if that is what you want .... I'd check it out doing it as suggested above. I'd also check w/my insurance about what local DME suppliers they are contracted w/and shop each of them for the best deal, i.e. best CPAP and mask exchange policy. Like you I would NOT accept less than the Respironics M Series Pro w/C-Flex. (Actually, I prefer the Resmeds but given your situation ... ).

If you decide to go w/a local DME supplier I would ask the sleep doctor to re-write the script SPECIFICALLY for the Respironics M Series Pro w/C-Flex. Just tell him you don't want to have to hassle w/the local DME and you absolutely will NOT accept anything less than the fully data capable M Series Pro w/C-Flex, yet you do want to comply w/his wishes as much as possible.

Daddysaur · Post by **Daddysaur** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 7:39 pm

Nice post Jasper, you had me rising to the bait. I thought a DME CEO had stumbled on the site. Your comments are not that different from the original post. It sounds like the good Doc has a business interest in the local DME. Why is he not involved in a change of the settings? I would not worry about the local Doc's feelings, he is getting paid, and getting paid to give you advice in your best interest, not his.