Don't like it much...

[JoyD.]

IFLEW wrote:
I will see if my doctor will prescribe a recording machine at my next visit. He is not too open to suggestion... maybe time to change doctors. I have read that the auto machines with recording function are a lot better for patient awareness. Some doctors are not as interested in our awareness as others.

I have medicare so this is a rent to own situation... and fortunately the payments are not a problem after my supplemental insurance. I can only think how I would feel if it were both a financial and emotional burden.

Welcome to the Cpaptalk Community! So glad you found us.

I think that is an excellent thing to do, upgrading to the M Series Auto CPAP with AFlex (I would choose this one with AFlex, rather than CFlex; most of us like it better).

I am on Medicare also, and that is what I did. You are right that you will need a prescription for it from a doctor ("any doctor"). My pulmonologist who was my sleep doc reluctantly agreed when I told him I wanted to follow my therapy with Software so I could better address leaks & keep the apneas as low as possible. And I said I wanted the "Auto" so I would have the choice between auto-titrating if my weight changed, or straight CPAP if that worked better. If he had said "no", I would have asked my primary care doctor. With Medicare, the code is the same for the "Plus" or the top of the line "Auto with AFlex" - they pay the same (which is why the DME's like to make a bigger profit with the "Plus". Luckily, the DME doesn't have any say if the doctor specifies the one you want!)

I would suggest writing down the full name of the exact machine you want to give the doctor: "Respironics "M Series" Auto Cpap with A-Flex" You will need to buy the Software yourself as neither Medicare nor insurance will pay for it . . . but it is well worth it. It's essential, in my opinion, if you are serious about getting the best results possible and the only way to really know what's going on.

As long as you are still on a rental basis, changing machines with an Rx is not a problem. Here in KY we "rent" for 13 months before it is ours. In some states Medicare only "rents" for a few months, so you will need to check this out . . . and then get it done before you "own" the machine.

Good luck!
Joy

[ozij]

Hi Ed,
Welcome to the forum.

Hose dragging can be a real drag -- and disrupt your sleep badly. Take a look at this topic:
Rested Gal's LINKS to Hose hangers and methods of managing the air hose
viewtopic.php?t=10640

I always need the hose hanging from above - you may find it helpful.
O.

P.S. My birds are noisy too - wakeup call in springtime is 5:30 or so, when one of the band starts screaming to all the other: "hey, I found a loquat tree!!!". Not once, repeatedly! However, machines can be noisier at higher pressure, and some masks are also noisier than others.