new dude

[seeker01]

Just got through the first seven days with the CPAP and I have mixed results. My results at the sleep study indicated 75 apneas an hour and a blood oxygen level of 75%. The first full face mask I have tried cuts into my face I contacted the provider and they said that they could not exchange the mask. I do have a nasal mask that the sleep study give me a Swift LT but its hard to breath through my nose. I contacted the insurance company they said that the system was a rental and I can change providers if I want, which does give me some leverage.
I went to the doctor at 10am and by 3pm I'm sitting at home with CPAP machine with not much instruction so here I'm looking for information. So here I go:

1) I thought the provider (DME) would allow the mask to be exchanged with in the first 30 days?
2) From what I've learned on THIS site 75apneas an hour and 75% blood oxygen is pretty bad right?
3) I have a Remstar plus CFEX is that a good machine?

41 years old and sleepy in NC....Thank you for listening....

[pdean44]

Sounds like you have a pretty severe case of it. I am relatively new myself. It is pretty important to find the right mask. It sounds like your dme is giving you a bit of a run around. I was lucky in that mine seem to be pretty supportive.

What kind of full face mask do you have? The folks here have a lot of tips on mask comfort.

[seeker01]

Its a FullLife and I have tried band aids across my nose but the skin is coming off now.

[newhosehead]

1) I thought the provider (DME) would allow the mask to be exchanged with in the first 30 days?
2) From what I've learned on THIS site 75apneas an hour and 75% blood oxygen is pretty bad right?
3) I have a Remstar plus CFEX is that a good machine?

41 years old and sleepy in NC....Thank you for listening....

First of all, welcome! You have come to the right place for information and support. I have not been here long and you will get better advice from others, but I do want to comment on a couple of things.
Yes, your DME should absolutely exchange masks within the first thirty days. I have had some pretty big hassles with my DME, but I changed masks within the first 30 days without any fuss. Second, I also was given a Remstar Plus and it is NOT a data-capable machine. All it will give you in terms of information is hours used or compliance information. If your journey with this is the least bit rocky, as it is for many, having access to your data is crucial. Getting stuck with these bottom of the line machines happens to many of us, myself included.
I am not really sure how bad 75 apneas per hour are (others will provide more on that) but the 75% blood oxygen level is certainly putting your body through a great deal of stress.
Once again, let me reiterate that you have come to the right place. I really thought I was going to give up more than once and this site saved me.

Jeanette

[BonnieB]

Hi Seeker01, all I can say is wow. I was told by the sleep center that I would have 30 days to exchange my mask. And the DME told me this as well. I thought this was standard. But in talking to a friend about his experience, he said that as soon as the mask hit his skin, it was his to keep. In my case (I picked up my CPAP this week), the DME did not give me the mask that was listed on the prescription. This mask worked very well at the study and I asked for it to be named specifically. The representative said that she did not have the paperwork and that the Lt for her was the one that "they" gave her to provide me. I used it one night and knew I would not prefer it over the prescribed one, so I called my doctor's office and they arranged for the DME to mail me the right mask on Monday. I didn't have to go begging to the DME. So with this too lengthy response, I'm suggesting to work with your doctor's office. I think that in many cases they can effectively advocate for us with the DME's. And the DME's are motivated to play nice because they want the center's business.

You got a bum deal. I heard somewhere this week that people go through an average of five masks before they hit the right one. Best of luck to you on this. Tell us what happens. Bonnie

[ccm]

You are in the right place for help! I've gotten more support and information here than from my dr, RT & DME combined! I refer to the stuff for newbies quite often (I'm still in my first month).

My DME also gave me a hard time about trying out a second mask after only a week but finally came around after a few tears!

My machine is also a REMstar PLUS which from what I've read is NOT fully data capable. After my visit with my pulmonologist on Monday, I'm hoping to swap it for something that will give me the data to show that this treatment is working.

Good luck - one thing I've learned from this forum is that YOU have to take the bull by the horns. Hopefully you will also have support from your DME, drs & RT!

[rubymom]

Welcome, new dude! I'm continually annoyed by how the DME's treat new customers. This is a whole new world you're entering, from a place of fog and ignorance, and they're just often not helpful.

I'd suggest you ask your insurance company for the name of the other providers and be prepared to drop that name if your DME doesn't want to be helpful. I went through two masks and two machines within the first 30 days. Without question. Let them know you're arming yourself with information and they can not and will not pull the wool over your eyes. And if you need help, by all means ask your doc. Every time I see my sleep doctor, he asks me if I'm happy with the DME. Fortunately, I've been able to say yes.

[Gerald]

Dude........

There's so much you can learn by hanging out at this site. Here's some info that'll help you get going:

1. The CPAP machine "they" gave you is bottom of the line.
2. You need top of the line equipment that's "data capable"....a machine that'll allow you to use software that allow you to monitor your progress.
3. "They" will do their best to keep you confused because "they" make a higher profit margin if you aren't knowledgable.
4. Start reading now....don't put it off......you have a few days to return your low-end equipment so that you can get "better stuff".
5. Educate yourself quickly by reading what you find associated with the "yellow lightbulb" at the top of this page.
6. Your goal is to get a machine and software that allows you to manage your therapy...yourself. If you depend on "them" to tell you wnat to do, you'll probably give up.
7. A good mask and good software is critical. It'll take a while to find the mask.....and you'll need to change the CPAP machine you have in order to get one that can be used with reporting software.
8. Don't be confused.....good software isn't just software that reports "compliance"......it's MUCH more that that.
9. You have a "window of opportunity" in the next few days to straighten things out with your "providers".....and after that, "they've gotcha".
10. Learn about CPAP equipment by browsing thru the offerings of CPAP.com.......the sponsor of this forum. Without them, most of us would be in one heck of a "fix".

You have work to do.......dive into it......and realize that the benifits are incredible. Your life depends on it.

Gerald

[seeker01]

First thanks you the responses....

I was incorrect about the machine it is a Remstar pro C-Flex it does have a SD card but from what I understand you have to use special software that we do not have access to. The is a limited program you can buy for $100 but its not that good.

[Gerald]

Dude........

The software is just fine.......and using it will probably double your chances of successful therapy. There's no way I'd be without it. Following is a link to what you need.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage-bundle.php?BundleID=64

Highly recommended!

[Hawthorne]

Before spending the money on the software and reader that Gerald gave you a link to, please make sure your machine is an "M Series Pro with C-Flex" or the older classic Remstar. It is probably not the older classic model but may be a M Series. The software and reader for which he gave you the link, will work with both the M Series and the Remstar classic models.

If it is the newer again PR Remstar System One Pro with C-Flex, then that software WILL NOT WORK with your machine, as I understand it.

There is software for the PR Remstar System Pro available and some people have it but it is not easy to come by. Respironics keeps promising that software for this newest of their machines, will be available in the Spring of this year but we have to wait and see if that happens.

BE SURE which machine you have before buying software! You can check the name on the machine or check the card that comes in it. If it is an SD card like the ones for digital cameras, you have the PR Remstar System One Pro and the available software at cpap.com won't work. If your machine is a credit card type card, you have the M Series Pro (or the classic) and the software to which you were directed by Gerald will work.

[Zzz_Jim]

So how hard is it for a patient to get a hold of the Encore Pro 2 software which will supposedly work now with the PR Remstar System One Pro? Seeing as how I already have access to the setup menu, it ain't like the viewer software would prevent me from changing the "prescribed" pressure if I wanted to?

I also expect that one doesn't need a special reader for the new SD card, as opposed to the older smart card - correct?

FYI, I just got stuck with a Plus which turns out has usage data only (like I don't already know if I used the darn thing!), so I have to go raise a stink with my DME to get it swapped to a Pro or an AUTO. But if the new Encore Viewer software is vaporware, and I can't get the Pro software, what's the point?

I might as well return it, buy an S9 online, and try to bootleg the Resscan software via torrent.

I have to admit, after two nights on CPAP, I don't yet feel particularly refreshed - so I'd like a more data capable machine to see if somethings going wrong...

[gasp]

s an hour and 75% blood oxygen is pretty bad right?

Welcome! In my highly non-professional opinion 75% blood oxygen is dangerously low. Saturation level machines in the hospital go off if a patient is under 90% (that I've seen). What was your blood oxygen levels during titration? Titration was when you went to the sleep center and got wired up, put on a mask, and slept under pressure.

[eljorgito]

From one newbie to another: welcome, and as others have said, you're in the right place (last night was my first night on CPAP and I learned a ton here before getting started). I'll add one piece to the advice chain: get your hands on your prescription so that you have it, which means that you are in charge and can go get equipment from whomever you like (within the bounds of your insurance, etc.). There's a palpable change in attitude when you have the prescription: the DME can't tell you "oh, it's what the Dr wants", etc. You're shopping for services, you're the client (not the victim), and you have the power to make happen whatever you want/need to have happen... good luck!!

(how I got my prescription: after the sleep clinic faxed it to their preferred DME, and the DME called me, I called the patient care coordinator at the clinic and left a voicemail saying I also wanted to check out a couple of other DMEs closer to me, and please fax the Rx to this number. I had it in an hour. YMMV.)

[gasp]

From one newbie to another: welcome, and as others have said, you're in the right place (last night was my first night on CPAP and I learned a ton here before getting started). I'll add one piece to the advice chain: get your hands on your prescription so that you have it, which means that you are in charge and can go get equipment from whomever you like (within the bounds of your insurance, etc.). There's a palpable change in attitude when you have the prescription: the DME can't tell you "oh, it's what the Dr wants", etc. You're shopping for services, you're the client (not the victim), and you have the power to make happen whatever you want/need to have happen... good luck!!

(how I got my prescription: after the sleep clinic faxed it to their preferred DME, and the DME called me, I called the patient care coordinator at the clinic and left a voicemail saying I also wanted to check out a couple of other DMEs closer to me, and please fax the Rx to this number. I had it in an hour. YMMV.)

<cheering> Good job getting your prescription!