My husband's sleep doctor/DME experience

[KatieW]

My husband had a split sleep study. Afterwards, he asked the tech if 1. he had sleep apnea and 2. if she thought he would benefit from CPAP. She answered yes to both questions. The next night, I set him up with my backup S8 AutoSet II. He took to it like a natural, and feels "20 years younger" (his words).

2 weeks later, we met with the sleep doc for the follow-up. This is from his written report:

"The patient is accompanied by his wife. Apparently she has researched CPAP machines. She has a CPAP machine of her own. It is an autotitrating CPAP machine. She set it between 9 to 12. She gave it to him, and the patient has already started feeling better. He and his wife had insisted to get an autotitrating machine.The patient requires an autotitrating CPAP machine. We will set between 8 to 12 and we will comply with his request."

Thanks to my education here, I was a restrained bulldog....and we got what we wanted and needed: a RX for Auto CPAP. His office staff said, "so we'll fax this to Apria". We said "NO, we have chosen a DME, here's the name and fax number to send it to, and can we have a photocopy of that RX and sleep report?"

Hubbie had called the DME and been told they do carry the S9 Autoset and that they would fill the RX that way. A week later, someone brought a S9 Auto Escape. "Oh, isn't it the same? Oh, I'm sorry, I'll make sure you get the one you want" Another week later, they delivered the S9 AutoSet, and a Quattro FX.

We knew the rules of the game and knew how to play. What about all the poor suckers who don't? I sure hope they find their way to cpaptalk.com!

[Madalot]

Major, major Kudos to you Katie! This is excellent!!!

[SleepingUgly]

Great! How does he like the Quattro FX?

[monarch22]

Good for you Katie!! That is just wonderful, and you are right about all the people that go in not having any knowledge and get stuck with a low end product. I'm so glad that I found this forum and researched before going in. You should be really proud of yourself! I hope your husband continues to do well.

[danimal71]

Yea I was one of those " Poor suckers." Luckily I found a good DME now (sor far) and luckily I got a good machine from the first DME.

Good for you and your husband.

[sleepycarol]

Way to go Katie!! I agree that this site should be mandatory reading for all those that diagnosed with sleep apnea prior to getting their equipment -- but then many simple do not care and wonder why they still feel crummy.

[Uncle_Bob]

Well done Katie. Your husband has a wonderful guide now he is starting his CPAP therapy. Good to hear he had a great first night

[rosacer]

Uncle_Bob wrote

Well done Katie. Your husband has a wonderful guide now he is starting his CPAP therapy.

Kathy, that's exactly what I was thinking when I read your post. I'm so happy your husband took the therapy so easy as naturally breathing, great!

I'm sure he is in gooood hands.

[Big S]

A shining example! Good job.

[DoriC]

Good going Katie! Our experience was similar because I had already found this forum before the equipment delivery and followed all the advice given so I was ready when they brought us the Plus model and a different mask than the one we requested that was used in the titration. A lot of eye-rolling and deep sighs but we won the battle.

[bradb]

Man, I wish I had done it this way! katie you rock!

[rosiefrosie]

Good job Katie!!

[scrapper]

High Five...........for you and for your hubby!

I hope your love realizes how lucky he is to have you!

Congrats on your success!

[carbonman]

We knew the rules of the game and knew how to play.

KW, you're a jewel!

You were in control from the get go.
Your hubby is a lucky guy......he has the best therapist he can get.

You're out there in the lead, setting the bar for the rest of us.

[roster]

I was a restrained bulldog....and we got what we wanted and needed

You set the "Gold Standard" for dealing with the sleep industry.

Cesar Milan would be proud of you.