Grillhead's Hosehead Journey-12/6 Update pg 5

[grillhead]

Thought I'd intro myself since I've registered. I'm new to the apnea world. I've only had my initial doctor visit and first sleep study. I meet with my sleep doc next Tuesday for the official results. The tech unofficially says severe apnea, and my pulseox went down to 70% during some of the episodes. So, I'm pretty sure that I'm gonna end up with a machine, which is fine with me if it makes me sleep and feel better. I have been lurking the board for a while now trying to soak up as much knowledge as I can. For instance, I pretty much know I am going to insist on a ResMed Autoset S9. I am already checking out some of the DME choices that my insurance covers (one of which is Apria, which I will try to avoid as much as possible). Anyways, I figured I'd go ahead and register so I can ask questions and get answers when the time comes

Edited: New name for thread

[Starlette]

Welcome Grillhead

[Tino2You]

Welcome Grillhead,

I am glad you found our little patch of the web. I am also glad you lurked and read and are arming yourself for the next part of your battle (doesn't have to be, and sometimes it isn't).

I have read great reports about Apria and some bad reports (ok I posted those...and grrr I hate when I have to be real honest) but like everything else in the beautiful world, there are good and bad Apria Centers. Would be wonderful to have an Angie's list for DMEs (hmmm business opportunity...you reading this Abby?) but as yet there is nothing like that.

My advice to you is to go into your sleep center doctor's meeting and your DME armed with all the tools at your disposal.

First the Doctor,
Ask for a VERY specific Rx. Full Data capable machine...la la la you heard that all before. If he AGREES to write it for a "ResMed S9 Autoset with no substitutions " you are WAY ahead of the curve and even Apria can't pawn off anything you don't/won't agree to.

Second, the DME.
Make a copy of your Script for your records. Or scan it into your computer. It's yours, you paid for it. If you want to get the next wiz-bang mask made out of the soft underbelly fur of virgin camels, you can because YOU have the Rx.

Second, assume that your DME will try to pawn a machine off on you that is not on your Rx. They will say "We have to order that" You say "OK when will it arrive". They will say "We don't carry that machine, and if we order it for you, you will have to pay an overage (or premium...)" Thank them, remind them that they have contracted with your insurance company for service at an agreed upon price and either report them or call your insurance company (I would do it while the RT is waiting..but then again, I can be a pri_ck)
Maybe, just maybe, the heavens will open, a choir of angels will sing in four part harmony and you will walk out with the machine you want and the mask you want (the later with a free 30 day replacement policy) and the sun will shine and you can begin your new life as a hose head

As I said, welcome to the club, Look around, ask questions and above all breathe.....You'll live longer

-tino

[grillhead]

My doc (and the tech in fact) are really nice guys. His practice is his alone, so I don't have to deal with all the hospital mumbo jumbo. Both of them use machines themselves (I know the tech uses a Quattro FX mask as well). The doc has a TON of masks on display there at his office that I can try on for fit and stuff right off the bat, and he tries to keep up with all the new stuff to see how well it works, too.

[Xney]

Welcome, remember to try on a bunch of different masks (while laying down with air going at your prescription!) to find a reasonable first one to try.

[jweeks]

The tech unofficially says severe apnea, and my pulseox went down to 70% during some of the episodes.

Hi,

Welcome to the forum. That 70% got my attention. That is really low, almost like breathing with a plastic bag over your head. This is incentive enough to make CPAP work--every time your 02 level drops below 90%, you take a bit of damage. You really want to put a stop to that as soon as you can. My 02 dropped into the mid-60's, which was enough for the sleep tech to put me on 02 for the night. I woke up feeling amazingly better the next morning. The low 02 levels were leaving me with a morning hang over. I had that going on so long that I didn't even realize how bad I felt.

Please do post back to let us know what your diagnosis is and what machine you end up with.

-john-

[Chikorita]

Hello and welcome. Glad you introduced yourself. I'm new to all this too. I waited ages for all the appointments and machine to arrive. Had my first night last night. Hang in there while all the formalities are done and read as much as you can.

[Roobin]

Hi Grillhead. I just started on XPAP about 6 weeks ago and am using Apria in San Leandro, CA (San Francisco Bay Area) for my DME. I have to say I've had no problems with them, including when I wanted to try a new mask (the tech said she was supposed to take back the old nasal pillow mask and throw it out, but she just let me keep it). As with all large companies, I'm guessing the quality of customer service varies from office to office.

[Sloop]

Welcome Grillhead

Let me touch on something that I haven't seen yet in this thread. Your attitude toward CPAP therapy. First off, let me say that you sound VERY POSITIVE. Keep that going. You know you are sick with OSA, you know that you've probably been sick for quite some time (maybe even a couple of years). You know you feel like shit. If you keep all of that in mind, and at the same time DO NOT berate yourself for having to "wear a stupid mask and breathing machine", then you have a fair chance of adapting to the therapy relatively quick -- possibly even immediate. I won't lie to you -- many do not adapt very well, and you'll read a lot of their posts here. Also, many of these struggling folks DID (or do) have a great attitude and there are simply other physical things at play. But, try to stay positive and hopefully you will fall into the group that see quick results and experience wonderful, restorative sleep. I've heard from others that if you've ever done any scuba diving, the transition to having a mask on at night is much easier.

I started this 20 1/2 years ago. I was very sick with OSA. It had gotten so bad that I had to take a whole summer off from racing my boat. My very first night on CPAP was like a dream (no pun intended) come true. For some reason, I find CPAP to be extremely soothing and even hypnotic. I have never once had even one minute trouble of sleeping or using my CPAP. And think about this -- that was back in the days with not-so-great machines and masks.

Ok -- hope you get your stuff soon and you can report back on SUCCESS!

[Beckah54]

Welcome grillhead. I hope you'll enjoy your stay here!

[grillhead]

I forgot to post back last week after my doc appointment. Unfortunately, I have to take the sleep study again while medicated (Ambien) because I didn't sleep enough, especially deep sleep to get good readings. They caught just a few hypopneas, and I snored the ENTIRE time that I slept at all. He said he would have liked to go ahead and give me the equipment, but insurance wouldn't cover any of it because I didn't show the apneas. So.... I go back on the 30th for my second study. I've never taken a sleep aid and I hope that it works on me because I want to get past all of this and get my equipment! I have myself prepared that I need it and will have to have it and want to get down to trying on masks and stuff! LOL Oh...and I guess my pulseox actually went down to 68%

[JohnO]

I've never taken a sleep aid and I hope that it works on me because I want to get past all of this and get my equipment!

I had my sleep study two weeks ago. [ See viewtopic/t81012/My-Sleep-Study-Report- ... -Hose.html ]
The Sleep Doc had prescribed an Ambien to take with me to the sleep study, and to take it if I felt I would have trouble sleeping. Initially, I did not think I would need it, because, like you, I had never taken any type of sleeping pill before. I did not want it to mess up my study. I felt fine up until the time the lights went out. Every noise in the place seemed to echo around in my head. About 20 minutes in, I asked the Sleep Tech to come in and give me the Ambien. It worked wonders!

I too had a very low Oxygen rate. I went into the 70's 4 times during my split study, up until the point they point the CPAP machine on me. I expected this as I had purchased a Pulse Oximeter for home use, and had recorded many, many drops each night, some into the 70's.

John

[Sheriff Buford]

Welcome grillhead! Don't worry about apria. Just know they'll try a screw ya'. But the good side is they know their machines and can answer many of your questions. To get your supplies afterwards, you'll bypass the local Apria, deal with the 1-800 Apria anyway. Educate yourself here so you can arm yourself with knowledge. The key to sucessful apnea treatment is to get a comfortable mask that doesn't leak. Best of luck and work all your issues here. There are some great folks here and we are here to help you.

Sheriff

[Bobby269]

If you call the 800 number for Apria they in turn send the order to the local office.The local office has the job of getting the paper work approved by the Doctor. Then 800 number then sends you the items that were ordered. I tried to order a aloha mask from the 800 number but was told it wasn't in their inventory. The local office was able to get me the mask. It took an extra week.

[grillhead]

Meh, I'm not too concerned about the Apria stuff. There are other DME's, I just need to find out which my insurance takes when the time comes.