I get my equipment tomorrow!!!

[PFCSLR]

I am new to the group and this is my first post...but i am so excited to be getting my first CPAP equipment! My DME, Nationwide Medical, has the RT scheduled to come to the house tomorrow after lunch. i cant wait to wake up not tired!! if anyone has any advice or hints to ease into the new routine I would love to hear it.





Thanks,
Searn

[123.Shawn T.W.]

Congratulation!

I'm still waiting for my DME ...

[JohnO]

Congratulations!

Do you know what kind of equipment you are getting? Is it data capable?

Also - have you found a place near where you sleep to put the machine? Do you have an electrical outlet nearby? Do you have some distilled water for the humidifier?

As far as advice - I'm 14 days in, so on the one hand, I'm no expert, but on the other, the newness is recent.

I would suggest trying the mask on well before your normal bed time. Maybe put it on (without it being on the hose to the machine) while watching television. Maybe lie down. See how the mask feels on your head.

Just take your time and relax!

Good Luck!

[SolSionnach]

Congrats! You sound as excited as I was!

[sleeplessinaz]

It is exciting to get everything to help you get some quality sleep! Don't get upset if it doesn't work with the first mask you chose. It might take a couple of mask tries to get the right one for you. Be sure you are getting a data capable machine. You want one that you can see your stats every morning. Do not let them talk you into a bare bones machine. Ask lots of questions while they are there to help you.

Good luck! Keep us posted on how it turned out,
Carrie

[AHI15]

Good luck to you. Getting past the procurement phase is a big accomplishment.

[jweeks]

I am new to the group and this is my first post...

Searn,

Welcome to the forum. Some of us stay up kind of late, so fire away if you have any questions before heading off to sleep. And please do post tomorrow and let us know how it went. This is a lot of new stuff to adjust to, so I hope it goes well.

-john-

[PFCSLR]

I am getting a Respironics REMstar Auto w/Heated Tube Core Pack, and a ResMed Mirage Quattro mask. I have taken a very proactive approach with the DME my Dr recommended tomorrow will be 7 days from the results of my home sleep study. I believe that this machine will come with a SD card. How is the data downloaded for review? Is it possible to talk with a full face mask on, my wife was crying last night because she feels that our nightly pillow talk will be ending. Are the special CPAP pillows really worth the money? Please forgive all of the questions, I have been reading here and all over the net and it is GREAT to finally have a sounding board for all of my questions!!!

[MidnightOwl]

You'll be getting a lot of paperwork to sign along with the machine. Read it all and make sure you understand it and how much you are committing to pay. And make sure you get a copy of anything you sign. RTs have been known to say its just routine and to just go ahead and sign it no matter what it says. Don't.

Keep in mind that while you're very eager to get this started right away you absolutely have to. If something is wrong with the paperwork or the equipment you can say "I'm sorry. We'll have to do this another time." It's much easier to fix problems before you take delivery.

You definitely want as much help as you can get getting your mask adjusted. And you want to know how to do it yourself - not just have the RT do it. And then how to get it readjusted after you've knocked it around a bit. Make sure you try it with machine blowing at your full pressure so you know it's adjusted right for that. Also, if it needs to be disassembled for cleaning you want to run thru that several times. These are things that are much easier to learn from a live person than from a manual. What button to push to turn it on you can get from the manual.

I'm sure you've already heard all about making sure you get the right machine and it sounds like you've got that taken care of. Real data is important. Compliance (usage) data is important only tko your DME and insurance company. Learning how to use it your first few nights isn't and you'll have enough else to memorize.

Make a list of what you want to ask. I did. I still forgot half of it but I'd have forgotten much more without it.


Midnightowl

ps. No you can't really talk with a full face mask on. However you can get very good at pushing it up out of the way and then putting it back.

[PFCSLR]

Ok, here's the update. The RT flakes on the initial delivery appointment, she refused to work with my schedule for follow up appt. So we cut short our attendance at our churches district assembly and were ready to meet her on her schedule at 1:30 pm Sunday. Well at 5 pm we met her, the machine was exactly as I requested as were the tube and mask. However both cushions were torn where they would contact the lower left chin. She said that this is normal and always happens in shipping. Now to my mind if I buy a product and the salesman tells me that the damage to my unit is identical to every unit as they are all damaged in shipping either the salesman is dishonest or the manufacture doesn't care about their customers. Is it true that all or even most quatros arrive to the end user firm in the chin area? Sorry for the rant. As far as the therapy received, l LOVE the equipment. I am going to have to get used to the feeling of breathing in the mask, I think I wire it for a total of 3 hours last night. The leak around the turn cushion was somewhat annoying, buy not a deal breaker.

[Pugsy]

Is it true that all or even most quatros arrive to the end user firm in the chin area?

Don't believe that it is standard practice to receive torn cushions. Were these sealed in a package and unopened?

[RandyJ]

I have never received a torn cushion, and I also have a Mirage Quattro. That is bunk. Demand a replacement.

[-tim]

Are you using the torn mask? It might work but poorly as it will leak and be annoying. I would use a torn mask over nothing for a night but I would be at the DMEs office as soon as I woke up to get a new one.

I keep 2 sets of masks and switch the sealing bits every day. That gives them enough time to dry out properly (I wash them in the evening, I'm not a morning person -- like most people here I expect). Once you find a mask you like and your ok with it for a few weeks consider getting a second like it. Its hard to adjust to a mask early and then have them give you a different one that isn't quite right. I had a Zest and the new Zest Q touches my nose but they are supposed to be the same.

[nanwilson]

PFCSLR .......Please tell your lovely wife that you can still have your nightly "pillow talk" and "other" things. Just mask up after the events, she definately does not need to feel left out or excluded. She will also feel so very much better once YOU start getting some good restorative sleep.......no snoring, no tossing, no turning.... .
Good luck to you both.
Cheers
Nan

[PFCSLR]

Pugsy, the RT said that she had opened them earlier so that she could put the equipment together. So no they were not sealed when i saw them.