FREE AT LAST, FREE AT LAST!!

Offerocker · Post by **Offerocker** » Wed May 17, 2006 3:37 pm

Before I start today's saga, I must THANK EVERYONE

WHO CORRESPONDED WITH ME, BOTH PRIVATELY AND ON THIS INVALUABLE FORUM, AND CPAP.COM !

I now have, in my hot little hands, a NEW, hot-off-the-press prescription, written EXACTLY (!!!!) as I requested! Actually, the nurse practitioner copied my ITEMIZED list.
I am SO HAPPY! Such relief! Think back on that day when you FINALLY got what you wanted...I feel like it's my birthday, and I'm 28 again Or even 35

Before I tell you the story (Paul Harvey version, ha ha), here's what I've decided:

AUTO CPAP with CFLEX, "CHOICE of USER" (yes!!!!) Feel that triumph???
Ambient-tracking heated humidifier (=HC150) Awwwwwwwright!!!!
Face mask of my choosing.

Now, to the rest of the story...Which I could not have pulled off without the education received from so many of you who took valuable time and concern to help me, and also give me moral support.

1000: Appointment with one of the local DMEs, with whom I'd been 'dealing'...actually, THEY were dealing, but from the bottom of the deck!
I had a hidden agenda: GET WHAT I WANT Supposedly the purpose was to download the card from my generic resmed pro CFLEX.
I'd told her over the phone that I wanted the two Rx's from the two labs, and the lab results. Were they ready and available? No! (stall, stall until her next appointment). Seems that I had TWO files, and she just happened to have the nearly-empty one. DUH.

OK, she finally gets most of what I requested, and gives me the ugliest, smeared-up copies imaginable.

She takes the smarty-card, leaves the room for 7-8 minutes while I take notes from info sheets. (getting ammo, you guys gave me the gun!)
She returns with card in hand. Gee whiz, she doesn't know how to do it on HER computer, and the guy who does is "in a meeting". Bull crap! I'd fire her ars if she wasn't fully proficient. But I knew it was a story, but it wasn't "Story Time in PA" - I checked the book to be sure.

Then I ask her why she didn't give me the PRO-2, instead of the OLD, outdated one?!??? Now picture someone with a blank stare, wide-open eyes, saying: "You have the latest one, and IT IS the Pro-2." Yeah, right! I checked with the Company before I left home, in addition to looking on the bottom of the machine, which said something like "Your basic, stripped-down model".

Then her story changed. (who'd-a-thunk-it, eh?). "We don't have any PRO2's, nor do we carry them". (I got her on that one). I responded: "Well, it's odd, because in the bag with this here machine was not one, but TWO (count em', II, two, dos, 1+1) manuals, one of which was for a PRO2!!! So from where did it come, out of the blue? Ya musta had a machine at one time to go with the manual, eh???

Now, picture her, Startled!!! Wide-eyed!!! Going into a Petite Mall seizure!!!

GOTCHA, YOU LITTLE ___________. Don't mess with a cpaptalk.com-educated person!!!

She said, Welllllllllll, maybe there's one downstairs...I'll look... (yeah, with the rest of the rats and outdated equipment and hopefully your lunch).
Nope, nothing there, sorry! I guess we just don't have any, and that's all I know about that. (idiot)

Soooooooooo, nothing more for me to do except pack up my CPAP PRO to the zero power and leave, with a smile on my face. But no "Thank you's" were given.

I drove to the first sleep study lab's office (they were the most-accommodating and sympathetic) and asked to leave a message for Ms X unless she had a minute. they gave me some 2x3 pieces of paper on which to write. Ohhh, boy, I'm gonna need all of these suckers! They had so much advertising on them I hardly had room left to write. I spelled out what I wanted, why I needed it if she didn't know (she did), and just as I finished, THERE SHE WAS, IN THE FLESH!!! Hi, Ya, Babe!! Remember me, I cried on your shoulder the other day, about how horrible the OTHER Nurse Practitioner had been, and that I was coming to you from now on?
She smiled. I smiled. My mind was whirling, heart pounding. Keep your cool now, here's your chance. We sat down in the lobby, and by golly, she wrote a prescription, evey copied it word for word ('cept for medical jargon) from my note.

YEAH! I GOT IT!! I GOT WHAT I WANT! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT???
When out of sight, I kissed that piece of paper, went home and made 50 copies of it. (not really).

My heart and mind is lifted. Now, to make a call to our friends at CPAP.com and get my shiny, new gear! After the initiation period, which shouldn't take long, I am going to D U M P the old machine, bypass humidifier, etc. on her desk and tell her to STOP billing my insurance co. for the rent, as I DON'T NEED IT, OR THEM...unless I come up with something a little bit more clever-er before then

Well, it's been a grand day for me. It took a lot of people to get me here, and I'm forever indebted to your kindness, sincerity, friendship, attention, everything! Wow! I better order it first, eh?

Now, with that new fancy machine, you know there will be a million more questions for y'all.

HUGS, Happy thoughts, to everyone. I'm finally relieved of a few rocks.

Kathleen in PA

yardbird · Post by **yardbird** » Wed May 17, 2006 5:11 pm

Kathleen-

What can I say, but...

BRAVO!

Congratulations. It IS empowering to have knowledge isn't it?

I thank my lucky stars every day that I found this message board and teh helpful folks that frequent it, and cpap.com for all of their understanding and help in getting the equipment I NEED as opposed to whatever junk the local DME could pass off on me and get paid way too much for from the insurance company.

Gidgie · Post by **Gidgie** » Wed May 17, 2006 5:21 pm

Kathleen, that was absolutely superb! Knowledge is power. Congrats.......it's a great machine.

woozle · Post by **woozle** » Wed May 17, 2006 5:40 pm

Yahoo!!! I feel your excitement. that is awesome indeed - good for you! I feel the same with this forum - I recently obtained my brand new S8 machine, made him take it out in front of me out of the box! and am sleeping so well!! I met w/ my dr. today and I knew more about the treatment and cpapin' than he did - which quite frankly is a little scary but like you, thanks so much to this forum, I am set with what I needed. So I too would like to thank everyone!!!! keep on a pappin'!!!!

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Wed May 17, 2006 7:03 pm

Offerocker wrote:Now, with that new fancy machine, you know there will be a million more questions for y'all.

Bring em on!

Congratulations!!!......Ya done good.

I still can't look at your avatar without chuckling.

Best wishes,

Den

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed May 17, 2006 7:18 pm

AUTO CPAP with CFLEX, "CHOICE of USER" (yes!!!!) Feel that triumph???
Ambient-tracking heated humidifier (=HC150) Awwwwwwwright!!!!
Face mask of my choosing.

Congratulations on your quest, and I hate to rain on your parade, but WHY in the world would you want a F&P HC150 over the integrated Remstar humidifier??

The integrated Remstar humidifier has a smaller foot print as it sits completely under the machine, you don't have to deal with the extra hoses to connect it, the tank is much easier to clean since it comes completely apart and can go in the top shelf of your dishwasher, and it doesn't cause that dripping rainout everyone with a HC150 comes here complaining about.

That Ambient-tracking feature is the biggest joke on the planet, if it actually worked it wouldn't be causing rainout. About the only thing it must do good is it offers those selling it high profit margins.

KATFISH · Post by **KATFISH** » Wed May 17, 2006 7:29 pm

YOU MEAN THERE ARE DIFFERENT KINDS OF MACHINES?IAMB TRYING TO LOCATE A SYSTEM I CAN USE WITH ONE HAND AS I HAD A STROKE AND ONLY HAVE USE OF ONE HAND TO GET THAT MASK OFF AND ON,OFF IS EASY,BACK ON IS VERY HARD.IM NEW TO THIS SITE AND HOPE TO GET THE HELP YOU SEEM TO HAVE GOTTEN
THANK YOU
KATFISH

Offerocker · Post by **Offerocker** » Wed May 17, 2006 8:16 pm

Wulfman wrote:
Offerocker wrote:Now, with that new fancy machine, you know there will be a million more questions for y'all.

Bring em on! Are you sure?
Thanks, but as YOU know, I had a LOT of help.

I still can't look at your avatar without chuckling.
Me either! Someone posted it as a response to my comment about picturing 'taping' as a 4"x8" piece of duct tape across the mouth (prior to my learning otherwise!) Thank you, whoever you are!

Offerocker · Post by **Offerocker** » Wed May 17, 2006 8:32 pm

Congratulations on your quest, and I hate to rain on your parade, but WHY in the world would you want a F&P HC150 over the integrated Remstar humidifier??

Dear anonymous 'lurker', please uncloak and identify yourself; we're all friends here - at least we start out that way, and end up that way.

To answer your question: "Why Not/No reason not to" OR I prefer to have the ambient tracking feature available.

Rainout can happen with any humidifier if it's not tuned in to the correct weather channel.

NightHawkeye · Post by **NightHawkeye** » Wed May 17, 2006 8:39 pm

Offerocker wrote: To answer your question: "Why Not/No reason not to"

Good attitude, Offerocker. It's your choice, not the anonymous poster's. You paid for it. It's your call.

Oh, and congratulations on your success today. Hope all the new equipment does a good job for you.

Regards,
Bill

Offerocker · Post by **Offerocker** » Wed May 17, 2006 8:41 pm

Katfish,

Wow, you've got your work cut out for you! My second career is that of a caregiver, and I understand your plight. Do you currently have a mask/are you still trying out different ones? Mask fit is Number 1 - the starting poing in CPAP therapy. So, it may depend on what type of mask you need, then there will be a learning curve, and figuring out how to 'do it' without ripping your hair out, pulling an ear, etc. I would practice in front of a mirror, so you can see what's going on. Each mask has its own good and bad points. Sometimes the most comfortable could be the most difficult to put on under your circumstances. I hope you have a family member or someone who can assist you until you get the hang of it - without choking yourself! Good luck, and be persistent. I FINALLY paid off for me, but not without much help from many people here at the Forum. Don't hesitate to ask questions. Take care.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Wed May 17, 2006 9:25 pm

offerocker! What a fun post to read! WTG!!!

Offerocker · Post by **Offerocker** » Wed May 17, 2006 9:38 pm

Thanks, RestedGal!
You know I couldn't have done it without you! - and several others who stuck by me.
I probably could have go on and on, but maybe someday we can all collaborate on a book? Would it be a mystery, or a comedy?

I just wish I had her reactions on film! Each time she 'froze', my confidence grew. I was hell-bent for leather, whatever that means, but you know the general attitude it implies/infers. I sat in my car afterward and just was way too happy to even drive - I guess I 'savored the moment'. Now, to go through the process of "Bill My Insurance". Nothing is 'instant' - except food.

I'm glad you enjoyed it! I enjoyed being a little today too, LOL
Kathleen

Offerocker · Post by **Offerocker** » Wed May 17, 2006 9:42 pm

By the way, the rep still has my smart card. won't be surprised if it's not returned at all, or if so, will be erased! By accident, of course. I think she thinks she's holding it 'hostage'.

Gidgie · Post by **Gidgie** » Wed May 17, 2006 10:59 pm

Brings back memories..........I remember well the day I returned the rental machine, an auto, for a machine of my own........and not the one the disability office wanted me to have........When I told my RT/DME what I wanted, he AGREED with my choice, but then it was a matter of barganing.......I got the price down by 200.00 on the difference, and a cig lighter hookup so I could go truck camping with my cpap thrown in. I think I've got him trained........but there was a time.........

NEWS FLASH!! RT/DME FOUND BENT DOUBLE IN WHAT CAN ONLY BE DESCRIBED AS AN EXCRUCIATINGLY PAINFUL POSITION! It appears this individual unwisely attempted to do something he was not trained for , and actually bent over backwards to help a client!