Whoppers I have been told from DME, techs, etc

[OkyDoky]

It does have wifi built into the machine to send data. Guessing they would be SOL if one didn't have wireless Internet?

It is not a WiFi modem and does not use your Internet connection. It uses the cellular network like a phone instead assuming it was configured and an account was setup to use it.

sthnreb, check out your manual, if your DME is using the wireless cellular network to monitor your machine they can also change your settings with it. You can turn this off by turning on the airplane mode and then you would have to take the SD card in to them for compliance. Just depends how much and for how long you want to let them control the machine.

[sthnreb]

OK. I suppose I "assumed" it did since the manual alluded to Wireless signal strength meter(green) on the face and Wireless transfer not enabled (Gray) Also it shows the meter with a circle showing No wireless connection. So you say it is like a cell phone having it's own address and capable of placing calls and communications without a Internet connection. It says it does not work in all locations too which is evidently in an area without a cell phone tower nearby? It says "The No wireless connection icon is displayed on the top right of the screen. No wireless network available. Thanks for the info. I'll let them look at it until they figure compliance is met. If I caught them making unauthorized changes I didn't approve, I would turn it off. I did see where airplane mode turns it off.

[dreamzone]

The good news: I have Kaiser.
The bad news: Their DME vendor is Apria.

The good news: The Kaiser RTs are all very nice and polite.
The bad news: Kaiser RTs are NOT ALLOWED to give any medical advice.
The worse news: ALL questions, regardless of the subject, are considered "medical advice"...

The good news: All the machines, humidifiers, hoses, masks, etc, are a covered benefit, at no cost to me.
The bad news: I do have a limit as to how many masks I can order per time frame. Big deal; I haven't found the right mask or the right settings in order to place an order yet. I DO have my machine, though.

The good news: I can schedule a mask fitting at Kaiser, and the RT will give me a brand new, sealed-in-the-bag, mask to try on, with a running APAP to check for leaks. (Although it's hard to lay down across several hard plastic chairs...) I currently have a box FULL of brand new masks, and find myself switching off every few days.
The bad news: I have to make a separate appointment for each fitting, and they can be weeks apart. For example, I couldn't pick up my recommended nasal pillows AND the latest Quattro FFM in the same visit.
The worse news: Kaiser is often completely out of masks because they give so many out for free. They also never, ever have the latest models in stock. But the RT will tell you that this is ALL you have to choose from.

[Shinny]

Pugsy,

Seems like your post just won't die. Don't surprise me a bit.

I have been on therapy for just over a year now and could fill pages (LITERALLY) with erroneous information I have been given by the, So Called Experts.

Worse, I am absolutely astounded by the lack of knowledge these folks have about their field of expertise LOL.

I am no longer surprised when I ask a question and get the wrinkled forehead response, then the reply " I don't know".

Although, I guess that's better than getting some contrived answer, which is usually given just to get you off their backs.

I imagine the problem exists and perpetuates itself because: “Tolerance is the last virtue of a dying society." – Aristotle

What fools we are!

[Pugsy]

I am no longer surprised when I ask a question and get the wrinkled forehead response, then the reply " I don't know".

I actually respect a nice honest "I don't know" from someone and would much rather hear that than some falsehood that is designed to or would mislead someone from perhaps improving their situation.
Like the old wives tale "you can't use a nasal mask at your pressures" which discourages people from perhaps trying a different type of mask that just might work out.

[palerider]

Even the manuals don't tell all. It does have wifi built into the machine to send data. Guessing they would be SOL if one didn't have wireless Internet?

the airsense/curve 10 machines do NOT have wifi. they have a *cellular* modem built in. it therefore has nothing to do with your internet connection, wireless or otherwise.

I did ask about a card and he said it did not have one. I open the side door and said what is this then? He said oh, I guess it does. I suppose he is the one that put it in.

they come in the machine from the manufacturer.

[sthnreb]

Even the manuals don't tell all. It does have wifi built into the machine to send data. Guessing they would be SOL if one didn't have wireless Internet?

the airsense/curve 10 machines do NOT have wifi. they have a *cellular* modem built in. it therefore has nothing to do with your internet connection, wireless or otherwise.

I did ask about a card and he said it did not have one. I open the side door and said what is this then? He said oh, I guess it does. I suppose he is the one that put it in.

they come in the machine from the manufacturer.

I also contacted Resmed about the auto start not working. They responded, "Your inquiry will be best addressed by your home medical equipment dealer who originally provided you with your ResMed product(s). Authorized ResMed dealers are available to work directly with patients to assist with ResMed product questions and replacement supplies." So, what good would it do to ask someone (a respiratory therapist) about a machine he knows nothing about to begin with evidently? He must not have known it can from the manufacturer with the card already in it. Which bring up another question, it it is like a cell phone, who programmed it if he knew nothing of it? I suppose the factory? I seem to be getting info from this board that is not available from Resmed or the DME. Seems Resmed could have told me to Leak Alert off so the Smart Start would activate and work? Oh well, I guess as long as I get it the way I want it in the end is all that matters. That is poor Resmed service however to a simple question. Guess they figured the DME turned it off.

[palerider]

I also contacted Resmed about the auto start not working. They responded, "Your inquiry will be best addressed by your home medical equipment dealer who originally provided you with your ResMed product(s). Authorized ResMed dealers are available to work directly with patients to assist with ResMed product questions and replacement supplies." So, what good would it do to ask someone (a respiratory therapist) about a machine he knows nothing about to begin with evidently? He must not have known it can from the manufacturer with the card already in it. Which bring up another question, it it is like a cell phone, who programmed it if he knew nothing of it? I suppose the factory? I seem to be getting info from this board that is not available from Resmed or the DME. Seems Resmed could have told me to Leak Alert off so the Smart Start would activate and work? Oh well, I guess as long as I get it the way I want it in the end is all that matters. That is poor Resmed service however to a simple question. Guess they figured the DME turned it off.

is there a question in there, or are you just grumbling to yourself?

[sthnreb]

Just trying to put it all back together in a reasonable manner. The question would be, who programmed the machine? Resmed or DME? I'm sure the DME set the Ipap/Epap because the manufacturer did not know my Rx. From what I have read on here, Resmed programmed the machine to connect/call in compliance. The DME said he knew nothing of a card until I showed him. Resmed said to ask the DME since he is authorized dealer. So, one or both are also telling whoppers and neither hand knows what the other is doing. It is also a statement saying I can get more information from this forum than Resmed support or my DME. At least most here don't jerk you around and normally try and help with any problems. I used to frequent the forum 5 years or so ago and left. I guess this new machine and lots of improvements brought me back to seek assistance from here where users can respond to similar problems they've had. As Bugs says...dah dah dah, that's all folk's.

[jacobsbd]

Equipment makers know a lot more than they "can" tell you. Many DME want to protect the profit god at all costs. Equipment companies know that if they tell you how to set up a machine, change the options, or some other information, the DME may get pissed off. DME's who think they have all the need for control will give customers machines from their competitors. They want you to come back to lick their boots. Anything that interferes with that they will say is dangerous. Not all DME's are this way but many are.

Yes, the DME set up the machine. (unless nobody set it up) Yes, the folks at the DME offices frequently are there because they can not hold down a real job (not that I know in this specific case, it could be the person was just not trained correctly).

If I was setting up this system, I would have every machine call in once a week or so and upload the data to the machine maker. DME's would have special logins where they could access the data from machines they sold. The techs would not need to know anything to set up the modems. I would also keep this login away from people who work in high turnover jobs. The modems would be set to call in correctly by default.

Actually i would have lots of issues with the current cell modem idea.

[palerider]

Just trying to put it all back together in a reasonable manner. The question would be, who programmed the machine? Resmed or DME?

resmed programmed it, the dme adjusted the settings you can see in the clinician manual, presumably to whatever your prescription was... that's the limit of their control, and often past the limits of their understanding.

I think you're over complifying things.

[sthnreb]

Just trying to put it all back together in a reasonable manner. The question would be, who programmed the machine? Resmed or DME?

resmed programmed it, the dme adjusted the settings you can see in the clinician manual, presumably to whatever your prescription was... that's the limit of their control, and often past the limits of their understanding.

I think you're over complifying things.

I am assuming you mean complicating things. Not really. Just trying to wade through them and what members here are telling me. I have to determine if they also know what they are responding with. I'm sure it wouldn't be the first time someone advised someone wrongly on this forum or any forum. It may be by mistake but all info has to be weighted and balanced for conformation. That's merely all I was doing and not trying to complicate anything. Thanks for the input.

[palerider]

think you're over complifying things.

I am assuming you mean complicating things. Not really. Just trying to wade through them and what members here are telling me. I have to determine if they also know what they are responding with. I'm sure it wouldn't be the first time someone advised someone wrongly on this forum or any forum. It may be by mistake but all info has to be weighted and balanced for conformation. That's merely all I was doing and not trying to complicate anything. Thanks for the input.

complifying, meant to be the opposite of simplifying things.

[archangle]

The good news: I have Kaiser.

Talk about telling a whopper. I've never heard anyone who considered Kaiser to be good news. Well, I guess it's good news vs. no insurance at all.

[archangle]

Re: Cell phone vs. "wireless."

Cell phone companies and such are the scum of the Earth. Not quite as bad as DME's, but close.

Some time back, they decided that they could charge more if they called cell phones "wireless," so they started referring to their cell phones as "wireless" phones. It may be more digital than the older cell phones, but they're still a cell phone system and involve "cells" in terms of handling your phone calls.

Whether you call it "wireless" or "cellular," the CPAP modems connect to the same wireless radio towers and system that cell phones connect to. I don't know how "deep" in to the "cell phone" system it goes. There are layers on top of layers in the cell phone system. Depending on what you're doing, there are GSM connections, IMEI numbers, MAC addresses, IP addresses, and phone numbers. I suspect the CPAP modem data avoids some of these layers. It would be interesting to find out what the actual protocols are, but I doubt that that information will be forthcoming.