Yea--I got the CPAP!

Hi, all.
My CPAP was delivered yesterday (Saturday) morning. Whee!! My Saturdays are spent making up the sleep I've lost during the week, so it was a perfect day for delivery. The mask is, I think, a Profile Lite Gel. I didn't get any paper work on it.

I'm trying VERY hard to be a "good boy." The guy from the DME first opened up a humidifier, which thrilled me no end, since I didn't think I was getting one. Then, he realized that it wasn't prescribed so he wrapped it back up. After he left, I discovered that he left the humidifier behind. Oh, how tempting to simply take the plastic out of the water reservoir and begin using it. Tempting, but dishonest--I'll play by the rules. If I decide I need a humidifier, I'll call my doctor for a prescription.

Okay--so, the CPAP. It's a basic REMstar Plus. I was shockec to see how small it is. From the pictures here, I'd gathered that the machines were much larger.

The mask is fitting great, with no problems. Thank goodness! I'm using the Ramp to get myself to sleep, because exhaling against the pressure is a lot of work. My reaction to my first CPAP nap yesterday was, of all things, a plugged up nose. We had a weather change, so I thought it was allergies. Now, however, I think it was just the reaction to the oxygen. My nose clogged up and then, in the afternoon and evening, was running like a faucet. I took a decongestant before bed last night, and I've been dry since.

I can't say that I've slept as well as I'd like to so far, but I understand and accept that it will take getting used to. I certainly intend to be totally compliant.

I slept okay last night and during today's afternoon nap.

My question, at this point, isn't about the CPAP but about this site. I can't get logged on, for some reason. I'm not rejected by the system, but it never shows me as logged on. I got another password from the site, but I'm having the same results. Any suggestions?

Thanks all, again, for your support and encouragement!

Sweet Dreams,
Allen

Don't play by the rules....they don't


Get that humidifier out and use it so they hopefully go oops....oh well. You will need it. Read the archives of DME's and see how much you want to play by the rules.

This is my humble opinion but call your doctor and ask for him/her to RX it as you want it trust me.

AllenG,

If the DME guy left an unsealed humidifier at your house he is not going to give it to someone else. For all he knows you've had your paws all over it. I've seen people post that their DME opened the package to a mask that was the wrong size and said that it was theirs to keep because if it is opened it can not be returned.

Besides, IMO, it is masochistic to expect someone to use a cpap without a humidifier.

Check the cookies or spy stuff you have running.

I would probably keep the humidifier and deny having it. A learned response from dealing with health insurance and dme.

AllenG,

If he opened it, your insurance is probably getting billed for it......keep it....you'll definitely need it. On top of that, they're probably charging your insurance company a fortune for the CPAP and can afford to throw in the humidifier.
Anymore, most insurance companies consider a humidifier an essential part of the therapy and will pay for it even if your doctor didn't write it on the prescription.

Best wishes,

Den

Allen,

I am shocked at what others are suggesting you do - shame on them

Stick to the honest approach (it is you that has to live with the consequences)

'Honest Approach' guidelines ...

1) Misplace the package somewhere (dog ate it, mother thought it was hers, etc:)
2) Contact your doc & chew him out for not adding h/h to the recipe
3) Spill bodily fluids on it (whatever you can come up with, i.e. cut a finger & bleed on it )

Photograph 3 if that is what accidentally happens (you must be honest !)

Now that we have ironed out the honest approach, I must take words with those among us who dared to try anything hinting of dishonesty shame, shame ,shame !!!

DSM
(PS why do you think the DME left it behind ? )

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): DME

AllenG wrote:My reaction to my first CPAP nap yesterday was, of all things, a plugged up nose. We had a weather change, so I thought it was allergies. Now, however, I think it was just the reaction to the oxygen. My nose clogged up and then, in the afternoon and evening, was running like a faucet. I took a decongestant before bed last night, and I've been dry since.

There is a very good chance that your congestion is a result of not using a humidifier.

Gee, I wonder where you could find one on short notice? .

AllenG:

It's YOURS!!!!!



Best to you!


steve,
ufo13

Oh, my.
Y'all are cracking me UP!

The rep from the DME called me at work today to check up on my success with the CPAP. He didn't mention the humidifier, so maybe he's not going to realize his mistake.

I suppose I could follow some of the advice offered here and take a walk on the wild side.

I'm already visualizing my future, and it's not pretty...

"Excuse me, Warden, but I can't find an outlet for my humidified CPAP, and my cell mate does NOT look like the kind of person I want to keep up with my snoring."

Allen

I measure out 200 ml of distilled water in a measuring cup and microwave it warm before I put it in the humidifier tank. In this way, the first breath of air that I get from my machine is warm and moist.

I do this because non-humidified air causes me to be all stuffed up and congested, just like you described.

Use the humidifier. If they ask for the coin, pay them. If they don't ask for the coin, look at this as a small gift from the OSA gods. If you conscience gets the better of you, fess-up and let them bill your insurance. THEY can ask your Dr. for the prescription.

Whatever you do, don't let them get their bar-b-cue stained fingers on it; keep it and use it. Your nose and sinuses will appreciate it.

Well Allen good luck, I hope you have Cflex. Just make sure when you are in your cell explaining away the humidifier you don't wear the panty liners on your mask to prevent swoosh marks

frostman wrote:Well Allen good luck, I hope you have Cflex. Just make sure when you are in your cell explaining away the humidifier you don't wear the panty liners on your mask to prevent swoosh marks

And if you don't know what frostman is talking about yet, use the search to look for "panty liners" and "pantyhose". They have been known to change many a torture mask to a helpful sleepmate.....



O.