BEFOREyou go to the DME thread

[Stampingat50]

Hi...New user here. I am going to the DME on Monday. They have very few options to choose from, but I think the one they are going to offer me, the Resmed Autosense for Her will be a good match initially. I have very mild sleep apnea, 9.4 was a number mentioned. I will track it all down and update my profile.

I'm looking for a thread that is mentioned to look at "BEFORE go to the DME"

Can someone help me out with this please?

Thank you!
Joyce

[chunkyfrog]

Not a thread, but a blog that we point folks to:
https://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/what- ... me-part-i/
You are welcome.

[Sir NoddinOff]

The two big players on the national scale are Lincare and Apria (LimpCare and Crapria). If it seems like you are being directed towards either of those two, then enter that search term into the search box just under the CPAPtalk logo above. If it's some other company, try that term in the search box. There's lots of info on almost all the DMEs stretching back over a decade (NOTE: the independents have ruthlessly been bought out or driven out). Don't expect a lot of good news about DMEs... people don't usually come here to tell about their great experiences.

[chunkyfrog]

Even if you are not under Medicare, use the link in my signature to find most of
the DME's in your area by zip code. Then compare with the list from your insurance.
You are free to interview any of them by phone or in person.

[Guest]

This was very informative. Thank you again.

The DME that I am being sent to is Home Care Medical and I haven't had any experience with them. I know from working with others that it usually isn't a positive experience. My insurance isn't typical so I need as much information on the front end of this as possible to determine if I will be better off purchasing this on my own versus through insurance.

A preliminary visit on Friday to the location makes me a bit cautious. They only carry two lines of masks and couldn't answer many questions about the unit going off the grid, just wanted to show me a second unit I could purchase in addition or a battery pack.

[chunkyfrog]

Unless you are in an HMO type plan, you may have choices of where to go.
Your INSURANCE, not your doctor determines this.
Get the list of network providers from your insurance.
Your doctor's pet DME may not even be in network.

[Stampingat50]

Unless you are in an HMO type plan, you may have choices of where to go.
Your INSURANCE, not your doctor determines this.
Get the list of network providers from your insurance.
Your doctor's pet DME may not even be in network.

Thank you for this. I have checked and they are in network. I will give the appointment a fair chance and if it doesn't seem to work for me, I will move on to a different one. This is too important and too expensive to not receive the right care. I already refused to work with the the place that did my home study based on how that was handled as they also could do the DME.

[archangle]

Hi...New user here. I am going to the DME on Monday. They have very few options to choose from, but I think the one they are going to offer me, the Resmed Autosense for Her will be a good match initially. I have very mild sleep apnea, 9.4 was a number mentioned. I will track it all down and update my profile.

The name is "AutoSET," not "Auto SENSE." There is a line of machines called "AirSense 10."

If it says "AutoSet" or "AutoSet for her," it's good.

Look on the front of the machine in the lower right corner. It should say "AirSense 10 AutoSet for Her" like it does in the picture below. If it says "AirSense 10 CPAP," you're getting screwed.

There are links to some more general advice in the Useful Links in my signature line below.

Too many DME's are sleazy or just stupid. If it's midnight and the DME tells you it's dark outside, go and check for yourself.

[Mudrock63]

Don't let them rush you. Make sure they give you fitting options for whatever they carry, and don't leave with one that doesn't feel "right". Also, ask about return/exchange policy. Many will let you exchange within 30 days with no charge.

[Stampingat50]

Update--I have the correct machine as shown above. After three nights I am cautiously optimistic. I have a couple of issues, that I am need to figure out. I posed those to the DME RT this morning in an e-mail.

DME reviewed all of my stats for the last three nights and was very pleased. Virtually no AHI, pressure is steady at about 8. No leaks.

First issue is that my left nostril hurts! Feels like it is bruised, I suspect that is because I am a right side sleeper and I am applying pressure on it all night... DME suggested modifying my pillow arrangement and long term, looking at a CPAP pillow, but wait to see if this is going to work first before I invest too much of my own cash.

Second issue is that I have had a sinus headache since starting, DME suggested increasing my temp on my humidity by 5 degrees, which I will implement tonight. Today it does seem a bit better, so perhaps there is an adjustment period for me.

Does all of this seem in line to those of you who have a lot of knowledge?

Joyce

[flightco]

Update--I have the correct machine as shown above. After three nights I am cautiously optimistic. I have a couple of issues, that I am need to figure out. I posed those to the DME RT this morning in an e-mail.

DME reviewed all of my stats for the last three nights and was very pleased. Virtually no AHI, pressure is steady at about 8. No leaks.

First issue is that my left nostril hurts! Feels like it is bruised, I suspect that is because I am a right side sleeper and I am applying pressure on it all night... DME suggested modifying my pillow arrangement and long term, looking at a CPAP pillow, but wait to see if this is going to work first before I invest too much of my own cash.

Second issue is that I have had a sinus headache since starting, DME suggested increasing my temp on my humidity by 5 degrees, which I will implement tonight. Today it does seem a bit better, so perhaps there is an adjustment period for me.

Does all of this seem in line to those of you who have a lot of knowledge?

Joyce

Sounds like you are using nasal pillows, correct? No problem with mouth breathing? I am jealous of all who don't have this problem). Might buy (will have to pay for it) a nasal mask to interchange with your pillows. You will get used to them but it does hurt for a while (my experience, YMMV)