Here's my plan to get a better machine - advice welcome!

tangents · Post by **tangents** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 6:27 am

Queenwizzard,

You KNOW you're right, in every aspect of your arguments. I'm so glad you found this forum, the people here will help and encourage you. Fixing a 10-year-old dinasaur is ridiculous - stick to your guns to get the RemStar Auto. Get as many new masks as your insurance will buy. There's lots of hints on this site to help you get a good fit, and read the data. I've heard that insurance never pays for the software to read your own data output, so you may have to buy that out of pocket. GOOD LUCK - start your own new topic, and let us know how you're doing! Cathy

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 9:42 am

IT isn't your insurance company, its your DME lying thru their teeth. Call your insurance company once more, ask them to send you IN WRITING that they will pay for a new machine rather than repair your 10 year old. And while you are at it ask what other DME's they are contracted with. If you have the choice of another or several others now is a great time to DME shop!! If you are stuck w/these sheisters, when they repeat their lie that your insurance won't replace your 10 year old machine whip out your written verification from your insurance that they WILL.

And then file a complaint all the way to the top of Apria. One copy to your local, one copy to the regional and one copy to the very top. Also to your state licensing bureau. And your insurance company. Do this, not just for yourself but for all the other "victims" of this lousy DME.

Good luck and God bless.

queenwizard · Post by **queenwizard** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 12:19 pm

Thank you "Slinky!"

I WILL follow through. I am working on it right now. As soon as I hear back from my doctor regarding confirmation that the preauthorization call was definitely made to Capital Blue Cross, I will call CBC to verify that they are not the culprit. I am also sending CBC (as well as Apria) a "new and improved" narrative outlining the history of my quest for a machine made in this century!

Thanks for the information and suggestions. It helps!

Queenwizard

Gerald · Post by **Gerald** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 9:39 am

Cathy......

Please keep us advised of your progress.

Gerald

tangents · Post by **tangents** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 10:41 am

Thanks for checking on me, Gerald. I'm just waiting to see my sleep doctor on Thursday this week, and see if he will:

1. Give me my original Rx
2. Write a letter of medical necessity to my health insurance so that I can get a data logging APAP.

I had a great sleeping weekend with my Twilight NP, but then last night it turned into some kind of creature posessed. At times it sounded like the mournful cry of humpback whales! I don't understand why some nights you can get a great seal, and other times you can't. It'll be nice when I can check my leakage rates with my machine.

I've decided on the Respironics M Series Auto C-Flex, because of the ease of removing the data card. Maybe by the time I'm due for another machine, I'll be wearing this:

Thanks again for your caring support. I'll let you know how Friday goes.
Cathy

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 11:00 am

Giggle. Snork. I like your sense of humor, Tangents! And I really am in awe of your prospective new mask!

Gerald · Post by **Gerald** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 4:47 pm

Cathy....

The "inhale" on the Aura is extra loud......and that may have to do with the number and size of the exhaust holes. I haven't looked at them under magnification yet.....but, there may be a way to modify the holes without changing the standard leak rate for the Aura.

I changed from a CL-2 to the Aura....and was pleasantly surprised with a lower leak rate.......and my "M" series machine seems to "like" the Aura better. It seems to have more precise control as it adjusts during the night between 9 cm and 13 cm. I have suspected that the seemingly lower leak rate of the Aura helps my "M" series do a better job.

Leak control....I'm using lanolin (for breastfeeding moms) on my nares....and I wouldn't want to be without it.

Also, you might get in front of a good magnifying mirror....and check the fit angle of the nasal pillows to your nares. If you remove the "head" from the mask....and play around with the angle to your nares...while you watch in a mirror.....you might find that you need to tweak the mask some way in order to get a better angle / fit.

As I remember, Rested Gal uses the legs from stretch type tights (like panty hose...but stretchier) to tie her Aura into a better position. You might consult with her about her Aura tricks.

Finally, you might rig some sort of swinging arm over your sleep area so that your hose can't pull too much on your mask as you move around during sleep. My arm is the same type that would allow the hanging of a big fern....and I fabricated a clamp that allows me to attach it to the headboard without damaging the furniture finish.

Gerald

tangents · Post by **tangents** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 5:02 pm

Also, you might get in front of a good magnifying mirror....and check the fit angle of the nasal pillows to your nares. If you remove the "head" from the mask....and play around with the angle to your nares...while you watch in a mirror.....you might find that you need to tweak the mask some way in order to get a better angle / fit.

Thanks for the idea, I'll try that. Who knows what treasures I might find up there while I'm looking? (Sorry, bad form, I know.)

As I remember, Rested Gal uses the legs from stretch type tights (like panty hose...but stretchier) to tie her Aura into a better position. You might consult with her about her Aura tricks.

Yes, I cut a piece of 4-way stretch and tied it like Rested Gal and Linda do. I think I was rushed last night, and just never got the stupid thing on right. I'll take more time tonight!

Finally, you might rig some sort of swinging arm over your sleep area so that your hose can't pull too much on your mask as you move around during sleep. My arm is the same type that would allow the hanging of a big fern....and I fabricated a clamp that allows me to attach it to the headboard without damaging the furniture finish.

I've tried to envision how to set up a hose suspension with my bed - it's got shelves rather than just a headboard. But I'll ask my husband - he has much more mechanical vision than I do. For now I have the hose suspended above my head, but off to the side.

Thanks for your suggestions, Gerald, you're a sweetheart.

Cathy

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 5:04 pm

Yes, the Aura is a little noisy on inhale, but the constant sound a room fan or ceiling fan helps it not be so noticeable.

As said, the stretchy band (positioned similar to the red one below), helps stabilize the mask on the face -- getting less movement and leaks.

Also bending the wires inside the nosepiece helps alignment with the nares. I bend the nosepiece to where it doesn't curve up as much.

Mask