DME told me "Auto PAP suck!" Is this true?

RedeyeInRidgefield · Post by **RedeyeInRidgefield** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 4:24 pm

Hello Everyone,

I'm new to this gig, so please bare with me. I spoke with my DME yesterday about possible equipment selection and she told me "APAP machine would not prevent an apnea. It would only decrease the length of time of the event." Is she feeding me garbage?

I was considering purchasing the REMSTAR Auto and an Activa mask. Because of her comment, I'm now considering a REMSTAR PRO 2.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

yawn · Post by **yawn** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 4:27 pm

Hi Redeye,
Go with the APAP!!!!!! I have the Remstar Pro 2 and I like it alot but I wish I had the flexibility of an APAP. What your DME neglected to tell you is that you can always choose to use your APAP as a CPAP....it's like getting 2 machines in 1.

Good luck! Amy

th · Post by th » Thu Aug 18, 2005 4:45 pm

DME told me "Auto PAP suck!" Is this true?

Maybe she meant a DME Sucks

Most insurance companies have one flat fee they pay to the DME. If the DME can get by giving you the cheapest machine and the cheapest mask. The more profit it is to them. You sleep 1/3 of your life, to me it is worth the extra money to buy a RemStar auto with CFlex if your insurance and DME will not let you have one buy online..........just my 02 cents

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

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

Flower51 · Post by **Flower51** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 4:57 pm

I've been using my remstar auto since June and LOVE it. I feel great and no more snoring. Either your dme has the wrong info OR doesn't want you to have an autopap because of loss of financial revenue for her company OR perhaps doesn't want to have to deal w/insurance code differences???? Anyone else on this site heard from a pro or from your own documentation that your auto isn't preventing apneas? Terry

MaskedMench · Post by **MaskedMench** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 5:16 pm

Another thing to consider: You can run a fancy auto machine in CPAP mode, but you can't run a plain CPAP Machine in Auto mode.

It's always good to have options.

snork1 · Post by **snork1** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 5:21 pm

technically speaking, the AutoPAP blows.
As does your DME........

There are many reasons to go with an AutoPAP and as others mentioned, you CAN run it in straight CPAP mode if that works out better....which maybe .00001% people DO have that preference.

chrisp · Post by **chrisp** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 5:49 pm

THEY DON'T SUCK, THEY BLOW. YOUR DME IS AN IDIOT

:twis ted:

CharlesJ · Post by **CharlesJ** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 6:08 pm

Hey RedEye,

Can't tell what kind of bike you ride but I hope it's not air-cooled and carbureted.

Anyway, what works for me might not work for you but I'll tell you what I know. I bought a pb 420e for my first machine. It came set from 4 to 20 and I adjusted it to 4 to 13. I'm a busy guy and so haven't had time to play with the software yet, but I can tell you that I FEEL $#@%$##$$ FANTASTIC since I started my APAP therapy three weeks or so ago. I love my amazing wife and my beautiful daughter and Murray the wonderdog and my cousin Michael John and my Mom Joan and even my boss Cindy. Life is just so amazing.

I have a lot more to say about humidifiers and country music so if you want to talk just ask but I can summarize as:

APAP = Good. OSA = Bad.

Chuck

johnnygoodman · Post by **johnnygoodman** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 7:07 pm

Howdy,

You have good timing! We're rolling out a new website that helps people get APAPs and other high end equipment through their insurance.

BillMyInsurance.com 1-800-266-1575

Johnny

Barb (Seattle) · Post by **Barb (Seattle)** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 7:52 pm

I was told that if a person has severe apnea (I have 70/hr untreated) the machine possibly could have difficulty keeping up. By the time it detects an apnea, and ups the pressure to the appropriate one, your need could reduce. Then, when you need less pressure, it still is at the higher pressure. It does make sense to me that if you're only having an apnea every 3 minutes, that the machine would have time to adjust, as opposed to having more than one per minute.

I have an AutoSet Spirit set at 12 though. It was on auto for a week. My numbers aren't much different than the first time I tried it. A havne't had an AHI under 13 yet

WAFlowers · Post by **WAFlowers** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 8:22 pm

snork1 wrote:technically speaking, the AutoPAP blows.
As does your DME........

Hey snork! Are you stealing from my signature line ?

SnoreNoMore2005 · Post by **SnoreNoMore2005** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 8:32 pm

I think the autopap is the most useful device since the toaster. I struggled with a regular CPAP for two weeks before switching to AUTOPAP. On the first night of AUTOPAP I noticed a huge improvement. It was like finding the holy grail... only better.

I'd recommend an autopap and monitoring software. As RG says, without the monitoring software, you might as well be driving blindfolded.

SnoreNoMOre2005

neversleeps · Post by **neversleeps** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 9:00 pm

RedeyeInRidgefield wrote:...I spoke with my DME yesterday about possible equipment selection and she told me "APAP machine would not prevent an apnea. It would only decrease the length of time of the event." Is she feeding me garbage?...

Yes, she is feeding you garbage. This is from the definition of an autopap:

An AutoPAP differs from a CPAP in that an AutoPAP uses algorithms to sense subtle changes in the user's breathing and deliver only the amount of pressure necessary to keep the airway open.

An AutoPAP automatically varies the pressure to prevent and/or correct sleep disordered breathing events - apneas, hypopneas, air flow restrictions, and snores.

Also:

Computer software is available for AutoPAP machines, which will allow a user or clinician to download the recorded data into a PC. This data can be put in report form to track treatment results.

Meaning you can track your data, conduct self-titration experiments, and determine the optimum treatment with the least resultant apnea events. (Emphasis is on YOU--no DME needed.)

Your DME is either uninformed, misinformed, or trying not to lose another paying customer to self-directed therapy. I would suggest you buy your equipment at cpap.com and enjoy the huge savings.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 10:39 pm

Is she feeding me garbage?

Yes, she is.

Check out this topic and keep turning the pages. It's a long discussion.

Feb 19, 2005 subject: "Sleep Doctor" doesn't like autopaps

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 1:12 am

OR perhaps doesn't want to have to deal w/insurance code differences????

The problem is there are no insurance code differnces.

And this is why:

http://www.cms.hhs.gov/medicare/hcpcs/dme.pdf

O.

DME told me "Auto PAP suck!" Is this true?

DME told me "Auto PAP suck!" Is this true?

Re: DME told me "Auto PAP suck!" Is this true?

Re: DME told me "Auto PAP suck!" Is this true?