logrolling

Wow thank you all for looking out for each other. I could not tell that her machine was not a data-reader. You have sharp eyes. I am thankful for each of you who have looked out for us. I am also shocked that insurance and the cpap tech are not being helpful and look like they are harmful. What's up with that??!! That's awful. My tech is wonderful, and I wish i could recommend him to you, but I dont know if they are regional, mine is in Illinois.

Many of them, but not all are just in this business for the dollar. Anyone of them sending out an Escape unit, they are about 5 year old technology, is in it for the money and does not care about the patient at all. Glad you are here to learn about your therapy. john

I do wish I had a data capable machine though so it could be pin pointed to the problem but it appears that my apnea is considered moderate and those are supposed to be for serious cases.

As CFlame told you, this is a bucket of baloney. EVERYONE should have a data capable machine. Most people are treated like mushrooms by DME's (kept in the dark and fed bullsh*t), so they don't even know that there is such thing as data and how much it will help.

And, as CFlame told you, the only reason they gave you a data-less Escape instead of a data-capable Elite is they make more money off the Escape. They don't care one whit about you. You need to insist on a data capable machine AND a mask that fits. Yesterday, not some time in the future! Or return this stuff and find a better DME.

Logroller...........

Here's more on the "cool mattress" ideas......

My mattress saleslady explained that mattresses with "memory foam" were going to sleep "hotter".....and those with plain open cell polyeurethane would be cooler.

I determined that non-pocket coil mattresses would be cooler than the Beautyrest type with individual "bags" for each coil.

Also, I sleep on top of a "pad" made from (6) layers of 100% cotton "thermal" (open weave) hospital style blankets. The cotton absorbs body moisture....and also cushions the "cheapness" of the ordinary polyurethane padded mattress I purchased.

Another trick is to use a very low thread-count 100% cotton sheet between you and the mattress. A low thread-count "muslin" sheet allows more air circulation.

Another trick....I have removed the top sheet.....and substituted open weave 100% cotton "thermal blankets which I "layer". I start out with one blanket on top of me....then pull another on top of myself in the middle of the night if I get cold. I don't sleep "between sheets"....I sleep between a bottom sheet and a cotton thermal blanket.

Also......I'll tell you again.....I have pressurized the mattress with an airflow from a bunch of very quiet computer fans. Forcing air into the center of the mattress gently pushes heat and moisture out. I can't feel the air flow because it's so gentle.....but I don't get hot....UNLESS I forget to turn the fans "on".

Hope this helps.....

Honey, whoever told you that data-capable machines were for "serious cases" and your's doesn't qualify was being less than honest. You need to take your money somewhere else.

Logrolling update.
Hi everyone. Thanks for all the helpful advice. I have been on the machine for 10 days now. They came back and fitted me for a different mask but wont admit that I need a data capable machine. I am still not sleeping well but I removed the temperpedic topper and am cooler. I can sit still a little longer but then I am reminded of why I purchased the temperpedic topper. I get super stiff without it. I am getting ready to buy a different topper with coolmax technology. Just waiting for the "after Xmas" sales. That will hopefully give me the padding without the heat. As for the logrolling, I am still on the move but with the new mask, it doesn't leak so I can roll around all I want. I sometimes open my mouth when on my side and my wife kicks me until I wake up so thats a good sign that I was in a deep sleep. I want to avoid the chinstrap if possible but if thats the next step then so be it. I think I am sleeping more because I am not getting up with insomnia like I used to but I am super tired when I finally do get up and I have cluster headaches all day which is very new to me. I am more tired during the day than I used to be. Will this get better with time? I am told be everyone that I need to give it a few weeks to adjust. I am appreciative of the stern words about the data capable machines. It might be helpful if I print and show this transcript to the Dr. He may fear I will release his clinics name to an angry mob if he doesn't have a good reason to keep me on the Escape. Ultimately, the insurance and the DME tell me its up to the Dr.

Also thanks for the computer fan idea. I don't think I can incorporate that into my current mattress but if my wife doesn't get used to the CPAP noise then I may be needing to get another mattress soon anyway. Were currently on a queen and she might feel better with more space between us. I have seen mattresses with air channels and vents through them. I can use the fans to pull air through them nicely.

They came back and fitted me for a different mask but wont admit that I need a data capable machine.

Of course they are not going to admit this. Doing so will cost them money, not only a few dollars more for the data capable machine (wholesale, it's a very small difference) but they have to take back a now "used" Escape and try to find someone else to foist it on after they clean it. Who would want to do that???? But hopefully, they DO want your repeat business for buying masks and supplies for the rest off your life.

So, you have to make a decision. Do you want to be stuck with this piece of junk for the next 5 years? If not, you are going to have to play hardball with them. If it's a rental, find a DME who WILL supply a data capable machine and tell this DME where they can stick this one. Don't wait too long--if your insurer is paying on a capped rental basis not too many other DME's will want your business if they lose too many months of the capped rental period. Maybe if your current DME understands that you are serious about dumping them, they will pony up for a data capable machine, but don't hold your breath for that to happen.

Unless you have an HMO or Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan, you DO NOT need a specific prescription for a data capable machine (although having one helps because the DME is then required to provide it) and you can even have an APAP even if your Rx is for straight CPAP (because APAP's can be run in CPAP mode). So if you want any control over what you have to sleep with for the next 5 years, NOW is the time to do something about it. Don't keep letting this creepy DME treat you like a sucker.