How to find a helpful DME

Even our taste/needs may vary over time.
I would not have worked well with a nasal pillow mask at first--months later, that was my main mask.
I was amazed that my DH uses his fitlife total face mask exclusively.
What works and fits best will be your style--
"He who buys shoes without trying them on will curse his feet."

Thanks for all of you taking time to respond to my post. I live between Cleveland and Akron OH and will start by making calls to the doctor and my sleep center. I made some progress going back to the nose pillows. I am still up twice a night but I don't think it is from leaks. I still have an awfull taste in my mouth during the night. I have started using mouth wash before going to bed and each time I get up.

You have encouraged me to keep working on solutions until I get a good night's sleep!

a031490 wrote: I am still up twice a night but I don't think it is from leaks. I still have an awfull taste in my mouth during the night. I have started using mouth wash before going to bed and each time I get up.

That should be checked out. It could be from GERD, silent acid reflux or a variety of other reasons that would make you uncomfortable while you are asleep.

NE Ohio is a good region for finding a sleep medicine specialist. There is the Cleveland clinic in Cleveland and there have got to be good sleep centers in Akron, nearby Youngstown/Boardman and the general Cleveland area. If that fails there is always nearby Pittsburgh to the east.

Call around for a "respiratory focused DME that actually measures your face for the masks." Find a respiratory DME that does nothing but oxygen and breathing supplies and sleep apnea gear. And their RTs are OSA trained.

If you were way out in the boonies somewhere, youd have a much tougher time finding quality help.

Eric

a031490 wrote:Thanks for all of you taking time to respond to my post. I live between Cleveland and Akron OH and will start by making calls to the doctor and my sleep center. I made some progress going back to the nose pillows. I am still up twice a night but I don't think it is from leaks. I still have an awfull taste in my mouth during the night. I have started using mouth wash before going to bed and each time I get up.

You have encouraged me to keep working on solutions until I get a good night's sleep!

What I have found is that DME('s) are good at selling you stuff. If you need their help, you are on your own. That being said, once you become educated and settle in on your mask (and supplies), you call them, order your stuff and get it. If you need help you are out of luck. The issue is getting to the point where you are "settled-in".

Sheriff

Was diagnosed 3 months ago. Tried Opus 360 nasal pillows and had very hard time adjusting to CPAP in general. DME never told me about switching masks within 30 days. I had my dr write me a script "that it was medically necessary for me to get another mask" so I got the Swift FX and used it half a night and didnt like it. The same day I received the Padacheek soft covers the same day and used that on the Opus 360 and had no problems ever since. i called DME and asked what should I do with the Swift Fx and they said to just keep it. Now its 3 months since first mask and insurance wont pay for another mask cause i got the 2nd mask last month. The DME told me they did a 30 day exchange with the manufacturer and since i used the 2nd mask couldnt take it back.
Insurance company says the DME should make it right for you. They aren't. Insurance company says they paid for 2 masks.