S9 Escape Auto...so upset

Okay, I did it. I just left a message for the guy and also emailed. I know that they think I'm such a pain in the ass. But so what? Ultimately it doesn't really matter what they think of me. I have to stick up for myself. I mean, look...if I didn't I'd be stuck with that friggin' Escape.

Thank you so much for the help and suggestions...so much appreciated.

pandatx wrote:Okay, I did it. I just left a message for the guy and also emailed. I know that they think I'm such a pain in the ass. But so what? Ultimately it doesn't really matter what they think of me. I have to stick up for myself. I mean, look...if I didn't I'd be stuck with that friggin' Escape.

Thank you so much for the help and suggestions...so much appreciated.

Don't mean to be a pessimist.

But, they may still try to foist a used machine on you.

Make sure you check the Run Hours before you accept the machine.

If it has the latest internal software (firmware) of SX474-0905 (or later), it will be on the "Service" screen. Earlier versions had it on another screen.

Which brings up the Question.
Does anyone know if there is a later software version after -0905?

Will do! They already got back to me and said it would be new but I will be sure to double check. I'm so glad to have found this forum. Y'all are really helping me to do this the right way. its all overwhelming. Then to have to mess around like this to get what we should rightfully have just sucks. But everyone here has really helped me to get what I need and I'm so appreciative.

Click on this link and print out the pages. It has a sample of one of my autoset reports. It also explains what the report is showing. Your DME needs an education.

http://www.zoocrewphoto.com/apap.htm

It shows the individual events, what type they are, and how long they lasted. It shows the waveforms of your breathing.

And don't let them charge you more. You have proof that they lied to you, so you can take your proof to the news. Threaten to file complaints and announce it all over the place.

Thank you SO much! that is a lot of info! Yeah, a lot more than the Escape would give. How can they possibly say its not needed??

Amy, glad to here things are moving in the right direction! The S9 AutoSet is an awesome machine and it will help you get better. We are here to help you on this new journey. Don't worry about the data stuff right away. Just focus on getting use to this new way of sleeping. Once you've got a few nights of decent sleep with the machine we can help you start looking at the data and see if there are any easy things that need to be fixed, such as leaks.

xoxoxoxo

pandatx wrote:I know that they think I'm such a pain in the ass.
But so what?

pandatx, this is what I consider one of the most important lessons
that the cpap experience has to offer. Take this attitude into the
rest of your life. Never settle. No fear to question anything or anyone.
When in doubt, get educated. :ugeek: You are the boss.

Congrats! Welcome to your new life.

I'll see you on the road.

One of the things to remember is that these people work for you. You pay the bills for them. Without you they don't have jobs. I don't care if they have an alphabet soup behind their name, you are instrumental in keeping them in business. You aren't the "crazy lady", you are an informed consumer. Don't let them get to you. They need to know that if you aren't happy you'll go find someone else and with the online options now, you aren't confined by city limits, savvy? Good luck.

So many important things to learn from this post, thanks for sharing!

It's interesting that an autoset machine would even be made without detailed data. Though many use autosets and are quite pleased with the results, the nicest feature is the variable pressure if your experience at the lab was less than satisfactory. Sleep labs only have a few hours to determine pressure. With an autoset, you can use it over a period of time to develop a history of what pressure works best. The pressure though, may not be the only issue. You could have gotten dried out from leakage or maybe other events occured after pressure was applied. These are reasons for the detailed information that the Escape does not provide.

Another detail, very interesting. The part about not taking your machine out of the box is a little disconcerting. So basically, you were not set up. Poor, or non-existent initial instruction is the reason many fail with their equipment regardless of model or features.

When it comes to upcharge, though I am a DME provider, I completely disagree with this practise. Your business, over time is worth far far more than a few bucks at set up.

Regarding communications with your DME, if you're are not satisfied with their service or products offered, the best way to deal with that if they remain indifferent, is through your doctor or his/her nurse. Other DMEs will probably be irritated that I'm sharing this, but it is what it is. If a doctor or nurse, ie referral source, ie the lifeline of the business is calling, your company will start listening in a big hurry. Let them know about the upgrade charge also, I think you'll be surprised with your results. Also, I wouldn't put too much worry that you'll sour your relationship with your provider, we do get over things like that and will move on just fine.

Thank you for those tips! They did take it out of the box while I was there and showed it to me but I haven't taken it out of the bag since I took it home. The unfortunate thing is that the Sleep Doctor's office IS the DME. it was their tech who got me set up and it was them who sold me the machine. So basically I need to find a new doctor but for right now I really want to finish what I started here so I can at least get going with my machine, you know?

Even though the doctor and the DME are in the same office, the Doctor SHOULD give you the Rx. IF you want to buy elsewhere and they won't give it to you, find a DME to work with and ask them to get the Rx from your doctor. Believe me, they will get it.

Hi Amy,

When you get a chance, you might want to look at this thread I started regarding doctors and financial conflicts:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=87561&hilit=doctors ... +conflicts

Words fail me regarding how outraged I am at your situation. Kudos to you for taking charge so you get the right machine.

49er

carbonman wrote:

pandatx wrote:I know that they think I'm such a pain in the ass.
But so what?

pandatx, this is what I consider one of the most important lessons
that the cpap experience has to offer. Take this attitude into the
rest of your life. Never settle. No fear to question anything or anyone.
When in doubt, get educated. :ugeek: You are the boss.

Congrats! Welcome to your new life.

I'll see you on the road.

+1.

Your CPAP machine is their business transaction but it is your life.

I fully support your right to be as big a pain in the ass as you need to be to get a machine with full efficacy data or accomplish anything else necessary to optimize your therapy. And this forum is a great resource to make you a highly effective pain in the ass.

I prefer to call it "effective self-advocacy." That's the jargon they use at my kids' school.

I have a long history of being a pain in the ass, lol.
You all have been such a tremendous help and great support. I really appreciate it so very, very much! xoxo