"Thanks for this information Lisa. It really helps.
Anyone else?
"
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Lisa replied to ZolliStar's discussion What's the Right Machine?"Hi Zollistar, I much prefer using an Apap to a straight Cpap. I changed over a few years ago and found straight away that I had much less of a problem with leaks. Another thing that I have noticed is I used to have ongoing problems with my nose…"
Terry Vella replied to ZolliStar's discussion What's the Right Machine?"He's still going, a bit of a pain sometimes but that's life, thanks for asking."
ZolliStar replied to ZolliStar's discussion What's the Right Machine?"This helps a lot, Terry! Thanks for letting me know.
How is your dog??
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Terry Vella replied to ZolliStar's discussion What's the Right Machine?"ZolliStar, I went straight to an auto so can't really compare but from what I have heard there are two major benefits, first, the comfort factor of not having the high pressure all night and second, it adjusts to what you require, so if you use…"
Mary Z replied to Ginny Edmundson's discussion New "Rant" about DME/Wisp"Ginny, they are probably not doing anything against the law- though it may seem like fraud to us it may be an accepted practice. I would rather change DME's. Have you talked to the manager. They don't want to lose your…"
Ginny Edmundson replied to Ginny Edmundson's discussion New "Rant" about DME/Wisp"It really burns me up that they are doing things like this. Monday I am going to lok up th eMedicare complaint number and give them an ear full.
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RockRpsgt replied to Ginny Edmundson's discussion New "Rant" about DME/Wisp"Companies like this will have to pay in the end. Medicare is taking no prisoners in their effort to reform medicare fraud."
RockRpsgt replied to Mary Z's discussion Symptoms"I had zero symptoms. I was testing equipment one night and fell asleep hooked up. When I woke up my doc said I had an AHI of 10 with 30 second events. I have been on PAP ever since."
Ginny Edmundson replied to Ginny Edmundson's discussion New "Rant" about DME/Wisp"I just use a large rubber band and safety pin to attach i tho the sheet. It doesn't exactly kink, but rather seems to have almost bends that don't quite ever go away. I have one that doesn't but all the others seem to.…"
Mary Z replied to Ginny Edmundson's discussion New "Rant" about DME/Wisp"My light weight tubing does not have a tendency to kink. It just hangs down from the stand and comes back up to the bed. I tried a hose hanger, but bought the cheaper travel model and it just wasn't up to the task."
Ginny Edmundson replied to Ginny Edmundson's discussion New "Rant" about DME/Wisp"I was really surprised when the congestion improved without the humidification. Yes, I use the lighter weight tubing too. Do you have trouble getting the bends and kinks out of them???? I have one favorite that is broken in and I hate…"
Mary Z replied to Ginny Edmundson's discussion New "Rant" about DME/Wisp"The reasoning behind changing the tubing is that it may develop small holes or tears which causing leakage. I am careful with my tubing and don't have any animals or children playing with the tubing. I don't feel like they have…"
Ginny Edmundson replied to Ginny Edmundson's discussion New "Rant" about DME/Wisp"I have ben using one of my cushions for 3 months now. I think I will just see how long I can actually use it without leaks before I replace it. I wonder if it is OK that I do not replace the tubing but about every 6 months???? I…"
Mary Z replied to Ginny Edmundson's discussion New "Rant" about DME/Wisp"I agree Ginny, it does come out of all our pockets. I too have Medicare with a Humana supplement and insurance with my partners work. This is the only year I will have anything but Medicare and supplement. My last two Medicare…"
Terry Vella replied to Mary Z's discussion Symptoms"Good post Mary, I was like you when I was younger but the the sleep deprivation really started kicking in a few years ago my symptoms change, actually didn't change but got much, much worse. I was diagnosed with depression and on meds for 2…"
Mary Z posted a discussionSymptoms
Just trying to drum up a few posts-What symptoms did you have that got you to the sleep apnea diagnosis?I was excessively tired during the day- falling asleep eating breakfast and standing on my feet. I couldn't drive or stay awake during appointments. I thought this was the beginning of my apnea. Then I remembered the mandatory 4-5 hour naps in the afternoon when I was dead to the world. That must have been the real beginning. I went to my family practice doctor hoping for a prescription…See More
Ginny Edmundson replied to Ginny Edmundson's discussion New "Rant" about DME/Wisp"My insurance is Medicare plus supplement. SO I pay nothing out of my pocket. BUT it is coming out of ALL out pockets...........My DME is a nationally known company. I am really thinking of calling the medicare hotline.
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Mary Z replied to Ginny Edmundson's discussion New "Rant" about DME/Wisp"I think this kind of behavior may be the norm with DMEs. I happen to have one of the good ones so I'm lucky. It would be great if you called your insurance company. You can steal millions if you steal $40 from a bunch of…"
Am I The Only One Ready To Give Up?
It's been 3 months for me trying to find a mask that fits without leaking. I started out with nasal masks until I discovered I sleep with my mouth open. Then I tried at least 3-4 full face masks until my swap trial period of 30 days ran out. I even bought my own FitLife Mask from a discount place and still get leaks when I turn around. Apparently I am a fitful sleeper. I called my sleep doc and he has no open appointments until March 20 that was made for me three months ago. I've tried every suggestion made here without success.
My last two resorts are www.padacheek.com/index.html.
I just spoke to the woman who has sleep apnea herself and started making the pads because she had the same problem we all seem to have. I ordered one last week to fit around my FitLife but she told me today that although many of her customers have said it does help with the leak problem, it was made to stop the face marks. She does make an anti-leak pad that fits ResMed Mirage Quattro, Quattro FX, Ultra Mirage Full Face and Fisher Paykel 431 and 432 and Forma and Phillips Respironics Comfort Fusion and Comfort Gel Full Face Mask. (I cut and pasted the above) I ordered one because the last mask I got from my medical supply is a Quattro FX for Her. Hopefully it will stop the leaks.
I have no interest in this or any other business. I am just another woman with sleep apnea who is having a hard time getting a mask that fits and allows me to get a good night's sleep. If in the meantime I can help someone else with the same problems I'm having, that's great. For other newbies who might be having the same fitting problems I am and discovered to their surprise that there are multiple masks out there but was never told that, I suggest looking up www.cpaplibrary.com/mask-trials.html. Mary Z from our group gave me that site address. You can "borrow" for one week any mask you'd like to try. Unfortunately the two I requested last week didn't fit me but since he sends a prepaid return postage stamp it was easy to send back.
That's all the new info I have learned from my own experience. I hope it helps a newbie like me who feels discouraged and doesn't know what to do next. My biggest mistake was waiting too long to call my doctor instead of relying on my supply carrier. I asked for the doctor to call me back today and I sure hope he does. As of last night I gave up with all the masks and slept without one. I just can't deal with this problem another night.
Views: 112
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Gordon H on -
Hi Rita:
Some people are lucky and find a mask right away. I think I may have found a mask with minimal leaks, but I am in my 5th year of trying. Somewhere on this website is a discussion or a video on how to properly put your mask on and make adjustments which definitely has helped me. I am currently using a ResMed Quattro FX and the Sleep Guide instructions told me to turn the machine on first before adjusting the mask. This seems to have made a big difference. I have also shaved my beard a lot shorter which I know won't help you, but I think the former hint may work.
I am not sure if I would ever order equipment through the mail or online after my experiences. I personally think you need to be fitted by a technician who job is to do this on a daily basis. I would Google to see if there are some medical suppliers in the local area with good reputations and multiple stores. I am very fortunate to have a regional supplier that covers VT and NH as we are a rural area here in the Northeast Kingdom of VT. I have been able to do multiple exchanges during these 4+ years at no cost to me other than my time. The mask suppliers also are supposed to have very good policies about exchanges.
Good luck with your search.
Gordon H.
P. S. I just came back to edit my post. I found the How to Fit a Mask Properly. This was posted 07/09/09 by RockRpsgt. Currently, this is on the top of my discussion lists.
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Permalink Reply by Nunya Bizness on
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You might want to try a bite guard, which you can get at a drugstore for $20 or so. It repositions your jaw a little and may keep your mouth from opening.
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Permalink Reply by Rita Butler on
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- Hi Gordon ~ Lord, I hope it doesn't take me 5 years to find a mask. By that time I'll be 81 years old and probably dead and buried! ;-)
- I did see the video by RockRpsgt and followed his instructions but they didn't work for me no matter how many times I tried them.
- I also have the same mask you do, only it's made for a woman. It just came out. I have no clue what the difference is...I think yours has a guard across the forehead and mine doesn't.
- Since I'm weaning off an antidepressant and feeling the effects now that I'm on a low dosage, I think I'm going to put the masks aside for another week. I can only deal with one thing at a time.
- Funny thing just happened...my sleep apnea doc just called and wants me to call his consultant tomorrow morning and make an appointment to come in to see if there is something else we can try. What that something else is I have no idea. At least something is being done. Hope it works...
Gordon H said:
Hi Rita:
Some people are lucky and find a mask right away. I think I may have found a mask with minimal leaks, but I am in my 5th year of trying. Somewhere on this website is a discussion or a video on how to properly put your mask on and make adjustments which definitely has helped me. I am currently using a ResMed Quattro FX and the Sleep Guide instructions told me to turn the machine on first before adjusting the mask. This seems to have made a big difference. I have also shaved my beard a lot shorter which I know won't help you, but I think the former hint may work.
I am not sure if I would ever order equipment through the mail or online after my experiences. I personally think you need to be fitted by a technician who job is to do this on a daily basis. I would Google to see if there are some medical suppliers in the local area with good reputations and multiple stores. I am very fortunate to have a regional supplier that covers VT and NH as we are a rural area here in the Northeast Kingdom of VT. I have been able to do multiple exchanges during these 4+ years at no cost to me other than my time. The mask suppliers also are supposed to have very good policies about exchanges.
Good luck with your search.
Gordon H.
P. S. I just came back to edit my post. I found the How to Fit a Mask Properly. This was posted 07/09/09 by RockRpsgt. Currently, this is on the top of my discussion lists.
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Permalink Reply by Rita Butler on
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Thanks for replying, Nunya. My sleep doc just called and I'm supposed to make an appointment tomorrow to go in to see his consultant.
Nunya Bizness said:You might want to try a bite guard, which you can get at a drugstore for $20 or so. It repositions your jaw a little and may keep your mouth from opening.
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Permalink Reply by Terry Vella on
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Rita, It's good you got an earlier appointment, I know what it's like tapering down on antidepressants, I have cut mine in half since Christmas and get all the side effects each time I go down or up. If you are not using the mask, in the short term can you prop yourself up in a chair and sleep, it may not be comfortable but my help your apnea. When you see the consultant make sure they test the mask lying down, turning etc. Also have the pressure on your highset setting for a while. It sounds like the shape of your face is causing the problems.
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Permalink Reply by Rita Butler on
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Terry, I tried sleeping without the mask but by midnight or so I gave up. I just couldn't sleep right. I took a good look at my mask and would you believe I found part of the silicone edges around the mask were not in their proper grove. I wash my mask every week but wipe it out with capap wipes every morning. Somehow I didn't check my mask somewhere between washing it or wiping it out. I bet that problem was there for days. Remember, I'm a newbie at this but learning new things every day. I don't believe I ever saw any literature that said to check to be sure the edges were in the right groves if there was loud leaking sounds. I know it says to be sure it's put together right but I never saw it said the silicone part of the mask could come out of the edge of the mask any time you use it. I guess I'm just dumb or something but I learned my lesson. I fixed it and had hardly any leaking sounds last night.
I am waiting for some pads to come that are put around the mask. I'll let everyone know how it works and if it makes any difference. Now I have to learn to relax with the whole procedure instead of waiting for something to go wrong.
Terry Vella said:Rita, It's good you got an earlier appointment, I know what it's like tapering down on antidepressants, I have cut mine in half since Christmas and get all the side effects each time I go down or up. If you are not using the mask, in the short term can you prop yourself up in a chair and sleep, it may not be comfortable but my help your apnea. When you see the consultant make sure they test the mask lying down, turning etc. Also have the pressure on your highset setting for a while. It sounds like the shape of your face is causing the problems.
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Permalink Reply by Terry Vella on
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Rita, well done, we all make mistakes at the start. I over filled my humidifier once and got covered in water, I only did it once. I wash all my equipment once a week as well and really have to concentrate on putting every bit back as it was. Keep at it and let us know how you go.
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