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Permalink Reply by Melinda Hertel on August 18, 2009 at 12:37pm

Hi, Sandra. What machine do you have? It sounds like someone set the function that allows the machine to shut off after the mask has been removed. If you are getting a big enough leak, the machine may think you took the mask off and is just shutting down because it is set to do that. If you are tightening your mask so tight that it hurts, I would recommend you have your equipment provider refit you. It is clearly not a good fit! ResMed makes some very good masks that use inflation to help maintain a seal and you don't have to tighten them so tight. I personally use the Mirage Activa LT for that reason and have no trouble keeping a seal when sleeping on my side.

If your machine is set for the automatic on/off, I would have that turned off. Hope that helps! :)

Melinda Hertel

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Permalink Reply by Sandra Kay Goodwin on August 18, 2009 at 12:46pm

Hi Melinda,
I have an appointment coming up to see my sleep apnea doctor. I will discuss this matter with her. I get my equipment with LoveJoy, and have unfortunately had several problems with their supplies. The use cheap masks. I am told that they do have a lot of other masks, but it seems all they want to show me is the cheap stuff. I have Humana Insurance. It covers most of the expenses.

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Permalink Reply by Judy on August 18, 2009 at 12:51pm

Sandra, unless your appontment w/your sleep doctor is yet this week I would contact the local DME supplier, no matter how unhelpful they have been to now, and tell them I am returning this BPAP unless they can set it to work correctly and tell them just what you are encountering w/it.

What brand and model BPAP do you have? The model should be written right on the top of your BPAP or for sure the model name is on the cover of your Users Manual.

If your BPAP is NOT a fully data capable BPAP NOW is the time to return this one and exchange it for a fully data capable one even if it is just a matter of a large leak shutting the BPAP off. If you get a fully data capable BPAP by the same manufacturer your current integrated humidifier, etc. are compatable.

AND, it may well be that the mask they have provided you with and your BPAP are NOT compatable. I've read that this can be the case w/some BPAPs and masks.

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Permalink Reply by Sandra Kay Goodwin on August 18, 2009 at 1:31pm

I really don't know what the model number is on my Bipap. When I get home, I can check it and let you know tomorrow. I really am about to exchange suppliers. I had an appointment one day with Lovejoy, but when I had gotton there for my appointment, the lady didn't show up. They said she had an emergency. The thing is no one called me to cancel my appointment and I had to take off work to go. I was kind of upset about this. They just use cheap masks and don't seem to care. I hate to say this about the people I have been going to, it it seems that they just want to give you anything and just push you out of the office.

Judy said:

Sandra, unless your appontment w/your sleep doctor is yet this week I would contact the local DME supplier, no matter how unhelpful they have been to now, and tell them I am returning this BPAP unless they can set it to work correctly and tell them just what you are encountering w/it.

What brand and model BPAP do you have? The model should be written right on the top of your BPAP or for sure the model name is on the cover of your Users Manual.

If your BPAP is NOT a fully data capable BPAP NOW is the time to return this one and exchange it for a fully data capable one even if it is just a matter of a large leak shutting the BPAP off. If you get a fully data capable BPAP by the same manufacturer your current integrated humidifier, etc. are compatable.

AND, it may well be that the mask they have provided you with and your BPAP are NOT compatable. I've read that this can be the case w/some BPAPs and masks.

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Permalink Reply by Judy on August 18, 2009 at 2:09pm

You are NOT the first to encounter a local DME supplier like this. You might do well to call your insurance company and ask them what local DME suppliers they are contracted with. Hopefully you will have the option of more than one as that gives you more bargaining/negotiating room to get the equipment you want (w/in reason, of course).

Most bi-levels (not that there are that many to choose from as compared to CPAPs and APAPs) are fully data capable, but not all are. We want to make sure that you have or are provided w/a fully data capable BPAP. Just because your xPAP has a data card does NOT mean it is fully data capable. Just compliance data is of absolutely NO VALUE to YOU or YOUR DOCTOR. It only provides proof for your DME supplier to provide your insurance company that you ARE using your xPAP and it isn't sitting in the closet collecting dust.

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Permalink Reply by Sandra Kay Goodwin on August 18, 2009 at 2:55pm

Hi Judy,
Thanks for your info. I will contact my insurance company and see what suppliers I can go with. I feel sure than Humana will cover more than one. Thanks again.

Judy said:

You are NOT the first to encounter a local DME supplier like this. You might do well to call your insurance company and ask them what local DME suppliers they are contracted with. Hopefully you will have the option of more than one as that gives you more bargaining/negotiating room to get the equipment you want (w/in reason, of course).

Most bi-levels (not that there are that many to choose from as compared to CPAPs and APAPs) are fully data capable, but not all are. We want to make sure that you have or are provided w/a fully data capable BPAP. Just because your xPAP has a data card does NOT mean it is fully data capable. Just compliance data is of absolutely NO VALUE to YOU or YOUR DOCTOR. It only provides proof for your DME supplier to provide your insurance company that you ARE using your xPAP and it isn't sitting in the closet collecting dust.

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