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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…"
Ginny Edmundson commented on Mary Z's status"I was thinking the same thing, Mary. I did make a new post today regarding the Wisp and my DME."
Ginny Edmundson posted a discussionNew "Rant" about DME/Wisp
Well, it had been three months since I received my original Wisp. And while it is still working well I wanted a "spare" on hand...just in case! So I called my DME to ask if they had the one with the fabric frame in stock. They did. The next day I drove there and picked up the new mask and one extra cushion. All to be billed to my Insurance. When I got home I realized they had the clear frame and not the fabric. I called and told them I would take it back today and exchange for the…See More
Free CPAP Masks Ad on Craigslist
Free CPAP Masks Ad posted to Craigslist today:
http://jacksonville.craigslist.org/zip/1124467292.html
http://jacksonville.craigslist.org/zip/1124467292.html
Tags: cpap, Elite, III, control, craigslist, disinfectant, free, masks
Views: 512
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by PD Laire on -
personally, i wouldn't want a used mask, but i'm also able to afford a new one. i can see how it beats the alternative -- not having one -- if you're low on cash.
Daniel Levy said:Ewww. Who would want a mask that was in someone else's nose or mouth?
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Permalink Reply by Dan Lyons on -
It is a shame that there is not a section on this site, which would offer donated *PAP items to persons who are in genuine need of equipment and can't afford the cost due to their economic situation. I am sure that those persons wouldn't mind disinfecting the mask so they could have a good night's sleep and live a few years longer and enjoy life’s many pleasures.
I have seen numerous posts in recent months for just such persons.
One person’s trash is another’s treasure.
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Permalink Reply by sleepycarol on -
I guess we all march to a different drummer. When I had my sleep studies done, the masks used on me were not new. There was a tower with plastic bins that had the different masks in them. When my titration study was done at the local hospital's satellite clinic the tech was washing the masks during one of my bathroom breaks. The had a little room off to the side of the tech's room where it was being done. I am sure they disinfected them.
I use utensils, glasses, plates, etc. when I go out to eat. You do not think anything about drinking out of a glass someone else has used prior to you (of course, it has been washed) or using that fork to eat with. To me there isn't any difference in that and using a cleaned mask.
It took many, many masks for me to find my perfect mask. I would have been in a world of hurt if I hadn't done some bidding on gently used masks on cpapauction.com or traded masks on another forum. I wash all the masks I received in very hot soapy water, rinsed thoroughly and let dry. Most germs can not live long without a live host and hot soapy water kills most germs. If you are a germophobic, you could use some Controll III.
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Permalink Reply by Daniel on -
SomniHealth just received its accreditation from The Joint Commission. We had an interesting discussion about the approriate use of Control III. Regular Control III does not kill TB. Control III Elite does. If you use Control III to clean masks for multipatient use, please be sure it is Control III Elite. I seriously doubt that someone selling a used mask on Craig's List follows the manufacturer's published guidelines for Multi-Patient Re-use of CPAP masks.
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Permalink Reply by sleepycarol on
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Many of us live in rural areas where options are limited. I know that my current insurance has only one local DME that I can use. Masks are very expensive, especially from DME's. In December I picked up a new mask and my insurance company was billed over $400 for that mask. The same mask sells online for 1/3 that cost. My insurance paid over $300 for that particular mask. The DME does not have a return mask policy. If you are unable to use it -- you are stuck so to speak.
So a person should have suboptimal treatment or give up on treatment because they can not afford a new sealed mask?
To me that is unacceptable!! Patients should not be penalized for having limited funds at their discretion when trying to find a mask that works for them.
If that is the case then how come silverware, plates, cups, glasses, etc. from restraurants are not sanitized above and beyond washing?
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Permalink Reply by Judy on -
Well, SleepyCarol, we don't DARE use water as hot as the water used in those commerciall dishwashers at restaurants, hospitals, etc.
Just a few years ago I wouldn't have worried about TB, it was ALMOST irradicated in the USA - but w/all the illegal immigrants that don't go thru a thorough health exam as the legal immigrants do .... bed bugs are making a come back in the USA too. And from the same source.
Our contaminated food sources are most often due to illegal immigrants from poverty stricken countries w/poor to no sanitation who have never practiced sanitary practices. I used to work "green season" in a pickle factory every year. And we had LEGAL temporary immigrant workers - their sanitary practices left a LOT to be desired to put it mildly. At least the pickles were thoroughly "cooked" and jarred in HOT ovens 'cause I'd never be able to eat a pickle again if they weren't! I worked on the labeler just off the ovens.
So - buy Control III Elite instead of "just" Control III. And keep in mind I'm one whose momma always told her we had to eat a bushel of dirt before we die - and who "eats" a lotta dog and cat hair and even a few horse hairs from time to time I would guess. *wicked grin*
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Permalink Reply by Butch Hernandez on -
Big fan of Control III Elite here for sure. We have mandatory TB screens yearly and at some point, I was exposed to it as I had a positive PPD. As a tech, we don't always get complete medical histories on pts and the likelyhood of exposure to TB is pretty high. I don't care to remember all the times I've gone into a room during a titration and immediately smelled that funky breath. Who knows what's airbourne!
I am sympathetic to pts financial situations and their willingness to acquire proper equipment at less cost. My biggest prob with pts getting a mask online is the fitting. Experienced users pretty much know how to adjust their masks effectively provided it's the same mask they've always used. Mask fitting is absolutely critical, so I wouldn't recommend a pt getting a new style of mask without a professional fitting as it directly effects their therapy's efficacy. The mask plays a HUGE role in pt compliance.
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Permalink Reply by Judy on
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Ha! I'll go a step further, Butch Hernandez. Once the proper pressure needed has been determined THE MASK is THE KEY to successful xPAP therapy.
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Permalink Reply by Butch Hernandez on
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Hooyah!!
Judy said:Ha! I'll go a step further, Butch Hernandez. Once the proper pressure needed has been determined THE MASK is THE KEY to successful xPAP therapy.
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Permalink Reply by Judy Sharp on -
Where can I buy Control lll Elite?
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