Hi Allison. I work in a sleep physician's office and run a CPAP business, so I can at least tell you what I know from both sides of the DME v. online companies. The physician's office is given a list of contracted prices that they can charge the ins…
I've been using CPAP for 5 years and got results right away. I had a little trouble finding the right mask, but other than that have done very well with no real adjustment period.
Well, I volunteer regularly with a local animal rescue. I love it. I have a dog assigned to me as my Kennel Buddy and I spend time with him/her training and going on little trips around town. The idea is to help them become more adoptable and get th…
Respiratory therapists are also involved in educating the patient. I think part of the problem is that sleep techs perform the sleep study, while the patient is sleeping, then go home to get their own zzzzzz's. There isn't an opportunity for the tec…
My mom has sleep apnea, and I'm pretty sure my dad did. My dad had diabetes in his fifties and died at 60 from malignant melanoma. (Wear sunscreen people!!) My youngest sister died of primary pulmonary hypertension. She had Type I diabetes starting…
You crack me up, Jeff! Here's my thought....at least the subject is getting out there so people become aware of the problem. What disturbs me more is sitcoms that make snoring and apnea the subject of the show, but it's treated with Breathe-Right st…
Hi Jamie--The reaction you are having is rare, but not unheard of unfortunately. We have a patient who had the same problem. Our doctor sent him to an allergist with a mask sample to do a skin test of some sort. Haven't heard the results yet. We hav…
Hi there. I am wondering if you have a copy of your sleep study...not just the dictated report but the actual numbers and graphs? It's possible that you need a pressure of 18, but I can't tell you how many times a patient has come to see the doctor…
I use the Swift LT for her nasal pillows. I have occasional pain and sensitivity on the edge of my nostrils. Usually my non mineral oil cream used in the daytime will reduce the discomfort. Being rather new to all of this, I am trying to arm myself with any tools that will help prevent or immediately treat what ever comes up as time goes by. I will e mail you regarding the samples. Do you know where this product is sold also? I will give some feedback after I try it so others may be aware. Thank you.
Hello Melinda, I do seem to get around when I am not strapped.
Thank you for the friend add.
We are busy trying to stay close to the demand. It is getting away from us, and we are trying to shovel faster and harder. Gotta get either a bigger shovel and stronger arms or more shovels and more arms. I opt for the latter.
Take care and thank you again for the kindness.
Karen
Hi, Mike. Not sure about this issue. I don't have as much experience with the Encore software. We use it, but not enough to have encountered this problem. I would be glad to talk to my rep or Respironics tech support for him though.
We are glad you joined. You will find informative information about sleep apnea, treatment options, and other information to help enhance your sleep.
If you are fairly new to the world of sleep apnea, please check out the new users group and the collective wisdom section. In those groups you will find informative discussions that maybe of interest to you.
If you have been around the world of sleep apnea for a while, we hope you still find the site informative and of interest.
Please feel free to share your thoughs, ideas, comments, questions, etc.
Yup, if you've got insurance, your insurance dictates which local DME providers you can use.
Just because you bought your CPAP elsewhere does NOT mean that your insurance contracted providers can't or won't provide your masks and other accessories.…
Hi Candace,
Apria is giving me a payment plan for 10 months, after that I will buy it if I still need it. In the mean time, all of the folks here are so helpful they told me the best cpap to get and low and behold, Apria did not give me a newer mode…
Linda, I read your question re: CPAP Machine and Apria. I also am not impressed with them. I have Kaiser and Kaiser will not pay for my equipment. Apria says that I have to pay all costs up front. Are you on a payment plan with Apria. I have severe…
First, let me say, Thank you for going to bat for us. I think you are doing a fantastic job in spreading OSA awareness and providing us with OSA a place to go for support. Apparently there is no connection between a college degree and intelligence,…
You hit the nail on the head. I had a similar experience last year with another organization, The Alzheimer's Association. I ask for permission to pass out a flyer, "Does Sleep Apnea Cause Alzheimer's Disease?," at one of their annual meetings regar…
"Respironics recommends that new patients purchase their devices, masks and initial accessories from a homecare company that can provide an individualized patient equipment set-up, clinical and after-sale support, and a program to assist patients wi…
I believe that individuals should be free to make decisions for themselves. This goes for the patients and the providers. The patient is free to decide what to do and who to pay for what services. The provider is free to decide what services he offe…
I'M NOT A 100% SURE OF THE NAME OF MY MASK I THINK IT'S CALLED A PROFILE LITE IT HAS A THICK GEL CUSHION ON THE FORHEAD PIECE AND THE ALL AROUND THE MASK. I STILL END UP WITH RED MARKS ON THE BRIDGE OF MY NOSE AND FOREHEAD BUT THEY FADE IN AN HOUR O…
by no means am i suggesting that this one person believes one thing or another. rather, she is the director of marketing and communications for the AHA. it is her job to communicate the organization's viewpoints to the public, and that's what she wa…
I received my machine in March with a nasal pillow mask. I switched to a full face mask because I was breathing thru my mouth.I was struggling with getting used to wearing the mask, finally got to the point of wearing it every night.I could not get…
Ah ha, BirdShell!!! You can ignore me, but we managed to lure you out of your hiding place w/this thread, eh??
Too bad too. Danielle, Ashley, Nicole and I are all meeting at La Placita in Saginaw for lunch tomorrow. I'll be thinking of you!!!! Nico…
I agree with your advice,Mike.Once I was treated for a sinus infection,I had replaced everything .Also, it is a good idea to use saline to cleanse the sinuses at least twice daily . You may look into the use of a Nettie Pot,,,,that can throughly cle…
I tried wearing a band aid on the bridge of my nose the other night and it helped, but not enough. Most of the "solutions' that I've found end up causing to much air to leak. I started wearing the bandana (folded in several layers and tied like a he…