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Frustrated with DME and doctor HELP!!!
I tell you what, I am so glad that this site is here. I have gotten more information from the users here than I have from my doctor or my DME. Last night up until about 12:30-1:00 a.m I was having issues with my Mirage quattro mask. The little flappy thing that is in the hole where the hose connects (I guess its some sort of valve?)...anyhow that kept opening and closing. To me is seemed that everytime that it opened I would lose air pressure, and if I got it to close the air pressure picked back up. When I called my DME the girl had no clue what I was talking about. My AHI has gone up just a little (was 2.4, now 2.7) I don't know if that has anything to do with the issue that I was having last night. Around 1 a.m I finally got up dug through the bag that I had the masks that didn't work for me (I'm glad I kept them) and got out the comfort full mask that I had. We switched away from that one because I wasn't getting a good seal it even leaked when they were fitting me at the DME and I was told that it would be okay. Anyhow, to get back to what I initially started writing about. Once I switched masks I was able to my air pressure up. I guess I should clarify that my number on the machine is not dropping, it felt as if the air wasn't coming out strong enough.
(My pressure is set at 14)
Can someone help me???? Oh yeah, and I STILL have not gotten my FUllLife face mask that I have been waiting on for going on 3 weeks now...It just seems that someone has dropped the ball....
(My pressure is set at 14)
Can someone help me???? Oh yeah, and I STILL have not gotten my FUllLife face mask that I have been waiting on for going on 3 weeks now...It just seems that someone has dropped the ball....
Views: 41
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Saz RPSGT on
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Are you talking about the "anti asphyxiation" valve?
It is supposed to stay open and cover up the hole above when CPAP is turned on. I'm not sure how it's even possible for it to close if the pressure from CPAP is on. If it is closing some reason while on, then you have a problem. But...you say that the machine is on and reading 14cmH20. This is one of those problems that are hard to fix remotely.
Its purpose is that if power cuts off and your machine goes off, the flap falls down allowing outside air in. This is just so that you don't suffocate with a full face mask.
I guess I'm not 100% sure what your question is, but I'd love to help you out if I could.
Saz
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Permalink Reply by Christine C on
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Okay, I took a short nap today and it seems to be working fine...maybe it was all just a bad dream..lol
Saz RPSGT said:Are you talking about the "anti asphyxiation" valve?
It is supposed to stay open and cover up the hole above when CPAP is turned on. I'm not sure how it's even possible for it to close if the pressure from CPAP is on. If it is closing some reason while on, then you have a problem. But...you say that the machine is on and reading 14cmH20. This is one of those problems that are hard to fix remotely.
Its purpose is that if power cuts off and your machine goes off, the flap falls down allowing outside air in. This is just so that you don't suffocate with a full face mask.
I guess I'm not 100% sure what your question is, but I'd love to help you out if I could.
Saz
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Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on
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We have the same problem in the lab sometimes. It can be really annoying.
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So, Rock..you know what I'm talking about? Is it something that I should be concerned about?
Rock Hinkle said:We have the same problem in the lab sometimes. It can be really annoying.
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Permalink Reply by Dan Lyons on
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The anti-asphyxiation valve, to which it sounds like you are describing, will close or partially close if it becomes obstructed. You can manually simulate it by simply placing your finger over the exterior opening. When you remove your finger, you get a pressure "thump". The same thing happens if blankets, or other foreign materials should block the valve port.
The reason that this occurs is that a negative air pressure develops on the outward side of the flapper when the port is blocked. It doesn't affect the valves operation. The "shock" and sound are just startling.
Several suggestions:
1. Review your sleep environment.
2. Look at your sleep positions.
Adjust accordingly to minimize blocking the port.
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Permalink Reply by 99 on
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i broke my anti asphixiation valve last sunday night by coughing in my mask
i was trying to put a bandage on it so as not to block it
but monday i had a new new mask and all is well
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I did move around a lot last night. I have been having back and hip problems from an old injury and have been having trouble getting in a postion that is comfortable. I went to the doctor today for that and was given muscle relaxers so that I could sleep a little better. Hopefully tonight will be a better night...And yeah there is nothing like waking up ever half hour or so to that "thump"....
Dan Lyons said:The anti-asphyxiation valve, to which it sounds like you are describing, will close or partially close if it becomes obstructed. You can manually simulate it by simply placing your finger over the exterior opening. When you remove your finger, you get a pressure "thump". The same thing happens if blankets, or other foreign materials should block the valve port.
The reason that this occurs is that a negative air pressure develops on the outward side of the flapper when the port is blocked. It doesn't affect the valves operation. The "shock" and sound are just startling.
Several suggestions:
1. Review your sleep environment.
2. Look at your sleep positions.
Adjust accordingly to minimize blocking the port.
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If this one will hold out long enough for me to get my FullLife mask I will be a happy camper, but at the rate I'm going with waiting for it to come in I'll be old and grey...lol
99 said:i broke my anti asphixiation valve last sunday night by coughing in my mask
i was trying to put a bandage on it so as not to block it
but monday i had a new new mask and all is well
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I have a question..shouldn't my DME know about this stuff?
Dan Lyons said:The anti-asphyxiation valve, to which it sounds like you are describing, will close or partially close if it becomes obstructed. You can manually simulate it by simply placing your finger over the exterior opening. When you remove your finger, you get a pressure "thump". The same thing happens if blankets, or other foreign materials should block the valve port.
The reason that this occurs is that a negative air pressure develops on the outward side of the flapper when the port is blocked. It doesn't affect the valves operation. The "shock" and sound are just startling.
Several suggestions:
1. Review your sleep environment.
2. Look at your sleep positions.
Adjust accordingly to minimize blocking the port.
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Christine,
Please take it easy on this old guy. My sides now hurt from the laughing.
DME's are like car salesmen. Look here, want it, fill out the forms, thank you and last thing you see, is they are standing by the window laughing uncontrollably as you walk to your car.
What they do know is how to check your insurance card and credit so they can complete the sale.
The unfortunate thing is the majority are like this. The good ones are few and far between.
Christine C said:I have a question..shouldn't my DME know about this stuff?
Dan Lyons said:The anti-asphyxiation valve, to which it sounds like you are describing, will close or partially close if it becomes obstructed. You can manually simulate it by simply placing your finger over the exterior opening. When you remove your finger, you get a pressure "thump". The same thing happens if blankets, or other foreign materials should block the valve port.
The reason that this occurs is that a negative air pressure develops on the outward side of the flapper when the port is blocked. It doesn't affect the valves operation. The "shock" and sound are just startling.
Several suggestions:
1. Review your sleep environment.
2. Look at your sleep positions.
Adjust accordingly to minimize blocking the port.
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Well, I thought you might want a little chuckle...I am finding that my local DME is like a thorn in my side. They have done NOTHING for me. If it weren't for this site and the members, I would be in the dark.
I asked them today if they could track where my order for my new mask is and of course the girl said that she would get back to me..Its a good thing I didn't hold my breath on that one. If I did I would be about 3 shades of blue by now.
Dan Lyons said:Christine,
Please take it easy on this old guy. My sides now hurt from the laughing.
DME's are like car salesmen. Look here, want it, fill out the forms, thank you and last thing you see, is they are standing by the window laughing uncontrollably as you walk to your car.
What they do know is how to check your insurance card and credit so they can complete the sale.
The unfortunate thing is the majority are like this. The good ones are few and far between.
Christine C said:I have a question..shouldn't my DME know about this stuff?
Dan Lyons said:The anti-asphyxiation valve, to which it sounds like you are describing, will close or partially close if it becomes obstructed. You can manually simulate it by simply placing your finger over the exterior opening. When you remove your finger, you get a pressure "thump". The same thing happens if blankets, or other foreign materials should block the valve port.
The reason that this occurs is that a negative air pressure develops on the outward side of the flapper when the port is blocked. It doesn't affect the valves operation. The "shock" and sound are just startling.
Several suggestions:
1. Review your sleep environment.
2. Look at your sleep positions.
Adjust accordingly to minimize blocking the port.
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Permalink Reply by gordon on
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Christine, I began paying Kaiser Permanente insurance or Blue Cross at age 23, about a year after we got married. My wife says it's at least 30 years we paid Kaiser, first Blue Shield with a $2,000 deductable started rising about 20 yrs ago, to be the same as Kaiser, so we switched, so I'll take the wife's memory of 30 yrs... Ok, my point is we were paying about $1250 A YEAR I think, and in 2008 with our family of 3 (son- now 21) it was $12,000.00 ($1,000/month) (plus about $8,000.00 for her breast cancer co-pays.) Now, my REAL point! After ALL this payment, DME is NOT covered for me. How fair is that? No loyalty to "customers"? All I got was the sleep clinic and Rx. But the diagnosis was worth a million bucks, to me anyway. Feel pretty good even after 7 hrs sleep(uninterrupted) Oh well...
Christine C said:Well, I thought you might want a little chuckle...I am finding that my local DME is like a thorn in my side. They have done NOTHING for me. If it weren't for this site and the members, I would be in the dark.
I asked them today if they could track where my order for my new mask is and of course the girl said that she would get back to me..Its a good thing I didn't hold my breath on that one. If I did I would be about 3 shades of blue by now.
Dan Lyons said:Christine,
Please take it easy on this old guy. My sides now hurt from the laughing.
DME's are like car salesmen. Look here, want it, fill out the forms, thank you and last thing you see, is they are standing by the window laughing uncontrollably as you walk to your car.
What they do know is how to check your insurance card and credit so they can complete the sale.
The unfortunate thing is the majority are like this. The good ones are few and far between.
Christine C said:I have a question..shouldn't my DME know about this stuff?
Dan Lyons said:The anti-asphyxiation valve, to which it sounds like you are describing, will close or partially close if it becomes obstructed. You can manually simulate it by simply placing your finger over the exterior opening. When you remove your finger, you get a pressure "thump". The same thing happens if blankets, or other foreign materials should block the valve port.
The reason that this occurs is that a negative air pressure develops on the outward side of the flapper when the port is blocked. It doesn't affect the valves operation. The "shock" and sound are just startling.
Several suggestions:
1. Review your sleep environment.
2. Look at your sleep positions.
Adjust accordingly to minimize blocking the port.
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