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Ok, so here's how lame my medical supplier is...I called my supplier right after my appointment in May...however, they didn't call me back...and then things began to happen with my income and couldn't afford to buy a mask to fix the leaks...I'm back to my insomnia schedule and I think I'll increase my provigil up to 200mg tomorrow...or 150mg...I go back to the doctor on August 2...I need help finding another supplier...
My humidifier is over a year old...my mask has major leaks...my hose is over a year old...my filters are old...damn...what do I have to do to get medical attention...I don't know where to go...I went to Brannons and their equipment smells like cigarettes...my mask smelled like cigarettes....this is when I got my mask last September...however, I have had my humidifier, hose, and filter since may of last year....
I live in the Monterey Bay Area...where could I go besides Brannons?
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Judy on
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Call your insurance and ask them what local DME providers they are contracted with - and be sure to send them a written explanation of your problems w/Brannons. Many insurances provide access to their replacement schedule at their website. You could ask about that as well.
Humidifiers usually last MUCH longer than just one year so I wouldn't worry about it. HOWEVER, most insurances will replace a mask every 6 months, just the cushion for the mask can usually be replaced at least every 3 months and usually once a month if needed. Usually they will replace the hose every 3 months. Filters should be replaced as needed, there are manufacturer recommendations in your Users Manual. They are cheap enough I bought extras online since we had a furnace add-on woodburner for some 20 years and despite having the ductwork cleaned a couple of times ......
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Permalink Reply by Tim on
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If you don't have insurance, there are several online CPAP providers that sell new CPAP equipment for considerably less than brick and mortar DMEs -- and as they are new, they have no cigarette smell. Cigarette smoke odor is such a gross, nasty smell.
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Permalink Reply by sleepycarol on
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Like Judy said, your humidifier should last alot longer than a year. Do you use distilled water? I only use distilled water that I purchase from our local grocery store. It is cheap at less than a $1.00 for a gallon. Since I mainly use it in pass over mode and top the water off each night, a gallon last a long time. In the summer I don't use the humidifer at all.
I am still using my original hose -- it will be three years in August since I began treatment. I do have a spare in case it is needed, but see no reason to discard the original until it develops major problems. The ends are still nice and tight, etc. but then again I am really really lax on cleaning and I don't think the hose has been cleaned but maybe once, if that.
My mask is one that I purchased from another user on cpap.com. I am unsure the age of the mask when I received it, but have used it for the last 2+ years without changing even the cushions. It is the Headrest.
Since you probably need new cushions, look on line and see if you can find them on eBay if you are wanting to save some money. New masks can be had for a reasonable sum on cpapauction as well.
Filters can be purchased from eBay or cpapauction at a low cost. I typically by a dozen at a time, so that I can have them on hand. I change them at least once a month. One of our regulars on here, Rock has used furnace filter material and made his own. Check with him on which filters he buys and how he cuts them.
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Permalink Reply by Victoria Castro on
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So, I went to the Sleep Doctor yesterday (Dr. Brown at Stanford)...and the attending doctor (Can't remember name)...told me to drop my current supplier and go get acquainted with a new supplier. This is what I am going to do...after I pay off my debt to the current supplier. I have some phone numbers of places that they provided me with and I have a new script for my equipment.
sleepycarol said:Like Judy said, your humidifier should last alot longer than a year. Do you use distilled water? I only use distilled water that I purchase from our local grocery store. It is cheap at less than a $1.00 for a gallon. Since I mainly use it in pass over mode and top the water off each night, a gallon last a long time. In the summer I don't use the humidifer at all.
I am still using my original hose -- it will be three years in August since I began treatment. I do have a spare in case it is needed, but see no reason to discard the original until it develops major problems. The ends are still nice and tight, etc. but then again I am really really lax on cleaning and I don't think the hose has been cleaned but maybe once, if that.
My mask is one that I purchased from another user on cpap.com. I am unsure the age of the mask when I received it, but have used it for the last 2+ years without changing even the cushions. It is the Headrest.
Since you probably need new cushions, look on line and see if you can find them on eBay if you are wanting to save some money. New masks can be had for a reasonable sum on cpapauction as well.
Filters can be purchased from eBay or cpapauction at a low cost. I typically by a dozen at a time, so that I can have them on hand. I change them at least once a month. One of our regulars on here, Rock has used furnace filter material and made his own. Check with him on which filters he buys and how he cuts them.
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