Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Judy on January 6, 2011 at 8:24pm

I'll be rooting for you, DonnaB!

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Permalink Reply by Maryann on January 6, 2011 at 9:14pm

The reason I got the S-9 is because it auto-adjusting for the pressure needed at the time. In my sleepstudy with the c-pap I could not exhale against the high pressure that I needed to control my apneas. It gives you the exact pressure needed at the moment. It has worked very well for me, my AHI has gone from 82 down to single digits. I asked my DME why I was not told how to access my data and was told that I was not supposed be able to.  But I have figured out for myself how to get the AHI finally.

Donna B. said:

Judy, in response to Maryann's frustration:

I asked for the S9 at my last appt and was told it has a lot of defects. Kind of like buying a new model car the first year it comes out. My DME guy did not recommend it and the Doctor said I have what he needs (S8) to follow my therapy. I'm thinking they're both full of it. The S8 only records hours used and has no other data, how am I supposed to know how I am progressing in my therapy?? What about all the other data that is supposed to be more important than hours used? Do only moderate to severe Apnea patients get an S9 ?

Donna B.

Judy said:

The Resmed S8 Escape is NOT fully data capable. It can only report usage compliance. It is not necessary to insert the S8 data card in the S8 Escape until you are ready to do the download.

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Permalink Reply by Donna B. on January 8, 2011 at 2:55pm

Judy, So I go in to get my mask replaced, not realizing it is the first of the year, I have to meet my deductible first. Only $1000.00. If I wanted a new mask I would have to pay for it, $103.50.( Wasn't expecting it to be that much.) My DME guy gave me the replacement pillows for the mask. I will have to wait until my Doctor's appt in February to get the machine switched out as my DME cannot do it without his approval. Also, my insurance co. won't cover replacement masks but every 4 months, not 3, so I will have to wait for February for that too. UGH.. If they (doctor's office) would just tell you this when you get your equipment it would alleviate a lot of frustration.

Education is the key to all of this OSA stuff. I was given a machine and a mask and sent on my way. My DME guy and I are going to start a group so that newbies and veterans can meet to share their experiences and knowledge. He has OSA too so he knows what it is like to be a patient. He is in agreement with me that it is desperately needed here because there are no groups in this area. I am hoping my frustration in all of this turns into something good for others. Wish me luck. We will be meeting soon to get it started.

Donna B.

Judy said:

I'll be rooting for you, DonnaB!

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Permalink Reply by D. W. Conn on January 8, 2011 at 3:15pm

I personally do not care for tattle tale cards. I have had patients deemed not compliant and had their machines taken away. They had to be retested and start over.. Just too 1984 for me.

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Permalink Reply by Donna B. on January 8, 2011 at 3:54pm

D.W.

So do you think that compliance is all that is needed for CPAP therapy? I am confused. Wouldn't the Doctor want to see the full data to assess the patients therapy? I have the S8 which is hours used only. I have mild-moderate OSA.

D. W. Conn said:

I personally do not care for tattle tale cards. I have had patients deemed not compliant and had their machines taken away. They had to be retested and start over.. Just too 1984 for me.

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Permalink Reply by D. W. Conn on January 8, 2011 at 4:07pm

a very large percent of Physicians never see the data card information. Apnea treatment is not just CPAP , it is a complex and dynamic illness. Diet, emotional health, sleep hygiene issues must be dealt with.. also cardiac issues, diabetes the list goes on and on.. If the data was only used by physicians I would have no problem but its not.

Donna B. said:

D.W.

So do you think that compliance is all that is needed for CPAP therapy? I am confused. Wouldn't the Doctor want to see the full data to assess the patients therapy? I have the S8 which is hours used only. I have mild-moderate OSA.

D. W. Conn said:

I personally do not care for tattle tale cards. I have had patients deemed not compliant and had their machines taken away. They had to be retested and start over.. Just too 1984 for me.

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Permalink Reply by Judy on January 8, 2011 at 5:09pm

I'll vouch for that, DW! My sleep lab has 3 alternating/rotating doctors. NONE of the three was interested in any more than the first page of total statistics and not even all that interested in that page. More to put on a show than anything - other than the compliance, that is. The educated idiot I saw at Mayo Clinic (NOT at all representative of Mayo doctors and DEFINITELY NOT Mayo calibre) wanted to spend all our time together railing against the unreliability of PAP machine data. My current sleep doc isn't much interested in more than a glance at the total statistics page either but he's figured me out enough to make it a point to spend a little time looking it over.

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Permalink Reply by 99 on January 8, 2011 at 6:37pm

we are routing for you ask mike for his support  and also get the dme guy onto this site                                         

  Donna B. said:

Judy, So I go in to get my mask replaced, not realizing it is the first of the year, I have to meet my deductible first. Only $1000.00. If I wantedite a new mask I would have to pay for it, $103.50.( Wasn't expecting it to be that much.) My DME guy gave me the replacement pillows for the mask. I will have to wait until my Doctor's appt in February to get the machine switched out as my DME cannot do it without his approval. Also, my insurance co. won't cover replacement masks but every 4 months, not 3, so I will have to wait for February for that too. UGH.. If they (doctor's office) would just tell you this when you get your equipment it would alleviate a lot of frustration.

Education is the key to all of this OSA stuff. I was given a machine and a mask and sent on my way. My DME guy and I are going to start a group so that newbies and veterans can meet to share their experiences and knowledge. He has OSA too so he knows what it is like to be a patient. He is in agreement with me that it is desperately needed here because there are no groups in this area. I am hoping my frustration in all of this turns into something good for others. Wish me luck. We will be meeting soon to get it started.

Donna B.

Judy said:

I'll be rooting for you, DonnaB!

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Permalink Reply by CpapFit on January 8, 2011 at 10:04pm

Hi everyone.  I am new to this group.  I have been using a cpap for the past 3 years (pressure setting on 8) with good results.  I have been interested in purchasing a new machine that would allow for more effecient heated humidification as "rainout" in my tubing is an occasional problem.  However, my insurance company told me that a new machine would not be covered for another 2 years.  I am now on-line and considering just purchasing my own products as dealing with insurance companies has been a hassle and they do not allow for many choices.  Has anyone else decided to go this way? 

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Permalink Reply by Judy on January 8, 2011 at 10:08pm

Plenty of those of us in these apnea support forums have gone the route of purchasing xPAPs, masks and other accessories out of pocket online.

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Permalink Reply by Donna B. on January 9, 2011 at 9:03am

99:

I gave this site to my Doc and my DME guy. My DME guy Joe seemed more interested than the Doc, although the Doc did enter something in his i-phone as we were talking, or he just made a note that I am a pain in his ass. Who knows ;)

If the Docs don't want to educate us then we shall educate ourselves.

99 said:

we are routing for you ask mike for his support  and also get the dme guy onto this site                                         

 

  Donna B. said:

Judy, So I go in to get my mask replaced, not realizing it is the first of the year, I have to meet my deductible first. Only $1000.00. If I wantedite a new mask I would have to pay for it, $103.50.( Wasn't expecting it to be that much.) My DME guy gave me the replacement pillows for the mask. I will have to wait until my Doctor's appt in February to get the machine switched out as my DME cannot do it without his approval. Also, my insurance co. won't cover replacement masks but every 4 months, not 3, so I will have to wait for February for that too. UGH.. If they (doctor's office) would just tell you this when you get your equipment it would alleviate a lot of frustration.

Education is the key to all of this OSA stuff. I was given a machine and a mask and sent on my way. My DME guy and I are going to start a group so that newbies and veterans can meet to share their experiences and knowledge. He has OSA too so he knows what it is like to be a patient. He is in agreement with me that it is desperately needed here because there are no groups in this area. I am hoping my frustration in all of this turns into something good for others. Wish me luck. We will be meeting soon to get it started.

Donna B.

Judy said:

I'll be rooting for you, DonnaB!

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Permalink Reply by Judy on January 9, 2011 at 9:16am

Good on you, DonnaB! Right on!!!!

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