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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....

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Permalink Reply by susan mccord on October 20, 2009 at 11:11pm

A GOOD DME would know this stuff, Christine. My guy, who fitted me for yet another mask, which is also the Mirage Quattro--explained everything on it to me, per usual, including the anti-asphyxiation valve.

I wish everyone on here was fortunate enough to have a DME who really cares about patient care. Mine does.....

How and why do these people get hired? Are they not trained in dealing with their products????? Serious question.

I don't blame you for being so frustrated. That would have driven me nuts

Susan McCord

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.