Hello Guest, Welcome to Apnea Board !
As a guest, you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use.
To post a message, you must create a free account using a valid email address.

or Create an Account


New Posts   Today's Posts

Newby trying to pick DME.
#1
Newby trying to pick DME.
I recently started seeing a new cardiologist to treat my Afib. During my last examination he suggested that I have a sleep test. Needless to say I was diagnosed with OSA with a AHI of 37. I have been given a prescription for an APAP. Since then I have been doing research including reviewing much of the suggested documentation on this board and thank everybody for all the work to put together the board.

I think I am ready to contact a DME and start the process to get my APAP and accessories. The problem I have is even with the information and suggestions on this board I have no idea on which DME to select. I have gotten lists from both my sleep specialist and my insurance company.  The problem is that I have too many to choose from. The list from the insurance company included 29 DME's. I have tried to get information from the internet but the DME websites are useless. Yelp and BBB have little to no useful information. At best I have gotten who not to go to (i.e. Lincare).

The good news is that I have good insurance (Anthem Federal) and after the I pay my remaining DME annual deductible they will cover 85% of the cost. My doctor has written me a prescription for a Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset 5-20 cm/h2) w/heated humidification, mask to fit, supplies and compliance modem or equivalent. Based on what I have read that seems like a good choice. I am also considering the Phillips Dreamstation because is supposed to be quieter (my wife is a very light sleeper so that is important).

Looking for DME I want someone who will work with me to select a mask and cooperating if an exchange is required. I expect this may be an issue since I have a full beard an I may breath through my mouth. So the internet is probably not a good choice at this time.

I live just outside Dayton, OH. Baring any other information I plan on contacting a Halsom Home Care mainly because they are very close to where I live. Does anybody know anything about them or have any other suggestions? Thanks in advance for your help.
Post Reply Post Reply
#2
RE: Newby trying to pick DME.
Welcome to the forum. I recommend you use a DME close to you but have no specific recommendations. I currently use Lincare which many say is awful but I have been pleased with their service. I think it depends on the local office.

You should read the following link before proceeding.
http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php...re_success

It's good that your Dr. has specified the Airsense 10 Autoset. I think most here regard it as the best machine.
Download OSCAR

Organize Charts
Attaching Charts

Mask Primer
Soft Cervical Collar

INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.

Post Reply Post Reply
#3
RE: Newby trying to pick DME.
I can’t help you with your choice of DMEs. It can be pretty much a crap shoot from company to company, depending on the location.

I started out with a DreamStation Pro which I ran on AutoTrial. It is a good machine. It treats my apnea well, although it is somewhat slow to react to events. After using the DramStation for a little over a year I decided to get a backup machine. Based on recommendations from members of this board, I purchased a new ResMed AirSense 10 Auto. I like the ResMed A 10 so much it has become my primary machine. It is quicker to treat my apnea, and for me, much more comfortable than the DreamStation.  If there is any difference in the noise level between the two, I haven’t noticed it. If I were to purchase a new machine today, it would be the ResMed for Her model. It has all of the same algorithms as the AirSense A10 auto as well as the For Her algorithm.

I would recommend trying a ResMed P10 nasal pillow mask as your first mask. It is one of the most popular masks out there right now because it is lightweight, very comfortable and easy to use.  It would also be a good idea to get a heated hose when picking up the machine as well as a chinstrap to control mouth leaks if you happen to have them.
Useful Links
Download OSCAR
Organize your OSCAR and SleepyHead charts
Attaching images and files to posts


Advisory Members serve as an "Advisory Committee" to help shape Apnea Board's rules & policies. Membership in the Advisory Members group does not imply medical expertise or qualification for advising Sleep Apnea patients concerning their treatment.
Post Reply Post Reply
#4
RE: Newby trying to pick DME.
Thanks for the feedback. Since it their doesn't seem like on machine isn't much quitter than the other I think I will go with the ResMed AirSense 10 Auto. It appears to have the most enthusiastic fans on the posts I have been reading.


I have most of the wiki but intend to go back and take note before I meet with the DME. I want to make a checklist to assure I get everything I need.
Post Reply Post Reply
#5
RE: Newby trying to pick DME.
Ask your DME if they will dispense a Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset with heated hose. That is the only criteria I have, accept no substitutes. Any DME will have a few frustrations, but once you have initial supplies you want them to work with you to be sure you get a mask that works and is comfortable, and they supply you based on what your insurance or budget provides, and bill fairly. Seems simple enough. With regard to mask, I suggest you start with a Resmed Airfit P10 Pillows mask and work with it for a while. If you can't prevent air from escaping your mouth after a couple weeks, move to a full face. The nasal pillows are the quietest and easiest to use barring that problem. Don't assume you are a mouth breather until you try. The nasal pillows open your breathing passages through your nose like you have never experienced. With a beard, this will make your life a lot easier.

A few members have been issues used machines as new. It's worth knowing how to go into the menu to check. For the Airsense 10 Autoset just press the control knob and home button at the same time, and navigate the clinical menu to "About". You will find the run-hours there. Since you're using an Auto, you need to be able to set pressures as you optimize anyway. The default settings of 4-20 pressure are not going to work. I would start with a minimum pressure of 7 or 8 and maximum pressure of 20, then check back on the forum after you have some data. You may want to use some exhale pressure relief (EPR) which will make therapy more comfortable. Again, we can talk about that as you get started. good luck!
Sleeprider
Apnea Board Moderator
www.ApneaBoard.com

____________________________________________
Download OSCAR Software
Soft Cervical Collar
Optimizing Therapy
Organize your OSCAR Charts
Attaching Files
Mask Primer
How To Deal With Equipment Supplier


INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
Post Reply Post Reply
#6
RE: Newby trying to pick DME.
(08-15-2018, 02:38 PM)Emil Faber Wrote: <snip>
Looking for DME I want someone who will work with me to select a mask and cooperating if an exchange is required. I expect this may be an issue since I have a full beard an I may breath through my mouth. So the internet is probably not a good choice at this time.

I live just outside Dayton, OH. Baring any other information I plan on contacting a Halsom Home Care mainly because they are very close to where I live. Does anybody know anything about them or have any other suggestions? Thanks in advance for your help.

Hi, Emil Faber, welcome to the family/fun/forum!

My previous DME provider was horrible, but was a local outfit so not a factor.  Currently I use Apria (rhymes with crappier) and although the service has been irritating, fulfillment as been okay (tardy sometimes, but excellent equipment/supplies; no shoddy merchandise).  However, some folks on the forum (mostly in California, and other western states) have complained about intolerable service.

Your planned approach, requiring that they commit to test fitting and exchange, is excellent.  You shouldn't have any issue with the machine; the headgear and mask is where exchanging may be a factor.

As someone with some of your challenges, I can confirm your caution.  I have a wild, unkempt beard but the P10 mask avoids any issues with sealing.  (Keeping the mask in position was a problem because I also have very long, fine, silky hair and the head straps wouldn't stay in place.)  I'm not normally a mouth-breather, though I have recently developed mouth leaks; I've had to resort to a cervical collar to keep my chin from dropping and letting my mouth open.

Best wishes for finding a reliable provider, and please keep us posted with your progress!
Post Reply Post Reply
#7
RE: Newby trying to pick DME.
As an RN I have a couple of thoughts.

- Call several DMEs in your general area. Tell them you have a prescription for a certain machine and ask what mask will go with that. Make sure you phrase the question so it sounds like you are expecting a single, specific answer. What you hope to hear is something like "we find XXX mask works for most people but we have a variety available and we will have to see what works for you." If they start to explain the difference between FFM and pillows and ... let them. Since you have done your research you can evaluate how what they are telling you lines up with what you have gotten from other sources. Needless to say, you don't want someone who thinks one particular mask is best for everyone and if it doesn't work for you, you're doing it wrong. (Yes, people like this exist!)

- You may be very surprised to find that nasal pillows will work for you. I was sure I'd have to use a mask because my open-mouth snoring is so awful my husband has slept with earplugs for nearly all of our 30-year marriage. I had trouble adjusting to the FFM so I tried nasal pillows and apparently have no trouble keeping my mouth shut so they work. It did take me a while to get used to having something against my nose but now they are almost comfortable and I can get 4 hours of solid sleep most nights. (Yes, that is a significant improvement over the 2 hours at a time I've been living with for decades!)

Do come back when (not if! lol) you have other questions. There are some very knowledgable and helpful people here. (Not me, I'm still in the learning stage.)
Post Reply Post Reply
#8
RE: Newby trying to pick DME.
Super great advice, groggygirl!
Post Reply Post Reply
#9
RE: Newby trying to pick DME.
Thanks everyone for the great advice. I'm going to start calling the DMEs today. I let you know how things turn out.
Post Reply Post Reply


Possibly Related Threads...
Thread Author Replies Views Last Post
  [CPAP] Newby trying to understand what i am seeing WoodyV12 18 982 02-24-2024, 08:17 PM
Last Post: Macka
  [CPAP] Newby not sure if CPAP is the right machine for me tcinoz 24 1,287 02-13-2024, 08:13 PM
Last Post: tcinoz
  Newby question Grouperman 4 695 12-07-2020, 10:38 PM
Last Post: SarcasticDave94
  Hi all-newby here. which Oscar views to share? Remmy 3 691 11-09-2020, 12:53 AM
Last Post: staceyburke
  How to pick a machine Waldorbigbill 9 2,001 06-11-2017, 08:50 PM
Last Post: Sleeprider
Idea Help me pick a FFM please Hydrangea 20 3,421 03-09-2017, 06:27 PM
Last Post: PaytonA
  Relative Newby. Need Help w/ Sleepyhead Results Violetskyye 11 2,871 10-02-2016, 10:44 PM
Last Post: Violetskyye


New Posts   Today's Posts


About Apnea Board

Apnea Board is an educational web site designed to empower Sleep Apnea patients.