Thank you Crohnie. I have a doctor's appt today so will talk to her about what you've told me. Yes I am in US. Also...you were so right when you told me it wouldn't bother hubby.  He likes it already, as I don't snore anymore when I am wearing it.

You're welcome. You just have to be more inquisitive about your health and therapy and NOT be bashful about asking questions and since YOU are paying for their time, knowledge and expertise you have right to have them sit there and answer your questions until you understand what is going on and why.


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Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity mask, ResScan 3.7, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.

Crohnie,
Thank you so much for your input. I called the people with the masks and told them it wasn't working and wanted to try something different. They said they only had the 2 I had tried so I told them that I was going to have to go elsewhere then....amazing, they suddenly had a "few" others.  I came home with a Respironics FullLife. It feels more comfortable so will try tonight and hope.  I then asked them about charges for changing masks and they said they would do it for free one or two times, so I told them what you had said about being able to return within 30 days...stopped him dead.....don't think he appreciates that there is a place where we can go and get good information.anyway, thanks alot, will let you know how it works.
Also told the doctor about the visit with them and she said she was going to call and have a talk with them.....they probably really hate me LOL, but darn it, I want this to work.

Good on you, CFox!!!! You done good, gal! Sounds like you have a pretty good doctor who's gonna go to bat for you. Just be pleasant, but FIRM, w/this DME provider and they just may learn to respect and work with you. You're gonna do all right! You've got what it takes.


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Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity mask, ResScan 3.7, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.

cfox - May I thank you for asking this question as it is one that I've also been struggling with.  I haven't seen or heard from the DME that supplied my machine and mask since the day they delivered the machine which was 7-10-09.  I hope you are able to resolve your issues and sleep better in the future.  Meanwhile I'm going to make a few phone calls myself tomorrow and hopefully get better service.  :)


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Rem Star Auto M Series A-Flex
Res Med Swift LT for Her
13.0 cm H2O

You are most welcome Mayum. Chronie has been a wonderful help.  Its frustrating trying to get it right, especially when you really DON'T want to wear it anyway. BUT, my saturation was 81%, and now after just a few weeks with the masks, even not right, its back up to 96%, so it is well worth it to make it work.  Good luck and hang in there.  Another plus is that hubby is sleeping better now that I don't snore LOL!

ok, the full life didn't work for me......was comfortable and sealed well at first but by the time it ramped up to 18 where I have to keep it, it about blew off my face, would have if not strapped in.  Couldn't get a seal anywhere at that point.Very frustrated and don't know what to do next....am sure DME is going to give me problems about bringing it back and the problem is don't have a clue what to do when I do. Am about ready to say to heck with it and just stop wearing and living with it!

Perhaps your sleep lab could help you w/some proper mask fitting. My sleep lab manager/owner is also an RRT/RPSGT and worked her way up the ranks for some 20 years before she opened her own 4 bed sleep lab. She is a master mask fitter, let me tell you!!! When I was still w/my first (sheister) local DME provider and couldn't get a proper mask fitting or a very willing mask exchange, and I mentioned that to my sleep lab manager she had me come into the lab and personally tried several different masks on me and did a proper fitting w/each. I learned so much from her!!! And then one of her RPSGTs who was doing daytime scoring for her lab also helped me w/a full face mask fitting and I learned a lot from him as well.

DURING A PROPER MASK FITTING, you should be laying down AND a CPAP machine should be turned on to YOUR SET PRESSURE or 10 cms WHICHEVER IS HIGHER.

THAT information is even in the Resmed USERS Manuals!!


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Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity mask, ResScan 3.7, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.

Unfortunately the DME is also where I am getting the masks. And no they didn't have me lay down or anything when they put it on me. And did not put the setting on 18, just 4. I'm losing it..very frustrated![/b]

Maybe it is time to get your insurance involved and made aware of how incompetent this local DME provider is.

I wanted to try the FullLife but my provider didn't have one in stock and suggested I try the ProBasics Zzz-Mask he did have on hand and he would order the FullLife for me. I told him not to bother ordering the FullLife after trying the Zzz-Mask. Not that the Zzz-Mask hasn't presented me w/some challenges. It is VERY MUCH like the FullLife but a little less to it (always a benefit in my opinion). Mostly it is the headgear that's been the challenge. Its not as good quality as the Resmed and Respironics headgear materials. There's a little too much stretch to it which can require almost nightly refitting - so I stablized the stretchiness a bit w/some velcro strips. The straps are too long, of course, but so far, lazy soul that I am I haven't gotten around to taking the scissors and some velcro strips to them. Actually, the Zzz-Mask was working out very well - except while my Leak rate went down to next to nothing and I had a good AI - my HI skyrocketed a bit. And I get the sensation that my pressure is MUCH higher w/the Zzz-Mask than w/my Simplicity nasal cushion. So one of these days I'll experiment w/lowering my IPAP and EPAP settings by 1 cm, maybe even eventually 2 cm if it seems warranted, whilst using the Zzz-Mask.

I ran in to similar when trying the OptiLife nasal cradle cushion. MUCH stronger sense of pressure than w/my Simplicity or even than w/the Swift LT for Her.

If they are only fitting you at 4 cms sitting up w/the various masks and your set pressure is 18 cms NO WONDER THE IDIOT can't get a good fit and find the right mask for you!!!!

Make another appointment w/them. Take a sheet and a pillow and your xPAP minus the humidifier w/you. When he brings out a new mask, drop your sheet and pillow to the floor, plug in your xPAP and lay down on the sheet and pillow. Fit the mask yourself only allowing him to add an extra hand as needed. Resist the urge to stick your tongue out at him or kick him in the shins if you get a comfortable, leak free fit!!!!! Just smile and say thank you when you finally find a mask that seems like it is going to work. You never really know until you've figited w/a promising mask for at least a week and more like 10 days to 2 weeks whether it really is gonna be THE mask for you.

I've forgotten which xPAP you have. I'm not sure about the Respironics any more, its been too long, but I know the Resmeds have the MaskFit option. If you have a Resmed tell the dummy to turn your xPAP off, then press and hold the Stop/Start button for 4-5 seconds once you think you have the mask fitted well. Ask him what the Resmed says about the MaskFit. MAYBE the dummy will LEARN SOMETHING about PROPER mask fitting. Maybe. If he sees an Excellent or even Good fit just smile and say "thank you".

Sometimes it can be fun to kill these idiots w/kindness than to waste our precious energy fighting w/them. Tho I have to admit I sometimes rather enjoy a good battle. Especially when I win - or cause them some great discomfort. *wicked grin* Sometimes not getting angry but rather getting even brings tremendous pleasure to my day.


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Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity mask, ResScan 3.7, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.