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RE: Anyone Ever Had Insurance Cover Nightly Oximeter - cmpman1974 - 08-15-2023
Same thing again - perfect until later in the night it wasn't. SPO2 claimed to have dropped to 75% last night. Sure as heck this isn't true.
Over 2 hrs under 90% with the supplemental O2 (3L). Starting to wonder if my oxygen concentrator even works,
RE: Anyone Ever Had Insurance Cover Nightly Oximeter - Sleeprider - 08-15-2023
Desaturation corresponds with large leaks. Your FiO2 cannot be assured with leaks, so your SpO2 drops.
RE: Anyone Ever Had Insurance Cover Nightly Oximeter - cmpman1974 - 08-16-2023
(08-15-2023, 11:12 AM)Sleeprider Wrote: Desaturation corresponds with large leaks. Your FiO2 cannot be assured with leaks, so your SpO2 drops.
Yes, I spoke to my doctor's office today and they also said leaks ruin the SPO2 volume coming in from the concentrator. Their only suggestion is to look for a new mask or maybe chinstrap, but no suggestions as to what type. They don't seem super concerned about the oxygen drops into the high 70s. The person said drops for 5+ minutes are damaging. Seems a bit strange to me. I can't think spending hours under 90% is too healthy for a normal individual. None of it adequately explains my inability to maintain a normal SPO2 level overnight with treatment. Something more has to be happening. Perhaps some of the other tests my other specialists are considering will explain it more.
I have no clue if anything really can be done to improve the situation regardless of a finding. All I know is 8+ hrs of sleep has little refreshing qualities for me. There are some high flow limits for a portion of the night if I'm reading things properly.
RE: Anyone Ever Had Insurance Cover Nightly Oximeter - Sleeprider - 08-16-2023
Solve the leaks or positional apnea problems and you will solve your concerns. Your mask is not working for you, but you're really stubborn and persistent.
RE: Anyone Ever Had Insurance Cover Nightly Oximeter - cmpman1974 - 08-16-2023
(08-16-2023, 04:42 PM)Sleeprider Wrote: Solve the leaks or positional apnea problems and you will solve your concerns. Your mask is not working for you, but you're really stubborn and persistent.
Stubborn may not be the word Sleeprider. Over the years, I have tried 7-8 different full-face masks and by far the Vitera has been the best fit (even according to the DME). I went as far as going in-person to my DME supplier desperately trying to get assistance to tackle this issue. The Vitera was their suggestion. They said the ResMed Quattro which I used for years was the 'go to' for many with leak issues. Not me unfortunately.
Insurance covers a new mask once every 90 days so they don't give two craps if it doesn't work - just that they bought one for a member. Out-of-pocket I could drop endless cash shooting in the dark. I am a total mouth breather and have been my whole life. I am not sure what more you think I can do outside a very aggressive attempt to find a good chin strap. I plan on trying the Knightsbridge one. I have struggled trying to find a chin strap / mask combo that fixes all issues. For goodness sake, I even have made a committed effort to remain clean shaven to try to improve my mask seal. The odds of a nasal or hybrid mask working are little to none. I have tried many during titration studies and the tech quickly realized that approach was barking up the wrong tree!
I think finding the right chin strap may be the answer as it is clear the Vitera seals well much of the time. It would make a lot of sense the leaks are occuring during my jaw dropping in REM, but I can't prove this theory. I can prove I don't take a mask off at all during the night.
At the end of the day, something is bringing my O2 down at night. I have to be as close to perfect as possible with the therapy to achieve any meaningful result. It's a scary situation in a way.
RE: Anyone Ever Had Insurance Cover Nightly Oximeter - Jay51 - 08-17-2023
Cmpman, just trying to help here. I have looked at over a hundred masks online I think. It took me about 5 purchases to get it good enough (taking a chance on a few masks).
Two masks that I have looked at come to mind here. One is the F & P Forma. Take a look at it. It is very large and fits under the chin (so might possibly be about the best for a mouth breather).
A second one was a cpap face mask that looks like a gas mask (it covers the entire head from forehead to chin to ears). I found it on amazon searching for full face masks.
It is up to you (it's your $) if you want to take a chance on these, but I just wanted to chime in.
RE: Anyone Ever Had Insurance Cover Nightly Oximeter - cmpman1974 - 08-17-2023
(08-17-2023, 11:43 AM)Jay51 Wrote: Cmpman, just trying to help here. I have looked at over a hundred masks online I think. It took me about 5 purchases to get it good enough (taking a chance on a few masks).
Two masks that I have looked at come to mind here. One is the F & P Forma. Take a look at it. It is very large and fits under the chin (so might possibly be about the best for a mouth breather).
A second one was a cpap face mask that looks like a gas mask (it covers the entire head from forehead to chin to ears). I found it on amazon searching for full face masks.
It is up to you (it's your $) if you want to take a chance on these, but I just wanted to chime in.
Thanks very much for the suggestions Jay. I'm not upset at anyone, but obviously a bit frustrated about the situation in general. It's demoralizing to wear the device every night religiously, but struggle so badly to get a good fit. I guess I have too high of expectations for DMEs and other places. I always feel like they should want to optimize a patient's therapy, but that is not reality. The truth is a patient needs to take matters into their own hands every time to have a chance at success in many cases. It took YEARS to even get the DME to have me come in for an in-person mask fitting. COVID gave all of them a great excuse to avoid patient care face-to-face for years to come.
The Checkme Wrist Oximeter claims I went all the way down to 70% SPO2 last night. I tried tightening the straps on my mask. Well, guess that was of no use.
RE: Anyone Ever Had Insurance Cover Nightly Oximeter - cmpman1974 - 08-17-2023
Jay, I read a lot about the F&P Forma. Seems to be relatively well liked, My concern is a Youtube person I assume was a sleep specialist at a sleep lab or DME said the mask wasn't the best fit for larger faced individuals. He said the Forma keeps its seal best if you have a narrow long face. That is anything but me. The other you're referring to (gas mask) is a Total Face Mask. lol. I've seen pics, but never seen anyone wear/use it. Many thought the ResMed Quattro Mirage was the best sealing mask, but ResMed apparently decided to stop production anyways. I found it a bit painful to wear over time. The more I go down the rabbit hole, the more masks exist out there. Many I don't feel would be a good fit for me. I think my best shot would be the Vitera combined with a Knightsbridge Dual Chin Strap. It's worth a shot. I'm not sure about the hybrid types. I think nasal masks would be a complete disaster for me. If I just knew my issue instead of guesses, life may be easier.
The Total Face mask design generally has horrendous reviews. Lots of unhappy people whining about leak rates at pressures way lower than my current level. I am just amazed some people seem to achieve solid mask seals so easy. I don't get it.
RE: Anyone Ever Had Insurance Cover Nightly Oximeter - dataq1 - 08-18-2023
From Wellue support on the CheckMe oximeter (currently about 170-195 $):
Note their distinction between spot check and continuous monitoring, as well as Rx required.
“The Checkme™ O2 Pulse Oximeter is a lightweight, portable health wrist oximeter for use in sleep labs, long-term care, hospitals, and home use. The device is indicated for use in measuring, displaying, storing, and transmitting functional oxygen saturation of arterial hemoglobin (SpO2) and pulse rate for adult patients. It is intended for spot-check and/ or continuous data collection, and not continuous monitoring. The data and results provided by this device are for pre-check screening purposes only and cannot be directly used for diagnosis or treatment.
The product is FDA cleared (FDA clearance link). An individual customer needs a prescription to purchase The Checkme™ O2. Please email the Rx to us at: support@getwellue.com.”
RE: Anyone Ever Had Insurance Cover Nightly Oximeter - Jay51 - 08-18-2023
Well said Cmpman. You know yourself better than me. I hope the Vitera + Knightsbridge dual chin strap works.