An introduction

[KingSnore]

Okay, this is all great information to have. I think what I'll do is wait until I'm scheduled to see him for a follow up in June, with this month of home titration data, with auto-adjusting, that we will have both seen, and I'll be in a good position to ask him specifically about prescribing a BIPAP or whether Auto-CPAP truly will suffice. That probably ought to be enough time for this insurance stuff to get sorted as well.

I've been seeing this same doctor since the beginning and I have no reason to think he won't listen to these concerns and make a fair decision. I never specifically asked about BIPAP at our last meeting, my fault entirely.

[KingSnore]

So just a bit of an update, the Auto-Trial titration finished and my machine has been set at a constant 17 for about 2 weeks

I learned that I won't be eligible for a new machine until my current one malfunctions in some way, which I suppose doesn't bother me with the new ResMed machines on the cusp of release. If this thing lasts another year and the Air11s get some firmware patches and OSCAR support by the time I upgrade, that wouldn't be so bad.

But what's interesting to me is the Oscar data after this titration. The machines haven't recorded a single solitary vibratory snore or flow limitation since the machine reverted to fixed pressure at 17. The last week, my AHI averaged 1.72 and the 30 day average is 1.37.

It is weird to be nearly 6 years into the therapy and only just now feeling like I truly have a handle on things. I wish I had searched for forums in the beginning.

[KingSnore]

So I can update things finally, since my System One bit the dust this morning. I found a ResMed S9 on Craigslist and have it all set up now, and I expect insurance will authorize an actual new machine since the old one is dead, but I like the idea of having a backup in case something happens anyway.

I guess the S9 is pretty similar to the 10 in most ways? As far as the algorithm and things?

[Pugsy]

I guess the S9 is pretty similar to the 10 in most ways? As far as the algorithm and things?

The basics are similar...algorithm is the same...that didn't change.
A couple of minor feature differences but nothing earth shattering or deal breaker/maker.

Main thing to remember is if you want to maintain full data storage in your OSCAR/SleepyHead software is you need to download to your software at least once a week because some data files get written over after 7 days and some others after 30 days on the SD card.
Download at least once a week and you don't lose anything. If you don't the nights that get written over you will only get summary data only for those nights. Not the end of the world but Murphy's law usually kicks in and it's always going to be the case that you look at the summary numbers and that's the one night you might want to see the detailed graphs.

Also...do lock the SD card before you insert it in your computer. Some computers write a little text file to these SD cards and while it doesn't really hurt your software or the SD card....the S9 model machine doesn't like seeing that little text file on the SD card when you unlock it and put it back in the S9. If it sees that text file it will tell you the card is corrupted and your only choice is to erase the card...and then you lose all your data. Not the end of the world since you have it in your software but annoying.
Now when you get the AirSense 10....you don't need to lock your SD card because the AirSense/AirCurve models don't care if that text file is on the SD card.

The S9 model machines....the only model that the locking of the SD card is really all that important.

[KingSnore]

I guess the S9 is pretty similar to the 10 in most ways? As far as the algorithm and things?

The basics are similar...algorithm is the same...that didn't change.
A couple of minor feature differences but nothing earth shattering or deal breaker/maker.

Main thing to remember is if you want to maintain full data storage in your OSCAR/SleepyHead software is you need to download to your software at least once a week because some data files get written over after 7 days and some others after 30 days on the SD card.
Download at least once a week and you don't lose anything. If you don't the nights that get written over you will only get summary data only for those nights. Not the end of the world but Murphy's law usually kicks in and it's always going to be the case that you look at the summary numbers and that's the one night you might want to see the detailed graphs.

Also...do lock the SD card before you insert it in your computer. Some computers write a little text file to these SD cards and while it doesn't really hurt your software or the SD card....the S9 model machine doesn't like seeing that little text file on the SD card when you unlock it and put it back in the S9. If it sees that text file it will tell you the card is corrupted and your only choice is to erase the card...and then you lose all your data. Not the end of the world since you have it in your software but annoying.
Now when you get the AirSense 10....you don't need to lock your SD card because the AirSense/AirCurve models don't care if that text file is on the SD card.

The S9 model machines....the only model that the locking of the SD card is really all that important.

Thanks for letting me know! I can do that. I'll just remember to get the data onto OSCAR every weekend when I do my cleaning routine. I am used to computers being finicky so locking the SD card is pretty minor compared to how it could have gone.

I got this for around $400 and it's got less than 2,000 usage hours which seems great. My old machine was nearing 17,000 hours. So hopefully this can be a reliable backup for years.