Hi - New here, and a question about S8 Elite...

[DawnTCB]

Hi, I have been reading here a few days and I think someone here probably can help me with a question I have.

I have an S8 Elite. Can I read my own leakage rates and AHI, etc., or do I have to go to my DME? I have a card slot and a card... but in flipping through the manual I don't see how to access the menus mentioned... is this just top secret medical data or is my machine not collecting all that information? I think it would be helpful to me and if I can't do it the way my machine is set up, I think I should probably get that fixed.

As it is, the only feedback my machine gives me is "HIGH LEAK RATE LAST SESSION"... usually if I just disconnected the hose to go to the rest room and left the air blowing. That's about it.

Thanks in advance for your help,

Dawn

[dsm]

Dawn,

Yes you can read the data but require one of the following ...

1) S8 datacard reader (USB), or
2) S8 serial cable & adapter, or
3) S8 USB cable & connector

The cheapest (here in Australia) is the datacard reader ($Aud 69).

You will also need AutoScan 5.7 software (costs about $AUD 115 here).

I'll let someoen else post the magic pic for accessing the menus (I don't have it on this pc)

Good luck

DSM

[Slinky]

The data you are interested is available thru the Advanced Patient menu (or Detailed Patient menu - I forget which is the term used). Access to this menu cannot be given to you by your DME's RT unless it is specifically ordered by your sleep doctor.

However, it is just a matter of pressing both the Left and Right buttons down and holding them for 3-4 seconds. The Efficacy Menu will pop up on the good size, easy to read LCD screen. After that it is pretty self-explanatory which buttons to press. You can NOT upset or change your pressure settings, etc. from this menu.

To access your nightly averages you must do so before noon. These machines work on a 24 hour, noon to noon, internal clock. At noon that night's data is rolled over into the total averages.

The Resmed xPAPs store their data in the machine itself wherease the Respironics xPAPs store their data on the data card.

You've got a good CPAP there. I like mine very much and altho I have an S8 AutoSet Vantage and a RemStar Auto w/C-Flex "tank" (the non M series) I prefer the Elite as my "work horse" and use it every night. I've loaned my RemSTar to my son in law in place of his antique, bare-bones, compliance data only CPAP and my Vantage is my backup xPAP.

[DawnTCB]

Both of those are very helpful. I saw the card reader and it is $70, but perhaps worth it if my DME doesn't want me to get the advanced stuff for some reason. Actually, out of all the people I met at the sleep clinic the guy who set up my (second) machine was the only one who was not super nice and accommodating. He was all grumpy and didn't really want to tell me anything at all, especially since I seemed to know some stuff from reading up online (here!). I think he would have flipped if I had said I knew about the Super Secret Menu Options! But the others there were not so grumpy and the guy who set up my first machine would definitely have set it up if I had asked. I go back for my followup on July 3rd so I'll ask then and if not, card reader here I come!

Thank you so much for your help!

Dawn

[Slinky]

Dawn, what is it you want to set up? If it is access to your Efficacy Data, that is available via the advanced patient menu and I told you how to access that.

[DawnTCB]

I don't know!!! Know more?

I will check the machine before noon tomorrow and see what I find out. Maybe that will be enough information to help quench this thirst for information!

I guess I am hoping to be able to compare how I feel each day with the facts about my night's sleep, as well as to get some kind of gauge as to whether things are improving or not with my various trials of positions, pillows and head angles .

I want to know it all, everything there is to know, so I can manage this thing.

I really appreciate your taking the time to give me the information and I will try it out tomorrow.

Dawn

[Slinky]

Well, the LCD screen can't draw graphs like the software produces - BUT - that advanced menu LCD screen provides, via the Efficacy Data, that night's average pressure, average leak rate, AHI, AI and HI. It will also, via the Usage Menu, give you the total number of hours you've used the machine, the total number of nights you've used the machine and the total hours you used the machine that night.