Question about Readers and Software....What's the Best

dpeel · Post by **dpeel** » Thu Oct 25, 2007 4:02 pm

I am going to my pulminary doctor next week and plan to ask him to give me a prescription for a BIPAP machine instead of the straight CPAP that I have been using for the past month. My reason for this is my prescription pressure of 15 and how is causes me problems exhaling with some masks. I am also interested in getting a BIPAP that has a reader and would be interested in being able to use a computer software program to check if my treatment is working correctly. When I talked to a rep on the phone at cpap.com, I got the impression that I wouldn't be able to buy the software and/or I'd be too stupid to be able to understand the information myself.

I'd appreciate comments about whether I'd be able to buy a reader and software, what the best software is, and can this software be used with any machine that has a reader?

I might also ad that I'd like to get the Respironics M Series Bipap Auto with Biflex, but not sure if I can afford it. I have a Puritan Bennett Goodknight 420G and the H2O Heated Humidifier and was thinking that the least expensive way would be the Goodknight 425 Bilevel machine since it would use the same Humidifier and it must have a reader as they show it bundled with Silverlining software.

Comments would be appreciated.

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Thu Oct 25, 2007 4:36 pm

I've not had the good fortune to try a Puritan Bennet GoodKnight 420E autoPAP but everyone I've read who has one LOVES it and LOVES the ease of use and information from the Silverlining software. And it doesn't require the cable reader as the Resmeds and Respironics do as I understand it.

Your thinking about the PB bi-level is sound - IF - you really need a bi-level and can get a script for one.

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Thu Oct 25, 2007 11:15 pm

My 420E gives me excellent therapy and data, however, PB's bipap, the 425 does not give you the kind of details you need to monitor your therapy. Its not like the 420E, and I don't think that it would be a good idea to buy it if you want detailed therapy info.

The new Respironics M series machines report their data on an LCD, so while you will have to invest in a humidifier, so won't have to invest in a reader or software in order to monitor your results.

cpap.com has recently started selling Respironics EncoreViewer Software 1.0.

Respironics created that for its own machines, to keep users from changing their own settings via software.

cpap.com sells it - was actually influential in having it made as a replacement to the professional software.

Your doc may want bipap titration to give you bi-pap pressures.

O.

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): 420E, respironics, bipap, humidifier, cpap.com, Titration

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Fri Oct 26, 2007 12:28 am

I agree with ozij.

I may be wrong, but I *think* the PB bi-level machine does not give full data via software. I know the product description probably mentions that it can use Silverlining, which it can...but it doesn't record the kind of details you're interested in seeing. Not like the PB 420S, SP and E do. You might want to check that out more. At one time, the product description for the PB 425 came across as rather misleading about what the software could do with that machine. It may still be written that way. I haven't looked lately.

I'd go with the Respironics BiPAP Auto with Bi-flex.

I can't imagine why a cpap.com rep would say that you'd not be able to get the software for a Respironics machine. The Encore Viewer software which Respironics made specifically for patients to buy and use came into being largely through the owners of cpap.com (the Goodmans) pushing for it.

cpap.com sells Encore Viewer software. The phone rep should know that.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/respir ... e-1.0.html

Least expensive place to buy the necessary card reader is:

http://www.two-factor.com/shop/index.php?productID=115