Data-capable CPAP machines and docs

sleepyprm · Post by **sleepyprm** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 10:13 pm

Hello all,

I have been soaking up all the good information on this site, and some of it is actually starting to soak in. But for every one thing I learn, five more topics pop up that I have never heard of.

Question about the machine: I use the Remstar Plus M Series, which seems to be a popular machine, but it's not fully data-capable. Why is it so popular if what we really need is the data-capable machine?

Am I missing something? I still don't sleep very well after two years of therapy, and am thinking I might need to do another sleep study with a different doctor. Never received the full sleep study report and I'm one of those people who would like to monitor my own data every night to see how I can improve.

Any guidance will be greatly appreciated.

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 10:54 pm

The reason that model is popular, as it cheap, and has the most profit, for the people that sold it to you. Their bottom line, is more important than your health, that's their main objective in running a business. Jim

kteague · Post by **kteague** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 10:55 pm

If you're still not sleeping well after 2 years you are long overdue for follow-up. You could have another sleep study. You'd get the most information from that approach.

Or you could ask the doctor to order you a loaner for a couple weeks of an autopap to determine your current pressure needs. If you go that route, you might want to ask them to start the pressure range just a little below the pressure you are now using. Many set it wide open from 4 to 20. If for instance it takes 12 to keep your airway open, it can take quite some time to climb from 4 to 12. Could make for a miserable 2 weeks.

Some doctors poo-poo the validity of the data collected by machines, but on the other hand will use them to retitrate a patient. Go figure. Why are the bare bones machines popular? They are cheaper, and the profit margin is greater for the provider if they sell the machine that costs them the least, as their reimbursement is the same whether it's a bare bones cpap, data capable cpap, or autopap. It changes once you get into the specialty machines.

Also, patients monitoring their own data is a fairly new concept. Kinda like diabetes monitoring 20 years ago - you had to go to the doctor to do it. Different docshave different views of patients monitoring their own data. If that's what you want to do, it may mean buying a machine out of pocket if your insurance isn't due to replace yours.

Let us know how you proceed.
Kathy

BeanMeScot · Post by **BeanMeScot** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 6:02 am

You can certainly go back to your original doctor and ask for a full copy of your sleep study as well and post it. It is your right as a patient to be able to get that information.

sleepyprm · Post by **sleepyprm** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 6:18 am

Thank you so much! I do have an appointment on July 1 and believe me, the full sleepy study report is on my list, as well as the type of machine. I have requested a full report several times, and first time, the doctor said it wasn't in my file, he called the sleep lab and told them to "fax it over." By the end of my visit, it had not been faxed. They were supposed to mail it at a charge of $25. That didn't happen. This time I am not leaving the office without it. I was never told how much REM sleep I got, or how many times I stopped breathing per hour, per minute, nothing. Just given the machine and sent home.

I also have no idea what type of sleep apnea I have. Some of the things I have read on this site include words like complex, central, Cheyne-Stokes respirations, positional, etc.

To be fair, I am healthier, so SOME good sleep is happening. I fight colds much faster (in the past, every cold went into bronchitis, resulting in lost time at work and just feeling really bad). Last week I had a cold and it only lasted THREE DAYS!!!!! I still have some fatigue, but I don't fight dozing while driving any more (REALLY GOOD). So life is better, but it could be a LOT better.

I don't post often, but I read often. Thank you all for taking the time to share your experience and knowledge. I feel bad for all the people out there who haven't found this forum yet and are just struggling in their ignorance. There is hope.

sleepyprm · Post by **sleepyprm** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 6:20 am

Oh, one more question: Is there a way to "save" the posts that I want to go keep and use for reference? I'm traveling and can't print.... just wondering. Thanks,

kteague · Post by **kteague** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 6:36 am

One more thought - are you sure mouth beathing is not an issue? That sure can derail effective treatment.

klockemy · Post by **klockemy** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 8:50 am

sleepyprm wrote:Oh, one more question: Is there a way to "save" the posts that I want to go keep and use for reference? I'm traveling and can't print.... just wondering. Thanks,

Get a free PDF printer such as CutePDF or BullzipPDF and 'print' your documents to a file.

enso · Post by **enso** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 2:05 pm

sleepyprm wrote:Oh, one more question: Is there a way to "save" the posts that I want to go keep and use for reference? I'm traveling and can't print.... just wondering. Thanks,

Mail them to yourself (or save as 'draft'): Copy the info you want to save and paste it into an email message; include the url so you can refer back to the thread.

At the bottom of each thread you can also 'subscribe' to get an email notice when a new post is added.

Data-capable CPAP machines and docs

Data-capable CPAP machines and docs

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Re: Data-capable CPAP machines and docs

Re: Data-capable CPAP machines and docs