Software question.

[brajande]

Caution: Brajande has only belonged to one other web blog. Therefore he does not understand proper etiquette, and often reverts to writing essays where a two sentence paragraph will suffice. Some say he is really excited about his involvement in a community of similar people. He thinks people enjoy his voice as much as he does. Only you can decide.

I am a new CPAP wearer. In fact, going to pick up the machine in the morning, after an almost frustratingly long wait. My big question is about acquiring sleep data on the Remstar Pro. (This is the machine I am told I will get, unless it is too expensive on my insurance, in which case I may use cpap.com to order a machine) I am a night shift worker, so I go to sleep at 0900 am. I read a post about writing down your data before noon each day, so you can get the basic efficacy data (AHI, Leaks, etc.) without purchasing the software. It sounds like the system clears/resets the data at noon. Is this the case? If so is there anyway to change this, or any advice such as adjusting machine time to appear as though I sleep at 2100 (9pm) each night? From what I understand, the software may be overkill, and if I can get the basic info that I want to know without it, I cannot justify the expense. I appreciate the help.

Since I am new here, I want to say hi to the group. I am sure I will be using this site quite a bit as I get used to my hose. My story is that I am a 27 year old nurse. My father passed away at a young age due to assumed sleep apnea. Unfortunately a few years before sleep apnea became well known amongst family physicians. I decided to get tested, mostly due to history, being overweight, borderline HTN, and the nightly complaints/elbows from the wife when I am sleeping on my back. I was tested in November, and told I have mild apnea during early stages of sleep, but severe in REM sleep (Index 32). Of course as soon as I was told this, I started reading everything about sleep apnea and CPAP, which led to some frustration in the 2 month delay to get another appointment with my doctor. I have felt exhausted ever since that study. I was either unaware that I was this tired, or it is now in my mind that I should be tired. So I finally talked with my doctor and scheduled the adjustment study. I had the adjustment study last week (1/27), but apparently the doc's office forgot to turn in the order to get a CPAP from my DME provider. So, I called today, a little frustrated after 3 months, and they scheduled me for an appointment in the morning to get the machine that I should have had before my adjustment study. Finally no more lost sleep from the thought of sleep apnea. Now I can lose sleep from getting used to being able to sleep. (I am a little scared of the dreams I might experience. Been a while since I have dug that deep into my brain ) Anyway, I am hopeful that I will have a good experience with the machine. I am a very compliant and patient person, so I will wear it even if I cannot sleep. In my adjustment study, I fell asleep immediately, woke up at noon (my norm...crazy HTN meds), took longer to fall asleep after a trip to the little boys room, and then was rudely woken up after a weenie 6 hours of some of the deepest sleep I have ever had. I always wake up at least 4-5 times that I know of when at home. I only woke up once that night, for a potty break. Don't get me started on trying to tell the staff that I have to use the restroom while air is blowing in my nose. It was probably helpful that during my younger, college days, a friend of mine who happens to be an RPSGT, would have a group of friends come by his place of business when he had no patients. In true collegiate form (drunkenness???), we would take turns trying on CPAP masks and reciting our ABCs at the highest pressures possible, I was the champ most of the time. Needless to say, I was ready for the feel of CPAP. For some reason, it is much more pleasant than I remember.

Enough writing, I am excited and hopeful that CPAP will help me return to a normal, more energetic life. You will certainly hear more from me in the coming months/years. Thanks for all of the advice and brain food to keep me busy during the 3 month wait. You all will never know exactly how much you really help the anxiety that comes along with the diagnosis of Sleep apnea. You have also been a big help to my wife, who is scared out of her mind about my sleep apnea.
-Brandon

[cflame1]

Find out if it's a Phillips Respironics System One version... or an M-series. Either one of these is likely. The Pro 2 that you have listed is less likely (it's older than either of the other 2).

If it's an M-series (or really is the Pro 2 that you have listed), you can get the software legally, and it'll allow you to pull the data off the data card.

If it's a Phillips Respironics... there isn't any software for patients available on the market at this point.

[jules]

although I don't have a machine which has data on an LED display, my understanding that noon problem is for the resmed machines not the respironics ones and that problem can be solved by changing times on the machine. This time adjustment can't be done on the respironics machine

also again as has been pointed out what machine do you have? the pro 2 had no data on an LED - once we know exactly what machine (like find the model number on the bottom or read it off the top (or both)) then post that and we can go from there - the m series and the new PR models will have a model number such as 100 or 400 or 450 and the older Pro 2 will have big long model number but it will say pro 2 in red letters in a corner on the top

[roster]

In fact, going to pick up the machine in the morning, after an almost frustratingly long wait. My big question is about acquiring sleep data on the Remstar Pro. (This is the machine I am told I will get, unless it is too expensive on my insurance, in which case I may use cpap.com to order a machine)

Some advice for you Brandon. Instead of writing so much at this point, do yourself a big favor and make sure the machine your insurance company pays for is "fully data-capable". Typically DMEs do not hand out this machine on the first try. Be prepared to go home tomorrow morning with empty hands unless you are absolutely sure of the machine. If I were in your position, I would go to the DME tomorrow morning, view the machine, write down the model numbers on the top and bottom of the machine and leave without it. Then you can come back here and the experienced members will help you figure out what data that machine collects.

If you take a machine home and then find out it does not record efficacy data, you may be stuck.

BTW, many machines have a data card in them that report hours of usage only - worthless information for you.

Get the right machine and then you can enjoy writing long posts here about your data.

Get the wrong machine and you will become one of many who have written rants here about their DME screwing them.

[Slinky]

Welcome to the forum, Brandon. Before you go to the local DME provider's office tomorrow you might want to call your insurance company and ask them what local DME CPAP providers they are contracted with. Hopefully you will have the option of more than just this one - just in case you don't feel comfortable w/the staff at this one, or they try to foist off a compliance data only CPAP on you and balk at providing a fully data capable CPAP or don't have a lenient mask exchange policy, etc. Just having other options gives your bargaining/negotiating room to get the equipment you want - w/in reason, of course. Don't be in such a hurry to get a CPAP that you screw yourself. Hold out for what you want. Its YOUR health, YOUR sleep, YOUR therapy - and YOU are paying for it, whether thru insurance or out of pocket is immaterial, YOU are still the one PAYING for it.

Many DME providers have one brand they prefer to provide over other brands because they buy in bulk and get a better price. If you don't feel comfortable w/this provider shop your other options if you have them. You shop for a lawn mower or a car, why not a CPAP? If you do opt to shop the other providers contract w/your insurance you might want to consider a Resmed S8 Elite II w/EPR. The Resmeds excel in ease of access to and amount of data available via the LCD screen and you can change the noon-to-noon internal clock time to midnight-to-midnight or whatever works best for you and your shift work. Just make sure it is the ELITE and NOT the Escape which is NOT fully data capable.

[roster]

You shop for a lawn mower or a car, why not a CPAP?

-Phone rings.

-Mower shop: "Sir, your building contractor faxed us your lawn size. We have picked out a mower for you. Please come by and pick it up."

-Homeowner: "@#$% you buddy, I'll pick out my own lawn tractor!"

Slinky, That is a good analogy for those of us who are passionate about our lawns and lawn tractors (and CPAP therapy).

[jules]

lawn mowers? Did I pick these out?