Do I need data on my CPAP?

[uperrsc]

I was diagnosed with mild apnea after my sleep study. I went because my very loud snoring was driving my wife crazy. I don't feel sleepy during the day and did not have any other symptoms. My DME provided me with a Respironics SleepEasy 2 which seems fine. However, I have been reading post after post that makes me think I should ask to get one with software/data capable. Since my Apnea is so mild, and my snoring is cured by the machine, maybe I don't need to worry about the software. Since I know the first week or two the DME will let me switch stuff, now is the time to decide. thanks for your help.

[woodg]

Mostly I would say it's a matter of personal preference and how involved you want to be with your treatment. I've just passed the 3 month mark on CPAP and I've already made to moves up in machines, albeit at my own expense.

The thing that I noticed was that if I wasn't feeling as well as I would like, I could check it against the numbers and see if there is a correlation. It can show you if there are problems with the mask leaking and if you feel comfortable, you can make some minor adjustments to get better treatment.

Even though you say that you don't feel tired, you may find that you feel even better. I never gave much thought to the fact that I was tired all the time. I thought it was just a matter of getting old and the crazy schedule that I work. I travel extensively so I sleep in a different bed every week, I'm eating out all the time and one day a week I have about an 18 hour day followed by about 2 hours at the hotel before I leave for the airport for a flight home.

Now that I've been using the CPAP, I can function very well on as little as 4 hours of sleep, but I'll take more when I can get it.

If it were me, I would get the most capable machine I could get, the software to monitor it and give it your best shot.

The bottom line is what have you got to lose?

[Scarlet834]

I think that you may never need to look at your data at all if you're stable and feeling well. BUT you never know when circumstances might change or challenges might come up, and then you will find the software invaluable. If your machine does not even collect detailed data that a medical professional might download (even if you never spring for software yourself) then I recommend that you try to get a data-capable machine while you still have that option.

[hose head]

If I would have had data on my first machine, I would not have fought with therapy for nine months. I was in worst shape after the nine months than at the beginning and I didn't have a clue that my machine wasn't preventing apneas.
I for one believe that every one should be able to read the numbers on their machine, like reading your blood sugar numbers.

m

[jnk]

Data is important for knowing your leak and for knowing how your therapy is progressing, or regressing, over time. How you feel is important. But ineffective therapy can have effects on your health that you may not feel before damage has been done.

I would refuse to keep a machine that did not give me data, myself, these days, if getting a new machine. The data can save time, money, and aggravation in the future as far as preventing the need for repeat titrations.

Perhaps the question should be, What is one good reason for NOT having data?

jeff

[kteague]

Personally, I think giving non data machines as the primary treatment machine should be illegal.

You mention your apnea being "so mild". Do you have the actual numbers and your reports? I cringe when I hear a diagnosis of mild, and wonder how reflective the study was of a normal night's sleep. If one didn't sleep a substantial amount of time supine and in REM, the test could be an inadequate picture of the severity of ones apnea. Often a diagnosis of "mild" is thought to be insignificant. Even without a snoring issue, a mild diagnosis merits your best efforts in teatment. In some of my studies I had little or no REM while supine and my doc termed those tests "technically suboptimal". It's not unusual in a sleep study setting to not sleep well. Just saying, an initial picture of ones sleep may not be a full picture over time.

[Wulfman]

I was diagnosed with mild apnea after my sleep study. I went because my very loud snoring was driving my wife crazy. I don't feel sleepy during the day and did not have any other symptoms. My DME provided me with a Respironics SleepEasy 2 which seems fine. However, I have been reading post after post that makes me think I should ask to get one with software/data capable. Since my Apnea is so mild, and my snoring is cured by the machine, maybe I don't need to worry about the software. Since I know the first week or two the DME will let me switch stuff, now is the time to decide. thanks for your help.

Look at it this way.....
Your DME is going to collect the exact same amount from you and your insurance provider regardless of which machine they give you. The only difference to THEM is they will make more profit off of the sale. The difference to YOU is that you won't know how well your therapy is working.
It's like going to an auto dealership and plunking down tens of thousands of dollars and THEY get to choose which vehicle you drive off in. You could be driving a Cadillac, Mercedes or even a nice SUV (4x4 or whatever your preference is)........but they gave you a YUGO (without any gauges on the dashboard).

It's YOUR therapy and it's YOUR money.


Den

[BigWood]

Your DME is going to collect the exact same amount from you and your insurance provider regardless of which machine they give you. The only difference to THEM is they will make more profit off of the sale.
Den

Are you sure that is how it works, or is it just your belief? (not being snippy, just honestly curious)

If that is the business model imployed, then I will definitely be asking for a better machine than what I've gotten now. It seemed like I was pulling teeth to get this upgrade to a PR1 REMstar Plus. I can understand the reason why now, less profit for my DME!

Anthony

[jnk]

The Wulfman knows about that of which he speaks.

[Wulfman]

Your DME is going to collect the exact same amount from you and your insurance provider regardless of which machine they give you. The only difference to THEM is they will make more profit off of the sale.
Den

Are you sure that is how it works, or is it just your belief? (not being snippy, just honestly curious)

If that is the business model imployed, then I will definitely be asking for a better machine than what I've gotten now. It seemed like I was pulling teeth to get this upgrade to a PR1 REMstar Plus. I can understand the reason why now, less profit for my DME!

Anthony

I've been watching it happen for five years on this forum. There are some "good" DMEs out there (some of them frequent this forum) who ONLY give out fully-data-capable machines, but the vast majority do not. The ones who don't, care more about their profit margins and bottom lines than they do about the patients' therapy (or the capability of either party being able to monitor it).

If it has "Plus", "Escape", "Compact" or "Intro" in the name (to name a few from the bigger companies), it's NOT fully-data-capable.


Den

[BigWood]

Wish I found this site 6 months ago! You guys are arming me with some powerful information and making me realize the thought rolling around in the back of my mind for the past 5 months may actually be true (my DME is more of a profit center than a patient center). Thank you all for showing me the light. This lamb is about to become a tiger!

Anthony

[uperrsc]

THANKS MUCH FOR ALL YOUR RESPONSES. I am going to try and step up a bit if the DME will allow it. I do like the convenience of a built in humidifier.

[imtired]

im glad i got to read all this before i purchase my machine. i have a feeling they are going to offer me a S8 Escape, now i know how bad that would be.