Did I miss something?

[CJNAZ]

Hello to all of you. I am quite new to CPAP therapy. I have had my machine for 12 days now and am adjusting OK. I do experience leaks and am trying all of the tricks that I have been reading about on this forum. By the way, this forum is absolutely great. I've learned so much since I did my sleep study.
Here's the question. I downloaded the data from my SD card into Encore Viewer yesterday and the only data that I see on the report is the hours of use and the pressure setting. I've looked thru a bunch of topics and cannot seem to find if I have a brick for a machine or if I need to go into the setting and change the setup so it records all the data that the software says it is capable of capturing. Any quick advice?

[CJNAZ]

I am guessing I do not have a data capable machine but how do I find out exactly? Or did I already when I downloaded the SD card and there was very little data available.

[Pugsy]

The machine that you are showing in your profile (if you have chosen the correct one) does record full data and you should be able to see all the data on the software reports.

Not sure what viewing choices show in Encore Viewer 2.0 but in Encore Pro it defaults to summary data which is just hours of use and pressure but when we choose "Detail" data there are more pages in the report. Look in the software to see if there are more options for viewing the reports.

If you don't have the "Pro" model and instead have the PR System One Remstar Plus that machine is hours of use only.

You could also use Onkor online analyzer to see if it shows the additional data. If you can see more than hours of use on that report then it is just a matter of finding the full reports in the software.
Instructions are at the website.
http://www.onkor.net/

[archangle]

Right above the display on the blower unit for your CPAP, it probably says "REMstar" followed by something else like "Plus," "Pro," etc.

What does the text say after REMstar on your unit?

[Pugsy]

Using Encore Viewer 2.0 now I don't see any choices for viewing other than what it shows. I am assuming then that since your machine is only showing pressure and hours of use that the machine in use is likely the PR System One Remstar Plus and does not offer any more data. You can confirm by the number of pages in the report that comes up. If you scroll through all the pages (I had 16) and you don't see the daily details, then there aren't any available other than what you see.

Confirm what the machine says it is as archangle has suggested. If it is the PR System One Remstar Plus it won't ever offer anything more than hours of use and pressure. You would need to at least upgrade to the machine that you currently show in your Profile the PR System One Pro Cpap with CFlex Plus.

Since new to therapy there could be some options available to you depending on DME and insurance.
If you confirm it is the non data capable machine then I would suggest that you start by reading Janknitz blog about what to do if you discover you have been given a brick titled "Help, I have been give a brick"
http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/

[LoQ]

With that title, I was sure this was another Rapture thread. Heh.

Please let us know what your machine says on it. You'll surely get help once you post that.

[CJNAZ]

WOW!!! Thanks for the quick replies. I called my DME and told them that I wanted to know what was up with my machine and why I wasn't seeing data. You should have heard the "silence" on the other end when I rattled off all kinds of info and knowledge (thanks to this forum), and told them what I was looking for. Guess he hasn't heard of someone being educated about their therapy choices.The guy tried to suggest that I call Respironics and was about to give me their number. I stopped him and said "as my DME provider I expect YOU to have the info I need and that I should not be calling the equipment manufacturer". He called back just now and "politely" said that they had given me the wrong machine versus what my Dr prescribed. They gave me a Respironics model# DS250 instead of a DS450!! 12 days of lost data. Oh well, at least I am going to get what I need. I will go pickup the new one tomorrow and start from there. Thank you to everyone who inputs info on this forum!!! You just saved me a ton of time and frustration, and possible a life. If someone were to get so frustrated they stopped therapy the consequences could be very bad. Thank you again and I look forward to getting to know all of you.

[OutaSync]

You saved yourself by coming here and educating yourself. Great job!

We must have the same DME Mine tried to pawn off a brick, too.

[archangle]

Be sure they make a written note somehow that you have 12 days of the required compliance for insurance purposes. You don't want them to lose the data from the old machine and report back to the insurance company that you didn't use the machine for 12 days and run into an insurance payment problem because you aren't compliant.

Remember, they've already made a <cough><cough> "mistake" so they might make another one when doing insurance compliance reports.

And check the new machine to be sure it says "REMstar PRO" above the display on the new blower unit.

And check that the "REMstar PRO" part isn't a sticker they just took and stuck over the label on your old machine.

[Pugsy]

Yeah "cough cough" mistake dispensing machine my @ss. They knew exactly what they were doing.

Good job on standing up to them and for being proactive in your own behalf.

[2flamingos]

Be sure they make a written note somehow that you have 12 days of the required compliance for insurance purposes. You don't want them to lose the data from the old machine and report back to the insurance company that you didn't use the machine for 12 days and run into an insurance payment problem because you aren't compliant.

Remember, they've already made a <cough><cough> "mistake" so they might make another one when doing insurance compliance reports.

And check the new machine to be sure it says "REMstar PRO" above the display on the new blower unit.

And check that the "REMstar PRO" part isn't a sticker they just took and stuck over the label on your old machine.

I would also be sure to keep a copy of the report that you did run - you should be able to save it as a pdf, jpeg, or document writer file. We all know that the insurance folks can be as bad as the the DME folks.

I agree with Pugsy - they knew what they were doing - they were giving you a less expensive model, receiving the same payment from your insurance, and pocketing the rest.

[Janknitz]

Ha, that's a great story! I'm so proud of you for being firm with them and getting them to admit their error and, more importantly, FIX it! You rock!

After you get your pro and confirm you have the right machine, I'd love to see you document this in writing. Just report the conversation as you have here with the date, time, and who you spoke to. Start the letter with something like: "This is just to confirm our conversation of [date} where you stated I had been given the wrong machine. I should have received the DS450 but your company provided a DS250 instead. Thank you for correcting the error and sending me the DS450 requested (by my physician)." Then CC it to your insurer and your doctor. The insurer so you don't get double billed, and your doctor so he/she knows what kinds of games this DME plays. It will also put this DME on notice that they can't play games with YOU anymore.

[Kilgore Trout]

He called back just now and "politely" said that they had given me the wrong machine versus what my Dr prescribed.

Woohoo! Congrats on the big win

[CJNAZ]

Well, I received the correct machine yesterday. The Respironics DS450, like I was suppose to have in the beginning, not the DS250. I am totally and completely disturbed at this point! This machine is SO LOUD compared to the other. I can really really hear myself breathe. The machine makes a noticeable "rushing air" sound when I inhale. The other machine was quieter than a mouse fart. My wife heard my breaths, thru the machine noise, all night long. Not good. I can't imagine that there is a difference between the two models and I thought the only difference was the algorithm for reading efficacy. What did I do, I can't sleep with that sound. I don't think I received a used machine but maybe I did. I wonder if it is defective. Is this a normal sound for a machine that seems identical except the computer board capability within? I am going to contact my DME this morning but am hoping I can get some insight from any of you out there first. I'd like to have a bit of knowledge before lowering the hammer on this place again. Please tell your thoughts about this. Thanks!!!!!

[OutaSync]

Turn the CFlex off, if the noise bothers you. If that doesn't help, it may be a defective machine.

My machine was so noisey when I first got it that I had to put a styrofoam cooler over it to muffle the noise. After 5 days, I noticed that it was much quieter and I quit using the cover. I don't know it it actually got quieter as it broke in, or if I got used to it, but it doesn't bother me now.