Numbers

pabond · Post by **pabond** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 9:47 am

Hey everybody,

I notice on a lot of posts people talking about their numbers. I am assuming that this refers (in part) to the software that monitors sleep factors? I have been on CPAP for a while now but have no "numbers" and do not know how to obtain them withouth going for another sleep study. Is this something you can purchase for your machine?

I am a technical person by nature and monitor many health numbers (weight, BP, pulse, cholesterol, etc.) and I use these to monitor my progress with exercise, weight loss and the like. Knowing I am getting good sleep would be a plus for me. I know when I feel better and get good sleep but I never knew I was getting bad sleep before my sleep study. It's all relative. But having numbers to compare with would be very helpful.

JPO · Post by **JPO** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 10:23 am

Do a search on Encore Pro and Encore Pro Analyzer and you will learn all about the software and the smart card reader. PM me if you have any questions. I also have a spare smart card reader.

The software works great for tracking your events. I look at them every morning - I just started using the software. The people in the posts that come up can tell you more about the type of machine and its settings that are required to use the software.

John

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 10:32 am

Hi pabond,

Welcome to the forum!

Several of the machine manufacturers make machines that have the capability of monitoring nightly statistics. In the case of Respironics (which is the manufacturer of the machine in your profile), the data is stored on a "Smart card" and along with some purchasable software and card reader, the user can download the information to their computer and monitor their therapy. This is much more cost effective than taking additional sleep studies and further trips back to the doctors.
Unfortunately, the DME that gave you your equipment, gave you one of the cheapest machines which doesn't have the recording capabilities....which means they made more money because they get to charge your insurance the same amount of money whether it's a cheap one or a top-of-the-line machine.

The following are the four machines in Respironics' CPAP/APAP lines that monitor the statistics.

Best wishes,

Den

https://www.cpap.com/productpage-bundle ... undle.html

https://www.cpap.com/productpage-bundle ... undle.html

https://www.cpap.com/productpage-bundle ... undle.html

https://www.cpap.com/productpage-bundle ... undle.html

pabond · Post by **pabond** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 11:01 am

So what you are telling me Wulfman is that I would have to purchase a new machine to do this? My DME is probably the worst around and I have had nothing but trouble with them (hence my search for a new supplier online). This does not surprise me but since I just paid off this machine I am not planning on buying another one. I feel like I sleep good and my BP is down so that must be a good indicator. My level is 9 which I don't think is a lot but it sucks that I can't monitor my numbers. This would have been beneficial knowing before I bought the machine. Now I will just live with the consequences of not doing my homework ahead of time.

Thanks for the info though since, at some point, I will need a new machine I will make sure I can do this.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 11:10 am

pabond wrote:So what you are telling me Wulfman is that I would have to purchase a new machine to do this? My DME is probably the worst around and I have had nothing but trouble with them (hence my search for a new supplier online). This does not surprise me but since I just paid off this machine I am not planning on buying another one. I feel like I sleep good and my BP is down so that must be a good indicator. My level is 9 which I don't think is a lot but it sucks that I can't monitor my numbers. This would have been beneficial knowing before I bought the machine. Now I will just live with the consequences of not doing my homework ahead of time.

Thanks for the info though since, at some point, I will need a new machine I will make sure I can do this.

I'm afraid so. It never hurts to have a backup machine.....or if you travel, take the one you're using now and leave the good one at home.

Lots of people don't get the privilege of self-monitoring their own therapy.
If yours seems to be working OK......that's what's important.

Best wishes,

Den

oldgearhead · Post by **oldgearhead** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 11:41 am

..maybe we should run a poll to find out how many DME's, RT's, NP's or
sleep doctors explained all the features that are available on xPAP
machines, produced in the last five years..

Looks like your doing fine without the "numbers". However, tracking the
numbers is a fun hobby..