Pulse oximeter

[Jeffchoy]

Hi everyone

Anyone can tell me where to have a pulse oximeter together with the software and also a trust compay who will ship your goods .

Thanks

Jeff

[Slinky]

Just do a search on SPO 7500. There's been plenty of discussion about it here. Its a good one, good software. Expect to pay about or close to $500. Or, if you give it a good read there is no reason to distrust the company that recently had it listed unintentionally for $249. They honored that price even tho it was a mistake until the price correction was made. And they are still offering it cheaper than anyone else to the best of my knowledge. $375, I think.

[Arizona-Willie]

I ordered the unit on Jan 3 and they promptly charged my card.

I STILL DON'T HAVE THE UNIT.

I have called them several times and spoke to a " supervisor " once.

They keep assuring me I will get it and a girl keeps saying she will get tracking info from the manufacturer and call me but never does.

I told her I expected to get a unit with software etc. because they sold it to other people and she said I would get that ... which is what they now call the SPO 7500 F on their website and presumably it is in stock ( although I didn't ask her specifically if the F was in stock ) but they don't send me that.. They send NOTHING.

Can you tell I am not a happy camper?

I think they are stallilng me so I will get pissed and say to cancel the order and refund my money. If I do that they are off the hook.

I think they may hear from my lawyer next.

[RipVW]

Man, Willie, that IS a pain! So sorry you've not yet received your unit.

By the way, they've raised their price from $375 to $499 now--so, even that $375 deal is over. Looks like $499 is the best price anywhere now. Here's the website:
http://www.med1online.com/pc-40265-1456 ... 7500f.aspx

"You are getting sleepy . . ."

[sleepycarol]

Willie,

I really hope you get it straightened out!!

It is no fun to be ripped off!!!

Good luck and please keep us posted on this!!

[Julie]

Willie, next time you call, ask to speak to her supervisor or manager - that usually works!

[Spottymaldoon]

I got one used from ebay for $300 - I always check the full Detailed Seller Rating (stars) and the shipping cost before buying there and it has worked out well. People dislike leaving negative feedback because of the "you-ding-me-I-ding-you" mentality there. The one I got can print on thermal paper, so you have a full night's PO2 and pulse rate taken every 30 seconds. It would be better to get one that could download to a computer - mine can't.

You have to be careful in interpreting because you see the occasional very low false PO2 reading (as low as 70-80%) which seems to be a glitch in that particular technology, happening with all these devices. The trick is to spot the true apneas when the pulse rate quickens and, at the same time, the PO2 drops to maybe 92% or so. The body, deprived of oxygen during an apnea, goes into 'panic mode' and the pulse races. Unless there's a pulse rate increase, I don't count a low PO2 as an apnea.

[bigk]

Why would I want to buy one of these?

[RipVW]

The recording oximeter measures blood oxygen saturation, checks it once per second, records the data to upload to a computer program so one may check for any drops in oxygen saturation (the damaging effect of untreated or unresponsive apnea events). It also records pulse rate data. A great device to double-check CPAP therapy efficacy. It has a "thimble" that you wear on your finger overnight. I don't use it nightly, just periodically to check to assure that all's well.

Here's the one I have--worn on the wrist with a cord to the thimble:
http://www.med1online.com/p-40265-spo-m ... 7500f.aspx

[bigk]

Thanks for the info..

[Guest]

If you need to ask you probably don't. I think having all those years of sleepless nights and lousy days to follow cause us to become a bit obsessive. When you get a machine that gives you hard numbers each night that actually provide measurements to replace vague feelings that something is wrong, it's quite an eye-opener and you can say "See? I told you, I knew something wasn't right - and here's the proof!"

We get the machine and then we discover that we can actually have it provide data on each night to our computer. Then we see another machine that gives us even more data and we lust after that. I am sure that, as time goes on, my place of sleep will come to look more like an intensive care unit! And we reinforce one another in our obsession through Forums like this one - just as some rather big people get together and shout "Big is beautiful!" as they gobble cream pies.

I "justified" getting the PO2 meter because I wanted to be sure I had apnea and I felt that a couple of nights in a sleep-lab might not be representative - and in fact they weren't because I didn't have apnea there the first session.

[RipVW]

I guess it depends on the value one places on data. My sleep study turned out to be pretty unreliable--titrated at 6.0. After more than a year of ineffective therapy, finding this forum, and acquiring a data capable APAP, I found my pressure sweet spot, 12.0. So, for me all data is "priceless!" Thinking I have all the sleep data devices I need, now, though--well, at least until they make the home versions of the electromyogram, electro-oculogram, electrocardiogram, Nasal Airflow Sensor . . . ;<)

[dllfo]

Another reason to ask is if you are falling asleep at 1pm like I was. I went to the doctor and they always got a Pulse Ox reading of 90 or 91, or some number like that. I bought the SPO 5500 and kept a log of my readings in the mid to low 80s.

I took all the standard tests, PFT, PST, Methacholine Challenge test and all they found was Vocal Cord Dysfunction. That alone would not usually cause low Pulse Ox.

Finally, after I gave them a couple weeks of SPO 5500 data, they scheduled me to go to the National Jewish Hospital in Denver, CO. The best Respiratory Hospital in the USA. For ten straight years. My Pulmonologist had faith in me. He said he believed me and my one week of testing went over 4 weeks when they found a hole/tear in my heart. They found it and then confirmed it with an echocardiogram combined with stress and agitated saline. The next day they said I needed an implant in my heart and the soonest they could get it done was the following day. About 48 hours after the test I had an implant. AND Medicare paid off like a slot machine, at least for about 80% of the myriad of tests they did.

If I remember correctly, they said I was highly at risk for a stroke, that was why they did it ASAP.

IF you are getting sleepy when you shouldn't be, beg, borrow or buy the SPO 5500. I checked mine against the Pulmonologist's equipment and it was perfect. I also forgot and ran it through the washer. I let it dry out and it worked again. GOOD equipment. The company was kind enough to offer to "repair" it for a really, really reasonable rate. Good people.

I know use a Nonin 9600 and my Pulse Ox only goes into the 80s when I quit breathing. Denver also found my brain is inop where Oxygen levels are concerned. If I quit breathing at night, I probably will not start again. They ran my Pulse Ox down to somewhere in the 50s I am guessing. The whistles and bells went off, they gave me oxygen and when I finally looked behind me, my Pulse Ox was up to 64.

My only point in repeating this story is for new people to be aware how important Pulse Ox can be. It may be your "early warning system" about something else being wrong. I misplaced my 5500 or I would send it to you. Good luck in getting one.

[Gerald]

Jeff....I purchased my SPO 7500 from turnermedical.com for just under $500 including SPO software. I'm pleased with the Oximeter....and with Turner Medical.

It's a good tool.....and vital if you want to be sure that your therapy is working.

Gerald

[RipVW]

I was one of the lucky ones who purchased from medoneonline.com for $250 before they discovered the mistake on their website. I must say that I was pleasantly surprised that they honored those orders rather than trying to renig on the deal. After they discovered the error, they raised the price to $375 for a few weeks, now they are back to $499.