CPAP Newbie Questions

[Keetso]

Hello folks.

It's my pleasure to "meet" all of you and am extremely happy to have found this site.

I've just gone through my 30 day "free" trial using a Remstar Plus (w/CFlex) machine with a nasal mask (not sure of the brand) and have an appointment with my DME tomorrow afternoon.

I'm planning on getting the Remstar M-Series Pro (w/CFlex) + heated humidifier and wondered if it has any built in statistics or information that I can access (i.e. # of apneas/night, leakage rate, etc, +more) or if it's necessary to get the card reader + software.

I'm asking as I've heard that the proprietary card reader and software is pretty expensive and, quite frankly, pretty substandard.

As well, is this a good machine to start with? I'm from Ontario and the machine choices are very limited and expensive so I want to ensure that I'm getting as much "bang" for my buck as possible.

Also, does anyone have any suggestions as to the best nasal mask (not pillows) I should be looking into? I realize that choosing the "right" mask is primarily an individual decision based on what works best for each user and thus hoped that you fine folks could steer me clear of any generally "bad" types/brands.

I apologize in advance for all the questions as well as my ignorance but this is all pretty new to me. It took me about a week to finally become accustomed to using the machine and wearing a mask every night but the changes in my sleep and my health in general is amazing considering the short amount of time I've been on CPAP.

Thanks for your help!

Keetso

[RipVW]

Hello & Welcome, Keetso! Glad you found this forum--SO much useful info and SO many helpful people here!
The display on the machine shows those stats (I believe), but it's so much easier to track your therapy over time with the software. You could call CPAP.com's customer service to double-check that. 1-800-356-5221
Good luck!

"You are getting sleepy . . ."

[Kiralynx]

Welcome.

Yes, I personally consider Encore Viewer to not as good a piece of software as the one no longer available to patients, Encore Pro. However, it's what's available, and is, in my opinion, absolutely essential to monitoring your therapy.

I'd be happier if all the companies did not use proprietary readers and so forth, but again, we have what's available, and it's essential to the informed patient who wants to get the most out of their therapy. (I figure if I'm going to sleep with the blasted mask, it darn well ought to be for optimum therapy!)

I can tell you that without that card reader and software, I would not have realized that I was having a problem with leak rates which were affecting my therapy. I also would not have recognized the exact correspondence between my breathing patterns and the pain issues which were what led me to be tested.

CPAP.COM has good prices -- I didn't realize HOW good, for instance, on the extra Smart Cards until my DME quoted me $45 for an extra one! (CPAP.COM has them for $12.50.... and their service is faster!)

I'm using the Comfort Lite 2 mask which can be changed from nasal mask to pillows to something they call a direct seal. I've found the latter works the best for me with the lowest leak rates and ease of use, but your mileage may vary. Haven't yet had a chance to try any other masks, but I hope to try one called the Headrest soon -- though it's pillows, not nasal.

[CorgiGirl]

Welcome to the Forum. I use a full face mask, so I'm not going to be any help there....

But I have both Encore Viewer and Encore Pro and I prefer to use Viewer on a daily basis. Encore Pro is meant for DMEs and has lots of options in the program that I don't need...don't need to track a bunch of different patients and their machines and masks, for instance. Viewer allows me to quickly get to the information I need without having to wade through stuff I don't. The actual data is presented in very similar ways in each program. The only thing I use Pro for is to occasionally erase the data on our cards, but that can be done online. I don't have the URL, but I'm sure someone else can direct you there.

[Keetso]

Thanks for the fast replies, Kiralynx, RipVW, and CorgiGirl.

I'll certainly purchase the card reader and software then.
Considering that this is a life long commitment to my health as well as the
fact that once the sleep study and DME are out of the way, ongoing monitoring is
up to us, it's a small price to pay.

From what I'm reading though, it is possible to erase/reuse a full card using an online tool. Is there a reason that this ability isn't built into the card reader itself then? I'm assuming the obvious reason is that we're *supposed* to take them to our doctor/DME for interpretation/assessment but, as I'm finding out, most seem to require this only as a way to keep putting extra $$ in their pockets for this "service".

(I apologize for my perceived negativity but this has been an eye opening experience so far. It seems that even the health care industry doesn't really view OSA as a "real" health threat and is just interested in gauging patients for more and more $$.)

That said, If, for some reason, one can't delete the information off the smart card and therefore must purchase additional ones, how long does one generally last before it gets filled up? Is there anything that must be done when replacing a full card with a new one or do you just take it out of the package and stick it in the machine and off you go?

Thanks as well, for the the information on the Comfort Lite 2 mask, Kiralynx. It sounds like something that might just work in my case. I'll certainly be checking it out.

By the way, does CPAP.com ship to Ontario, Canada?

I also want to thank everyone associated with this forum as it has not only been THE source for CPAP related information, but also a huge comfort for me since being diagnosed. I will continue to be an active member and strive to help others the same way that everyone here does. While I just became a member today, you've all become part of my family. (and may G_d help you all!! <laughing>)

Take care, and for those living in the US, have a happy and healthy Thanksgiving!

Keetso (aka Mark)

[RipVW]

You'll just need one card--when you upload the data from the card to your computer, it erases the data, so there's always room for more.

[CorgiGirl]

You'll just need one card--when you upload the data from the card to your computer, it erases the data, so there's always room for more.

Hmmmm, pretty sure this is incorrect. I have uploaded data into both programs and neither erased data. Encore Viewer doesn't have an erase option built into the software. Pro requires you to make an active choice to erase the data.....

Keetso, there is an online tool, but I don't remember the URL. Something like mycpap.com, but that didn't work. Others do know, so you might post a specific request later today or tomorrow since many of our US members are probably busy with Thanksgiving today.

[Paul56]

(I apologize for my perceived negativity but this has been an eye opening experience so far. It seems that even the health care industry doesn't really view OSA as a "real" health threat and is just interested in gauging patients for more and more $$.)

The only time I felt that way during my experience was when dealing with the DME.

The "respiratory therapist" was more of a sales agent than anything else and once the sale was complete I was cut loose from the fold.

Other than that this has been a positive experience with good results for me. I feel more alive & awake than I have in a very long time.

You can expand your equipment choices by purchasing online from CPAP.COM. If you are getting coverage from a group plan check with them first to see if they cover online purchases. If you are going through the Ontario ADP program your equipment choice will be guided by the list of approved devices.

Having gone through this whole scenario once now... the next time I may just research the machine that I want and pay out of pocket for it. <shrug>

[Hawthorne]

I'm also from Ontario. Welcome to the forum!

Cpap.com does ship to Ontario. They ship via USPS and Canada Post. There are not customs or duty charges to pay and no tax. They are classified as "Medical Equipment". The shipping to Ontario is a reasonable cost.

I purchase a lot from cpap.com since the prices in Canada are ridiculously high. I buy masks, filters and many other items from them. I also bought my current machine online. Usually, I buy several items at a time. If I am ordering a mask, I would also stock up on filters for example, since it does not raise the shipping cost and is so much more reasonable than Ontario. My Extended health plan does not cover 100% and I find I am paying less out of pocket if I order from cpap.com than using the extended health coverage. If you have a good extended health plan you're fine.

If this is your first machine, the Remstar Pro is a good one since it is data capable. Using the Provincial ADP is worthwhile for your first machine, especially with a good extended health plan as well. After your first machine you may want to buy online. We are told a new one every 5 years in Ontario but it isn't as simple as that! You'll be hard pressed to get the software and reader in Ontario. Online is the way to go for that. It is well worth it!

The card can be formatted (erased) using a free utility (MyCPAP Card Utility) available, free, online at http://www.mycpap.org. I erase my card weekly since the M Series have a glitch that causes them to miss a day or 2 of data about every week. Weekly formatting has eliminated that problem for me.

I save my data in PDF form using PrimoPDF (also free). There are others as well as Primo. Many of them are free as well. Recently, I began putting my data on a flash drive (memory stick) so that I have it backed up.

The smart card is a good price at cpap.com. You will get one with the machine if you get the M Series Pro but I would advice buying an extra from cpap.com just to have on hand.

You are getting lots of info! This forum is great! You'll be glad you're here!!

[plr66]

The card can be formatted (erased) using a free utility (MyCPAP Card Utility) available, free, online at http://www.mycpap.org.

Hmm--Has anyone tried to download this utility lately? I just tried several times, and had no success with being able to access the utility after installing it. There is just a half-second flash on the screen, whether clicking on the desktop shortcut or the program list on the Start button. Any suggestions?

[Hawthorne]

I've had mine downloaded and have been using it for months so don't know what the problem might be.

Contact him from the website via email. He is vey helpful.

Good Luck!

[Keetso]

After re-reading my previous posts, I did realize that I sounded like my entire experience has been a bust which isn't entirely true. The folks at the sleep clinic were fantastic but I felt that my meeting with the clinic's physician was friendly enough but he seemed to be a bit hurried and didn't really seem overly interested in answering my questions in any real detail. That might just be me, however, as I'm quite adamant about learning all that I can considering the fact that this is MY health we're talking about.

The DME I'm using has been friendly enough so far but they have yet to get my $$ (that'll be today!). However, my first impression when meeting with the "RT" was that of a used car salesman; very friendly, but continuously pushing the "upsell". While I certainly understand that the DME is in business to make money, I got the feeling that they sometimes forget that we "first-timers" are still in a steep learning curve and are, quite frankly, are scared to death about OSA and this strange, new, life long treatment.

Thank G_d for CPAP.com however. If it wasn't for you fine folks, I would have definitely given up by now. But with all the information provided and wonderful encouragement from everyone here, I'm fully committed to CPAP and the life which it has given back to me.

The only thing I can say to any newcomers to CPAP is to not give up! It takes time to get used to the equipment, etc but the rewards are endless (not to mention a VERY happy and well rested wife as well!).

Thanks also to you, Hawthorne, for the great information regarding shipping to Canada. My insurance will cover 90% of the costs so there shouldn't me much out of pocket expenses but I will certainly be making additional purchases through cpap.com as I agree, the equipment costs here are obscene (approximately $2700 for my Remstar Pro + accessories). By the way, I'm located in Waterloo, approximately 100 KM west of Toronto.

Just downloaded and installed the utility and got the same result.
I did send the owner an email but have not received a reply as of yet.
I'll post any replies as soon as they arrive.

[Wulfman]

The card can be formatted (erased) using a free utility (MyCPAP Card Utility) available, free, online at http://www.mycpap.org.

Hmm--Has anyone tried to download this utility lately? I just tried several times, and had no success with being able to access the utility after installing it. There is just a half-second flash on the screen, whether clicking on the desktop shortcut or the program list on the Start button. Any suggestions?

I just did to check out what you said in your post......downloaded fine. You need to right-click on the link that's in that site and select "Save link as" and it should work.
Or, maybe you can do the same with this link:
http://www.mycpap.org/downloads/CardUti ... taller.zip


Den

[Keetso]

No good.

The problem isn't downloading the application but rather in trying to run it once installed.

Install the program, click on the "Shortcut to MyCPAP Card Utility" icon on the desktop and the only thing that happens is a small window flashes for about a 1/4 of a second or less and then nothing.

[plr66]

The card can be formatted (erased) using a free utility (MyCPAP Card Utility) available, free, online at http://www.mycpap.org.

Hmm--Has anyone tried to download this utility lately? I just tried several times, and had no success with being able to access the utility after installing it. There is just a half-second flash on the screen, whether clicking on the desktop shortcut or the program list on the Start button. Any suggestions?

I just did to check out what you said in your post......downloaded fine. You need to right-click on the link that's in that site and select "Save link as" and it should work.
Or, maybe you can do the same with this link:
http://www.mycpap.org/downloads/CardUti ... taller.zip


Den

Nope--it just isn't happening here. I tried every combination of things I could think of last night, and with your given zip link above, and still the same non-result. Ugh. Thanks for checking it though, Den.