More questions re: data capable

[jess]

Hi-- I'm back with more questions. In August I posted a lot when I was first diagnosed and sent to a DME to purchase a used machine. I was not using my insurance because I didn't have a sleep study. Anyway, the DME sold me a PR System Remstar 150 which only logs leaks and time used. I paid $950.00 for the machine and humidifier. I learned later from this group how I was "taken"
Anyway, I reported this to my doctor last week and he got his tech's to call the DME. They have agreed to refund $780.00 of my money. Now I can purchase a data capable machine through CPAP. My questions are:
1. I was told by CPAP on the phone that the Resmed S9 elite does not provide data that can be read by the owner --- only the doctor or DME can read the data. Is that true?
2. I probably will go with the PR System one Remstar Pro. CPAP told me the software is not compatible with a Mac and can only be used on a PC that is 32 bit. I have an old Dell from 1998. How do I tell if it is 32 bit?
3. The Remstar has Cflex ---- I have been very happy with my basic machine with no cflex. Will I be able to adjust this machine to the exhalation pressure that I currently have which is nothing.
4. Is there a difference in the software between the PR pro and auto.

I am glad that I reported this to my doctor. His tech's were very concerned that their other patients were being overcharged when they were referred for used machines.

[Pugsy]

1. I was told by CPAP on the phone that the Resmed S9 elite does not provide data that can be read by the owner --- only the doctor or DME can read the data. Is that true?

Not true. Software is easily available and easily used by yourself. I don't know who at CPAP told you that..but maybe they were either misinformed or covering their behinds.

2. I probably will go with the PR System one Remstar Pro. CPAP told me the software is not compatible with a Mac and can only be used on a PC that is 32 bit. I have an old Dell from 1998. How do I tell if it is 32 bit?

An old Dell is most likely 32 bit. Encore Pro or Viewer or SleepyHead should work.
Macs can be used if you set up something like Bootcamp with windows environment.
SleepyHead software has a Mac version in testing you might want to look at if you can do stuff like that.

3. The Remstar has Cflex ---- I have been very happy with my basic machine with no cflex. Will I be able to adjust this machine to the exhalation pressure that I currently have which is nothing.

Yes. Easily adjusted or turned off if you wish.

4. Is there a difference in the software between the PR pro and auto.

The auto (like I have in my signature) offers variable treatment pressures (apap mode) but can also be used in straight cpap mode. The Pro can only be used in straight cpap mode.
So the auto is like 2 machines in one. It offers variable treatment pressures or it can be used like the Pro.
If you can do it.. get the Auto. It might come in handy or you might find you like or need variable pressures. If you don't like variable pressures you can easily switch over to straight pressure with cpap.

I happen to sometimes need a much higher pressure. Maybe 10 to 15 % of the time and not every night. My pressures will vary...stay low around 10 to 12 most of the time but go to 18 cm for those stubborn events. Obviously much better than using 18 all the time..

[Perrybucsdad]

Hi-- I'm back with more questions. In August I posted a lot when I was first diagnosed and sent to a DME to purchase a used machine. I was not using my insurance because I didn't have a sleep study. Anyway, the DME sold me a PR System Remstar 150 which only logs leaks and time used. I paid $950.00 for the machine and humidifier. I learned later from this group how I was "taken"
Anyway, I reported this to my doctor last week and he got his tech's to call the DME. They have agreed to refund $780.00 of my money. Now I can purchase a data capable machine through CPAP. My questions are:
1. I was told by CPAP on the phone that the Resmed S9 elite does not provide data that can be read by the owner --- only the doctor or DME can read the data. Is that true?
2. I probably will go with the PR System one Remstar Pro. CPAP told me the software is not compatible with a Mac and can only be used on a PC that is 32 bit. I have an old Dell from 1998. How do I tell if it is 32 bit?
3. The Remstar has Cflex ---- I have been very happy with my basic machine with no cflex. Will I be able to adjust this machine to the exhalation pressure that I currently have which is nothing.
4. Is there a difference in the software between the PR pro and auto.

I am glad that I reported this to my doctor. His tech's were very concerned that their other patients were being overcharged when they were referred for used machines.

Jess,

I can't comment on everything here but let me try a few of them.

With the S9 Elite, it is a fully data capable machine. Meaning, it will record all kinds of efficacy data. I think what the DME is saying is you must have the software and only the doctors or DME have that. That's not entirely true and we can hook you up with the software if you wish to analyze your own data (which you should do).

I would suggest also looking at the S9 AutoSet. Very similar to the S9 Elite, but it also is an adjusting CPAP machine. Pugsy describes the auto above very well, so I won't duplicate that.

As far as the old Dell computer, I would be fairly certain that it would be a 32bit processor. Yes, there were a few 64bit processors out there back then, but they were mainly geared for highend workstations. If you had one, you would know it. A quick way to check though is go to your control panel, and then select System. The page that comes up will be the General Systems info page. If the computer is 64bit, it will say there. If it doesn't say 64-bit, it will be 32-bit.