Where is the relief???

[Pugsy]

The DreamStation Cpap Data Sheet states it has Basic AHI and Leak reporting. So No graphs or AHI breakdown. There is a setting to select whether or not the Apnea/Hypopnea index is displayed on the Patient Info screen. http://incenter.medical.philips.com/doc ... 3d11572476

Well...I'll be damned. I couldn't find anything about data on the places I looked and usually when it is absent...there is none.
I don't have the provider manual for the machine though and no time to request it.
So I stand corrected...it's a half assed brick like the ResMed basic cpap.

It's better than nothing...probably no event category breakdown and probably the leak is a simple 90% total leak number.
It's a decent enough starting point though.
The reason SH can't see the data is because SH needs other detailed files, which are absent, to do anything.
She will need Encore Pro and it won't show any details either...it's just going to show the limited data on the screen so no real reason to get Encore which is a PITA itself.

She needs to go to the apneaboard and request the provider/clinical manual for her machine and the instructions for how to get into the clinical menu and turn on the "show AHI" setting can be changed so she can at least see what is on the LCD screen.
http://www.apneaboard.com/adjust-cpap-p ... tup-manual

I still would like answers to my previous questions....if the reported AHI is "fine" and the leaks are "fine" we may need to do some additional detective work.

So it's a half assed brick and not a total brick...better than full brick.

[ChicagoGranny]

it's a half assed brick

Here, have a whole-ass brick,

[linuxman]

OP, as pugs mentioned you can get the provider manual at the link she provided. If you need any specific assistance in the short term with the provider menus, just ask. I've got a hard copy of the manual (same one for all Dream Station models). My DME left it in the bag with my unit! To get into the menu, just hold down the front control knob and the ramp button together for 5 seconds, and the menu will come up. You should be able to find the AHI report setting. While you're there you also turn on leak reporting if it's not turned on, and the mask fit utility if you want it.

[palerider]

For the love of God! My dme provider is not lying to me! My cpap has a modem which transmits compliance data.

which. is. useless.

[zoocrewphoto]

Here's a couple things that you need to know that you currently don't know.

Your ahi really should be under 2. Most doctors think it is okay if it is under 5. You have never told us what the doctor told you other than he said you are fine and gave you a report. What was the actual ahi? Was it under 2?

AHI is NOT the only important factor.

For example, my mom was being treated with a cpap machine but didn't feel any better. Her machine had no data, so I let her use my machine at her settings for half a night. Her ahi was 3.4. Not bad by doctor standards. And nobody had cared to look further. But I put the SD card into my computer and actually reviewed the data. She was having clusters of events, and those events were over 30 seconds each. One was over a minute long. Having a low ahi doesn't mean you are great if your events are clustered and/or really long.

That is why you need a machine with full data. That is why you need a doctor who is willing to look for the problems (and solutions) or be proactive enough to do it yourself.

You have stated that you don't feel any relief. Your settings have not been optimized for YOU. If your doctor thinks everything is fine, then he is done caring. It is up to you to make this work. We can help you, but it will be a lot easier if you can get a full data machine. At the very least, it would be helpful to see the sleep study results and compliance report that had the ahi.

[palerider]

well said, zoocrewphoto +1

[linuxman]

For the love of God! My dme provider is not lying to me! My cpap has a modem which transmits compliance data.

which. is. useless.

Well, it's not completely useless. It is transmitting AHI and rough leak data. Yeah, not full data but it's still useful for rough therapy evaluation. I'd certainly want my doc seeing more, though, of course.

[palerider]

For the love of God! My dme provider is not lying to me! My cpap has a modem which transmits compliance data.

which. is. useless.

Well, it's not completely useless. It is transmitting AHI and rough leak data. Yeah, not full data but it's still useful for rough therapy evaluation. I'd certainly want my doc seeing more, though, of course.

ok, fine, it's 95% useless.

it'll tell you you've got a problem, but give you NO indication of what the problem is, or how to solve it.

and if you read through the forum enough, you'll see reports of people who had low enough AHI, but were having long apneas when they had 'em, and needed their therapy tuned.... AHI/leak is not sufficient for anybody except uncaring medical professionals.

[Okie bipap]

When he came back on the phone he informed me that since I have VA medicaid they are unable to private bill me but that the supervisor would look into it and get back to me. So it's looking like I may in fact be stuck with my brick but thanks for the glimpse of hope.

Since you have VA medicaid, can you go through the local VA hospital for treatment? If so, the VA has been issuing full data capable auto pap machines. I have a friend I used to work with that goes to the VA for his apnea treatment, and was issued an auto pap machine to replace his old machine. If you can go to the VA hospital, it may take a few months to get the new machine, but it would be worth it.

[Sheffey]

the VA has been issuing full data capable auto pap machines.

Not all VA locations!