What are your thoughts on these consumer pulse oximeters?

[elavi001]

When I got tested for sleep apnea, I was just barely above the line at 7.1 AHI. Almost of year of treatment hasn't made me feel an ounce better; I feel worse. I want to buy a pulse oximeter similar to the WatchPAT that diagnosed me originally. I want the data to correlate with my other symptoms and data for how I feel and try to find patterns.

Looking on Amazon, I find things like this:
https://www.amazon.com/ViATOM-Wearable- ... merReviews

Can I trust this device to give me accurate and useful data?
Any recommendations?

[palerider]

I want to buy a pulse oximeter similar to the WatchPAT that diagnosed me originally.

The two devices are entirely different.
the 'PAT' in WatchPAT stands for "Peripherial Arterial Tone", it's much more than a simple oximeter.

In much the same way as a large cardboard box and a microwave oven are superficially similar, but entirely different in operation.


I want the data to correlate with my other symptoms and data for how I feel and try to find patterns.

Looking on Amazon, I find things like this:

Can I trust this device to give me accurate and useful data?
Any recommendations?
[/quote]
Accurate, yes. Useful, in terms of diagnosing/verifying sleep apnea? no.

The typical recommendation is for CMS50 devices, the D+ is the least capable, then the E, F and I models.
Some people have had good experiences with the newer CMS60 variants.

[elavi001]

I want to buy a pulse oximeter similar to the WatchPAT that diagnosed me originally.

The two devices are entirely different.
the 'PAT' in WatchPAT stands for "Peripherial Arterial Tone", it's much more than a simple oximeter.

In much the same way as a large cardboard box and a microwave oven are superficially similar, but entirely different in operation.


I want the data to correlate with my other symptoms and data for how I feel and try to find patterns.

Looking on Amazon, I find things like this:

Can I trust this device to give me accurate and useful data?
Any recommendations?

Accurate, yes. Useful, in terms of diagnosing/verifying sleep apnea? no.

The typical recommendation is for CMS50 devices, the D+ is the least capable, then the E, F and I models.
Some people have had good experiences with the newer CMS60 variants.
[/quote]

I see. What is CMS50. Is CMS a brand? a rating? a device type? Do you have any specific links I can look at?

Thank you so much for your help

[NoOnesPerfect]

CMS50 is a line of pulse oximeter made by Contec. Some of the models have recording capabilities, some do not. The ones that do are usually compatible with OSCAR too, so the data can be imported into that program.

[elavi001]

CMS50 is a line of pulse oximeter made by Contec. Some of the models have recording capabilities, some do not. The ones that do are usually compatible with OSCAR too, so the data can be imported into that program.

So something like this?
https://www.amazon.com/CONTEC-CMS50F-ox ... way&sr=8-3

Why is this device particularly desireable?

[Nick Danger]

CMS50 is a line of pulse oximeter made by Contec. Some of the models have recording capabilities, some do not. The ones that do are usually compatible with OSCAR too, so the data can be imported into that program.

So something like this?
https://www.amazon.com/CONTEC-CMS50F-ox ... way&sr=8-3

Why is this device particularly desireable?

"The ones that do are usually compatible with OSCAR too, so the data can be imported into that program."

[elavi001]

CMS50 is a line of pulse oximeter made by Contec. Some of the models have recording capabilities, some do not. The ones that do are usually compatible with OSCAR too, so the data can be imported into that program.

So something like this?
https://www.amazon.com/CONTEC-CMS50F-ox ... way&sr=8-3

Why is this device particularly desireable?

"The ones that do are usually compatible with OSCAR too, so the data can be imported into that program."

Yes I understand that but can you make any specific recomendations? For example, I found these two links. They are by different companies but look identical. What can I trust?
https://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-enable ... 0149953011
https://www.amazon.com/CONTEC-CMS50F-ox ... ay&sr=8-16

[ChicagoGranny]

Almost of year of treatment hasn't made me feel an ounce better; I feel worse.

It would be a good idea to have a careful look at this checklist:

Good Sleep for CPAPers

- Practice good sleep hygiene (Google it and read several sources; ignore extreme advice.)
- Eat a good diet
- Have a regular, moderate exercise program
- Try to avoid daytime naps
- Practice total abstinence of caffeine including sources like chocolate (sigh)
- Review all medicines, vitamins and supplements you are taking to make sure none are interfering with sleep
- Use the bedroom for sleeping (and sex) only, and make sure the bedroom and bed are comfortable.
- Learn to appropriately handle emotional stress in your life
- Do not listen to your breathing or the sound of the machine as you are falling asleep. (Some people, including me, actually find listening to their breathing and the sound of the machine to be relaxing.)
- Distract your mind by thinking of a pleasant, relaxing activity that you enjoy.
- If you are awakening at night, do not be too concerned. It is actually a normal part of sleep. (It does become a problem though for people who, when they awaken, become frustrated and have difficulty returning to sleep.)
- Use CPAP software, such as the free OSCAR (or the free SleepyHead), to make sure your therapy is optimized
- If you still don't feel or sleep well, make sure you have regular medical checkups to confirm there are no other medical problems

This is a checklist. Some of the things you already do. Some are easy and can be done right away. Others you can work at over time.

CG

[Goofproof]

CMS50 is a line of pulse oximeter made by Contec. Some of the models have recording capabilities, some do not. The ones that do are usually compatible with OSCAR too, so the data can be imported into that program.

So something like this?
https://www.amazon.com/CONTEC-CMS50F-ox ... way&sr=8-3

Why is this device particularly desireable?

It's Shiny!

[elavi001]

Almost of year of treatment hasn't made me feel an ounce better; I feel worse.

It would be a good idea to have a careful look at this checklist:

Good Sleep for CPAPers

- Practice good sleep hygiene (Google it and read several sources; ignore extreme advice.)
- Eat a good diet
- Have a regular, moderate exercise program
- Try to avoid daytime naps
- Practice total abstinence of caffeine including sources like chocolate (sigh)
- Review all medicines, vitamins and supplements you are taking to make sure none are interfering with sleep
- Use the bedroom for sleeping (and sex) only, and make sure the bedroom and bed are comfortable.
- Learn to appropriately handle emotional stress in your life
- Do not listen to your breathing or the sound of the machine as you are falling asleep. (Some people, including me, actually find listening to their breathing and the sound of the machine to be relaxing.)
- Distract your mind by thinking of a pleasant, relaxing activity that you enjoy.
- If you are awakening at night, do not be too concerned. It is actually a normal part of sleep. (It does become a problem though for people who, when they awaken, become frustrated and have difficulty returning to sleep.)
- Use CPAP software, such as the free OSCAR (or the free SleepyHead), to make sure your therapy is optimized
- If you still don't feel or sleep well, make sure you have regular medical checkups to confirm there are no other medical problems

This is a checklist. Some of the things you already do. Some are easy and can be done right away. Others you can work at over time.

CG

Why would we avoid daytime naps? Daytime naps are programmed into our genes and they even promote healthier night-time sleep.

[jimbud]

Almost of year of treatment hasn't made me feel an ounce better; I feel worse.

- Try to avoid daytime naps
-

Why would we avoid daytime naps? Daytime naps are programmed into our genes and they even promote healthier night-time sleep.

You say that like it's a joke, but I have occasional insomnia and I don't dare get behind the wheel after a night of poor rest.

So you will go to sleep at night.

JPB

[Nick Danger]

You know, for years, I've been telling my clients with insomnia to avoid naps as part of an effort to reset the sleep wake cycle. It has been a part of CBT for Insomnia and Stimulus Control Treatment for Insomnia for decades. I was initially tempted to fire off a quick rebuttal to Elavi001, but then decided to take a look at the recent literature. There is no evidence that brief naps during the afternoon have any effect on night time sleep quality (however, contrary to Elavi001's statement - the studies I reviewed did not show any evidence of improved night time sleep quality, either). I'm going to have to reconsider the advice I give my clients - still not sure where to head on this. Evidence for the efficacy of sleep hygiene and CBT for Insomnia was already weak, but it appears to be crumbling at this point.Evidence for Stimulus Control Treatment for Insomnia suggests that approach is effective; however, there has been little research regarding the importance of specific ingredients of that therapy (avoiding naps is but one of the aspects of that treatment).

Of course, now I'm going to have to make sure that I'm more aware of when naps are a symptom of sleep deprivation and when naps are a symptom of a major depressive episode - this latest research suggests to me that the two types of naps may need to be treated differently.

[Goofproof]

They won't cure Sleep Apnea, they won't diagnose Sleep Apnea, they can show pulse rate and effort, and give a idea of O2 blood levels. If you like to worry they can help you stress out even more, however properly used they can give useful info. Jim

[ChicagoGranny]

Daytime naps are programmed into our genes and they even promote healthier night-time sleep.

That sounds sciencey, so I am sure you will provide a citation.

[prodigyplace]

CMS50 is a line of pulse oximeter made by Contec. Some of the models have recording capabilities, some do not. The ones that do are usually compatible with OSCAR too, so the data can be imported into that program.

So something like this?
https://www.amazon.com/CONTEC-CMS50F-ox ... way&sr=8-3

Why is this device particularly desireable?

"The ones that do are usually compatible with OSCAR too, so the data can be imported into that program."

Yes I understand that but can you make any specific recomendations? For example, I found these two links. They are by different companies but look identical. What can I trust?
https://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-enable ... 0149953011
https://www.amazon.com/CONTEC-CMS50F-ox ... ay&sr=8-16

If I were choosing between those two, I would choose the Contec because people here have had good experiences with that brand & importing to SleepyHead/OSCAR.