If you were me, would you get card reader+software?

MoneyGal · Post by **MoneyGal** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 8:09 am

Thanks to the help of folks on this forum (Tiropita, tattooyu and Rested Gal), I have figured out how to read the nightly indicators from the clinical settings on my machine.

I have two nights of data so far. On the first night, my AI was 0. Last night, my AI was 0.5 and my HI was 2.8.

I feel fantastic. I'm preparing for my morning kickboxing class.

If you were me, and assuming my numbers stay the same (or under 5 for AI per night), would you get the card reader and software? Or would you only consider it if: you started feeling unwell, or your numbers moved higher?

ColinP · Post by **ColinP** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 8:15 am

I'd be tempted to just leave things as they are - you're feeling good, why get stressed and incur expense?

roster · Post by **roster** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 8:16 am

I can't answer for you, but for me the software is a must. Hypothetically, if my wife were using CPAP and seemed to always feel great, I would still want her to use software to keep a check.

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 8:16 am

I'm not you so I can't say what I would do if I were you. Ultimately I go by how I "feel". However, curiosity killed the cat. I bought the software and cable reader. The data and I don't always jive. There've been times I've felt one heck of a whole lot better than my data suggested. And there's been times I felt one heck of a whole lot worse than my data suggested. I also bought a back up/travel device and deliberately bought another leading manufacturer's model and have software and cable reader for both. A lot would depend tho on your finances at the moment, at least it would mine. And I looked for an found "bargains" on the software and cable readers as well, I didn't pay top dollar.

Also, I have another health condition wherein exacerbations can creep up on you and I've found the xPAP software provides a warning that something is going on and most likely that something is an exacerbation of this condition so I like that the data serves as a sort of "bellwhether" for me.

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 8:19 am

If you are feeling fantastic, you are probably fine without it for now. But if later things start to not be as fantastic, the software may very well help you resolve any issues more quickly. Keep in mind that it may take a few days to get the software and card reader. With the current economic uncertainty, you yourself will need to decide the priority value of getting the software and card reader now or later or never.

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 8:25 am

Going along with and adding to what DreamStalker said, you obviously don't NEED the software and cable reader now - and, if in the future you do run into some problems, you can usually take your data card in to your DME provider and have a download printed out for you, usually right then and there and usually at no charge. Altho there ARE a few greedy buzzards in the local DME provider ranks.

Gerald · Post by **Gerald** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 8:34 am

About 45-years ago, I flew a Cessna 150 into a cloud......without watching any instruments......and I flew out of that cloud headed straight down.....at red line. I got out of trouble with only a few feet to spare......and that event taught me an important lesson. Don't try to "fly" without instruments.

CPAP therapy without gauges is like flying into a cloud. The pilot "thinks" he knows where the ground is....but it can be a real fooler.....as John Kennedy found out....and as I almost did.

I wouldn't want to do without CPAP software. It's the only way I can know what I'm doing right...or wrong.

Spend the bucks....you won't be sorry.

Gerald

dieselgal · Post by **dieselgal** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 9:08 am

It really all depends on how driven you are to know those things. I purchased the software for my machines and then after a couple of weeks I find I didn't use them unless I had a really bad night and just wanted to see if I could tell why.
It is a fun and useful tool but if you are feeling great, it isn't necessary.

wlenz · Post by **wlenz** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 11:01 am

Gerald wrote: I got out of trouble with only a few feet to spare......and that event taught me an important lesson. Don't try to "fly" without instruments.
I wouldn't want to do without CPAP software. It's the only way I can know what I'm doing right...or wrong.
Gerald

I did not know I had sleep apnea. My son pushed me to go for the test and I was surprised that I tested positive. My point is: I am sleeping and when I wake, what happened while sleeping is a mystery. Unless your results from the sleep study are 100% accurate, and do not change with time, then you should monitor what is happening while you are sleeping. I have made changes that improved my sleep, and as the seasons change, allergies kick in or change, new meds that I take cause changes in my sleep, or if you change your bed, pillow, etc. You will need to make adjustments. Adjustments should not be made for a one night deviation from the norm, but for a reading that shows a consistent change that needs attention.
I have been fighting a leak pattern that looked like a train wreck. Only knew this because of the smart card recording the data and the software to read it. I will not fly without instruments.
Bill

Billy6 · Post by **Billy6** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 1:28 pm

I dont have any of the stuff. My doctor said I'd be wearing the mask for a good long time, so why stress yourself out with readings you cant to anything about anyway. I might also say that I am self-pay

crossfit · Post by **crossfit** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 1:46 pm

I definately think you should get the software. I find that things change somewhat regularly and by using the software, I can find out what is going on. By using the software, I have found out what foods, drinks, behaviours, etc, trigger a bad night and what things make my OSA better. This has led to lifestyle changes that are helping me feel a whole lot better in many ways. I don't look at my data every morning anymore but I do rely on it regularly. I have even learned that some nights I sleep poorly due to catching a cold rather than sleep apnea. That sounds silly but I never used to know if I was getting sick, experiencing allergies, or having apneas becuase I simple felt bad. Now I can rule out apneas if the data tells me and I have fought off colds much faster knowing to start treatment sooner. I would feel pretty helpless without my data if something started going wrong and I couldn't figure it out.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 2:07 pm

Your ResMed Elite II CPAP gives a breakdown of "nightly" info you can see in the LCD...AHI, AI, HI, Leak.

If an Elite or Elite II CPAP were my treatment machine, the data available in the LCD would be plenty good enough for me. I'd not get the software.

If I were using a ResMed autopap (or any brand of full data autopap, or a full data Respironics CPAP) I'd definitely want software.

roster · Post by **roster** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 2:11 pm

Billy6 wrote:I dont have any of the stuff. My doctor said I'd be wearing the mask for a good long time, so why stress yourself out with readings you cant to anything about anyway. I might also say that I am self-pay

Billy,

Welcome to the forum and I hope you stick around here for some length of time. You will find out that many of us have "done something about the readings". Without the help of this forum to do something about the readings, I would be ruined or dead by now.

Do you know that diabetics take readings of their blood glucose levels throughout the day? They then adjust their diet, exercise, rest, insulin injections and other medications to improve their health.

It is usually a little simpler for CPAP patients, but we do something similar by using software and making adjustments for mask leaks, respiratory disturbances and comfort.

Regards,

carbonman · Post by **carbonman** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 2:23 pm

Billy6 wrote: My doctor said I'd be wearing the mask for a good long time, so why stress yourself out with readings you cant to anything about anyway.

...yea , it's only YOUR life.

Billy6 wrote:I might also say that I am self-pay

....yea , it's only YOUR life.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 2:43 pm

Billy6 wrote:I dont have any of the stuff. My doctor said I'd be wearing the mask for a good long time, so why stress yourself out with readings you cant to anything about anyway. I might also say that I am self-pay

That would be the "ignorance is bliss" philosophy.....?

Den

If you were me, would you get card reader+software?

If you were me, would you get card reader+software?

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