Doctor Visits, How Often?

lovecollies · Post by **lovecollies** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 8:03 pm

I just joined cpaptalk.com, as I just found this site.
I am wondering how often I have to go see my sleep Dr.
My sleep study was last November, 2008, but I just started to use the equipment in June of this year.
I have never returned to see the Dr.
I have this smart card thing in my machine, am I supposed to take that to my Dr every so often?
Also, I wash all my "stuff" every week, but am I supposed to get new tubes and pillows every so often to make sure they are "good",
Or just when they break or something?

Thanks so much for all your help,
and my apologies, as my typing is not so good

Pugsy · Post by **Pugsy** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 8:12 pm

Welcome.
When you have time could you go to your user account profile and edit your equipment section to add which equipment you are using. Please use the text option so that we can readily see what you use as it is hard to see from just the image.

Who did you get your machine from? Insurance involved? Someone should have explained about the smart card.

Tell us what machine you are using and as much information as you can about your settings, etc and someone will point you on the path to educating yourself on what all this stuff entails.

Yes, some supplies may need to be replaced every so often depending on what they are and how they hold up to use.

Again, tell us which machine and mask and someone can give more specific suggestions.

millich · Post by **millich** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 8:22 pm

lovecollies - your doc didn't tell you to come back???

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 9:07 pm

Hey, LoveCollies, you have GOOD taste in dogs. I'm a Collie lover myself. For some 30 years. Well, loved them for longer than that.

Yup, yup, tell us what brand and model CPAP you have. Just because it has a data card doesn't make it a fully data capable CPAP. Was your CPAP purchased by your insurance? If so you will likely be hearing from your doctor and/or local CPAP supplier long about September. If you bought it outta pocket - don't hold your breath! You "might" hear from the sleep doctor long about November given you could be due, in his opinion, for another in-lab titration study. What was up w/it taking so long for you to get your CPAP? I know you Southerners usually take it slow and easy but November to June is stretching it!

Usually you can get a new mask and headgear in 6 months. How often you get a new filter or filters depends on your brand and model CPAP.

Welcome to the forum, by the way.

WindFlyer · Post by **WindFlyer** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 8:57 am

I'll put in a plug for Labradors while we're on the dog topic.

But anyway, yes- when you first start out it takes about 3-4 months to really get the pattern down. In my experience, I was going in to the DME about that time to get my pressure bumped up because I was still snoring with the mask on. If your CPAP is working, you shouldn't be snoring I've been told. After that initial bump up in pressure I was sort-of all set. Now I only return to the sleep Dr once every couple of years. "Is your therapy working? Everything okay?" "Yes" "Okay, we'll bill your insurance for the visit!"

lovecollies · Post by **lovecollies** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 11:25 am

Thanks everyone for your replys.
I called my Dr. and got an appointment for next week.
She said to bring my Smart Card with me.
I have learned a lot from reading this forum, and I really appreciate all the help.

Pugsy · Post by **Pugsy** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 11:36 am

lovecollies wrote:I called my Dr. and got an appointment for next week.
She said to bring my Smart Card with me.

Your profile now shows the Respironics M Series Plus machine??
All they want the smart card for is compliance hours. To see how many hours you are actually using it.

Were you aware of this fact? Do you wish to be able to monitor real data pertaining to how effective your therapy is? You won't be able to do it with this machine. All they can do is say you used the machine x number of hours and if you aren't seeing any improvement, they will tell you "it takes time to adjust" because there is no way to see if you are leaking, or the pressure isn't working...

Pugsy · Post by **Pugsy** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 11:44 am

I saw your question about some abbreviations in another thread. It will probably get answered there but I wanted to put it here in your thread.

AI Apnea Index = number of apnea events per hour
HI Hypopnea Index = number of hypopnea events per hour

AHI the total of the AI and HI numbers per hour.

O2 refers to Oxygen, often used in conjunction with the term desat, which is short for desaturations or times when your blood oxygen levels drop to whatever level is mentioned.

Some machines will give you the AHI numbers and leaks. Yours won't.

Oxygen monitoring is a completely different entity.

gclausen · Post by **gclausen** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 12:02 pm

I am also a user of the Respironics M Series Plus machine. I did sleep study in January and was given this machine.
I asked about the smart card and sleep center said to give to my doctor. My doctor said he didn't need it which confused me to say the least. I thought it was tracking data. At about that point the sleep center called me in May have a follow up study in June. I brought my machine in and basically went through a nights torture while they adjusted my rate throughout the night , and my pressure being reduced from 13cm to 11cm. I asked them about the card and then they told me what it was for. At the moment I just said "oh". But after reading this, could I request that I have a different machine that will keep track of oxygen leaks etc..?? Because you see, I am now coming to the realization that even though I may be sleeping longer , I still feel tired all day and yawn like crazy. I am wondering if thats the ticket to help out my situation.

Pugsy · Post by **Pugsy** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 12:12 pm

gclausen wrote:I am also a user of the Respironics M Series Plus machine. I did sleep study in January and was given this machine.
I asked about the smart card and sleep center said to give to my doctor. My doctor said he didn't need it which confused me to say the least. I thought it was tracking data. At about that point the sleep center called me in May have a follow up study in June. I brought my machine in and basically went through a nights torture while they adjusted my rate throughout the night , and my pressure being reduced from 13cm to 11cm. I asked them about the card and then they told me what it was for. At the moment I just said "oh". But after reading this, could I request that I have a different machine that will keep track of oxygen leaks etc..?? Because you see, I am now coming to the realization that even though I may be sleeping longer , I still feel tired all day and yawn like crazy. I am wondering if thats the ticket to help out my situation.

A fully data capable machine is certainly the right place to start. How else are you going to know if your mask is leaking while you are asleep? Or if the pressure is taking care of the events adequately? I also have the software that give me even more detail than what shows on the machine's LED screens. It is the most comprehensive way to actually see what is going on.

With a compliance (hours of use to satisfy insurance requirements) there is no way to know what is going on if someone is not seeing improvements.

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 12:41 pm

CPAP machines can NOT measure your 02 levels and whether you are desatting below an acceptable level or not. An overnight oximetry is required for that. (Small "box" about the size of a paperback book w/a wire running to a sensor you wear on your finger for the night).

AND, UNFORTUNATELY, no Respironics w/Plus in the name is able to provide any more than just usage (compliance) data. They can NOT provide any USEFUL information to YOU OR YOUR DOCTOR. A fully data capable CPAP, such as the Respironics M Series Pro w/C-Flex, could very well provide the data needed to improve your CPAP therapy: maybe a pressure adjustment, maybe another mask w/less leakage, etc.

Once you've been conned into keeping that compliance data only CPAP beyond 30 days you are pretty much stuck w/it. You can try for an exchange - but - the odds are WAY against you. You just about HAVE to exchange w/in 30 days or forget it.

Pugsy · Post by **Pugsy** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 1:22 pm

An exception to being stuck with the machine if you want something else "might" happen if you are renting the machine. The DME will holler big time but if you get the doctor behind you with the change, then you stand a fighting change.

lovecollies · Post by **lovecollies** » Fri Aug 14, 2009 12:19 pm

I wish I would have done my research before I purchased the machine. Right after my sleep study I was given the machine and all supplies, with no choices, right in my Dr. office. I was told that was what my insurance covered, and I knew no better. So my DME is part of the Dr. office, I just found out. I think I will find another DME.

Thanks so much for all the info. Someday I will get a new machine, but for now, I am stuck with this one.

jdm2857 · Post by **jdm2857** » Fri Aug 14, 2009 12:25 pm

lovecollies wrote:So my DME is part of the Dr. office, I just found out. I think I will find another DME.

While you're at it, find a better doctor, too.

Pugsy · Post by **Pugsy** » Fri Aug 14, 2009 12:52 pm

lovecollies wrote:I wish I would have done my research before I purchased the machine. Right after my sleep study I was given the machine and all supplies, with no choices, right in my Dr. office. I was told that was what my insurance covered, and I knew no better. So my DME is part of the Dr. office, I just found out. I think I will find another DME.

Thanks so much for all the info. Someday I will get a new machine, but for now, I am stuck with this one.

Your user profile shows a Respironics M series Pro... If that is correct it is a fully data capable machine. It is a straight CPAP, not an auto unit but it will still give you very effective therapy. Not everyone needs an auto unit, nor does well on it. They are just handy to have because they will do both modes, straight CPAP or Auto.

You can get the software to see your full reports if you wish. It is the Respironics "Plus" machines that are not data capable. The M series Pro is full data capable.

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