Preparing to cpap

[Emilia]

I had my sleep test on Friday night. The tech (surprisingly) told me in the morning that I had 'many respiratory events' and that I had definitely been sent to the right place! She also said that she didn't see apneas but hypopneas, and my O2 fell below 80. So, now I wait for the pulmonary doc to get the fully analyzed report from the lab.

I've been reading and reading this forum, and I hope that I can acquire a good machine and find a mask that will work well for me. I live in FL and have BCBS/FL Health Options so I don't know how 'generous' they will be. I may need to go outside the Network and pay the difference for top quality equipment.

I copied the list of data capable machines into a Word doc to have handy. I am a Mac person, but I do own a Windows netbook so I hope that will allow me to use the software for data capture. Anyone using a netbook for that?

Thank you to all of the veteran capapers here.....I am sure I will be availing myself of your expertise in the near future. It will be SO nice to wake up refreshed, energetic, and without brain fog!

[sandster]

Welcome to the forum. I am relatively new to the site but not to CPAP. I am so grateful for a good night of sleep now, and I am stringing more days together of good sleep than I can remember, at least in my adult life. I think one of the best things about restful sleep is the attitude change. Not only do I notice a difference by friends and family say they are noticing a difference in me too. I had no idea until about 3 weeks into treatment that I was feeling irritable most of the time prior to getting my CPAP. I am definitely not half asleep all day long and my disposition is 100% more positive.

The machine I have has a wireless modem on it and my sleep technologist downloads my data every morning so we can talk about what is and is not working in my treatment. I was fortunate enough to get referred by my pulmonary doctor to a company that has licensed sleep technologists who fit you with the correct machine, mask and whatever else that might be needed for success in this entire process. I know that when I worked just with the DME folks I was pretty unsuccessful as I had no support or anyone to help me problem solve. I really wish this site had been available my first venture with a CPAP. Oh well, at least I am here now. Hope you find what you need here.

[brazospearl]

Welcome, Emilia! You're very clever to have a list of acceptable machines in your hand, you clever girl! Don't accept less than a fully data-capable autotitrating machine, because that will give you the most options and the best ability to track your therapy. Try on LOTS of masks, you never know which is gonna work the best. Let us know how things go!

[Julie]

Plus I love your cat !

[Emilia]

@ Julie ... thanks, my cat is a bi-color, sealpoint Ragdoll. I adopted him 1.5 yrs ago from a neighbor who could not longer care for him. He is a joy! Your kitty is also quite beautiful!

Thanks for the welcome to the forum. I feel like am about to begin an 'adventure' !

If anyone is using a netbook for the data software, I'd be appreciative to know.

[pdean44]

Welcome aboard good luck with your therapy and equipment!

[DreamOn]

I can't help you with your netbook question. It may help others to know which version of Windows you're using on that.

All CPAP and APAP machines, regardless of whether they are basic or capable of reporting full data, are billed using the same insurance billing code: E0601. So, your insurance will pay the DME the same amount, regardless of which machine you get. In theory, you shouldn't have to pay any more for a top-of-the-line, fully data capable machine, but apparently some insurance companies do allow the DME to bill you for the difference. Mine does not. If your DME tries that, you may want to ask your insurance company if there are other in-network DMEs that you can approach.

It sounds like you're a savvy shopper and have already learned which machines are best. It may be easiest if you can get your doctor to write a prescription for a fully data capable machine, specifying a specific make and (especially) model and writing "no substitutions" on the Rx. That'll give you more clout with the DME, as many would prefer to sell you a basic machine since they make more profit on that.

Yes, this certainly is an adventure! I've been using CPAP for nine months now, and I continue to learn something new almost every day. I'm sure you'll do well. Effective therapy can make a huge difference in the way you feel, so commit to stick with it. I'm glad you found this forum before you started. There are lots of helpful people here! Be sure to let us know how you do.

[Emilia]

@ DreamOn -- Muffin is just gorgeous! What a pretty face!! Thanks for the support and advice. In trying to get ahead of the curve, I accessed my insurance company's online support and submitted a question about DME's in my area. They sent me a reply with a company that is only accessible by phone.....no physical location. Since they approved my sleep test at a lab not on their list, and paid for that in full (less my $35 co-pay), I hope they will allow me to use either a local respiratory supplier or reimburse me for online purchases. So much to learn! My pulmonary doc is actually about to open his own sleep lab, so it is my hope that he will have his own sleep techs with whom I can work to find a good mask and machine. I will definitely ask for a Rx with full detailed specs in it!

[Emilia]

My netbook is an Asus EeePC running Windows XP. It has 160gb hard drive and 1gb RAM.

I assume I can download the appropriate software and use it on this netbook once I determine what machine/software I will be using.

[DreamOn]

You're wise to find out your options from the insurance company ahead of time! Some will allow you to purchase online and get reimbursed. I understand that sometimes they have a different reimbursement percentage for online purchases, so if that's an option for you be sure to do the calculations. You're going to be living with the machine every night for a long time, so hold out for what you want.

My netbook is an Asus EeePC running Windows XP. It has 160gb hard drive and 1gb RAM.

Does your netbook have a built-in SD card reader (for the S9 machines), or a USB port so an external card reader can be used? Once you know which CPAP/APAP machine you're getting people here can advise you about the specific software requirements.

Also, I believe some people run the software on their Mac computer, using Boot Camp, Parallels, etc. Do a forum search for the two words 'Software' and 'Mac' to learn more about that.

[echo]

Welcome to being a hose head and to many happy nights!
I too had only hypopneas but at 35 of those an hour plus the desats, my sleep was wickedly disturbed. Love my cpap! I also love my Puritan Bennet, so keep the Sandman on your list ...I like their software because it's available from cpap.com and doesn't require any cardreaders etc, but you do need to schlep either the computer or the cpap to the other. I recently bought a serial to USB converter so it's easy to download the data via USB.

For the Mac, I think I have also read people using vmware to run a virtual windows session on their mac. I don't know what the net books can and can't do. Good luck!

ps I love All the Cats on this forum

[jdm2857]

Hey! Does nobody like my cat?

[Emilia]

@ DreamOn.... thanks. I work online all day so I am quite tech savvy. I don't want to put Bootcamp or Parallels on my iMac so I will use the netbook, if possible. Mine has usb ports that I can attach a card reader to.

My cat, MoMo, is not much on altitude. In classic Ragdoll style, he is a ground dweller, and he only goes up on my bed or perches on the seat back of the couch with me in the evening. He also likes to hop into my office chair when I am out of the office (I work from home). They are called puppy cats with good reason.... they sure like to follow you around and are very loyal. MoMo is also quite a talker even though Rags aren't supposed to be. I suspect there is a bit more Siamese DNA in his family lineage.

Muffin doesn't have blue eyes, nor does she appear to be of the classic pointed colorations. I know that Cat Fanciers has now recognized some of the newer colorations and non-blue eyed Ragdolls. Some of the breeders, however, are purists about this. I only know about Ragdolls from one book and the internet. They are truly unique cats, and I probably would not have any other breed now.

MoMo came from a cattery of champions, and his first owners paid a princely sum for him. I am most fortunate to have been chosen as his new adopted Mom. He is very spoiled!

[Emilia]

@ jdm2857 LOL...who doesn't love Bill the Cat?

@ echo Thanks for the welcome. Glad to meet you and I will look at that machine/software when the time comes!

[DreamOn]

Hey! Does nobody like my cat?

I'm not sure what to make of your cat, Jeff! He looks a little thin.

MoMo came from a cattery of champions, and his first owners paid a princely sum for him. I am most fortunate to have been chosen as his new adopted Mom. He is very spoiled!

Those blue eyes are so striking! It'll be interesting to see what MoMo thinks of your CPAP equipment.

I hope someone here can answer your questions regarding software and the netbook. It may depend on which machine/software you get. As far as I know, most of the software runs on Windows XP. I'm not sure what the other requirements may be, though.