After night three...

[DJ Sean]

Woke up with a bloody nose...should I turn up the humidifier?

I also have lines on my face...mask too tight?

Going to call my DME later to ask for a machine that is data capable.

Have a great day all...

[cflame1]

bloody nose, yes... try turning up your humidifier.

[robysue]

And lines on the face may well indicate the mask is too tight.

Good luck with the talk with the DME. Let us know how it goes.

[DJ Sean]

According to the DME, my machine (DS150) is full data capable. However, they said that I would have to send the card to them and they print out the report. I said I know a lot of people who monitor their stats on their own and the rep said she is not sure where they are getting that from.

So basically I got nowhere...

[BlackSpinner]

According to the DME, my machine (DS150) is full data capable. However, they said that I would have to send the card to them and they print out the report. I said I know a lot of people who monitor their stats on their own and the rep said she is not sure where they are getting that from.

So basically I got nowhere...

Yes but they say that about compliance data - did you ask what the data it is that it provides?

[DJ Sean]

Yes- she said both AHI and Leak Info were possible. However, she seemed firm in stating that patients don't monitor this info on their own.

[BleepingBeauty]

According to the DME, my machine (DS150) is full data capable. However, they said that I would have to send the card to them and they print out the report. I said I know a lot of people who monitor their stats on their own and the rep said she is not sure where they are getting that from.

So basically I got nowhere...

Hi, Sean. Unfortunately, your experience is not surprising.

FWIW, my first DME RT told me that my machine would give my sleep doctor all the information he needed to manage my treatment. It was a Remstar Plus (earlier model of the machine you have). I believed him because he showed me the card on which he claimed the data was written. (Sounded good to me at the time. What did I know? Not a damned thing.) My current RT (at the same DME) didn't know that the major mask manufacturers offer a 30-day return policy on masks that don't work for a patient. My point: Some of them are ignorant or deliberately deceitful. If you find that this applies to the people you're relying on, take what they say with a big grain of salt, point out where they're wrong, and insist on getting a machine that will give you (and your doctor) the information needed to be sure you're getting effective therapy.

Keep pushing for a data-capable machine. If you have other DMEs at your disposal (covered by your insurance), check with them and see if they'll provide you with the machine you want. Do so before you contact the current DME again. If there IS another DME who's willing to work well with you, you'll have some bargaining power with the current DME and can take your business elsewhere if they won't play ball with you. [Bring your data card to your DME so they can show you the "report" your machine provides. You can then point out in no uncertain terms that it's only reporting compliance information, which tells you and your sleep doctor absolutely nothing about how well (or not) your treatment is working.]

(Apologies if this has been discussed with you already. I'm still catching up on the forum.)

[DJ Sean]

Thanks, BleepingBeauty. Unfortunately I am so tired right now, cranky and feeling hopeless (likely due to lack of sleep) that I don't see this working out the way I want it to.

If they say patients don't monitor their stats, what do I say? 'Yes they do.' We can go back and forth like that all day. I guess I will see if there is another DME that my insurance works with and take it from there.

[BlackSpinner]

Thanks, BleepingBeauty. Unfortunately I am so tired right now, cranky and feeling hopeless (likely due to lack of sleep) that I don't see this working out the way I want it to.

If they say patients don't monitor their stats, what do I say? 'Yes they do.' We can go back and forth like that all day. I guess I will see if there is another DME that my insurance works with and take it from there.

Like I said - you compare it to diabetes. As soon as you can go in there with your card and get them to show you the data.

[DJ Sean]

Like I said - you compare it to diabetes. As soon as you can go in there with your card and get them to show you the data.

The problem is that this DME is not very close to where I live and claim that if I 'mail' the card to them, they can send me back the results. That is just nuts. I think I will have more success by explaining what I would like to my doctor and have him write a prescription for that.

[Hawthorne]

I PMed you with a thought but this getting a prescription written by your doctor for the machine you want (PR System One Pro or PR System One Auto) might be the fastest and easiest way to go if your doctor will do that. It's worth asking.

[PtownKev]

Hmm...DMEs are not always the most helpful. A lot of DMEs are either not aware that the data viewer software is available to the patient or they don't want the patient to know. In any case, most don't sell the software and generally discourage the use of it. The question is whether your model machine records the full efficacy data or just compliance data. I believe that the DS150 is referred to as the "basic" REMstar CPAP model. It looks like it doesn't offer any exhalation relief (what Respironics calls C-Flex, C-Flex Plus or A-Flex depending on the machine, and what ResMed calls EPR). The next model up is the REMstar Plus, which includes C-Flex, the next model above that is the REMstar Pro, which includes C-Flex Plus, and then the next model is the REMstar Auto with A-Flex. I believe that only the Pro and Auto have full efficacy reporting, including AHI, obstructive events, clear airway (central) events, hypopneas and leak data. It also includes reporting on periodic breathing and vibratory snore frequency.

[BleepingBeauty]

Thanks, BleepingBeauty. Unfortunately I am so tired right now, cranky and feeling hopeless (likely due to lack of sleep) that I don't see this working out the way I want it to.

If they say patients don't monitor their stats, what do I say? 'Yes they do.' We can go back and forth like that all day. I guess I will see if there is another DME that my insurance works with and take it from there.

Yes, you could go back and forth like that, because the professional who says patients don't monitor their own therapy is either ignorant or deceitful. I think I would say, "I don't care about what anyone else does or doesn't do. I want to monitor my therapy, and I need a machine that reports efficacy data. If you won't provide me with such a machine, I'll find another provider who will. If they remain steadfast, give them back the DS150. They'll likely ask you to sign something that says you're refusing treatment. Don't sign anything like that. Cross it out, if need be, and write that you're returning this machine to this DME and will obtain your equipment elsewhere.

You have everyone's sympathy, Sean. We were all in the same boat at the beginning - so foggy-headed and irritable from lack of sleep that we're less likely and/or able to question (or fight for) anything. As a result, we're easy marks. But having efficacy data is of the utmost importance in attaining successful therapy, so it's worth the hassle. If you have a good sleep doc (or PCP), ask them to write a script for exactly the machine you want, and to be sure the script is dispensed as written (with no substitutions by the DME).

You have the best chance of swapping your compliance-only machine for a data-capable one within the first 30 days, so don't delay.

But don't feel hopeless, even if you can't get what you're asking for right now. Many of us resort to buying our equipment from other sources and get exactly what we want - at a better price and with no hassle at all. So try not to be too discouraged, because there's always a solution. Best of luck.

[DJ Sean]

Thanks PTownKev...I'll see what my doc says.

[BleepingBeauty]

Yes- she said both AHI and Leak Info were possible. However, she seemed firm in stating that patients don't monitor this info on their own.

She's a dope... So typical.

The DS150 doesn't report AHI or Leak info, just how many hours you use it. Obviously, you can't rely on this person. She has no idea what she's talking about.