best oximeter?

[msradar65]

I have the Contec CMS-50F wrist model. I love it. Works well. No issues. The only problem is the wrist band is way to large for my tiny wrist. I am sure I could find a small velcro wrist band and switch it out...I just have been too lazy to do that at this time.

[Roger2]

Randy,

I would not recommend that anyone get too wrapped up with an expensive recording instrument. Someone here already mentioned that your physician can write a script for an overnight rental to see how you are doing but I can not see a valid reason for anyone spending that much money for something they don’t really need.

As for which would be best I usually go with which ever one is the least expensive (within some limits of course). None of them appear to be totally accurate according to the manufactures rep I spoke with recently in my doctor’s office they are all set to a national standard at the factory. Most will read several percentage points high and some lower. I asked a technician about that at the National Jewish Research Center and Hospital and they confirmed the sales reps words. Mine read four units high until the last time I sent it in for repairs after dropping it and per my request, they did readjust the readout and now it is within one percentage point. I would not have spent the money on that either but they did not charge me extra for the service.

There is only one method of accurately measuring your saturation level and that is with a blood-gas test. I usually get three or four a year and I can tell you from a lot of experience with them they are not a fun procedure to have. They draw blood from a tiny vein in the center of your right wrist which is the furthest from your heart with a small needle which usually very painful. I had one on the 8th and will have another on the 27th for a different study.

I have seen several non-recording units that seemed to work quite well for under $200, or at least so the owners said. Why pay all of that money out for a recording unit and even if you do, what possible use would you have for that information?

[TalonNYC]

Periodic spot-checks can help you determine if the low AHI numbers are lining up with lack of gross desaturations. If your AHI is low, but your SpO2 is below 90% a lot of the night, something is wrong.

Since my doc hasn't even bothered to call me back since the titration study was done, I'm taking this into my own hands temporarily and consulting with my Primary Care doc to get me a new sleep specialist as soon as she can.

[archangle]

Have any of you folks heard about a doctor writing a prescription for renting a oxymeter? I hate to buy one, and I only want to use it for a few nights to see if I have any oxygen issues.

Sheriff

Buying a CMS-50D+ from pulseoxstore or elsewhere is probably not much more expensive than a doctor visit plus rental, plus your time to go get it, return it, plus gas money, etc. Then you own it. Takes a little effort to install the software and get it working and learn how to interpret it. I think mine was under $100 all told.

Remember, the "Plus" is critical. Only the CMS-50D PLUS records, not the CMS-50D.

[LinkC]

Slinky: which sock do you use.... the left or the right???

Depends on which hand you are putting it on... duh!

[Roger2]

Buying a CMS-50D+ from pulseoxstore or elsewhere is probably not much more expensive than a doctor visit plus rental, plus your time to go get it, return it, plus gas money, etc. Then you own it. Takes a little effort to install the software and get it working and learn how to interpret it. I think mine was under $100 all told.

Please elaborate what this CMS-500+ is. Are you saying that it cost you under $100 or am I not reading this correct? Perhaps I am mistaking this for an oximeter. If it is an oximeter then I feel bad for paying over $500.00 for mine and another $150 for having it repaired the last time.

[dwynne]

But, yes, your doctor can prescribe an overnight oximetry so that the local DME provider will "rent" you an oximeter overnight.

The CMS-50E is $93 delivered from Amazon marketplace. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ ... yctoure-20

My co-pay to see a specialist is nearly half of that plus whatever the DME charges for rental. For such a low price it seems a no-brainer to add one to the goodie bag of a CPAP user. Assuming it works as advertised, of course...

[archangle]

Buying a CMS-50D+ from pulseoxstore or elsewhere is probably not much more expensive than a doctor visit plus rental, plus your time to go get it, return it, plus gas money, etc. Then you own it. Takes a little effort to install the software and get it working and learn how to interpret it. I think mine was under $100 all told.

Please elaborate what this CMS-500+ is. Are you saying that it cost you under $100 or am I not reading this correct? Perhaps I am mistaking this for an oximeter. If it is an oximeter then I feel bad for paying over $500.00 for mine and another $150 for having it repaired the last time.

CMS-50D+ Fifty Dee Plus. The "Plus" is important. There's a 50D that doesn't record.

http://www.pulseoxstore.com/Downloadable-Pulse-Ox.html

$84 plus shipping. Reputable seller. Also available elsewhere. I have one. It works OK. It took a little effort to get the software working, but I suspect that might be true even for the more expensive models. It works with the SleepyHead free open source software that one of our members, jedimark is writing, but I haven't hooked mine up to SleepyHead yet.

Contec makes and pulseoxstore sells some higher end models with rechargeable batteries, wireless connection, wrist strap models, etc. I bought the 50D+ because it's simpler and inexpensive. "Professional" models may be better in some ways, but I suspect they're mostly more expensive and come with more paperwork. See my post earlier in this thread about batteries, wireless, etc.

I think

1) There's more competition in the pulseox market. New, lean, hungry companies vs. old, fat, slow, complacent "medical mafia" companies with poor service and high prices.

2) Technology has gotten cheaper and better.

As for feeling bad, if you bought one a year or two ago, $500 may well have been the cheapest price available for a good pulseox.

[Slinky]

Yep, the SPO 7500 recording wrist oximeter was running about $450 w/software about 3 years or so ago. It was fresh on the market as one of the earliest at-home recording oximeters w/in "reasonable" cost to patients who wanted their own recording oximeter.

Shucks it wasn't all that long ago, maybe 5 years? that the non-recording Nonin oximeter ran $500 and one of the FEW oximeters available for patients to buy - out of pocket, insurance won't buy an oximeter for a patient, only rent when scripted.