Will CPAP pressure change show on Smart Card?

jsmythe · Post by **jsmythe** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 5:31 am

If I change my cpap pressure from 17, to 15 or 16, will that information show up on the Smart Card?

Craig-Tx · Post by **Craig-Tx** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 6:24 am

Short answer... Yes.

The Smart Card records everything. Including pressure, humidifier settings, etc.

jsmythe · Post by **jsmythe** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 6:35 am

[quote="Craig-Tx"]Short answer... Yes.

The Smart Card records everything. Including pressure, humidifier settings, etc.

jqp · Post by **jqp** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 8:29 am

You could delete the data off the card when you're done... but it would all get deleted.... or you could pull the card out for one night and try it, but then you would have no data and would have to go by "feel."

FreeLancer74 · Post by **FreeLancer74** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 8:32 am

I look at it this way, the doctor is there to provide you with educated information and a starting point on a topic you know nothing about at first. As you self-educate, you can take steps to improve on his information and help yourself without having to go in as much. As long as you are careful and make minor changes, then have data to show improvement, I say change away. If you are afraid of what the change might do, or can not view the data that proves a change (so you know whether to change back or know you have made an improvement), I would stick with the doctor.

lking · Post by **lking** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 9:03 am

jsmythe wrote:I wanted to see how I would do at a lower setting, but also, I didnt want to get in trouble with my doctor... guess I better leave it alone for now...

You mean you actually have a doctor that even looks at your card or a printout of the card?! Neither my sleep doc nor my DME even asks to see my card...ever! I've taken the printouts to my doc whenever I've had a follow up but he doesn't look at them, just puts the printout into my file folder. His theory is that he doesn't bother with numbers from a card because he goes by how the patient is feeling, that's his barometer of whether or not therapy is working or needs adjustment.

On the other hand, my theory is if there is a problem I want to know if it's a problem with my equipment or me...although a problem with my equipment can/will create a problem with me. If I'm not feeling great the data on my card very well may tell me why.

jqp · Post by **jqp** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 9:17 am

You mean you guys have had a follow up with some person called a "sleep doctor?"

I just did a sleep study, was given an Rx, and then ignored by Apria.

I never even met with a doctor.

mindy · Post by **mindy** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 9:33 am

I'm lucky to have a good sleep doc and I decided that rather than have the doc figure out I was modifying settings, I just addressed it head on by showing a printed copy (while we were waiting for the "official" printout and mentioned that I gradually made some modifications. I didn't get any hassle about it.

IMHO, that works much better than trying to hide it. Now, admittedly I've heard about some sleep docs I probably wouldn't want to try that with ... but then I wouldn't likely stay with them either

Mindy

johntee · Post by **johntee** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 12:32 pm

Craig-Tx wrote:Short answer... Yes.

The Smart Card records everything. Including pressure, humidifier settings, etc.

Except, of course, for when the SmartCard periodically refuses to record data...
I think most people say it's 1 or 2 nights per week.
(I just changed to a full-face mask yesterday, with a customized pillow, and was looking forward to seeing if it improved things... Well, of course SmartCard/EncorePro chose that night to skip recording data...)
Hey, it's only my breathing; why should Respironics fix that bug?

Craig-Tx · Post by **Craig-Tx** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 12:35 pm

jqp wrote:You mean you guys have had a follow up with some person called a "sleep doctor?"

I just did a sleep study, was given an Rx, and then ignored by Apria.

I never even met with a doctor.

Good to hear I'm not the only one.

I was referred to a sleep doctor. SO I called and made an appt for a sleep study. I went in and met with a nurse for about 5 min. They set up an appt for a CPAP titration sleep study. That was the only time I ever went into the doctors office. I never met the person who signed my Rx. That was over a year ago. At this point, I merely deal with my DME and my own knowledge.

I have changed my pressure since the Rx. As you can see in my signature, I do use the software, etc.

If you want to try a different pressure, I say go for it. If the doctor has a problem with you gaining knowledge about your condition / treatment, then there is a problem with your doctor.