M Series Card Reader, EncoreViewer and Data Card

I know most of our seasoned veterans already have the equipment necessary for reading the data off their machines. But for the people new to CPAP or those who haven't had the cash to pay $200 for the card reader and software, I am offering mine for sale. I just switched from Respironics to ResMed and don't need the card reader, software or blank data card that I have. I currently have a listing on cpapauction for it if you are interested.

http://www.cpapauction.com/auction-list ... --usb.html

Kevin

I have the Resmed Elite (S2 or S8, I do nto remember off the top of my head, and I am not near it now).

I do not think I have an M series... do I?

No, sorry, you don't.

I should have clarified. This equipment is for the Respironics M-Series line of xPAP equipment.

worth a shot.

I have software, but no means of reading it (card reader, usb thing) as of yet..

Still new in the game, if this device is a keeper I may have to invest.

Waiting to see the Dr... want to see if they can give me a machine to try that will adjust as needed... For the first time since I started I got a perfect leak rate last night (0.00) but still record ahi of 8.1... been playing with EPR, and flow rates, but cannot get the ahi below 5 more then one time since I started.

Well, the good thing with the Elite, is that you can view your data on the LCD display easily. Just as a side note. The ResMed machines use a different algorythim to calculate their AHI, so your machine might be high-balling you a little. On my respironics, I never had a night of an AHI greater than 1. On my first night on my Elite, it said I had an AHI of 3.0. Do a search on the site and you can see some discussion on the different numbers. Just keep in mind that any night with an AHI less than what you had in your sleep study, is an improvement and better than no therapy at all. Also, congrats on a 0 leak nite, there are many people on here that will be envious of that!.

Just be glad that you have a ResMed machine. The card reader is cheaper for Resmed than Respironics.

I have not researched it (yet) but have checked cpap auction on occasion...

how much is the reader for these devices?

I do like being able to see my data every morning, which I record daily, however canot help but wonder if a machine that adjusts would help in my cause. getting the perfect leak rate for a first time was a milestone. next project is the ahi rates...

The card reader, EncoreViewer software bundle was $199 from cpap.com and I bought an extra data card for $15, or something like that. All of that is what I have listed in the cpapauction.com listing in my OP.

As far as ResMed machines are concerned, they aren't selling the ResScan software in the US to patients anymore (don't recall the price of it, anyways.) And the USB card reader is about $60 from cpap.com (mine arrived today.)

I am sure a properly configured auto machine would help your find your 'sweet spot' with the pressure. But dilligent studying of your data and making small adjustments over time, will yield similar results on a straight CPAP machine as well. I have never used or owned an Auto machine, but through the assistance I got on here, studying my data and being devoted to my therapy, I was able to tweak out my pressures on a straight CPAP machine so that I have a 0.2 AHI nights, on average. And with the same settings, and an almost perfect leak night, I had a 'one event' night.

Most people will say to get an Auto machine....heck, I would like to have one, but if finances or other situations prevent it, you can still get solid therapy from a straight CPAP machine.

you make some good points, and I have been adjusting over time, but still with no noticable results.

I was given the machine with a setting of 9Cm, EPR of 3. I have since cahnged masks (nasal mask to pillows), lowered the ramp time, adjusted EPR to 2, and increased my setting to 9.6 and now 10.4. Sadly, I cannot get any significant changes in either direction. (I also started using a chin strap, and forcing myself to sleep on my side, and for added measure, try to keep my tongue to the roof of my mouth).
Im doing everything I can, but just cannot seem to get those numbers where they should be

First thing, I would change one thing, see how it effects your results for a week, then change something else. You will begin to notice, even though everything seems to be set right, you will have off nights. So you have to look at averages. A good indicator, along with your data, is how you feel when you wake up. Also, you want to limit how many things you change at a time to be sure of the impact associated with that change.

What I would do is to get your leaks under control and keep them managable for about a week. Once you are sure that you have found a way to do this, then (when you are comfortable) make settings changes. As far as ramp goes, that really shouldn't effect your AHI since it is only active when you first start treatment (unless alot of your events are happening when you first fall asleep). You may even feel the need to cut it off after being on CPAP for a while, like me. I don't use any ramp. For EPR, some people have found that it effects their numbers, but I am not familiar enough with the data to share. What I would suggest is to find an EPR that is comfortable with you. I started at 3 and now I am down to 2. Some people even turn EPR/C-Flex (for Respironics) off after a while.

Once you get your leaks under control and find a comfortable EPR, then you can start working with pressures and be confident that it is unlikely that other factors are playing into it. Just make sure, when you are working with the pressure, that you make SMALL changes....small changes make a big difference. I wouldn't change it more than .5 to 1 cm at a time. Make a chance, see how it works for about a week, then adjust again. For me, I started at 10 and at 10.6 I am doing great.

Veterans, please jump in anytime with your sage advice.