Question about software

Hi all, I am sure this has been addressed here previously, but I have a hard time finding the exact answer I am looking for. As you can see my dr prescribed a machine that was basic. I am reading more and more about machines that can "read" your apneas, etc. How does my dr know if the machine is really working if it cannot read my leaks, apnea, etc? Doesn't he just see if I am complying with the machine? This worries me, because I do have some small leak problems, which my dr. told me not to worry about, because I sleep about 7-8 hours a night on the machine since I started wearing the resmed Quattro FX mask. Before that I was luckly if I got 4-5 hours of use with it. I had mostly hypopneas with my sleep study, and of course I am not snoring anymore. So I can't use any software with this machine, right? I have had my machine since last May, so I am guessing there is no way I can change my machine now.
Also, I find that I seem to arch my neck when wearing the mask, could this be that I automatically opening my airway more? I don't use the ramp, can't stand it, and am comfortable just turning on and going. My pressure is 10. I am still looking for my original copy of my study to post here just to get opinions. My dh goes on November 11 for his sleep study, and I want to make sure he gets the best equipment he can if he needs it.

minniesc wrote: How does my dr know if the machine is really working if it cannot read my leaks, apnea, etc? Doesn't he just see if I am complying with the machine?

He has no way to know anything except how many hours you used the machine and he goes by "how do you feel" for the rest. You can use the software but only tells you how many hours you have used the machine each night. That is all the data the Escape gathers.
It would bother me too.

Arching your neck might help keep the airway open a bit more. No guarantee though.

No, you probably are well past the time of being able to exchange the machine.
You do have some choices though. You can buy a full data machine out of pocket. Sometimes they can be found on craigslist and secondwindcpap.com also sometimes has some fairly priced used machines. It hurts nothing to get a used machine. Make sure you get a ResMed machine so it will work with your humidifier. You can also wait and when husband ends up getting his machine you can fight for full data capable at that time. Make sure you get ResMed S9 Elite or Autoset and you can swap out machines and check your data on his machine. Doesn't matter who logs the hours on the machine to satisfy insurance requirements.

Hi Minnie,
I'm new to cpap and all the software wrangling. Plus I'm a Respironics guy...but here's a positive thought. If hubby gets a data capable machine, you can occasionally swap machines for the night to allow his machine to read your situation.

There's always a workaround. Others more computer savvy then I should chime in shortly.
Welcome.
Jamis

edit: Oops, I see Pugsy beat me to it on that idea. You have to get up real early in the morning to beat Pugsy...

Your doc may have prescribed a basic machine, and that may be all you need, however I think the same basic machine can come with or without data capability. From what I've read, the DME's try to pass off the non-data capable machines on whoever they can because they make the most profit on these. I wonder if you can talk to your insurance company or DME about getting one that's data capable?

I look at it like this...doctors measure your height, weight, BP and temperature when you come in, so the numbers are important. If you are put on a drug to lower your cholesterol, they're going to draw blood now and then to see if it's doing the job and make sure it's not affecting your liver. I think it should be the same with CPAP and everyone should have a data-capable machine so that a person can make sure their therapy is effective and to know whether or not their mask is leaking or not while they are alseep.

Don't get me wrong, a CPAP machine is better than no CPAP machine so if you're stuck wtih this, as long as you're feeling better then it's a wonderful thing. However, if possible, beg, steal, yell, scream and cry to your insurance and DME to try and get a data capable machine. And if they say no, it may not be such an expensive machine and maybe you can buy it on your own or through craigslist.