Since my dr. did not ask for smart card, etc. is it worth it

With the Auto Bipap by Respironics, since my doctor did NOT ask for the soft
ware or smart cards, etc. for me, should I buy it?

Put another way. Let's say I am going to have to read my own data, can I
do it? Easily? Without being in the field and when you realize I still stumble
over spelling spap...er..cpap, let alone bipap, what would I learn?

I see where they sell some Respironic software in our host's shop, I did NOT
see anything that said Auto Bipap. Maybe Respironics doesn't have it yet?

I am a data junky. Ask me if Mickey Mantle batted .353 in 1956 and hit 52
home runs to lead the league? Or Ted Williams 1959 batting average? But
this is much more serious business and my health should be a high priority.

IF I can find this software...WHAT would I learn?

IF you use software, what have you learned that has helped you?

Thanks in advance for your patience and any help........Dave

dllfo wrote:With the Auto Bipap by Respironics, since my doctor did NOT ask for the software or smart cards, etc. for me, should I buy it?

YES

the Remstar Auto Bipap records all data. You will need to purchase the software and card reader, but you'll get detailed sleep data of whats going on during therapy nearly as accurate as a PSG but without the EEG and SAO2 info. (how many events etc.).

If there ever was a machine that the patient needed recording software, I would think the Bi-pap is the one, there are many more parameters to tweak on those machines vs just a plain autopap.

I'd get the software and reader from cpap.com, you'll need it, that is if you stay with therapy. I think your chances of staying with therapy improve with the software where you can see how the machine is treating you via reports.

Don't worry about your doctor not wanting the data from your smartcard, half of them wouldn't have a clue on how to interpret the data anyway.

dllfo wrote:Put another way. Let's say I am going to have to read my own data, can I do it? Easily? Without being in the field and when you realize I still stumble over spelling spap...er..cpap, let alone bipap, what would I learn?

Here's some sample data - pretty much self explanatory. Only difference between this and APAP data is that the APAP only has one pressure line.


Regards,
Bill

dllfo wrote:With the Auto Bipap by Respironics, since my doctor did NOT ask for the soft
ware or smart cards, etc. for me, should I buy it?

Put another way. Let's say I am going to have to read my own data, can I
do it? Easily? Without being in the field and when you realize I still stumble
over spelling spap...er..cpap, let alone bipap, what would I learn?

I see where they sell some Respironic software in our host's shop, I did NOT
see anything that said Auto Bipap. Maybe Respironics doesn't have it yet?

I am a data junky. Ask me if Mickey Mantle batted .353 in 1956 and hit 52
home runs to lead the league? Or Ted Williams 1959 batting average? But
this is much more serious business and my health should be a high priority.

IF I can find this software...WHAT would I learn?

IF you use software, what have you learned that has helped you?

Thanks in advance for your patience and any help........Dave

Dave,

This is what I told you yesterday........still applies.
It WILL work with your Bi-PAP Auto. If you're that statistically inclined, you WILL want to know how your therapy is progressing. Like Snoredog said, most of these doctors are clueless about this stuff. Besides, THEY are NOT the ones that are going to be sleeping with this stuff every night.....YOU are.

Wulfman wrote:Dave,

The 1.6 version should work with ALL Respironics machines that collect nightly sleep statistics.

I hope your new setup gives you lots of good sleep.

Den

I bought the software and reader after a few days on BiPAP. I have found it very helpful. It helps me monitor (1) leaks (so I can correct them) (2) AHI vs. Pressure (I am gradually tweaking my pressure to get a tighter range--YES, my doctors approved this after he saw the output from the software). (3) minimum and maximum pressure used each night.

That is just off the top of my head--there are a LOT of things that the software can track. I download and read the data every few days (sometimes daily). The software was WELL worth the price. I use both EncorePro and the free extra program, MyEncore. Each has graphs that are useful.

Moogy

My wife just asked an interesting question...what DOESN'T the software tell
us?

After reading several comments today, If I could call and pay for it....download
it...I might get it tomorrow.

Problem with that is....I can't get a good buy locally...oh well........

So what doesn't the software tell us??? Maybe I should ask...what does it
not tell us as far as things we need to know.

dllfo wrote:After reading several comments today, If I could call and pay for it....download it...I might get it tomorrow.

LOL. Order it by 4 pm, get it tomorrow. CPAP.com is quick.

Regards,
Bill

dllfo wrote:My wife just asked an interesting question...what DOESN'T the software tell
us?

The software doesn't tell you how much better you FEEL, which is one of the indicators that your therapy is working. It doesn't tell you how much sleep you NEED.

It doesn't tell you how much REM sleep you are getting (although some people say that the variable breathing measurement is a loose measure of how much REM sleep you are getting.)

It doesn't tell you when you need a pressure change, but it does give you data that can help you decide when you might need a change.

It doesn't tell you how low your oxygen level is dropping. For that, you need an oximeter, and some cpap users choose to get one of those also.

I live in central Texas, so I can get orders very quickly from cpap.com (which is in Houston) using standard delivery. Wherever you live, you can get extra fast delivery for an extra fee. I ordered the reader as well as the software from cpap.com because it was worth the extra expense (for me) to get it quickly.

Be sure to read the forum instructions for installation. MyEncore will NOT work until you get the database built through EncorePlus.

Moogy