Doctor or CPAP.COM?

Purchased a cpap machine about 3 months ago from cpap.com. Now it is time to have my 3 month check up.

Nurse told me to have smart card down loaded and have data faxed to doctor. Doctor does not have equipment to download smart card. I called cpap.com and was informed they do not down load data. Now I am screwed.

Spent about an hour on phone today trying to find someone local to down load data and fax to doctor. "If you did not purchase the equipment from us, we cannot down load the data for you" was the message I received from all I called today.

I assumed when I purchased the machine down loading the data would not be an issue. Now, it has become a big issue.


Should a good sleep doctor have this equipment or should I expect cpap.com to provide this type of service for those who choose to purchase from them?

Hunter1

My sleep doc has the software on-site to download Respironics and Resmed data (but not PB) but frankly, I think the responsibility was *yours* to make sure you would have a way to download it and send it to your doctor.

Hunter1,

My sleep doc does not download the data either, they count on the DME to do it and send them the report if needed. Usually all anyone is interested in is the compliance data to substantiate billing insurance for the rental. The doctors who really give the machine data any credit are in the minority. If your doc really is going to go over that with you, I have to give them credit. They may be just asking for compliance data.

Just based on the people who post here, most have to fight for a data capable machine, and those people often find a way to get their own software and print their own reports. But not everyone is so inclined.

Last week I went to see the RT at the DME that provided my machine. I had to request a data capable machine. Though I have the software, I don't have a reader yet, so I went to their weekly drop-in clinic to get my card read, which I was told they would do. But they came out with the compliance data only. I told them that I didn't understand why if I was allowed to have the data capable machine I wouldn't be given the full reports from it. I don't think they had been asked that before. It took afew days for the RT to check into it but today he emailed a pdf of the data, or should I say a portion of the data. Gotta order that card reader and do this for myself.

Sounds like you are between a rock and a hard place. Did you ask if a local DME would do it for a small fee? Maybe if you post what part of the country you are in you might find a neighbor who could bail you out this time.

Good luck.

Kathy

Hmm, first it's nearly impossible to even GET the software; then a doctor expects you to download it yourself?
How ridiculous. The doctor should have the software.

Sent you a PM. Upper Rt corner

So why doesn't cpap.com start a reporting service?

I'm new here and just trying to get the lay of the land before plunging in, but this issue seems to come up frequently. Buying an xPAP from cpap.com rather than a local DME has some benefits and trade offs. And while cpap.com can't offer all the services of a local DME it seems like offering a card downloading service for a nominal fee would be easy to implement, could actually turn a small profit and would give the local DME's one less competitive advantge. Win win for cpap.com, or so I'd think.

As a cash patient, things like this are going to be critical to me and my decision of where to buy an xPAP, though my doctor apparently actually reads the cards in his office, so it shouldn't be an issue.

I imagine doctors don't offer card reading for the same reason they don't do in-house testing--the expense of setting it up in house. Yet for a sleep specialist, the reading card data is as fundamental, if not more so, as having a light box for X-Rays, so any actual specialist (as opposed to an ENT) who can't read the two leading cards is doing his/her patients a disservice, IMO.

Most of us would like to read our data ourselves daily. We are able to tweak our treatment to do a better job for ourselves. Reporting to the Dr is secondary. Now that ther is a patient version of the program that will read Respronics machines I should make it easier for us to check ourselves. Still waiting to see if the new program will print enough of a program for the Dr's and compliance.

tillymarigold

I appreciate your comments. If there is one person that never pushes the blame to others it is me. I take full responsibility for all my actions.

Being a beginner at this cpap thing, I did not know the correct questions to ask about my machine. I paid cash for my machine and purchased the best money could buy. I simpy made the best decision I could make at the time with what information I had.

Hunter1

6PtStar wrote:Most of us would like to read our data ourselves daily. We are able to tweak our treatment to do a better job for ourselves. Reporting to the Dr is secondary. Now that ther is a patient version of the program that will read Respronics machines I should make it easier for us to check ourselves. Still waiting to see if the new program will print enough of a program for the Dr's and compliance.

I suppose that will depend on the doc's and ins companies?

I am interested in getting my own data as well, I don't like the idea of being dependent on a doctor who has less time to care about me than I do. I'll treasure his advice and plan on following it but ultimately I'm the person who has to make my healthcare decisions.

I read a post where an informed poster said that self-adjusters don't do better than non-self adjusters, but as a cash patient I can't be running to the DME or the doctor all the time. I need their help and expertise, but I can't have as much of it as I would like.

Thus, these forums have been interesting and one of the reason's I'm leaning towards the Respironics auto is that it is possible to get the data out of it in spite of grumbling by Resprionics. ResMed, on the other hand, seems to hate patients who are self-starters but love DME's and their billing practices.

On the contrary: Resmed provided an option for access to an "advanced patient menu" easily available via their good size, easy to read LCD screen by a simple button combination. (Press the Left and Right buttons for 3-4 seconds and right there on the LCD screen is access to the night's pressure, leak, AHI, AI and HI.) Patients can not change their pressure via this "advanced patient menu so it was a perfectly "safe" option to include.

Respironics was providing much less data via a dinky, difficult to read, LCD screen that required unplugging the machine, plugging it back in whilst pushing a button or buttons. It wasn't until the M Series (what a year, two years ago?) that Respironics improved their LCD screen and included more data. And it still requires the unplugging and plugging whilst pressing a button or buttons.

I've had both the Resmed S8s and the RemStar (pre-M Series) Auto w/C-Flex and I much prefer my Resmed S8s. I've always gotten friendly, curteous response from Resmed when I've had contact w/them.

When Resmed became aware of 7 defective machines out of some 300,000 machines produced they VOLUNTARILY NOTIFIED patients and DME suppliers of the problem and VOLUNTARILY RECALLED AND REPLACED that entire production lot w/totally NEW machines. We're not talking some cheap, piddly humidifier water tank, we're talking an entirely new machine.

You can bash Resmed for their recent pricing policy, I don't like it either, but beyond that ..... they do not deserve the bashing they often get from forum members. I didn't like their restriction of software sales a year ago this month either, but it took Respironics less than a year to follow suit to restrict their software sales as well, and for the same reason. Resmed is an excellent, reputable company producing a good product.

Slinky wrote:On the contrary: Resmed provided an option for access to an "advanced patient menu" easily available via their good size, easy to read LCD screen by a simple button combination. (Press the Left and Right buttons for 3-4 seconds and right there on the LCD screen is access to the night's pressure, leak, AHI, AI and HI.) Patients can not change their pressure via this "advanced patient menu so it was a perfectly "safe" option to include.

Respironics was providing much less data via a dinky, difficult to read, LCD screen that required unplugging the machine, plugging it back in whilst pushing a button or buttons. It wasn't until the M Series (what a year, two years ago?) that Respironics improved their LCD screen and included more data. And it still requires the unplugging and plugging whilst pressing a button or buttons.

I've had both the Resmed S8s and the RemStar (pre-M Series) Auto w/C-Flex and I much prefer my Resmed S8s. I've always gotten friendly, curteous response from Resmed when I've had contact w/them.

When Resmed became aware of 7 defective machines out of some 300,000 machines produced they VOLUNTARILY NOTIFIED patients and DME suppliers of the problem and VOLUNTARILY RECALLED AND REPLACED that entire production lot w/totally NEW machines. We're not talking some cheap, piddly humidifier water tank, we're talking an entirely new machine.

You can bash Resmed for their recent pricing policy, I don't like it either, but beyond that ..... they do not deserve the bashing they often get from forum members. I didn't like their restriction of software sales a year ago this month either, but it took Respironics less than a year to follow suit to restrict their software sales as well, and for the same reason. Resmed is an excellent, reputable company producing a good product.

Yep it is a great machine alright as long as your boat isn't so big to drag it around

....Snoredog thumbs through a few pages ....oh here it is!

viewtopic.php?t=24663&highlight=

LOL

You lost me on that one, SnoreDog! What? 'Cause I'm not sleeping well right now? Turns out it is the Crohn's again. *sigh* CRP, Sed rate and calprotectin all elevated. Abdominal CT scan tomorrow.

Slinky wrote:You lost me on that one, SnoreDog! What? 'Cause I'm not sleeping well right now? Turns out it is the Crohn's again. *sigh* CRP, Sed rate and calprotectin all elevated. Abdominal CT scan tomorrow.

according to my Uncommon Cures for everyday ailments book it says:

...patients often advised to take steroids and other drugs to help reduce inflammation of the intestines.... medications don't always effect a remission.

..in stubborn cases, patients can try to soothe some of the symptoms with herbal remedies as adjunct therapy. One combination therapy your doctor may approve calls for a mixture of three herbs into a tea: Chamomile, meadowsweet and licorice taken two or three times a day.

Interesting Licorice is also suggested to cure ulcers when they flare up, it seems to send them in remission.

They also recommend fish oil or omega-3 fatty acids. A study from Italy published in New England Journal of medicine (no other reference or citing) showed those taking 9 capsules a day were far less likely to suffer relapses of Crohn's than subjects who didn't.

they also recommend avoiding coffee, cokes or anything with caffeine (same for ulcers but I have to have my java). They also suggest Papaya juice.

While they don't list it, I would also try some yogurt, it is supposed to help restore natural enzymes needed in the intestine.

this site agrees with me:
http://www.stonyfield.com/Wellness/Moos ... moos_id=16


...still think it is that machine

Snoredog wrote:

Slinky wrote:You lost me on that one, SnoreDog! What? 'Cause I'm not sleeping well right now? Turns out it is the Crohn's again. *sigh* CRP, Sed rate and calprotectin all elevated. Abdominal CT scan tomorrow.

according to my Uncommon Cures for everyday ailments book it says:

...patients often advised to take steroids and other drugs to help reduce inflammation of the intestines.... medications don't always effect a remission.

..in stubborn cases, patients can try to soothe some of the symptoms with herbal remedies as adjunct therapy. One combination therapy your doctor may approve calls for a mixture of three herbs into a tea: Chamomile, meadowsweet and licorice taken two or three times a day.

Interesting Licorice is also suggested to cure ulcers when they flare up, it seems to send them in remission.

They also recommend fish oil or omega-3 fatty acids. A study from Italy published in New England Journal of medicine (no other reference or citing) showed those taking 9 capsules a day were far less likely to suffer relapses of Crohn's than subjects who didn't.

they also recommend avoiding coffee, cokes or anything with caffeine (same for ulcers but I have to have my java). They also suggest Papaya juice.

While they don't list it, I would also try some yogurt, it is supposed to help restore natural enzymes needed in the intestine.

this site agrees with me:
http://www.stonyfield.com/Wellness/Moos ... moos_id=16


...still think it is that machine

If you use LICORICE be sure and get the black. For some reason the red doesn't seem to work.

Snoredog wrote: ...still think it is that machine

Thanks, SnoreDog. I'm not wild about yogurt at all. Ugh! But I do use a good mixed probiotic. I haven't "done" caffeine since 1996 (except an occasional green tea). And, yes on the Omega-3s! They even have a form that DOESN'T leave you w/that fishy taste. Its been a bit confusing tho about the Omega-6s. I've seen pros and cons. And I love licorice and often eat it, but just in candy form, there is another form available I've been told but never checked into it. I forgot about the licorice actually. I'll pick some up whilst in town today! (Candy, that is! )