So I want the software because.......

Hi again,
My brain is rotting these days, and I need to make lists of questions/comments when I go to the various doctors. T
omorrow I see my sleep doc and he'll say some things that bother me (like he doesn't really look at leak rates) and I want to be able to sound half way (I'll settle for 1/4) intelligent.
I understand totally why leaks are important.
But remind me why I want the software...........so I can see if leaks are huge just a couple times versus little ones all night long?? ........so I can see if my snoring is associated with apnea??? What else?
I would like to give him specific info that the software would give me, that he's not giving me now.
I'm also asking these questions so I can give him a reason why I'd like him to print me out a copy of the longer version of the stats. I just don't want to sound like an idiot.
Yes, I know I can do all this without him, but I would like to maintain a relationship with him, if he behaves himself.
Thanks for your input.

The software has more components than just leaks and snores. It also shows your AH, AHI, flow limits, These values are placed on a sort of graph and lets you see what events may or may not be corelated to possible leaks. You can see for yourself where, when ( time wise) any events happen. This information is used for doing some tweaking and seeing what might work against what isn't working. All of this info is more important to you than to a doc, most of the time. I could only guess at what was going on before I got software and the card reader. Having the software has been invaluable.

I don't get it.

You don't need his permission to get the software. Insurance does not cover the cost of the software. He cannot give you a Rx for the software.

If the doc doesn't use software or look at the software reports now, why do you want to discuss your need of the software with him or base your relationship with him on such a discussion?

The purpose of having software is to monitor how well (or not) the treatment is working for you. Your doc is either interested in how well your treatment is going or he is only interested in billing you for a visit ... that simple.

Country - what machine do you have? You need at least a REMstar Pro (DS400) to see "enhanced" compliance data like snore, leak, pressure setting, etc. throughout the night.

Basically, EncoreViewer allows you to see all of this. Say for example you weren't feeling well on treatment. The report might show excessive leaks as black lines on the chart. This would alert you to a mask leak that needs attention. Without the report, how else would you or your doctor know that it's a leaky mask that is affecting your treatment?

EncoreViewer is available for $139 from most reputable DMEs.

Country needs ResScan software

I'm not at the point of feeling comfortable doing all this without a connection to a doctor. This doc, even though we disagree on leaks, has been okay with me making some of my own changes and even be put on a machine without a titration study, so I don't want to burn this bridge.
He hasn't proven himself to be a totally idiot yet, so I don't want to end the relationship yet. I've seen dozens of docs in my life, and if I saw him as totally useless, I wouldn't be wasting my time with him. Its a balancing act, and so far, I'm on the fence with him.
Thanks bap40 and Guest for your info.
P.S. I know there's alot of doctor bashing going on on this forum, and I think its a bit presumptuous to think that someone fairly new at this, should just dump the doctors and go it alone. At this point, I think that would be shooting myself in the foot. I'm not going to tolerate having a bad leak rate or AHI, but I still feel at this point that he can give me some help.

Hi Country,

Sounds to me like a sensible attitude. We all make our own decisions on this topic (and many others). I didn't go to a noticeably higher pressure until my doc ok'd it. I brought her some of the EPA graphs and she was really interested. Based on those she suggested a higher pressure and knew I could set it myself.

Some folks have docs who very actively discourage them from taking any kind of positive role in their therapy and for those folks I can understand their reluctance and/or total unwillingnesss to deal with their docs!

Mindy

Country4ever wrote:I'm not at the point of feeling comfortable doing all this without a connection to a doctor. This doc, even though we disagree on leaks, has been okay with me making some of my own changes and even be put on a machine without a titration study, so I don't want to burn this bridge.
He hasn't proven himself to be a totally idiot yet, so I don't want to end the relationship yet. I've seen dozens of docs in my life, and if I saw him as totally useless, I wouldn't be wasting my time with him. Its a balancing act, and so far, I'm on the fence with him.
Thanks bap40 and Guest for your info.
P.S. I know there's alot of doctor bashing going on on this forum, and I think its a bit presumptuous to think that someone fairly new at this, should just dump the doctors and go it alone. At this point, I think that would be shooting myself in the foot. I'm not going to tolerate having a bad leak rate or AHI, but I still feel at this point that he can give me some help.

The main reason you see the "doctor bashing" on the forum is because they earned it.

Seriously though, many/most people find their way to the forums is to get more information and because their doctors and other support personnel (DMEs and others) did a poor job to begin with. If the patients/users have good people to work with and they're comfortable with that.......more power to them.


Den

Mindy - just once - have you ever considered that most doctors know more than you?

Yes, as you write, "We all make our own decisions on this topic " however on this forum the large majority of the "experts" try to encourage others to self-titrate and influence this "own decision."

There seems to be this ages-old claim from the old grouchy CPAPers with 10,000 posts that had a bad experience 4 years ago with Apria that therefore "All DMEs suck" and "doctors know nothing" about OSA. Everyone should just drop their DME and buy online. Nevermind getting your card read by your local DME or doctor, you can do that yourself. You're the expert. Nevermind stopping by your local DME for a quick tube or mask. Just do it all online because all DMEs suck.

I still don't get it!

Are you having problems with your treatment? AHI too high? Unsure if you have leaks? or are you just wanting to test your doc so you can decide what side of the fence you want to jump off to?

If he admits that he does not look at leaks, then that means he doesn't know how to interpret the data. No one can interpret the data if they do not look at the leaks ... period.

Wulfman wrote:Seriously though, many/most people find their way to the forums is to get more information and because their doctors and other support personnel (DMEs and others) did a poor job to begin with.

Exactly.

mindy wrote:I didn't go to a noticeably higher pressure until my doc ok'd it. I brought her some of the EPA graphs and she was really interested. Based on those she suggested a higher pressure and knew I could set it myself.

Some folks have docs who very actively discourage them from taking any kind of positive role in their therapy and for those folks I can understand their reluctance and/or total unwillingnesss to deal with their docs!

Very good points by mindy.



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Thedean..........I didn't get that feeling from Mindy's response. I think she was saying we have to do what we feel is comfortable, with regard's to our own doctor's and our relationship with them.
(That's not saying that lots of other people here don't have that attitude that you mentioned).

I have learned that (through seeing sooooooo many doctors), that some of them have alot to offer, some have nothing to offer, but some of them have intermittant things to offer. I have had doctors who disappoint me with some of their knowledge, but extremely helpful with other knowledge.
I don't feel I've given this present sleep doctor enough chance to show me that he CAN be helpful. I didn't question his comment about "not worrying too much about the leak rate" at the last visit, but I'll question him tomorrow.
Who knows.....maybe he misspoke and used a word he didn't mean to.
I have had so many unyielding, arrogant doctors. This guy is open to things. I am willing to give him a few more chances.
Yes, I could throw him out, but then the next doc might not work with me as much as this one is. Its just a constant balancing act.

I have as much reason as anyone to have absolutely no faith in doctors. But I need them occasionally, and I need them to work with me and not get pissed off at my own possibly know-it-all position.
I wouldn't tolerate something not working, out of fear of confronting the doctor.
Yes, it would be great to find a doc who knows all and has the perfect attitude, but they are few and far between. In fact, for me, they've never existed.
This guy is who I have for the present, and I'm just trying to make the most of it.

Anonymous - aka thedean wrote:There seems to be this ages-old claim from the old grouchy CPAPers with 10,000 posts that had a bad experience 4 years ago with Apria that therefore "All DMEs suck"

That's right!

Anonymous - aka thedean wrote:and "doctors know nothing" about OSA. Everyone should just drop their DME and buy online.

That's right!

Anonymous - aka thedean wrote:Nevermind getting your card read by your local DME or doctor, you can do that yourself.

That's right!

Anonymous - aka thedean wrote:You're the expert. Nevermind stopping by your local DME for a quick tube or mask. Just do it all online because all DMEs suck.

That's right!

Wow! you have converted ...

Anonymous wrote:Mindy - just once - have you ever considered that most doctors know more than you?

Yes, as you write, "We all make our own decisions on this topic " however on this forum the large majority of the "experts" try to encourage others to self-titrate and influence this "own decision."

There seems to be this ages-old claim from the old grouchy CPAPers with 10,000 posts that had a bad experience 4 years ago with Apria that therefore "All DMEs suck" and "doctors know nothing" about OSA. Everyone should just drop their DME and buy online. Nevermind getting your card read by your local DME or doctor, you can do that yourself. You're the expert. Nevermind stopping by your local DME for a quick tube or mask. Just do it all online because all DMEs suck.

Not to be one to "pile on".......but........

It's not just on THIS forum.

If you go to the ADA's Type 2 forum and read the two threads that are on the front page (right now) with headings/titles: "Sliding Scale" and "It is official...Dr.'s are all quacks!", you'll see a couple of other scary stories.

http://community.diabetes.org/n/pfx/for ... g=adatype2

That's not just "air" they're talking about.....it's medications, lack of help (or wrong information) from the medical community and possibly serious health consequences......


Den (may be old and grouchy, but doesn't have 10K posts and would have NEVER used Apria)

Dean,

I don't think you read my post carefully! I work with docs every day and know that most know far more than I'll ever know about medicine. I have a great deal of respect for many of them. I simply think that those who don't feel that way shouldn't be condemned for their viewpoint. I also happen to have a reasonably good DME.

Mindy

[quote="Anonymous"]Mindy - just once - have you ever considered that most doctors know more than you?

Yes, as you write, "We all make our own decisions on this topic " however on this forum the large majority of the "experts" try to encourage others to self-titrate and influence this "own decision."

There seems to be this ages-old claim from the old grouchy CPAPers with 10,000 posts that had a bad experience 4 years ago with Apria that therefore "All DMEs suck" and "doctors know nothing" about OSA. Everyone should just drop their DME and buy online. Nevermind getting your card read by your local DME or doctor, you can do that yourself. You're the expert. Nevermind stopping by your local DME for a quick tube or mask. Just do it all online because all DMEs suck.