S8 Escape II CPAP Machine

jdm2857 wrote:The F&P Auto (HC254) does have efficacy data, but I think he can't access it until the software is delivered.

Oops! Ignore what I posted

sleepinginseattle wrote:You misinterpret my posts. I am not against data collection, per se. But I am for the purpose of self titration.

OTOH, my Remstar Pro 2 is my prescribed machine. My doctor reads the data but I don't. My therapy has been very successful by my own account, which is what matters most IMHO and I have always had a backup machine. The former PB Goodknight 420G died, now there's a Resmed Escape II. Basic machines for basic purposes.

Should a basic machine like a Escape II be prescribed as a primary unit? I think the professional sleep community have a lot of reasons not to. But in my opinion, for therapy it does exactly what the Remstar does without added expense.

Some people get the "correct" titrated pressure from their sleep studies and some don't. If you've read this forum regularly since you came here, you'll know that there are lots of people whose prescribed pressure was a long way off of what they've found works better for them through monitoring their data. And, there have been many that reported finding "better" typical pressures on both sides of their titrated pressures. (some titrations were lower than what is needed and some titrations were higher than what is needed)

If insurance dollars are paying the bulk of the equipment costs, then they will pay exactly the same amount (ins. code E0601) regardless of whether it is the bottom of the line or top of the line (Auto/APAP) CPAP machine. If that's the case, a person might as well get their money's worth and get the best, data-capable machine they're able to get. It's like getting an APAP/Auto machine........you don't HAVE to use it in APAP/Auto mode, but it's there if you want to. Same way with the data. If a person wants to ignore it, they can.......but, if things aren't working like they think they should be, the data IS available to review (however it is done).

Don't forget.......some peoples' pressure needs can change over time.......mask leaks and snores will show up in the data. Leak control is one of the most important things to getting this therapy to be successful.

Ignorance is not necessarily bliss.

Best wishes with your therapy.


Den

jdm2857 wrote:The F&P Auto (HC254) does have efficacy data, but I think he can't access it until the software is delivered.

all the machine shows is ahi leak rate and hours used, and all in whole numbers.
There is a usb stick in the back that will go into any usb computer (with software)
that will give what they promise me is a 6 page report complete with everything and anything
you ever wanted to know about the night before. The usb drive will hold about a years worth of
data as well.
Hopefully they will come up here soon and install/train me in it. If I can get access to a scanner
I will upload copies of the scans with the class since I seem to be the new kid on the block
with this cpap.
All I can say about it so far is it is quiet! I have to put my finger over my nasal exhaust port
to make sure it is on...

drubin007 wrote:all the machine shows is ahi leak rate and hours used, and all in whole numbers.

This is off the LCD screen and not really much different than what I see offered on my M Series machine.
I get an AHI average ( 7 and 30 day)
I get a leak average (7 and 30 day)
by resetting to zero each night, I can change the "average" number to effectively show a nightly number.
and hours of therapy.

We both must have the software to see further details but they are available if we want to go down that road.

I have to admit that the ResMed LCD available data is a bit more comprehensive. If I was sorely limited in funds and knew I simply could not afford the software anytime soon (if ever) or didn't have a computer (heaven forbid), I likely would be tempted to get the ResMed data capable machine. It would at least give me some possible indications of areas to maybe improve on if I was having problems. Heck, my own doctor has not requested anything from me on follow up. Only reason they said bring the machine in was to check for compliance for insurance and since insurance wasn't involved they said "okay, no need to bring it". I suppose I could have gone for 3 months feeling just as crappy as before treatment never knowing that I needed a slightly higher pressure. Maybe he would have suggested an increase at the 3 month follow up visit. Maybe he would have told me I just need "time to pay off my sleep debt". Maybe he would have suggested a trial with APAP.

Maybe I would have just said "screw it" "this is not helping and a waste of my time" and then sold the machine or stored it in the closet. Most likely this is what would have occurred. No way would I put up with all this and still feel so awful every day.

Diabetics monitor their blood glucose. People with high cholesterol follow up with further studies to see if diet or meds have helped. We monitor all sorts of other treatments. They tell us that sleep apnea does all this damage and is life threatening and expect us to hook up to a machine with no way of knowing effectiveness except by "how we feel". Pretty stupid idea in my book. My body lies to me all the time. I would be curious to know how many users fall in to the non compliant stats that have compliance only units as opposed to some sort of data being available. It doesn't have to be the software, just some sort of data to guide anyone.

If someone is lucky enough to have had the overnight miracle and feels great and their doctor is super duper caring guy and they never feel bad again, well.. more power to them but they are likely more the exception than the norm. I wasn't one of those lucky ones.

Okay, climbing down off soapbox now... sorry for the rant..

big like! - thanks .