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A fool and his money are soon parted and that is what smart card readers are.

thewetlizard wrote:A fool and his money are soon parted and that is what smart card readers are.

Gee, if having a better handle on what's going on while you're sleeping, especially in a field where the doctors often seem as clueless as the patients, is a waste of money, then you're certainly not obligated to waste yours. However many people seem to feel that taking a proactive step with their treatment isn't a waste of money, but an investment in their health and future. Granted, the software is horribly overpriced (especially the "viewer" version), and its much better to get a smart-card reader from a computer website than a medical supply company (usually under $20), but being able to actually understand and control your treatment, and tailor it to your own body and situation seems invaluable to most.

How do I know if I can add a card reader to the machine I have and where do I get one? I have a Resmed Escape S8

slibhart wrote:How do I know if I can add a card reader to the machine I have and where do I get one? I have a Resmed Escape S8

Check here for starters: http://www.resmed.com/int/products/data ... c=patients
You'll need both software and card reader if your model has data capability.

slibhart- If you really have a Resmed Escape, there is no data except complaince ( how often and how long you use it). Software for that is a waste of money.

BUT -- when I clicked on the picture of your machine it showed me a Resmed Elite.

I don't know much about Resmeds but, if you really have an Elite and not an Escape, it may be fully data capable.

Someone who knows more about Resmed machines can let you know. I just don't want you wasting your money if it is an Escape you have.

Thanks Hawthorne.....all I can see is that I have a Resmed S8 Escape. It's not a choice on the list to check here on the forums, so, I checked what I thought was the closest one. My humidifier is not a choice here either.

Would you mind sharing where you got the software and reader? I ordered the Resmed software from eBay, and the card reader from an online DME (very expensive!) but I can't get the software to read anything from the card reader. I saw on one of the posts that the card has to be upside down, so I've tried that, but nothing works. Maybe I need a device driver? Maybe I should pay full price for the software instead of half price on eBay?

I want the software so I can figure out which masks work best for me. I only started on CPAP 3 months ago, and I LOVE how much more rested I feel. I don't want to spend even one night without it now. I may be a bit compulsive, but I've tried nine masks so far, with another on order. I really like the AIOMED Headrest, but it seems so unstable with the oriiginal headgear, so I've deconstructed it and am still trying to figure out the pantyhose straps. I want to see from the software whether it leaks are not. The pillows are so comfortable all night.

I use the Activa nasal mask with a size Shallow cushion, and it's very stable (I toss and turn a lot), but it's less comfortable than I like. I also use the FlexFit 406 occasionally, but it's a bit uncomfortable, too.

More personal opinions - I didn't like the Swift LT II, the ComfortLite 2, or the Breeze, and the Activa LT doesn't come with a Shallow cusion or a small gel cusion. I like the lack of "stuff" on the Simplicity, but it leaks terribly on me.

If anyone can help me diagnose why I can't get my Resmed software to read from the Infineer card reader, I'd sure appreciate it! Thanks.

gladtosleep- The machine you show is a Respironics machine not a Resmed machine.

If you bought Resmed software, it will not work on a Respironics machine.

Is it really a Resmtar Pro 2 machine you have (that's what your picture shows)? That's an older discontinued model and you say you started therapy 3 months ago. I'd be surprised if it is the old "classic" model. You may well have the Remstar M Series Pro machine, if you have a Respironics machine or maybe even a PR System 1.

If it was a Respironics Pro2 or a Remstar M Series Pro, the Encore Viewer or Encore Pro software would work with it and the Infineer card reader. If it's the PR System1, patient software is not yet available.

So, we need to know what machine you have, what software and what card reader.

slibhart wrote:Thanks Hawthorne.....all I can see is that I have a Resmed S8 Escape. It's not a choice on the list to check here on the forums, so, I checked what I thought was the closest one. My humidifier is not a choice here either.

Welcome to the forum, slibhart!

Unfortunately, your ResMed S8 Escape machine is only capable of reporting the number of hours you use the machine, which will tell you (and your doctor) nothing about how effective your therapy is. The ResScan software would be of no use with your machine.

You can tell how well you're doing by how you feel, of course, but for troubleshooting any problems I think it's important to have a machine that's capable of reporting full data. If you can trade in your Escape for the ResMed S8 Elite II, you will be able to see AHI, AI, HI, leak rate, and hours used right on the Elite II's LCD screen.

With the Elite II and ResScan software (and a card reader or USB cable to get the info from CPAP to computer), you could also see exactly when during the night any apneas and hypopneas are occurring and how long each apnea lasted. With the software, you can also see when leaks are occurring. This can really help to solve any problems. Recently, for example, with the software I discovered that I was having large clusters of apneas when sleeping on my back with a particular type of mask. I wouldn't have known about the apnea clusters (and that the cause was sleeping in the supine position) without the software.

The durable medical equipment (DME) suppliers often sell the machine that makes them the most profit, such as the ResMed Escape or Respironics Plus machines. The insurance billing codes are the same regardless of the CPAP machine's reporting capabilities. In fact, auto-adjusting (APAP) machines (which are more expensive than CPAPs) use the same insurance billing code as CPAPs, so the DME gets paid the same for any CPAP or APAP machine, regardless of features.

I saw in one of your earlier posts that you've had your Escape machine since November. You've probably had it too long now to trade in and get an Elite II, but you could always try. I hope that you're getting good therapy results and feeling well. That's what matters most.

~ DreamOn

P.S. There are choices for "S8 Escape II CPAP" and "S8 Escape Travel" machines right under the "S8 Elite II" choice in the User Profile section. You may want to change your equipment profile, as it will assist us in giving you machine-specific advice in the future if you have any questions about your therapy.

[quote="Hawthorne"]gladtosleep- The machine you show is a Respironics machine not a Resmed machine.

Wow! I can't believe I was so stupid - thanks for the catch! I have a Respironics M Series. Do you know what software and cardreader I need? I'll try researching it, but this forum is terrific for learning. Thanks again for catching the fact that I have a Respironics machine.

gladtosleep wrote:... Wow! I can't believe I was so stupid - thanks for the catch! ...

Why? You are just starting to learn a whole boat load of new information. I could try to learn all about race car driving in one day ... but I guarantee my brain would be mush within about two hours - if I had to absorb as much material as we do learning about our sleep disordered breathing issues and how to mange them.

So, just consider it being overwhelmed and doing what you can to take charge. And congratulations on wanting to do that. It will make it much easier on you in the long run.

gladtosleep wrote:... I have a Respironics M Series. Do you know what software and cardreader I need? I'll try researching it, but this forum is terrific for learning. ...

Encore Viewer and the Smart Card reader will do the trick:

https://www.cpap.com/productpage-bundle.php?BundleID=64

gladtosleep wrote:

Hawthorne wrote:gladtosleep- The machine you show is a Respironics machine not a Resmed machine.

Wow! I can't believe I was so stupid - thanks for the catch! I have a Respironics M Series. Do you know what software and cardreader I need? I'll try researching it, but this forum is terrific for learning. Thanks again for catching the fact that I have a Respironics machine.

Hi, gladtosleep.

The machine you have listed in your equipment profile is the M Series Plus. That machine won't produce any therapy data. It only reports compliance (usage hours).

Oh, and your profile lists the ResMed software. Just FYI.

gladtosleep - these machines are hard to keep sorted! I wish they all had completely different names.

If you have the Respironics M Series PLUS, though, as you show in your profile, the software and card reader are no use to you with that machine. As Bleeping Beauty says, that machine will only show you when and for how long you used the machine.

You need the M Series PRO or the M Series AUTO to get detailed data about events like apneas, hypopneas, etc that you may be having during the night.

Same here.

Yesterday, I also finally ordered a smart card reader for my Respironics BiPap AutoSV Advanced. Waiting for it to arrive (from Hong Kong)
I ordered a DT3500 Smart Card Reader
Price $36 with $33 shipping. (to Texas from Hong Kong)

AND... I just checked the Fedex Tracking # and discovered they tried to deliver it today, but nobody was home !! Arrrgggh!
(amazing.. over night shipping from Hong Kong)
I have High hopes to get it tomorrow for 2nd delivery - if not, I'll pick it up from the Fedex facility.

I am looking forward to seeing how my treatment is actually working. It seems pointless to change my settings without this.

Hawthorne wrote:Yesterday, I also finally ordered a smart card reader for my Respironics BiPap AutoSV Advanced. Waiting for it to arrive (from Hong Kong)
I ordered a DT3500 Smart Card Reader
Price $36 with $33 shipping. (to Texas from Hong Kong)

Have you gotten the reader in yet and how is it working? I picked up my new Respironics AutoSV Advanced up from the DME's about 3:00 this afternoon and I already know that I will be wanting a way to monitor how it is managing my CSA. If you are satisfied with the reader, I'd like to get the link from you where you ordered it from. Did this include the software also?

Pressure is set quite a bit higher than I am used to with my old bipap (14/10) but I am ready for the challenge of getting accustomed to it.

Fred