Decision time

The sleep studies, ENT, Insomnia doc, and initial equipment costs are paid off this month. Medicare starts this month and I have my 3 month follow-up with the sleep doc. I'm still renting my machine. It's time to decide how deeply I want to get into self monitoring...need advice on Encore vs Silverlining...here is a summary of my thoughts:

During my sleep study hypopneas were "more significant" than apneas

I don't feel that secure with the results of my titration when I slept 15 min over the minimum amt of time allowed by Medicare for them to reimburse.

I don't want monitoring to take a lot of time-I've got 10 acreas & lots of things to do

I want to get verification that the treatment is working & I'm not using a high pressure when a lower one would work most of the night-and that my hypopneas are being treated

I've a low tolerance for computer stuff that doesn't work out of the box-when I look at the list of posts by people who were having problems setting up Encore my right brain says forget it-then my left brain reminds me that it is my health.

I'm basically doing well on CPAP at this point-I want to keep it that way without running to Stanford every time I think something is wrong-the copays for one titration would set me up with the equipment to do my own as often as I want

How much/what kind of info does Silverlining give vs Encore-are both like having a "mini titration" or does only Encore give enough info.

my understanding is that the software is manufacturer specific

in other words with a remstar you use encore pro
with a good knight you use silverlining

(these are assuming you have a machine that will provide data and yours - remstar auto - will)

so your decision is software (encore pro) or not, not which software (assuming you are not going to buy another machine)

Yes I'm aware that the software is brand specific.

I have a remstar pro (due to a DME switch) which I'm renting for 10 months-5 more to go. The switching can go both ways while I'm renting so I am going to get the sleep doc to order an APAP next visit.

Since I will be making a change to Auto-I'm trying to learn enough about the different machines to make a more informed choice about a total system to fit my needs.

So yes-I may go for a new brand of machine if the total package fits my needs better.

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): medicare, DME, APAP

If you (have high speed access to the internet --- DSL or cablemodem or better) and you have a separate phone line that you are willing to use so that I can tell you when to change CDs and you can install a simple remote access package (TightVNC) - and open one port in your firewall so that I can access the remote package, I am willing to access your system remotely to do the software install.

Generally, it is not that hard - but when things go wrong you have to do things in the right order to recover and so forth.

Alternatively, you can mail me your smart card periodically - I'll plug it in and read it and get you the reports somehow. I can color fax them. Can't do PDFs, I don't think. Actually, yes I can - I can paste the pages of the report into an openoffice writer file a page at a time and then export the document as a pdf.

I can't explain the numbers - my treated AHI is really high, higher than it was without pap from my sleep study. Maybe someone can explain things to me.

In fact, I'll extend that offer in general - you send me your Respironics smart card and a SASE appropriate to protect the smart card from being damaged in the mail (in other words, more than a simple envelope - both ways. Preferably priority mail with proof of delivery. I'll get it read and drop it back into the mail for you, and get you your reports somehow, either by e-mail attachment or off of a simple unencrypted password protected web page. I believe, someone correct me if I am wrong, that the machine will run fine without the card, it just will not record the detailed data or some other compliance data - you still get the big totals. You have to agree that I have no obligation to protect your confidentiality (not that I would intentionally release your data, but someone might hack me or might intercept it in transit) and if you do it more than once you have to use the same identifier every time so that I can associate your data - you should also tell me if you want the smartcard erased or not. I'm not responsible for things lost in the mail or for errors in the software.

Thank you-that is quite generous!

krousseau wrote:I've a low tolerance for computer stuff that doesn't work out of the box-when I look at the list of posts by people who were having problems setting up Encore my right brain says forget it-then my left brain reminds me that it is my health.

Krousseua~

Just to make a simple point, not EVERYONE runs into problems installing the software. I am not computer ignorant, but I'm not a whiz either. I had ZERO problems installing. Could be just luck or my operating system (Windows XP) in combination with the steps I followed worked out right, but not once did I have to uninstall, reinstall, or anything. I followed the tips from one of the members Linda 0382 I think is her code name. I followed the directions to a T and not a problem. At first I was engrossed in looking at the data daily, but now that its been 3 months I look every 2- 3 weeks. It is really NOT time consuming. I happen to download each weeks data in PDF file so that I can erase whats on my card each time and that way each time I download it doesn't take so long. If it weren't for My Encore I don't think I would even want to look at the data or even understand it for that matter. The My Encore interprets the data from Encore Pro which is the Respironics software for Pro and Auto Remstar. I don't know a thing about Silver Lining software. I know Rested Gal owns both perhaps if you search through some of her old posts she might mention which she likes better, but I think its a good thing to have. I'm trying to lose 15 pounds and if I am successful it very well might have an impact on my titration level and having the software I will be able to make adjustments if necessary.

I think if you really do want to invest in the software there are some good downloading tips up at the top of the forum by Rested Gal. I also saved my directions from Linda that I could PM you. like I said, easy easy easy. I have DSL so it only took a half hour total.

Good Luck.
Suzy

brasshopper wrote: do PDFs, I don't think. Actually, yes I can - I can paste the pages of the report into an openoffice writer file a page at a time and then export the document as a pdf.

I can't explain the numbers - my treated AHI is really high, higher than it was without pap from my sleep study. Maybe someone can explain things to me.


CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): respironics, AHI, Smart Card

In Encore Pro after you open your data in the report viewer, you can go to file at the top left and it lists options, pdf create in in there. It creats a pdf file of about 3 megs, quite nice. Jim

Krousseau, If you truly have the Remstar Pro 2 with C-Flex, and not just the lower grade Remstar Pro, A option would be to pay off the rent and own it.

That depends on what you have to pay and how many months left, the Auto won't give you anymore useful data than the Pro 2, You can find what pressure you need by trying different pressures and seeing the results. Not that I would turn my nose up at a Remstar Auto, the old tried and tested model, of course! I'll let the rich kid's test the new model, they need the newest toys for bragging, I just need a hose up my nose. Jim

Finally found the old threads I had been looking for-it looks like 6 of 1-half doz of the other type thing. Either way I'll be staving off Alzheimers. I'm doing well on the Respironics so I'll go with Encore/MyEncore.
I'll still try to get back the Auto though-that was a nasty switch and I'm still miffed about it.

Goofproof wrote:Not that I would turn my nose up at a Remstar Auto, the old tried and tested model, of course! I'll let the rich kid's test the new model, they need the newest toys for bragging, I just need a hose up my nose. Jim

Jim, you're just a reverse (or perhaps perverse) snob, aren't you? I'll justify here - I want the smaller size for travel but new toys ain't bad either but, I'm not particularly boastful. -