Oximeter

Hey everyone,

Well, I'm a little over one year on cpap now. I'm thinking of buying an oximeter to measure my oxygen saturation while sleeping, because I wonder if I am getting enough oxygen or not.

Is this a good idea? Thoughts on this one I'm linking to? Could I view data on my computer like sleepyhead graphs? Anything else I should know before I buy one?

Thank you!!

http://www.amazon.com/Finger-Pulse-Oxim ... al_qh_dp_t

I've not seen that particular model before. I can't tell by viewing the information at the Amazon site whether or not this device has continuous recording mode or just records the current value so that you can get a series of snapshots of the SpO2 and pulse values.

I use the 'old style' CMS50F oximeter which does allow for overnight recording and the data is readily available for use in Windows machines. The reports available show continuous graphing. After loading the data to your computer, you can then import it into SleepyHead and it will show alongside your CPAP data. SleepyHead does have some issues in getting the CPAP data and Oximeter data accurately synchronized but I didn't find that to be significant.

This model (CMS50F) also has a new style version with a blue face (old style has a white face) which can record and load information to your computer but is incompatible with SleepyHead.

The one you have a link to would seem to be not so comfortable if you wore it overnight since it is blocky and just hangs on your finger. The CMS oximeters have a soft finger sensor and a separate computer module that is worn like a watch and is quite comfortable.

Some members use the CMS50D model but I have no personal information about its use other than it, too, is compatible with SleepyHead.

The CMS models are available through The PulseOxStore and other suppliers. . The PulseOxStore carries both old and new style CMS50F version so be careful which you order if you decide on one of these.

I'm thinking of buying an oximeter to measure my oxygen saturation while sleeping, because I wonder if I am getting enough oxygen or not.

Just call one of your doctors and ask for an overnight oximetry study. I did this, the DME brought the device to the house, picked it up when I was finished and sent a report to my doctor. The doctor called me two days later and explained the study results - everything was fine.

The DME did not charge for the study and there was no doctor visit. No cost to me or insurance company.

This saves you time, money and aggravation. You also get a professional opinion of the study instead of an amateur opinion that is likely to cause unnecessary worry.

I bought a CMS 50D Plus from the Pulseoxstore
http://www.pulseoxstore.com/Downloadable-Pulse-Ox.html
The Plus is very important...the CMS 50D doesn't record over night data.

I can't tell if the one at Amazon records over night or not. It mentions uploading to a computer but doesn't tell you what it uploads or what software is provided.

I bought it from the Pulseoxstore because I knew that Kevin there would be there to support me and help if I had trouble with it or using the software.
I bought the basic model because I only wanted it to occasionally do the overnight check. I knew I wouldn't be doing it very often. I didn't really care about the other features of the fancier models.

You can of course get your DME to supply a pulse oximeter and it likely won't cost you anything but you won't get to play with all the software and do the graphs yourself. My DME did one for me early on in my therapy.
All I got was "everything was fine nothing to worry about".

I'm using the CMS 50D Plus and it seems fine.
The software is a bit clunky so if you are not adept with software you might want to have your Dr. arrange a oxy test as someone above noted.
I just got my CPAP this morning. I have a weeks worth of data before and now will get the after.
However, as also noted above you need a professional interpretation of this also.
I'm doing it more as i like to work with data ... any data.

So for those using the CMS 50D, how do you keep it on your finger?

I am don't have the 50D but I have the CMS50EW and I used a strip of paper tape around it side to side and then a piece wrapped around the tape strips and my finger. Worked all night twice so far.

The one I bought had a special usb cable. Yours may too. Oh I had
several usb cables that would fit they just wouldn't work. So if you
do buy one you may want to keep track of the cable.

I bought a CMS 50D Plus from the Pulseoxstore. Very good machine for a great price.

Carrie

JDS74 wrote:
I use the 'old style' CMS50F oximeter which does allow for overnight recording and the data is readily available for use in Windows machines. The reports available show continuous graphing. After loading the data to your computer, you can then import it into SleepyHead and it will show alongside your CPAP data. SleepyHead does have some issues in getting the CPAP data and Oximeter data accurately synchronized but I didn't find that to be significant.

This model (CMS50F) also has a new style version with a blue face (old style has a white face) which can record and load information to your computer but is incompatible with SleepyHead.

The one you have a link to would seem to be not so comfortable if you wore it overnight since it is blocky and just hangs on your finger. The CMS oximeters have a soft finger sensor and a separate computer module that is worn like a watch and is quite comfortable.

Some members use the CMS50D model but I have no personal information about its use other than it, too, is compatible with SleepyHead.

The CMS models are available through The PulseOxStore and other suppliers. . The PulseOxStore carries both old and new style CMS50F version so be careful which you order if you decide on one of these.

Did you get it with or with the bluetooth?

I could save over $20 with the Amazon.com one, which at this time would be very helpful. However, if it is uncomfortable and won't do what the one that most of you use, than I probably will spend the extra money.

Is the CMS 50D Plus comfortable overnight and does it stay on easily? It works with Sleepyhead, right?

apw5746

The old style doesn't come with bluetooth. It has a strange plug for the sensor and a separate USB for the computer connection.

The CMS 50D Plus needs to be taped on to the finger. For occasional use that was sufficient for my needs.
If I was going to use it often I would have probably opted for one of the others.
Yes, it is compatible with SleepyHead but for occasional results...the software that comes with it is more than enough.
If you go to the link for the pulseoxstore above and look at what's offered at the website there are examples of what the software shows.

The Amazon unit...it looks like the CMS 50 DPlus and was probably made by same place but the description doesn't clearly identify what it records. It may be the same model by a different brand and do the same thing..It just wasn't clear on the description.

Checkout EBay....I have seen various CMS units listed (and the CMS 50 D Plus unit for a little less than $50) and very clearly they say what the unit will record. Coming from China with free shipping.

Cereal Killer wrote:

I'm thinking of buying an oximeter to measure my oxygen saturation while sleeping, because I wonder if I am getting enough oxygen or not.

Just call one of your doctors and ask for an overnight oximetry study. I did this, the DME brought the device to the house, picked it up when I was finished and sent a report to my doctor. The doctor called me two days later and explained the study results - everything was fine.

The DME did not charge for the study and there was no doctor visit. No cost to me or insurance company.

This saves you time, money and aggravation. You also get a professional opinion of the study instead of an amateur opinion that is likely to cause unnecessary worry.

I first asked my sleep doctor to prescribe a home oximeter test because I was feeling significantly worse after being on the cpap. She said it wasn't necessary, even though I went down to 82% during my sleep study.

So I bought the CMS 50D plus. (I just stick it on my finger and it stays on without tape.) By having my own unit to use every night, I observed that I had major oxygen desaturations about 5 nights each week. So I left her a message and asked if she'd like to see my data or if she'd order a home test. She ordered a one night home test but unfortunately my oxygen was fine that night. (I wore my oximeter and the DME's on different hands that night to compare the results. They matched.)

So all I'm saying is that a one night test may not be sufficient if your nights vary like mine do..

I switched sleep doctors last week and my new doctor immediately ordered oxygen for while I sleep (nights and naps.) I'm finally beginning to feel a bit better after suffering terribly for over 3 months.

I wore my odometer and the DME's on different hands that night

May I kindly suggest your problem is your MPG, not your ox level?