[CPAP] Monitoring Software

[aehjr]

HI, I'm new to the board. I found this while researching info about changing CPAP settings. I've had lots of sleepiness lately in spite of daily use of the CPAP. My wife also indicates I occasionally snore while using the CPAP, especially when on my back and that the CPAP gets really noisy when I'm on my back.
After learning how to change settings last night, I've learned that my 7-day AHI is 6.8 and my 30-day AHI is 9.6. That convinced me to download the SleepyHead software in order to monitor my data and solicit advice here. Unfortunately, my RemStar ProM series (2008 vintage) doesn't have an SD card; only the smart card.
Is there a software package that works on a Mac that can read the smartcards used in my CPAP?
Thanks!

[trish6hundred]

Hi aehjr,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
Hang in there for more responses to your post and best of luck to you in fine tuning your CPAP therapy.

[PaulaO2]

No, you'll need their proprietary card reader. They are sometimes found on eBay.

How long have you had this machine? Do you have medical insurance? If you do and it's been longer than 6 yrs (or if you bought the first out of pocket), you can get a new machine.

Avoid any Respironics with the word "Plus" in the name or any ResMed with the word "Escape" in the name. These machines do not report any data other than compliance.

[aehjr]

How long have you had this machine? Do you have medical insurance? If you do and it's been longer than 6 yrs (or if you bought the first out of pocket), you can get a new machine.

Thank you. I'll see if I can find a card reader on eBay.
I have insurance and was diagnosed with sleep apnea in 2008; the fatigue and sleepiness issues are relatively new (last six-eight months).

[PaulaO2]

Four years seems to be about right for stuff to start changing.

Since you can read the AHI on the screen, you could just make the changes without the detailed data.

Bump up the pressure by 1/2 to 1 point then wait at least a week. Monitor the AHI. If it improves (as do the other signs your wife is giving you), then you're on the right track. You could continue doing this, about a week to ten days between changes, until you get the AHI under control.

Write down the changes as well as the results of each day so you have a record of it. Stuff gets forgotten far too easily.

[zonk]

Supplier #26 got the smart card reader $40
Supplier #1 have the smart card reader and Encore viewer software package $109
Encore software works with windows computers. maybe someone can help you obtain Encore Basic which might works with M series
http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread-...plier-List

SleepyHead works with windows and Mac computers and support system one machines ... don,t work with M series machines

[PaulaO2]

They're that easy to get? Oh, wait, is it the ResMed one that is so difficult to find?

I get cornfuzed.

[archangle]

Just to be clear, even with the right card reader, there is no software that works on Macs for your M series machine.

Even running parallels or other ways to run Windows software on a mac, I doubt you'll get the card reader to work. Bootcamp might work, but no promises.

[Dawei]

aehjr--Along with what others have written, I noticed your reference to your wife telling you your CPAP gets really noisy when you're on your back. My guess is that it's your mask that's making all the noise, rather than the machine itself. If this is so, you need to work on reducing mask leaks. Not only does leakage irritate your spouse, it also reduces the machine's ability to accurately record AHI numbers. I've found (and I know I'm not the only one) that when I've reduced mask leaks, my AHI has come down.

[aehjr]

aehjr--Along with what others have written, I noticed your reference to your wife telling you your CPAP gets really noisy when you're on your back. My guess is that it's your mask that's making all the noise, rather than the machine itself. If this is so, you need to work on reducing mask leaks. Not only does leakage irritate your spouse, it also reduces the machine's ability to accurately record AHI numbers. I've found (and I know I'm not the only one) that when I've reduced mask leaks, my AHI has come down.

Thanks. I just got a new replacement mask and started using it last night. The harness seemed to be slightly different than before and the mask seemed to seal much better. Less air on my face. I upped the pressure by 0.5 Hg and will monitor the numbers to see what changes. That being said, she complained that the machine was louder with the new setting.