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RE: Anyone Ever Had Insurance Cover Nightly Oximeter - cmpman1974 - 08-18-2023
(08-18-2023, 07:47 AM)dataq1 Wrote: From Wellue support on the CheckMe oximeter (currently about 170-195 $):
Note their distinction between spot check and continuous monitoring, as well as Rx required.
“The Checkme™ O2 Pulse Oximeter is a lightweight, portable health wrist oximeter for use in sleep labs, long-term care, hospitals, and home use. The device is indicated for use in measuring, displaying, storing, and transmitting functional oxygen saturation of arterial hemoglobin (SpO2) and pulse rate for adult patients. It is intended for spot-check and/ or continuous data collection, and not continuous monitoring. The data and results provided by this device are for pre-check screening purposes only and cannot be directly used for diagnosis or treatment.
The product is FDA cleared (FDA clearance link). An individual customer needs a prescription to purchase The Checkme™ O2. Please email the Rx to us at: support@getwellue.com.”
This is the one I'm using currently. Are you saying the only devices that are useful for continuous monitoring are the expensive Nonin branded types that are $1,000+? I'm a little unclear on the difference between 'continuous data collection' vs 'continuous monitoring'. Why do they all use the silly pre-check screening language?
RE: Anyone Ever Had Insurance Cover Nightly Oximeter - cmpman1974 - 08-18-2023
Tried loosening the upper straps a bit on my Vitera mask last night. 4 1/2 hrs under 90% with 3L supplemental O2. The worse O2 score I've ever had. :
I just replaced the mask cushion today. If this helps, it would mean I literally need new mask cushions every 2-3 weeks to have an acceptable seal. I wash it every single day as Sleeprider suggested. I've been as careful as can be in preserving it.
RE: Anyone Ever Had Insurance Cover Nightly Oximeter - dataq1 - 08-18-2023
I am not saying anything, just quoting what Wellue has on their webpage for this model.
To me, it is confusing ("spot check or continuous data collection" versus "continuous monitoring" ) but perhaps it has to do with FDA clearance.
The other thing I found interesting was that a prescription is required to purchase.
Myself, I'm pretty satisfied with my "cheap-o" EMO-80 ($59) and it seems to match the oximeter recordings in my PCP's office.
But everyone gets to choose their own level of satisfaction !
RE: Anyone Ever Had Insurance Cover Nightly Oximeter - Wondering2 - 08-18-2023
(08-18-2023, 11:29 AM)cmpman1974 Wrote: I'm a little unclear on the difference between 'continuous data collection' vs 'continuous monitoring'.
I'll hazard a guess.
PERHAPS...
"continuous monitoring" refers to being connected to a system that initiates a response (like automatically increasing supplemental O2 flow rate) or alerting a nurse's station to take action.
While a "continuous data collection" refers to simply collecting the data (as the Wellue does) without the benefit of an automatic response.
OTOH, this may be just a figment of my imagination.
The FDA probably makes some sort of distinction between the two.
RE: Anyone Ever Had Insurance Cover Nightly Oximeter - cmpman1974 - 08-20-2023
Sleeprider, my BPAP session last night. New mask cushion a couple nights ago and strapped down the lower straps on the Vitera pretty solidly. How do you like those leak stats?
It wasn't that comfortable though. Didn't stop the cluster of apneas though during that one period. This is the one night I didn't wear my oximeter.
I'm wondering if the jaw drop I'm suspecting occurring so many nights is causing neck pain. When I open my jaw kind of wide, I'm getting bad pain in my neck now. Not good at all. Not much left of my body honestly - bad shoulders, bad back, bad neck. My body feels about 40 years older than my real age. I'm in big trouble at this pace.
RE: Anyone Ever Had Insurance Cover Nightly Oximeter - cmpman1974 - 08-23-2023
The question again arises...any validity to the CheckmeMax O2? Last night I had virtually perfect leak rates except for a very small period. Average leak rate for the night was under 3L/min. Still had 91 min under 90% according to the watch using 3L/supplemental O2. AHI under 1.0. If true, something is very wrong. I questioned if the oxygen concentrator was working correctly before with the DME. They assured me it is as long as it's not setting off an alarm while in use.
I think it's time to consult with LeftyLanky27. I need detailed help. If a night with no leaks and virtually no apneas still results in this, what the hell can I do?
RE: Anyone Ever Had Insurance Cover Nightly Oximeter - Sleeprider - 08-23-2023
Leaks are looking remarkably better. It would be interesting to hear LL's interpretation. The only thing I see is widely variable volume from breath to breath, but with an overall good respiratory volume and rate. You might want to bring up the supplemental oxygen and the V/Q mismatch we have discussed here. It would be great if he can get things smoothed out, but I remain convinced the real problem lies outside of therapy by identifying and resolving that mismatch which does not meet your pulmonologist's expectation because you have not experienced a pulmonary embolism. I still don't know why you were not provide a followup CT pulmonary angiography.
RE: Anyone Ever Had Insurance Cover Nightly Oximeter - cmpman1974 - 08-23-2023
(08-23-2023, 02:41 PM)Sleeprider Wrote: Leaks are looking remarkably better. It would be interesting to hear LL's interpretation. The only thing I see is widely variable volume from breath to breath, but with an overall good respiratory volume and rate. You might want to bring up the supplemental oxygen and the V/Q mismatch we have discussed here. It would be great if he can get things smoothed out, but I remain convinced the real problem lies outside of therapy by identifying and resolving that mismatch which does not meet your pulmonologist's expectation because you have not experienced a pulmonary embolism. I still don't know why you were not provide a followup CT pulmonary angiography.
I noticed exactly what you did.....the wild swings in Vt breath to breath. Doesn't seem normal, but as you said overall Vt is good. I certainly am going to press hard concerning the VT perfusion scan at my next appointment. By then, I'll have had my cardiac cath to rule in / out any heart-related cause. The pulmonary doc is doing full PFTs as well in a month approx. Not looking forward to another cardiac cath, but I do feel it's pretty necessary given the situation.
RE: Anyone Ever Had Insurance Cover Nightly Oximeter - cmpman1974 - 08-24-2023
Got leaks down to average of 2L/min or lower. Very few apneas/hypopneas. Oximeter says 20 min under 90%.
RE: Anyone Ever Had Insurance Cover Nightly Oximeter - cmpman1974 - 09-12-2023
4-5 weeks went by and I noticed higher leak rates again on my F&P Vitera mask. Changed out the cushion and this was the result immediately. It is apparent even Dawn dishwashing soap in small amounts must severely impact the material and ruin it pretty quickly. It's pretty intriguing. The day after was almost identical. Average leak rate of 1.5 L/min the whole night.
Before this change, my 95th % leak was 100L+ a min at times.