Sleep Doctors vs. Patients: CPAP Data Monitoring

May 20, 2009

It’s common knowledge that one important way of increasing effectiveness of CPAP therapy is to constantly monitor the data that the machine records, which includes time used, lead rates, effective AHI, and other variables. Traditionally, this data is somehow taken to or transmitted to the patient’s sleep medicine doctor who analyzes the data to monitor compliance and effectiveness, in light of how the patient is doing.

There’s been a growing movement amongst CPAP users to analyze their own data, and some people are even changing their own pressure settings. What I’ve noticed is that these are the most committed users, willing to do anything to get a better night’s sleep. In many cases these people know more about their xPAP machines than the DME vendors (durable medical equipment) or even their sleep doctors. Patients will know all about the latest xPAP models and try new mask models, in many cases paying extra beyond what insurance pays for.

There are many vocal arguments for and against this type of self-monitoring, but the issue I want to bring up is a sense that not all, but many sleep doctors are reluctant to have the patient take an active part in monitoring their own therapy. They’re not being told to go elsewhere, but the essential message that patients seem to hear is, "if you do this, you’re on your own." DME vendors are also caught in the middle.

Sleep doctors argue that self monitoring is good, but changing pressures should always be done after consulting the treating physician, since improper pressure can lead to problems such as ineffectiveness or even central sleep apnea. Patients argue that they should be able to manage their own condition for the most part, like what a diabetic does.

There’s no black or white issue here—there are some patients that are fully capable and responsible enough to do this on their own, and others that are not. An ideal situation is to have a system in place where patients that want to take more responsibility can do so without feeling like they’re being frowned upon. This takes extra effort on the part of the sleep doctor and a trusting relationship with good communication.

If you’re a CPAP user, where do you lie along this continuum? How much extra effort do you take to maximize your results?

Written by Steven Park · Filed Under Blog
Tagged: ,CPAP, cpap compliance, cpap data, sleep apnea

6 Responses to “Sleep Doctors vs. Patients: CPAP Data Monitoring”

Karen Moore on May 21st, 2009 9:11 am

Dr, Park, I agree with you that there seems to be an increasing number of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) patients that are learning as much as possible about their condition and desiring the control in their therapy in order to optimize their results. These patients seem to have a better understanding as well of just how serious NOT treating the condition can be to their health. The nice thing about patients learning more, and sharing with others their findings, is that the new, uncertain patient can benefit from both the encouragement and the mentoring. This is a win-win situation.
I see that the sleep doctors and the DMEs do not always understand that diagnosis of OSA is a psychological blow to a person. This time period from being diagnosed to the point where the treatment is working optimally is a tender time. Many patients give up in this time period because they do not have the support they need to perservere. More help is needed in this area.
As sleep medicine grows and develops further, I would expect for the patients to have more of a hand in their treatment and perhaps the doctor, the DME and the patient can become a well working team. The field is in a very dynamic state currently with the new laws that are being enacted regarding accreditation of the sleep labs as well as Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements for the diagnosis and treatment options.
I do hope that the patient will be gently led to be an advocate for their own treatment. There will always be doctors and DMEs who do not think the patient is capable of this, but with encouragement, they really are.
As far as my treatment, I have the software, card reader, smart card, Auto titrating CPAP, and a pulse Oximeter that I use to monitor my therapy. I also consult with my primary care physician before I make changes to my pressures because he knows me well and we are a team in my treatment of my OSA. I feel great.
Melissa on July 10th, 2009 9:12 pm

There is simply no need to withhold this information from patients. A former DME supplier of mine told me that I could not access the data because I could access the pressure and change it. I care about my health. That’s why I want to view the menu. That’s why I go to a doctor. That’s why I’m wearing this large uncomfortable mask. I would not randomly adjust the pressure.

When a doctor writes a prescription for pills, does he write it for one pill at a time? No. Is the patient required to drive across town to their doctor everyday to take each pill? No. The doctor writes a prescription for at least a month’s worth. The patient could take all the pills at one time if they wish. But a responsible patient (most patients) take the pills as prescribed. Why? Because they are taking the pills for their health in an effort to maintain their health.

Why would it be any different with a CPAP and sleep apnea? It shouldn’t, but it is at this time. I have every right to have access to my data.
Michael on January 2nd, 2010 10:52 am

I am one patient that has been using my CPAP for almost a year now. I (and my wife) am amazed at the difference getting a good night sleep has made for me. I am much more rested and alert, virtually eliminating the need for the daily napping ritual. This is most appreciated where driving for several hours each day, highway hypnosis was a real concern. I have no interest in changing any of my prescribed settings but recently have had an interest in knowing more about my nightly data.

Just this morning I found I could obtain this data from my CPAP because I started reading the manual. This data was never discussed by the technician that set me up. I was simply shown how to turn on the device and basically call if there is a problem. Luckily there has never been one. I thought the data was only obtainable when I slid the data card in to record it for my Sleep lab and Dr. He interpreted the data for me to a certain extent but not without exuding a certain attitude of reluctance . What is the big secret? Ignorance is never blissful but I guess some Drs. think in this case that it should be.
Kal on July 2nd, 2010 8:19 pm

Great post. I’ve been using CPAP for a year, and I’ve bought a card reader and software to monitor my data. Having this info has been very helpful to me, since having more data helps me tweak things other than the pressure level, including mask tightness, sleeping position, humidity level, and so on to an optimal setting. As a result, I’ve been able to get my AHI from around 3.9 (before I started reading data) to an average of 0.3 since I’ve been reading data.

Most of the benefits have come from lowering my leak rates. Getting feedback on what keeps the leaks down (including realizing that I was mouth-breathing at various points in the night) has helped me manage my use better.

I can appreciate the relative dangers of adjusting my own pressures, and, just as I wouldn’t adjust the dosage on a med without talking to my doctor, I wouldn’t adjust pressure without his advice. Some people might not be as conservative about that, and that is a concern, just as it is with self-medicating patients.

But, not allowing all patients to review data to the degree of detail they wish is cutting off a potential benefit to many people, I would think.
Charlie on January 9th, 2011 7:31 am

Basically I have no confidence in my sleep doctor. I have gotten more information off the internet than what the doctor has given me regarding treatment.

I often wonder why there are so many posts to different apnea web sites. Is it because people cannot get enough information from their sleep doctor?
Liz Gunther on February 10th, 2011 7:39 am

Mu husband has been on the CPAP machine for about 6 years. There is no monitoring by a doctor. He has had a cough since December, has been to 3 doctors and they found that his lungs are clear.