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Permalink Reply by Mike on December 13, 2009 at 11:09pm

i don't know anyone who's used it. from my perspective, it's interesting as what I believe to be the first and only product widely commercially available that monitors sleep.

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Permalink Reply by Jan on December 13, 2009 at 11:15pm

It looked interesting to me...just not sure I can deal with any more straps around my head or machines on my nightstand ... :-) Am wondering if any of the techs are familiar with it.

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Permalink Reply by Derek@Zeo on December 14, 2009 at 10:05am

Hi Jan -

My name is Derek and I work for Zeo. You are exactly right that Zeo is NOT intended to replace CPAP machines but to address other aspect of your sleep fitness.

By tracking your brainwaves (among other signals), Zeo can show you how you progress through different sleep phases throughout the night. Check out this link to learn more about how Zeo works: http://bit.ly/7yD2YF

Then, after you set a baseline, we've built a personalized email-based coaching program that walks you through the different things that might affect your sleep. This allows you to make changes, test them out, then keep the ones that work for you.

Here's what one of our users with apnea said about Zeo: http://bit.ly/8y5Sju

Hope this helps. Feel free to reach out if you have any other questions.
Derek@Zeo
[Derek@myzeo.com]

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Permalink Reply by Jan on December 14, 2009 at 10:25am

Hi Derek-- thanks for stepping in here. I am going to ask my question in the forum so that others can benefit from the response.

I have severe sleep apnea-- am now sleeping with a BiPap machine (religiously) and working with my pulmonary/sleep specialist. I suspected and he concurs that I probably also have some insomnia and likely something he called anxiety induced insomnia. I already know that I have terrible sleep hygiene which I have cleaned up a lot in the last couple of months since working on this problem and joining this helpful forum.

My doctor has recommended that I enlist the assistance of a behavioral psychologist who specializes in sleep problems to help work through some of this stuff. The problem right now is my travel schedule, and I will not be able to start seeing the behavioral psychologist until late spring/early summer. The psychologist will be enlisted ONLY to help on the behavioral aspects of sleep problems and not other aspects of my life and travails :-)

Keeping in mind that a machine and some emails cannot replace in person behavioral therapy, I am wondering if the ZEO machine and program might be aiming right in the zone of the kinds of problems and habits affecting my sleep that would be helpful for me. Would you be able to give some examples of some of the kinds of things the emails and machine address. I have reviewed the Zeo.com website thoroughly and while I have a reasonable notion of what the machine is intended to record and report on, I don't have such a good idea about what it is the emails and total program are going to suggest as remedies.

Also, does your company (I know it is new) have experience with people who have sleep apnea and use this machine in conjunction with their CPAP/BiPap therapy?

Thanks much Derek. I think a lot of people might be interested in your product, which is why I posted here.

Best
Jan

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Permalink Reply by Jan on December 14, 2009 at 1:44pm

I would agree with you, just on the surface of it (meaning that I don't know that much)...

But something you said made me wonder if you were suggesting that the electronics of the machine/signals/wireless might somehow interfere with the electronics of the Pap machines. I am thinking that you didn't mean that but want to make sure.

And you are right, in my instance, I see this as supplemental to my absolutely mandatory BiPap therapy.

Best
Jan

j n k said:

Good questions.

Derek has been helpful on a number of forums, too.

I don't mean to sidetrack or hijack, and I hope nobody minds if I stick in my 2 cents on this, but I have some suggestions and observations.

It might help the discussion with Derek if we all keep in mind that Derek has to be, legally speaking, very careful not to characterize the machine as a medical device, or as a device designed to be used in conjunction with a medical therapy. That isn't his fault, or ours; it's just the way the laws of the country work.

I would think everyone would benefit from gaining a little knowledge about what stages of sleep they are in and what specifics of sleep hygiene might be helpful in a given situation, so I don't knock the product for anyone, myself. I don't know of any general, common-sense knowledge or suggestions that would be damaging to someone with a sleep condition. But on the other hand, I think there might be dangers if someone used any product in an interactive way with their sleep-medicine equipment if that product wasn't designed, and regulated, for that use.

So my conclusion on it is that although it isn't designed to help apnea patients specifically, I don't see how it could hurt. Just keep in mind that anyone using the product to monitor the progress of their PAP therapy is using the device differently from what it was designed for or is being marketed for.

Just one man's opinion, mine.

jeff

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Permalink Reply by Jan on December 14, 2009 at 2:17pm

You wrote:

"I was being my wishy-washy self, as usual. :-)"

But I say, au contraire, Jeff. You were being your usual very helpful self!

Thanks
Jan

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Permalink Reply by Derek@Zeo on December 14, 2009 at 2:40pm

Great conversation.

j_n_k - good to see you again. :)

Jan - Thanks for starting & continuing the conversation here - we appreciate it and agree that this conversation will be more beneficial out in the wild. :)

You took the right step by working with your doctor(s) to get moving in the right direction; to avoid any confusion, it's important that I clarify that Zeo is not a medical device and is not intended for the diagnosis or treatment of sleep disorders. This fits with your statement that "a machine and some emails can't replace in person behavioral therapy".

The email-based coaching program is called "The 7 Steps to Sleep Fitness" and relates to 7 categories of Sleep Stealers; a section of our sleep information center is devoted to these here: http://bit.ly/86Jg5t

As you might imagine, there is quite a bit of interest in Zeo from folks that wear masks. While the coaching program does not address this area in particular, our customer care team has had many a conversation on the topic.

You're not the first to have asked about the mask/headband fit! Many people find that their headgear does not interfere with the Zeo headband. As long as the headband can be worn on the forehead without sliding around or falling off, it will collect sleep data successfully. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations when using any other equipment with Zeo.

Hope this helps!
Derek@Zeo
[Derek@myZeo.com]

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Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on December 14, 2009 at 3:32pm

Derek, I think the Zeo is pretty awesome in theory. I have not had a chance to play with one yet to form a good opinion. Anything that can help educate someone on their sleep is good in my book.

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Permalink Reply by Derek@Zeo on December 14, 2009 at 4:01pm

Thanks, Jeff. As a startup, it's important for us to get out of the gates on the right foot with the folks that care the most about their sleep. The questions aren't always easy to answer and the comments aren't always glowing, but we're here to be engaged. (and p.s. it's a lot of fun)

And thanks for the compliment, Rock. That's definitely the goal here. I'm here if you have any questions about sleep or Zeo.

Regards,
Derek@Zeo
[Derek@myZeo.com]

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Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on December 14, 2009 at 4:37pm

I have quite a few questions about the Zeo? Where do you see the technology heading? How do you think this machine could impact our current actigraphy problems? What do you think is the biggest advantage to using your machine as a tool in a lab environment?

Yes I am a sleep geek.

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Permalink Reply by bigsky on December 14, 2009 at 11:30pm

I've been using the zeo for about six months. My new sleep doc doesn't believe it is accurate but I have to say the results have almost mirrored my last two (recent) sleep studies.

I've worn the zeo headband while using a Swift II nasal mask and haven't experienced any additional comfort issues.

I've utilized the data to compare my cycles while using cpap, a dental appliance and nothing at all.

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Permalink Reply by Jan on December 14, 2009 at 11:53pm

Interesting. I am using the swift II for her and expected that there wouldn't be a comfort problem since the swift is so low profile. I'm into gadgets and technology and new stuff, so I will probably buy it and give it a try in a couple of weeks. If I do try it, I will post a review.

Also, Derek, if you are still here-- I notice that the program offers up some audio downloads. Assume that there is something compatible with ITunes/ IPOD?

Thanks
Jan

bigsky said:

I've been using the zeo for about six months. My new sleep doc doesn't believe it is accurate but I have to say the results have almost mirrored my last two (recent) sleep studies.
I've worn the zeo headband while using a Swift II nasal mask and haven't experienced any additional comfort issues.
I've utilized the data to compare my cycles while using cpap, a dental appliance and nothing at all.

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