Auto bipap per doctor ---but which is "best" unit?

mdkohm · Post by **mdkohm** » Mon May 08, 2006 10:22 am

Sorry for all of the questions, but one more.

The DME told me she was going to give me a RemStar Auto with C-Flex, but when I go to Respironics website and click on that model it pulls up the RemStar Auto M with C-Flex.

These two do not look like the same thing. Has the original RemStar been discontinued? Does anyone know what (other than cosmetics) are the differences?

If one has been discontinued, should I insist on the new model?

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Mon May 08, 2006 10:34 am

I think this is the only one that's available at this time:

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/respir ... ifier.html

CPAP.COM doesn't list the "M" model on their website, yet. I think it may be awhile before it's available.
I'm planning on purchasing a REMstar Auto in the very near future and am going to get the existing model before they are no longer available. I can't say that I'm very excited about the new ones.

Best wishes,

Den

Sleepy Dog Lover · Post by **Sleepy Dog Lover** » Mon May 08, 2006 10:34 am

Is it the Auto biflex or the Auto cflex? I thought you originally said it was the biflex originally. The auto cflex will give you up to 3cm of relief, but no more than that. The biflex can be set to a wider range for exhalation relief.

Anyway, there is only 1 M series that has been released so far, it is brand new, and it does not have a data card and it is not an auto. The rest in the series should be release soon, but have not been released yet. So at the present moment, the Remstar Auto is the newest model.

mdkohm · Post by **mdkohm** » Mon May 08, 2006 11:04 am

It is the C-Flex. I now know the difference between C-Flex and BiPap - I just figured it out.

Here is the link from Respironics.com. If you look at the RemStar machines, the older model is pictured, but when you click the link it shows the RemStar M.

http://remstarautomseries.respironics.com/

What are the pros / cons of the new machine. I don't know enough to do a through comparison.

Should I wait for the new machine, or just take the older model?

The specifications show that the Remstar Auto M has a Smart Card.

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): respironics, bipap, C-FLEX

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): respironics, bipap, C-FLEX

mdkohm · Post by **mdkohm** » Mon May 08, 2006 11:20 am

I just called Respironics (1-800-345-6443) and was told the RemStar Auto M w/ C-Flex is now available.

Customer rep. named Lori told me that it is more compact and it does offer Smart Card capability.

Can anyone think of a reason not to insist on this machine?

NightHawkeye · Post by **NightHawkeye** » Mon May 08, 2006 11:34 am

mdkohm wrote:Can anyone think of a reason not to insist on this machine?

Like any other new product, there are always potential problems. Of course, that hasn't stopped me from buying new cars the first year the cars come out. Just make sure the backlog isn't long enough that you'd have to wait forever for it.

Regards,
Bill

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon May 08, 2006 12:54 pm

Wulfman wrote:I'm planning on purchasing a REMstar Auto in the very near future and am going to get the existing model before they are no longer available. I can't say that I'm very excited about the new ones.

Den,
Just curious to know why would you prefer the older non-M series Auto with c-flex over the newer M-series Auto with c-flex. Inquiring minds want to know!

It looks like the humidifier on the M-Series would be a pain to fill compared to the original, but wondered what your opinion is.

Thanks.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Mon May 08, 2006 1:10 pm

Anonymous wrote:
Wulfman wrote:I'm planning on purchasing a REMstar Auto in the very near future and am going to get the existing model before they are no longer available. I can't say that I'm very excited about the new ones.
Den,
Just curious to know why would you prefer the older non-M series Auto with c-flex over the newer M-series Auto with c-flex. Inquiring minds want to know!

It looks like the humidifier on the M-Series would be a pain to fill compared to the original, but wondered what your opinion is.

Thanks.

Well, I already have the Pro 2 model, so everything would be interchangeable. Having read a little about the new "M" series, it sounds like too many things are "optional" on the new ones....which to me means "more money". Granted, the one listed below is the "Plus" model, but that could also carry on to the others that haven't been released yet.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/Remsta ... chine.html

Call me "old fashioned", but I just like the existing machine design. And, yes, the way the humidifier and all that stuff is hidden on the new one seems kinda weird to me. Might be alright for traveling though.

One thing I DID notice when reading about them on the Respironics website was that you COULD see your nightly statistics in the display......ala ResMed S8 series. THAT would be a desirable feature.

Hope that answers your questions.

Best wishes,

Den

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Mon May 08, 2006 1:30 pm

Den is correct, It makes a lot more sence to stick with tried and true products, than picking a pig in a poke for bragging rights. Besides of no track record for the "M"'s parts, and the fact that they had to releace a crippled unit instead of a full line of ready to go equiptment. (Those that are into computers know the term VaporWare.) A promised product that just doesn't meet the deadline for sales.

As far as size and weight, if you can't carry the old sized XPAP, you should stay home.

People are fools, that's why we need bigger and better, or in this case Smaller and Unkown. That's what companies going, and profits high, and if anyone cares the Dumps filling up with Trash.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon May 08, 2006 1:53 pm

Thanks Den and Goofproof.

I hadn't thought about the "extras" angle. That's not good news, but I guess we shouldn't be surprised at the marketing genius behind it.

The small size of the new M-series auto with c-flex is really appealing, but I am spoiled by the ease of filling the humidifier on the current remstar auto model. I just walk over to the machine on my nightstand, put the funnel on the opening of the tank and pour in the distilled water. The new machine requires you to flip open the lid, pull the receptacle completely out, hold it in one hand while filling it with the other hand, tip in on it's side and slide it back into the opening (being VERY careful not to let the water spill back into the machine) and close the lid.

Maybe the best solution is the new M-series auto with c-flex (sans humidifier) and a different stand-alone humidifier? Or I guess that would defeat the purpose of the smaller footprint of the new machine. Oh well.

dllfo · Post by **dllfo** » Tue May 09, 2006 2:00 am

I got the Auto Bipap by Respironics. The guy came to my house this
evening. I am on morphine for my back, so I couldn't drive over there and with my last three nights...I avoided the ER with prednisone..not good, but it worked. Anyway, the doctor told me today I would go the ER and not use prednisone to avoid it. I hate the ER. Been there a few times and it is never fun. Apria was able to "flex" their schedule to help me and I appreciate it.

Anyway, I have a full face mask and it does have trouble with air slipping
out. I have the mask's box here. It is a Flexfit Series HC431A. It is ok for
comfort, but it does leak. I will just play around with it, hoping it will stop.
My settings are auto, and I hope I don't say this wrong. 4-25 and the other
setting is a 3. Air automatically coming into the mask is 4-25 and the exhale feature is set on 3 if I understood. He suggested full face, but I have another problem and that is my lungs...uh...what is the medical term...there is a mucus discharge when I lay down and with a FF mask, it complicates removal. I cannot think of a polite way to say it, but it is a problem with a FF mask. Sorry if I offended anyone.

I asked him why he didn't bring out a few masks for me to try on. I think he had one for the nose only, but for some reason he strongly suggested the FF mask. But..being a rookie and needing the machine, I accepted it. He implied my insurance company will buy me another mask in 9 months to a year. I have Tricare. I will call them tomorrow to see if I have any options. The DME guy seemed honest enough, but I wish he had more masks. I asked the supervisor if he could bring several and they said they would see what they had in stock. My order got messed up, so Apria was doing this on short notice to them. I liked Apria on other dealings.

Anyway, anyone have any opinions on the Flexifit HC431A FF Mask? I wore
it for about two hours, then felt my chest tightening up so I turned it off
and came in to use the computer. I am amazed at how well it opened the
air passages. I took it off thinking I was much better, only to find my system was still "clogged up"....so the Auto Bipap was doing its job. Now I
have to spend some time getting used to it.

A couple of improvements would be to have a manual "off switch" on the
hose or mask. If I get up to use the bathroom at 3am...give it a short
period of time and it will beep at you. I wish I could turn that beep off.

This HC431A had lg, medium and small FF masks. I get to keep the medium and small and it came with a years supply of some filters. Again,
he went through all this and I don't remember some of it, but the wife was
there (adult supervision) so she will probably remember it.

OK, 12:50am, time to put it back on. My chest is feeling better and she is
probably asleep by now. Oh...no software of any kind. No smart card, etc.
so I guess my doctor wasn't worried about monitoring me or he is not familiar with the new technology. If I had the smart card, etc I don't know
how to read it so I guess it isn't that important now.

Speaking of business's keeping up, the lady at Tricare told me she called
one place they used and people never heard of an Auto Bipap, they kept
telling her she wanted a CPAP of some kind. Hmmmm.

My learning curve is straight up so far. The DME guy says most people he
has ran across have trouble getting used to it, but learn to live with it. I don't think I have a choice except for a "nose only" mask.

Any suggestions for a nose only mask? I may have to buy it myself.
Thanks for all your suggestions. I was able to steer myself into the Auto
Bipap by asking and mentioning some problems I had with the sleep study.

Thanks again...I will let you know how it worked tomorrow......Dave

NightHawkeye · Post by **NightHawkeye** » Tue May 09, 2006 5:40 am

Thanks for the updata, Dave. Since you started this thread I'd been wondering what was happening with you. Congratulations on getting the BiPAP-auto. You've already done better with your DME than lots of folks do. Hope you made it through the rest of the night OK. This therapy does require a little adjustment time. Just be sure to keep with it, and make whatever adjustments you think are needed.

dllfo wrote:Oh...no software of any kind. No smart card, etc.
so I guess my doctor wasn't worried about monitoring me or he is not familiar with the new technology. If I had the smart card, etc I don't know
how to read it so I guess it isn't that important now.

Ding! Ding! Ding! Oops, my DME scoundrel alarm just went off. It doesn't matter whether you have capability to read the card or not. The BiPAP-auto comes with a SmartCard. You are paying for it. It should be there. In a few weeks or months you might decided you want to monitor your data. Simply tell them that you want the SmartCard that came with your machine. (That should wake 'em up.)

dllfo wrote:Any suggestions for a nose only mask? I may have to buy it myself.

Some of the ones which folks here speak highly of are:
Ultra Mirage Nasal - This was always a trouble free mask for me with no adjustment period required.
Mirage Swift Nasal Pillows - Takes getting used to. Doesn't work for everyone.
ComfortLite 2 - Get the nasal pillows option - Takes some getting used to and has some quirks, but is my current favorite.

These are the only ones I have experience with. The Ultra Mirage should work straight out of the box. I couldn't use either of the others the first night or two that I tried them.

Again, welcome to the hosehead club, Dave.

Regards,
Bill

dllfo · Post by **dllfo** » Tue May 09, 2006 1:48 pm

Thanks Bill,
I will call them. I just got back from the surgeon's office. They either want
to implant a morphine pump or put an electronic device between my
shoulder blades that will allow me to control my low back/hip pain with a
remote control. Hmmm, that is for another forum, but if I could get off the
Morphine, that would help my breathing too.

I have the full face mask and I was told I have still have the "nose" mask.
I will call Apria to see how it is handled. My Dr. just called to ask how I am
doing with it. I told him it will work. I have no choice. If I can learn to
"pressure breathe" for hours at a time in the Air Force, I can and will do this.

I plan on taking a nap in an hour or so. Give me some practice with the straps during lighted conditions.

Overall, every "fault" I find with the unit, or the setup makes sense when
I think about it. I am very, very pleased to have it. I was pro-active to
the max after reading some of the comments on this site. I don't mind
spending my own money if I have to, but I hate to "shoot myself in the
foot" by buying the wrong thing.

Nighthawkeye--thanks for the info on the smart card, I will call apria tomorrow. Usually you find a "packing slip" telling you what was in your
package. I did not see it here...but I will go through the nice carrying case
they sold me. I almost said "gave me".

Thanks to all of you with your helpful comments. The only negative side
to it is my 2 year old Portuguese Water Dog's reaction. She is convinced
I have been attacked by a multi-legged monster of some kind. I really
need to watch her. I would not put it past her to "attack" it if she gets a
chance. She is very protective of us.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Wed May 10, 2006 12:37 am

dllfo, if you don't mind, would you please look at the top of your machine and write down the exact name of it...every word that's written on the top surface of the machine...and post the full name here?

Portugese Water Dogs are a neat breed. There usually weren't many at the shows, but was nice to see one occasionally. Please, give her a pat for me.

dllfo · Post by **dllfo** » Wed May 10, 2006 1:58 am

rested gal,
I will be happy to write down the info off of my machine, but it is in the
bedroom and my wife is sleeping in there. I will do it tomorrow.

My machine was working GREAT tonight, but my asthma caught up with me.
Frustrating.

I wonder how many people using our equipment have severe asthma?

I guess I could ask.

This is my 2nd night with it and I was...."that close" to being asleep with it
on. FF mask may not work for me. Darn.

My pulmonologist called today, because I called him, and I asked him about
the "discharge" from my lungs. Can I stop it somehow? Do I want to stop it? yada yada yada....he said no, don't stop it. So I guess I will be forced
to use a nose type mask. I will call Apria tomorrow.

If it weren't for the asthma, I would be asleep now. Not to worry, I will make
this system "work" for me. It was really, really helping me breathe.

As for the PWD breed, they are still pretty rare. Ours has an underbite, so
she "can't be shown" in contests. Like I care. I told our breeder Tolly, her
name, has the most beautiful underbite God ever put on earth, I
wouldn't change a thing about her. If someone wants some interesting
reading, they should look up the history of this breed. I had never heard
of them either, my wife found them.

Anyway, about 1am..here I am again. Maybe the 3rd night will be the charm...if I have the nose mask.

I had better take a poll of nose masks huh??

Humidifier

Humidifier

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