User Review: Respironics REMstar C-Flex Auto CPAP
cpaptalk Nickname: Rested Gal
Introduction
I had already been enjoying good results from a Respironics REMstar Auto. My pressure, set at 8-15, usually stayed around 10-11 most nights. I had no problem breathing out against pressure up to the occasional 14. When I heard about "C-flex" being added as a feature on the newest REMstar Auto, I thought, "That's nice, but I don't have any problem exhaling against pressure."
Curiosity won out, however, and I did finally decide to get the new REMstar Auto with C-flex and heated humidifier from cpap.com. I set the C-flex at "3" (most exhalation relief) and..... wow!! The blue sticker on top of each Respironics Auto with C-flex says: "C-flex - Feel the difference." There really IS a difference. Breathing out felt more like natural breathing. Amazingly more comfortable to sleep with.
Breathing On The Auto
Both REMstars I have are very quiet when operating just as an autopap. When C-flex is enabled, there is a distinct up/down sound from the motor, but no problem for me to get used to. I'll take that bit of "breathing" sound any time, in order to enjoy such easy exhalation... almost like exhaling into an empty hose. The transition back to whatever pressure the autopap was using at the time is very smooth. The pressure begins coming back in just as the exhalation is dwindling to nothing. Feels a bit premature at first, if you've never used a cpap with C-flex or bi-level machine (I hadn't.) When you relax and stop thinking about comparing your breathing to the sound of the machine, it's no problem to get used to.
Software/CPAP Machine Interface
I've always bought the software for the three autopaps I've had. I do wish Respironics had put a way to enable/disable/change the C-flex setting from within the software itself. A minor quibble, but I like mouse-clicking any changes I want to make. Pressure can be changed through the software, but the C-flex settings require using the therapy menu buttons on the machine itself – and that means knowing how to access the therapy setup menu on the machine. Fortunately, when machines are purchased from cpap.com, both manuals are shipped with the machines: the usual User's manual and the clinician's "Set Up" instruction manual.
Conclusion
While I've felt equally good and my overnight data has looked equally good (AHI usually below 2.0) with any autopap I've used, the most comfortable treatment I've had so far has been with the REMstar Auto with C-flex. I'm not a doctor, but I'd venture to say people currently on bi-level machines, purely because they've been prescribed a high pressure and need relief on exhalation, might want to think about trying out this machine. It's the only autopap that can now also give some pressure relief on every exhalation – at the same time it uses varying pressures for our changing conditions. In many cases, a prescribed high bi-level pressure might not even be used very often since autopaps proactively find and use only as much pressure as needed throughout the night.
The REMstar Auto with C-flex is the best of both worlds in my mind – relief on exhalation
somewhat like with a BiPap (bi-level) along with all the advantages of an autopap preventively
sensing what's needed and delivering only what's needed.
Respironics calls it "Auto with C-flex."
I call it "A mini sleep study at home every night - in cadillac comfort."
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