A-Flex and C-Flex in the Respironics Auto - One or Both?

J-Mac · Post by **J-Mac** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 11:39 pm

Hello all.

I posted a short and sweet "History of my life wrt Sleep Apnea" in another thread here a few weeks ago, and asked this question, but it was down deep in the post and I think that most probably didn't notice I was asking.

My Respironics REMStar Auto with C-Flex is aging and just about to hit the five year mark, so it is about time I start shopping for my next machine so that I'm ready when this one hits the end of its useful life.

I am accustomed to the C-Flex that my current machine has, and I do like it a lot. However the A-Flex is a newer technology and while some here have said they like it much better than C-Flex, others have said that they prefer the older C-Flex technology. Let's face it - how we all react to our machines is a very personal thing, so there is really no good or bad, right or wrong when it comes to exhalation pressure control.

I am reluctant to just pick a technology and go with it; after all, whichever I get I am stuck with for about the next five years! So I am initially inclined to go with the technology with which I am already comfortable - C-Flex. At the same time, how will I know which I really prefer unless I've tried both A-Flex and C-Flex.

I have read that the M-Series Respironics Auto machines that are labeled A-Flex actually have both technologies included, so if I don't like A-Flex that much I could always drop back to C-Flex. Yet if the M-Series really does have both types built into it, why do they sell the two different types of machines?

Bottom line: Can anyone tell me with any certainty whether or not the Respironics M-Series Auto has both A=Flex and C-Flex?

Thank you.

Jim

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 1:37 am

J-Mac wrote: Bottom line: Can anyone tell me with any certainty whether or not the Respironics M-Series Auto has both A=Flex and C-Flex?

Thank you.

Jim

Jim, when Respironics first released the M series REMstar Auto, it had only C-flex in it. Only these words were on top of the machine:

Respironics REMstar Auto M series.
Those had C-flex in them.

Later they added A-flex. And still kept C-Flex in them, too. Those newer ones have these words on top:

Respironics REMstar Auto|A-Flex M series.

That machine, if it has "A-flex" written on top does have both in it. It has A-flex (which can be turned on in Auto mode) and C-flex (which can be turned on in either cpap mode or auto mode.)

When using the machine in auto mode, you can't use both A-flex and C-flex at the same time. You can choose one "flex" or the other...or turn both off.

The way to know if the M series Auto you're looking at has A-flex (and if it has A-flex, it will also have C-flex) is ... gotta have the word "A-flex" with the name on the top surface of the machine.

Or, look at the bottom side for a model # that has DS510 in it:

Doesn't have A-flex:
REMStar Auto with C-Flex w/SmartCard
(device only) DS500S

Doesn't have A-flex:
REMStar Auto with C-Flex w/SmartCard
(includes humidifier) DS500SH

Has A-flex and C-flex:
REMStar Auto with A-Flex w/SmartCard
(device only) DS510S

Has A-flex and C-flex:
REMStar Auto with A-Flex w/SmartCard
(includes humidifier) DS510SH

Again, if it has A-flex, C-flex is included in it, too -- even if C-flex isn't specifically mentioned in the product description of the Auto with A-flex.

J-Mac · Post by **J-Mac** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 1:50 am

Thanks rested gal.

As for what specific machine I would buy, it would be from cpap.com. The one they sell that says it has A-Flex - that is what you are talking about, correct? Of course I cannot see what is written on top or on the bottom! But the one that cpap.com has that they call "A-Flex"; sure hope that's what that is.

Thanks!

Jim

Hawthorne · Post by **Hawthorne** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 4:55 am

Rested Gal- You said that in auto mode with the M Series Auto with A-Flex, one can use A-Flex and C-Flex at the same time as well as one or the other or neither, if I read it correctly. Why would a person want to use both at the same time? I assume you just set both to the setting you want. Thanks.

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 5:18 am

Rested Gal wrote:When using the machine in auto mode, you can't use both A-flex and C-flex at the same time. You can choose one "flex" or the other...or turn both off.

O.

Hawthorne · Post by **Hawthorne** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 8:10 am

Thanks O, for catching that for me! I guess it was too early in the morning and I was frustrated because I had a "no available data" night with my smart card! I am working on your suggestions and getting AHI at 0.4 (the lowest) and I was so annoyed to get another " no available data" right at this time since I am on a good roll! Had 3 out of 7 night with AHI below 1(first time since I started data keeping 2 months ago). The rest all below AHI 5. Still working with your first suggested settings and just changed my mouth taping technique last night. Sorry Rested Gal for the misread!!!

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 8:55 am

Wow, Hawthorne. That makes me please as punch! Thanks for letting me know.

And I guess it goes with feeling better, as you mentioned on the now locked thread in the ASAA forum.

O.

bap40 · Post by **bap40** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:00 am

You can't go wrong with the A/Flex machine since it does do it all. I love mine.

Hawthorne · Post by **Hawthorne** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:03 am

You should be pleased O, you and others have been such a help to me. I will keep you posted. Yes, all the advice here in the forum, and individually from you and Rested Gal, is making me feel quite a bit better! There are lots of great people here, all willing to share and help.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:22 am

J-Mac wrote:As for what specific machine I would buy, it would be from cpap.com. The one they sell that says it has A-Flex - that is what you are talking about, correct?

Correct.

An autopap advertised as having "A-Flex" always also has C-flex in it. Even if C-Flex is not mentioned specifically.

J-Mac wrote:Of course I cannot see what is written on top or on the bottom! But the one that cpap.com has that they call "A-Flex"; sure hope that's what that is.

Yep, that's what it is... has BOTH A-Flex and C-Flex in it, even if "C-Flex" isn't specifically mentioned.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:28 am

Hawthorne, what nice low AHIs you're getting!

You can't go wrong with ozij's suggestions, imho. She's a treasure, for sure!

Hawthorne · Post by **Hawthorne** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 11:05 am

Yes, it 's really coming along. I'm 2 months in, as far as tracking data is concerned, and improving a lot! Didn't think I was going to get any lower that 1."something" which was pretty good but I'm getting more consistent now and below 1 as well as feeling more rested. These "missing data" nights frustrate me when I'm tracking. I blame that on misreading your post this AM. Sorry!
Rested Gal, you and Ozij are BOTH treasures to me! I can't thank either of you enough! Between the 2 of you and other info I have gathered by being on this forum I am really getting very good therapy. I know I will have higher AHIs on occasion but that's how it goes.

J-Mac · Post by **J-Mac** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 11:54 am

Thanks agin, rested gal!

Oh well - off to purchase!

(Have any of you noticed the effects of the Respironics PAD? The "advertised price is now shown on cpap.com. Scary at first. I had to submit my email address to get the real price. I won't say what I think of Respironics here......)

norm · Post by **norm** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 2:41 pm

Does anyone know how to explain the differences between a and c flex? Is it just a different algorithm that is intended to do the same thing for the user, relieve pressure on exhale? Or is there some difference in what they are intended to do?

I use a-flex and have not tried c-flex.

xyz · Post by **xyz** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 3:57 pm

What's the difference between a burrito and a "wrap"?
About two bucks.

One of the things that worries me about Respironics, as much as I love my machine, is that marketing _clearly_ drives that company. The marketing department appears to have plenty of time and money. Too much, actually. There is no way that anyone can read the Auto M webpages and get a clear understanding of what each machine does and what its differences are from the other models.

There are lots of manufacturer webpages (think electronics) that have a table that lists the model numbers down the lefthand column and features in the other columns, with an X in the column if that model has it. This is just simple stuff. And Respironics doesn't do it.

a = auto. It varies; it seeks the right level.
c = constant. Fixed; it doesn't change.

"flex" is just exhalation relief. Not a lot like bipap, but just enough for most people.

A-Flex and C-Flex in the Respironics Auto - One or Both?

A-Flex and C-Flex in the Respironics Auto - One or Both?

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