PR system one with c-flex plus problems

[toddlorensinclair]

Hi,

I've been a cpaper since 2001 ... always on a straight cpap ... Main unit was a respironics that died about a month ago and backup is also a straight cpap respironics ... aria lx ... pressure setting 13. Using the resmed mirage quattro full face mask.

Had to do an new sleep study to qualify for a new machine and the unit they used at the hospital was great ... silent and smooth to use.

So, I got a new machine ... pr system one cpap with cflex plus with heated humidifier ...

I'm not impressed with the filter on this ... the one on my old respironics unit had a filter like a muffler about 10 times the size of this little piece of foam.

I'll start by saying after 9 years on a straight cpap I didn't have any trouble tolerating the pressure and never used the ramp feature. I expect some of you use this new pr system one with cflex so I thought I'd talk about my disappointments and find out if its normal for this machine.

The machine is noisy. kind of like a car constantly revving

The machine seems to breath in and out constantly whether I am breathing or holding my breath.

It constantly goes from regular pressure to the mask being sucked down onto my face.

Questions

Is this normal?

Can I disable the cflex?

The insurance bought the cpap .. will the dme be able to switch it for another model if it doesn't work out?

Any answer greatly appreciated.

Glad I have a backup (older respironics aria lx cpap)

[Janknitz]

The machine is noisy. kind of like a car constantly revving

It shouldn't be noisy, especially compared to older machines. First, is the noise in the mask or the machine? Secondly, are you using a humidifier? I find the humidifier very much dampens any noise in the machine. If it's still a problem, complain to the DME.

The machine seems to breath in and out constantly whether I am breathing or holding my breath.

This is the algorithm used by the System One's to determine a clear airway. Most of us learn to breath with it, but some people are driven nuts by this and complain of the puff's of air put out by the machine if they are particularly slow or shallow breathers. It could also be the flex feature you are not used to.

It constantly goes from regular pressure to the mask being sucked down onto my face.

This is probably the flex feature and worse with some masks.

Questions

Is this normal?

Yes. You always have to get used to a new machine's way of delivering therapy. The only thing that may not be normal is the noise--hard to tell from your description.

Can I disable the cflex?

Absolutely. Scroll over the to flex settings and turn them off. If your DME has locked you out of that option, ask around for instructions on how to get into the clinician's menu and do it yourself.

The insurance bought the cpap .. will the dme be able to switch it for another model if it doesn't work out

? Can they and should they? Absolutely. Will they? Not without a fight in most cases. Be a polite but squeaky wheel. Keep on them until they do something.

The complaints you have are not a problem with the ResMed S9, just don't let them foist an S9 Escape model on you. Other people are happy with DeVlibiss and Fisher and Paykel machines too--ask around to make sure you get a good data capable machine.

[toddlorensinclair]

Thanks for all the input ...

I found how to get in to the real setup menu by going to setup in the main menu and holding down the scroll button and the ramp arrow at the same time for a few seconds. That brings up the clinician menu. Even after turning off the c-flex feature in the menu it still produced a vastly fluctuating air pressure instead of a constant pressure.

It is noisier than my older machines.

[Janknitz]

Call your DME and ask for them to fix it or replace it then, it should not be noisy at all.

[freshair]

I am curious to why the clinic didn't order the same type machine you had the study on ?

I use both the foam filter and the allergen white filter w/ rubber band to hold in place-

The noise that I hear on mine is from the mask and not the machine, there is a sound transfer from the mask via your pillow and if you adjust the pillow you can get the bellowing sound down to a tolerable level-

The biggest problem I had was getting use to was the Baby Alien creature shaped mask strapped on my face-Sometimes during the nite I feel my nose itching and I unsnap the clips and have problems re-clipping because I'm 1/2 asleep--

I don't know what happens but there are times that I wake up and I can't feel the air pressure or mask in place working, my first thought is I've loss power or machine broke, or mask laying over on other side of room after ripping it off during the nite, but I find it is in place and working fine-

The bottom line for me is with all the minor issues that I can live/sleep with the rewards are wonderful--FA

[Big S]

I had similar problems with this machine. I fought to get an S9 and when I did, all of those problems went away. My sleep time literally doubled from the first day on. The S9 makes some sounds when the air is pulled through the filters, but it is in perfect sync with my breathing. I got used to this very quickly and it is minor. With the S9, I have to sometimes check to be sure it is on. I struggled with the PRS1 for over 2 months before I learned that therapy didn't have to be like I was experiencing. My therapy pressure is 11 cm of water displacement.

[packer]

I have the PR1- if yours is noisy you simply have a bad one- make them give you a different one
it is very quiet

you can turn off all the cflex etc and simply make it into a leaf blower if you want-

this forum has become about pr1 bashing and loving the s9- which is all OK with me,
except in an instance like yours- you need to know the PR1 is extremely quiet and can be adjusted as you need
and want it to be

[Big S]

Sorry. As it turned out, a switch made a huge difference for me. I am glad such a range of technology is available to us.

[jonquiljo]

I have the PR1- if yours is noisy you simply have a bad one- make them give you a different one
it is very quiet

I agree, the PR S1 is very quiet and I do have a very old machine (Respironics Solo) to compare it with - the Solo sounds like a vacuum cleaner. Could the noise be a leaky hose or some problem with the mask? Since you have done this for a while, I expect that you know what to look for.

But seriously, I cannot hear my S1 at all - and I am not deaf yet. It is on the floor next to me and I hear nothing. It did cross my mind that if you are still getting fluctuations in pressure - are you sure they didn't give you an APAP by mistake?? The S1's all look alike in so many aspects.