buying a used M-series auto cpap

[TomDac2]

Hey everyone,
been a CPAP user for 15 years. I want to purchase a used CPAP machine for travel... one of those small Remstar Auto M units... A local guy has one for sale.. it's a Remstar Auto M with A-flex.

The way i understand these auto units is that the pressure settings are automatic and the only thing to really set up is the ramping and A-flex setting.. Is this correct???

So, if i were to purchase one, do I need to take it in to my DME provider (Apria Health) and have them do anything to it, or just plug it in and use it?

Any help would be greatly appreciated..

Tom.

[jules]

many posts here to tell you how to set it to your pressure - no trip to a DME needed

[LinkC]

Well, not exactly...

Although you CAN, it's not recommended to run it with the range wide open. You are better off with a range +-2 of your prescribed pressure. Setting yourself is easy, tho. No DME.

And many people get better therapy on CPAP at the optimal pressure.

The good news is you can run that APAP in CPAP mode, so you have a choice. The bad news is the M-series is no longer being made and parts/supplies may dry up eventually.

[TomDac]

Thanks for the responses.. I found how to get into the settings of the unit, so I guess I'm gonna purchase one...

Why did Respironics discontinue the Mseries? They are SO small, and I'm a motorcyclist and this will be perfect for long trips.

[headbored]

Cpap units are now like cars everyone wants the newest and the most features,and the marketing is great for the manufacturer as well.I have the m-series straight c-pap and I bought a used m-series auto with a-flex as backup and also to monitor sleep with the software.I am more than happy with both machines and will not purchase a new one until one fails.

[nanwilson]

Hi Tom
I did the same thing....puchased a used (250 hours) M series auto with a/flex.
I went to the Respironics web site and downloaded the clinicians directions. I tried it at an auto setting, but preferred straight c-pap like my F&P 604. So set it up at straight 11...and love it. I use it in my motorhome and right now its set up with a 12volt marine deep cell battery and mod. sine wave inverter in case the power goes out with a winter storm.
Good luck with yours, if you have any questions just pm me.
Nan

[LinkC]

Why did Respironics discontinue the Mseries?

1. Because they introduced the "PR System One" model line.
2. Planned obsolescence.

[GumbyCT]

The bad news is the M-series is no longer being made and parts/supplies may dry up eventually.

Not that a cpap is user repairable anyway. You can expect it to last as long as you don't spill water from your humidifier inside it. That IS one reason they redesigned them. You can't see the water inside the chamber and then you give it to people who can't remember what they had for lunch.

IF that does happen (water) just unplug it and make sure it is completely dry inside. I do mean completely even if it takes a week.

btw- the Aflex is an outstanding apap. Just learn how to set it up.

[TomDac]

Made the purchase... Got the unit home and messed around with the settings. My other cpap is at 13, so I set the new one on 13 to 15, turned all the alerts off and turned on a-flex. I'm assuming c-flex and a-flex are the same feature, depending on which mode the machine is in (auto or reg cpap)

It has 299 hours on it. My other machine has 9997 hours on it.

I'll use it tonight and report back tomorrow.

Thanks for all the help!

Tom

[GumbyCT]

Made the purchase... Got the unit home and messed around with the settings. My other cpap is at 13, so I set the new one on 13 to 15, turned all the alerts off and turned on a-flex. I'm assuming c-flex and a-flex are the same feature, depending on which mode the machine is in (auto or reg cpap)

It has 299 hours on it. My other machine has 9997 hours on it.

I'll use it tonight and report back tomorrow.

Thanks for all the help!

Tom

Good deal. What was your "other machine"?

Aflex is a bit diff and for me provides a bit more relief on exhale. You may not like it at all if you didn't have any exhale relief before. Be sure to try it long before bed time to be sure.

[LinkC]

That's great, Tom! I hope you enjoy it.

You are right about aflex. But there are subtle differences. And 3 levels of flex you can change "on the fly".

[TomDac]

My other machine is a RemStar Plus

[GumbyCT]

My other machine is a RemStar Plus

Ouch...
...so you learned more in the last day than you did in 15 yrs?

[LinkC]

Once you've used it a week or so, look to see what your "90% pressure" is. Then adjust your range: -1 to +2 of your 90% (Example: 90%=12. Range = 11-14)

I know you don't have software to read the card (you may not even HAVE a card!) but you can scroll thru the data on the front screen. Just be sure to do it before noon.

[TomDac]

First night with new machine went well. A-flex at 1 was annoying as my masked (resmed mirage activa) moved too much. I hit the a-flex button to 2 and that was better. Slept great, as usual. Nice, quiet little machine.