Auto CPAP w/C-Flex worth the extra money

[SnATLGa]

I am ready to order a new machine out of pocket and I am considering either the Remstar Plus w/C-Flex or the Remstar Auto w/C-Flex. My setting is only 8. My question is, is the auto worth the extra $230+? I am ok with my present provided machine, which is a Remstar Plus W/O C-Flex, but liked the C-Flex I once had better, and since I am paying MYSELF, want the most comfortable machine I can get. Ideally, I am seeking a break when exhaling with the hope that the C-Flex and possibly the auto feature would quieten down my exhale. Any quick tips would be appreciated. I woudl like to order from cpap.com today. Thanks!

[th]

Well, I know a lot of users will disagree with me. But I think it is worth getting the auto even if your pressure is 8. When you first start using CPAP( assuming you are new at this) A pressure of 8 feels like a lot. You may want your start pressure to be 6 or 7. If you feel like the auto does not work for you, just use it in straight cpap mode. . I would get the reader and software with the auto to record your events and leaks.......just my 2 cents

th

[Wulfman]

I'm in general agreement with th.
The only thing I would add is that if you didn't want to spend the extra money, don't get anything "LESS" than a REMstar Pro 2. At least it has C-Flex and recording capabilities to monitor your therapy progress.

And, like th said, get the software and reader.

Best wishes,

Den

[Offerocker]

I agree with Den.
I would also propose that while you're spending the amount of money for a CFLEX PRO2, why not invest in an AUTO with CFLEX, which gives the capability of tracking even more information, and has auto-titration.

View this as a lifetime investment, which it is. May as well get the "best" available now, because it will won't be outdated as quickly. That's the way I examine things, but the PRO2 is great, especially with CFLEX - depends on any other associated problems you may have that require tracking.

The machine decisions are the hardest part - AFTER you get the correct mask.

Good luck; take your time in making a well-informed decision.

I received unparalled support and information from many people in this forum. I'm laughing a lot more now, and spending less time in bed,while getting a better quality sleep.

I'm amazed at how far I've come in gaining knowledge since I first entered this forum. It's muddy at first, then the lights come on - in stages. I would never have been able to make ANY recommendations a few months ago.

[Snoozin' Bluezzz]

If you can afford it I would go with the APAP. Being able to run it straight CPAP if you desire but still have the ability to check one's titration by oneself when "things" change is invaluable in my estimation. I am going to buy one out of pocket myself.

SB

[Guest]

[quote="SnATLGa"]I am ready to order a new machine out of pocket and I am considering either the Remstar Plus w/C-Flex or the Remstar Auto w/C-Flex. My setting is only 8. My question is, is the auto worth the extra $230+? I am ok with my present provided machine, which is a Remstar Plus W/O C-Flex, but liked the C-Flex I once had better, and since I am paying MYSELF, want the most comfortable machine I can get. Ideally, I am seeking a break when exhaling with the hope that the C-Flex and possibly the auto feature would quieten down my exhale. Any quick tips would be appreciated. I woudl like to order from cpap.com today. Thanks!

_________________

Hi - I think more features is always worth a few extra dollars. Part of the reason auto Cpap might benefit you is in the event your 'needs' change (you gain/lose weight, you start sleeping on your back (aggravates the obstructive sleep apnea)... with an auto machine (and this important), provided it is SET properly, it can accomodate those changes and help you maintain your therapy goals (eliminating OSA's and Hypopnias).

The C-flex is something I'm not sure I like. I am used to an auto machine at 12 cm pressure (auto) is my 90% pressure point. I just got a new machine last night, and I am exhausted today (c-flex mode set at 2, min pressure 12, max 20). I had one of the worst nights statistics-wise I can remember, many more apneas than usual. I think the c-flex is not functioning well because of my full-face mask (it has a ventilation port that lets air out). I suspect my mask may be 'confusing' the c-flex and the machine may not be functioning as it should because of the mask vent leaking air.

You definitely should invest in the card-reader (USB) and the EncorePro Software. Also you can download the MyEncore program from links on this website for free. MyEncore requires EncorePro to function. From what I understand, EncorePro now is 1.6x release version and MyEncore has a newer release out that will function properly with the latest EncorePro.

What the reader and software do is show you how you are actually doing with your machine: is it working as well as it should or are you having problems?

Your body will give you clues if there are problems (first clue, you wake up tired). But the software will tell you if machine adjustments you try are effective or not in reducing the duration and frequency of apneas and hypopneas. (apnea is blockage, hypopnea is reduced flow due to partial blockage)

You should ask questions so that you set up your machine properly. If you set it up wrong (or leave it 'as-shipped' by the manufacturer), you may actually feel worse with an auto than with your current unit which is 'set' to the proper pressure (called your "titrated" pressure).

I have over 8,000 hours on my old REMstar Auto and it has worked well and my enlarged heart has reduced by at least 25% according to my doctors (it enlarged because of sleep apnea!). I have heard so many people say they gave up on therapy because they just couldn't 'get used to' the feeling of air being forced into your lungs. This is where the c-flex technology came from. I will say that c-flex is more comfortable (it's like you don't even have a cpap machine running), but again, I don't know if it's as effective as the machine is without it active. At least you can turn it off in the configuration by selecting APAP instead of AFLEX.

Now that I have the new REMstar Auto with c-flex, I am going to run it tonight in auto mode (min setting 12, max 19) WITHOUT the c-flex.

You can change your settings by a sequence where you unplug the power to the unit, press < and > arrow buttons simultaneously, and then plug the power back in.

You then use the right-arrow button to scroll through the settings.

You can select AFLEX (auto cpap with cflex) or APAP (Auto cpap without cflex or even what you have now CPAP (you pick a constant pressure and you can set a ramp time from 5 minutes up).

Remember, Cpap runs at only 1 pressure setting. There is some debate here on the boards about whether or not Auto machines are "better" than Cpap. To that I say, the Auto machine can be configured to run in straight CPAP mode (one constant pressure plus a 'ramp' time at a lower pressure), whereas a CPAP machine can NEVER be configured to run in AUTO mode.

Someone on this board told me that if your unit is configured in auto mode, you must NOT set any ramp time other than 0:00 because other settings are used for split-night sleep tests, and you will not get proper minimum pressure unless your minimum is set at or very near your normal "titrated" pressure. So if you use auto Cpap (with or without C-Flex), you have to set your "ramp" time to zero ( 0:00 ) for proper therapy. (You're not trying to do a split-night sleep study)

There are some extremely knowledgeable folks on this board, who will take the time to try to point you in the right direction, but it's up to you to do the research and ask the questions. And monitor your progress through software - to me that's a key factor.

Be advised that Encore Pro will erase your smartcard each time you download data to your pc, unless you run a utility that is on their install CD.

I used to want to keep one night after another on my smart card, but since I got the "MyEncore" free program (requires EncorePro which is NOT free), I allow the EncorePro to 'erase' my smartcard each time I download data.

MyEncore will take the most recent 14 days of database history to do its reports.

This is why you need to ask questions here and be sure of what you're doing, because you don't want to cause yourself any problems, especially when you are asleep.

I highly recommend the full-face mask if you mouth-breathe, because pressure is lost and therapy fails if your mouth pops open while you're asleep. The ResMed Ultra-Mirage II is an excellent choice in my view, because it has dual forehead pads for less pressure point discomfort, and also has quick-release plastic clips which are handy if you need to take a restroom trip during the night. The heated humidifier is a "must have" in my view, because of the drying effect of air blowing though your mouth all night. The humidified air will prevent sore throat and drymouth.

Finally, a 10-foot hose is worth its weight in platinum, because the 6-footers are simply too short, and if you roll over you risk pulling your machine off the bedside table.

Hope these comments give you some ideas. If anything I've written is wrong, I hope other readers will correct me in a reply.

*** All information in this post is without warranty and user/reader assumes all risks of using any information herein. No copyright priviledges are granted ***

[rsm2000e]

The above post was written by me, I forgot to login first Duh!

[RedThunder94]

well since your already gonna be out of pocket for a good size chunk of change may as well get the better one, if a cpap machine last 5 years, do the math, the auto pap will cost you less than 150 a year. is it worth a 150 a year to get the therapy you need with a little more flexibility, i would say so in my honest opinion.

[SnATLGa]

Thanks for all the input. I ordered today from cpap.com. A few days before it arrives, 30 days before the bill arrives.......

[gulfpearl]

I purchased a Remstar auto With cflex& found it to be worth every dollar i spent on it. My previous machine was PB 420S . Which I liked at the time, but since using my apap I feel so much more refreshed. My pressure was titrated at 8but with using my apap my pressure ranges betwen 10- 12. I alos find it much easier to breathe with the cflex option.I feel it's worth the extra moneyeven if you donot like the apap you have other choices to run on.

[yardbird]

Rich people aren't "rich" because of the money. They're rich because they have more options.

Give yourself more options and go ahead and feel rich! It's all about the options...

Seriously....
I have the auto myself. I don't have any scientific data to back up my next statement, but I think it's pretty much agreed upon that your sleep study in which they DETERMINE your titrated pressure is a great tool for deciding what pressure you needed ON THE NIGHT OF YOUR STUDY.

Would you consider your sleep study environment to be your normal sleeping environment? I sure didn't. However they DID get a pressure they felt was a proper recommendation. Let's assume they knew what the heck they were doing and now I have a pressure that's "in the ballpark". I was titrated at 8cm.

I have my auto set to range 6 to 11. Reading my data I see I am spending almost 60% of the night at 6cm (I had it set at 4cm initially but felt starved for air), but that I DO have occasional trips up to a pressure of nearly 10cm. The rest of the time I'm in the 8 to 9 range.

So the sleep study was pretty darn close, BUT.... why should I have a pressure of 8 when I don't need it? And for that matter why should I have a pressure of 8 when I need 10?

Conclusion... for ME...is that the auto is pretty darned smart and gives me what I need when I need it. And I sleep MUCH more comfortably with the auto and with CFLEX (set at 2... 3 gave me aerophagia occasionally)

YOUR MILEAGE MAY VARY!
We are all different. Some folks do MUCH better on straight CPAP. Some folks don't like CFLEX and others couldn't imagine being without it. The remstar auto with cflex (and I have the integrated humidifier as well) just seemd to me to be the most VERSATILE machine in terms of the ability to set it up for what works for you.

It's all about the options.

[ozij]

Rich people aren't "rich" because of the money. They're rich because they have more options.

I don't have any scientific data to back up my next statement, but I think it's pretty much agreed upon that your sleep study in which they DETERMINE your titrated pressure is a great tool for deciding what pressure you needed ON THE NIGHT OF YOUR STUDY.

Click here --->
for Scientific data

O.

[yardbird]

ozij-

I love you. heheheh...
OK so NOW I have some data ... but when I WROTE that... I didn't... but now I do... so now I can't write that any more but I'll have to remember where that data is. Great.... ol'd mind-like-a-sieve yardbird has to remember something... sheeesh

[ozij]

Put the link in your favorites, Yardbird, and just remember you have them (favorites, that is).... works for me

O.