Self-monitoring ... which machine?

[michaeltheis]

I am ready to get a new machine that will allow me to monitor what transpires during the night. I am diagnosed with both central and the other spllep apnea. I currently use Mirage Swift Nasal Pillows, Remstar Pro with CFlex, heated humidifier, oxygen concentrator and Ohmeda 3700 oximeter. I bought all of my equipment after realizing my providers knew less about it than I did and were charging me an arm and a leg. I thought I could self-monitor with the Smartcard and Encore Pro but after a failed install I could never uninstall Encore Pro even after all the help I got from CPAP Talk. Turns out that all my machine monitors anyway is compliance. I have been complying for almost two years and need some fine tuning.

What machines are out there now that can record and download to my computer so I can experiment with different pressures?

[cflame1]

Seeing as you're starting with the equipment that you've got right now... I'd either go with a Remstar Pro 2 or a Remstar Auto (not the M versions, the classics)... that way your HH will still be usable, and whatever version of the software that you have will work.

[GoofyUT]

In my opinion, the question is more tha simply which machines will allow downlaods of efficacy data. What is more important is how significant your centrals are, and their origin. If you are having primarily centrals or even mixed central/obstructive apnea, or complex sleep disordered breathing (CSDB), you really ought to talk to your doc (or even better, your doc to you) either about one of the new generation of flow-generators designed expressly for this indication such as the ResMed VPAP Adapt ASV or the new Respironics HeartPAP. Another possibility would be the older technology Bi-level spontaneous-timed (S/T) machines. All of these will ensure adequate ventilation in the face of central events. All willl also collect and permit downloads of both compliance and efficacy data.

If your centrals are incidental and NOT clinically significant, you might consider the ResMed S8 Elite which both accumulates and reports a full suite of efficacy data and permits display of this information right on its LCD screen without the need for an out-board computer AND allows expiratory pressure relief (EPR) of up to 3 cms in a fashion identical to the operation of a bi-level (but NOT spontaneous-timed).

Above all else, you ought NOT to venture into an APAP (or any other change in equipment, for that matter) without consulting with a sleep doc that you trust regarding your centrals.

Hope this helps.

Chuck

[rested gal]

I agree with Chuck (GoofyUT) to talk with a good doctor who knows his stuff about the centrals you mentioned showing up on your sleep study.

"If your centrals are incidental and NOT clinically significant" either of the two NON-M series machines cflame1 mentioned would be my choices -- capable of using the Encore Pro software you have, as well as being compatible with your existing humidifier:

Respironics REMstar Pro 2 with C-Flex
straight cpap machine

Respironics REMstar Auto with C-Flex
autopap machine, can be set for straight cpap operation if that turns out to be better treatment