Should I return my Respironics Remstar M series Auto Cflex?

[MoodyDragon]

Hi. I am a new user for the CPAP Was using the starndard Remstar machine and recently swithced to the new M Auto Cflex series (with heated humidifier).

Unfortunately, there seems to be a problem with the algorithms. My girlfriend keeps on telling me 'I have started snoring again' Does this mean that the Auto function of Remstar M series is not as good as the competition? Someone told me the adjustment to a higher pressure takes longer on the Respironics machines. Is this true?

Finally, if you had a choice, with Auto CPAP would you buy (assuming the CFLex is not important)

Thank you in advance for answering.

My settings:
CPAP Pressure 6 mm H2O. Auto settings: 4 mm to 20 mm. Right now I am using the machine at constant 6 mm setting as the Auto setting does not seem to be effective.

[Goofproof]

Without the software to tell you what's going on you are blind to your treatment. If you profile isn't filled in, we are blind trying to help. The only thing I can do is to tell you, if the machine is set to a wide pressure range it is set in the treatment failure mode. The pressire needs to be set 2 CM below and 2 above your CPAP pressure, as that's 6 cm that's not good, due to too low a starting pressure, 5 cm to 8 cm would be better in APAP.

But the software is needed to see what's going on.

Also you mask is as, or more important than the machine, If you are using a Nasal interface, you may be mouthbreathing, and the only good may be, you act like a fan all night. Lot's of things need to be addressed, those Ducks have to be all lined up and marching. Jim

[Wulfman]

MoodyDragon,

I agree with Goofproof. If you don't have the Encore Pro software to monitor your therapy you're not really going to know how you're doing. A wide-open setting like 4 - 20 doesn't give very effective treatment as you've apparently found out. A setting of 6 still seems pretty low to me, too.
You've got a good machine. Are you checking the night's results in the LCD window each morning? It should give you some information.

Keep us informed.

Best wishes,

Den

[rested gal]

Moody Dragon, I'm not a doctor, but if I were prescribed a straight pressure of only 6, I'd set the auto for 6 - 15. Chances are it will never have to use anything even close to 15, but that will give plenty of margin up there.

[GoofyUT]

Den-

I don't think the M series shows nightly stats, do they? I think they only show 7 and 30 day averages. Now, I guess you can infer about how the night went based on whetehr those averages go up or down, but I think only the ResMed S8 Elite and Vantage will give nightly stats on efficacy.

Or, am I wrong?

Nonetheless, you're right!

EncorePro/MeEncore should be a part of every new cpaper's toolkit.

Just a thought.

Chuck

[Goofproof]

[quote="GoofyUT"]Den-

I don't think the M series shows nightly stats, do they? I think they only show 7 and 30 day averages. Now, I guess you can infer about how the night went based on whetehr those averages go up or down, but I think only the ResMed S8 Elite and Vantage will give nightly stats on efficacy.

Or, am I wrong?

Nonetheless, you're right!

EncorePro/MeEncore should be a part of every new cpaper's toolkit.

Just a thought.

Chuck

[Snoredog]

with a pressure of only 6cm, I doubt you will see any gain from having a autopap machine of any brand much less one that has a cflex feature.

that is like needing air conditioning in Antarctica.

Unfortunately, there seems to be a problem with the algorithms. My girlfriend keeps on telling me 'I have started snoring again' Does this mean that the Auto function of Remstar M series is not as good as the competition? Someone told me the adjustment to a higher pressure takes longer on the Respironics machines. Is this true?

problem with algorithms? what makes you think it's a algorithm problem? your range is set to 4cm to 20cm and it is running at 6cm, sounds like the algorithm is working to me.

as for snore? yes, she may hear you snore, so does the machine and it increases pressure by .5cm every 5 minutes to eliminate them.

Did she hear it increase pressure by .5cm?

I doubt it, if you start to snore and the machine triggers on snore it increases pressure by .5cm then monitors for more snores, if they continue it increases again by another .5cm, if they continue another .5cm increase then after 3 consecutive increases within a specific time frame it pauses and resets the counter if no more snores are heard.

So is it possible that within that 15 minute period your girlfriend could hear you snore? probably, does it mean the machine isn't responding as well as the competition? No.

Some of the competition machines can increase pressure much more rapidly and if the snore continues so does those pressure increases except they don't stop until they blow the top of your head off. I prefer a machine that has built in limits so it doesn't blindly increase pressure.

[Wulfman]

Den-

I don't think the M series shows nightly stats, do they? I think they only show 7 and 30 day averages. Now, I guess you can infer about how the night went based on whetehr those averages go up or down, but I think only the ResMed S8 Elite and Vantage will give nightly stats on efficacy.

Or, am I wrong?

Nonetheless, you're right!

EncorePro/MeEncore should be a part of every new cpaper's toolkit.

Just a thought.

Chuck

I think you can clear the stats daily, so the results will be daily, but then you lose the long term forcast. You could keep records of the daily, but by far software is the better answer. Jim

That was also my understanding of how it works. Not an ideal solution (which is the software), but better than "a poke in the eye with a sharp stick".

Den

[Bob...]

I think you can clear the stats daily, so the results will be daily, but then you lose the long term forcast. [/b] You could keep records of the daily, but by far software is the better answer. Jim

I have seen this "I think" come up a number of times and have yet to find someone that can explain exactly how the data can be "cleared" Can some one please give a detailed description of this "clearing" process?

Bob

[Snoredog]

I think you can clear the stats daily, so the results will be daily, but then you lose the long term forcast. [/b] You could keep records of the daily, but by far software is the better answer. Jim

I have seen this "I think" come up a number of times and have yet to find someone that can explain exactly how the data can be "cleared" Can some one please give a detailed description of this "clearing" process?

Bob

In setup mode, get to the usage >4hr prompt, hold down the Ramp/down button for 3 second's puts an X in the window and clears the data. So next night you use the machine it has only that one session's stats.

[Bob...]

Thank you!

Bob

[Goofproof]

Thank you!

Bob

That reply was in reguard to the "M"agic , just wondering your profile shows something else. jim

[Bob...]

Just curious! As I said I have heard the "I think" a number of times followed occasionally by a "how do you do that?" and never heard a "This is how" so I thought maybe now is the time. Just because I now use a ResMed doesn't mean I can't be curious about a REMstar, does it?

Bob

[Goofproof]

I think, because I don't use the 'M"agic, but I read where it could be done that way, but never paid it much thought, as I knew the machine and software I wanted to use.

I thought you might have had a second machine or forgot to update your profile, one thing here we all are gleaning info. Some of mine falls through the cracks. Jim

[MoodyDragon]

Thank you folks for your prompt and detailed response. I already have the smart card inserted in the machine and am in the process of buying the software.

And yes, I am using the nasal mask but to the best my gf can make out, I dont keep my mouth open. In any case, I got myself a jaw strap as well (is that what it is called?) to keep my mouth shut when asleep.

Any hints where I can find the software for a competitive price?

I am in the middle of my exams so will update the profile after coming sunday.Meanwhile, thank you again for taking the time to respond.