BIG UPDATE: NEW RESPIRONICS PR Series Auto CPAP Released!

[Muse-Inc]

...

You do realize doncha that you're now the resident guinea pig...ah...er...guru (yes, that's the word) for this machine?

[Slinky]

Ugh, no first day data. NOT a good sign. Remember the M Series dropped days?

[socalmonkey]

You do realize doncha that you're now the resident guinea pig...ah...er...guru (yes, that's the word) for this machine?

I thought I was more like a guinea monkey

Yeah Slinky, your right. So if this is random, or just the first day blues... I hope to find out.

I will have more time to play with it over the weekend. What I want to determine is if it will format a new card, and if I could store days on multiple cards, and just reset the machine.

You would think PR would want to hear from people like me to determine if its a bug... or maybe it's just the Respironics way.

[socalmonkey]

UPDATE: Some good news! I just tried a few things with the card and discovered the following:

The SD card has a capacity of 2GB. It's just a standard SD card with a FAT 32 format. Any SD card with that format works! I just inserted another SD card I had, and the machine automatically copies all the current data on the card! I confirmed this back on my computer.

So it's time to load up on SD cards and get brave... and reset the data. Then it will be interesting to know, IF I reset the machine, and then insert a card with already data on it... will it copy the data from the card back to the machine? That is the next big question I hope to answer.

So that is some good news. No proprietary format on the card. I like that. Something is heading in the right direct.

Stay tuned.

[roster]

I came home from work today... and tah dah... DATA! .....

Check whether that data only shows about six breaths per hour. I suspect a werewolf is sleeping in your bed while you are away during the day.

[jdm2857]

Just out of curiosity, is there a Series One whisper cap available?

[roster]

Just out of curiosity, is there a Series One whisper cap available?

You are looking for a smoking gun, eh?

[-SWS]

According to my Respironics contact, the A-Flex algorithm has not been modified

Well, the A-Flex algorithm is that part of the algorithm in charge of pressure relief during the expiratory phase for the sake of comfort. But what does that expiratory comfort algorithm have to do with the detection-and-treatment algorithm in charge of treating SDB problems during inspiration?

..and you realize the machine you put in the closet provided the same therapy.

As it turns out the detection-and-treatment algorithm has changed in a significant way: the Respironics marketing literature describes their new APAP model as differentiating central apneas for the first time. Their old algorithm was never capable of that. Rather, it relegated (three-pressure-increment) apnea-treatment failures to the NR category. But now, for the first time, the Respironics algorithm is actively attempting to differentiate central apneas and treat accordingly.

We can probably bank on yet other algorithmic differences being in there. The jury is still out regarding comparative efficacy, however. But that's clearly not the same detection-and-treatment algorithm as before.

[jdm2857]

You are looking for a smoking gun, eh?

Having read several OT threads on this forum, I don't think that I would have to look far to find one.

[Lou Cypher]

So my DME got their dog and pony show on the PR....

She like what she saw but here are her comments on the bottom line...

The big thing that Respironics was pushing was the new humidifier, they kept pushing that all day long.

Also said if anyone has a problem with any of these machines, they will not repair for the first year, just replace it with a new one. That was the second thing that was said over and over again.

So I asked her what their opinion was after the presentation... She said this morning that they had so many problems with respironics in the past that would still rather send out a resmed. Once they send out a resmed it usually doesn't come back but that they cross their fingers with the respironics. But she did mention that they will send these out to see if the situation changes with this new model......

She also mentioned the fact that the M series is being replaced by this and that Resmed is coming out with a new series but this new series will NOT replace the S8's but will be in conjunction with....

Also Resmed does replace broken units with new ones for TWO years , another reason why they like them.

She did tell me to get my doc to write the script for whichever machine I want and they will be happy to fill the need for either one.

She also mentioned that PR is quieter than the M series but still makes more noise than the resmed.

Those were her bottom line assumptions.

[jdm2857]

So not a word about the SD card, or RERA and Central Apnea detection.

Typical for a DME. Who cares about data?

But a new system to evaporate water is exciting.

[Rustyolddude]

I need to go back and read this thread from the beginning, but I have a question. I go back to the sleep doc in about 3 weeks. Based on the accumulated data since the titration, there's a chance they might put me on an Auto. Right now I have an M Series Pro. I have the reader & software. Is there any real disadvantage of the M-Series Auto? Since I already paid for the reader & Viewer, should I try to stick with the M Series even if they offer the PR series? Or is there a distinct advantage of going with the PR series. What about the Resmed S8 instead? Only real issue I've had with the M series is the machine noise.

[Maple Leaf]

Typical for a DME. Who cares about data?

But a new system to evaporate water is exciting.

Thanks for the laugh, good one.

[socalmonkey]

Is there any real disadvantage of the M-Series Auto?

That is the big question. I really liked my M-Series Auto (other than the noise level). My therapy and comfort greatly improved with that machine. I would not have even been looking for a change, except this new one came out less than 30 after getting the M. I didn't like the idea of being stuck with a machine that is being discontinued.

Since I already paid for the reader & Viewer, should I try to stick with the M Series even if they offer the PR series?

I struggled with this same thing. I really miss having data. But sooner or later, I am going to have it again (one way or the other)... but I will be spending more money again for software that I just bought a month ago.

Or is there a distinct advantage of going with the PR series. What about the Resmed S8 instead? Only real issue I've had with the M series is the machine noise.

All I can say to this is... something feels different. Is my therapy better? I don't know because I have very limited data on the LCD. Is my comfort level better? Yes, I do believe so... but much of this might be due to the fact that the PR is pretty quiet. But then so is the S8. Machine noise IS a BIG DEAL to me... so that was a big part of my decision.

I still maintain that there is something different with the A-Flex. The C-Flex+ (which I have not tried yet) is suppose to be new. What it feels like to me, is some kind of different pattern to my breathing. With the old machine, I would sometimes think about the machine almost trying to control my breathing. This seems to be different to me. Although it's very subtle.

I really love the machine... and I want to believe the marketing hype. It's suppose to be more advanced in some of the detection areas. Of course, with no software yet... I have no way to see this. The limited data from the LCD sucks. It's more limited than I fully understood. But the humidifier has so far been great (I really love it better than the old one). I am feeling great (consistently) every day! So does this all add up to a distinct advantage? I don't know... time will tell.

To me I am still happy I did it. A little frustrated with the software situation. But since I am feeling really great, I guess it doesn't really matter. Although I do miss the ritual of downloading and reading the software everyday. However, I don't miss the stupid smart card reader errors. Once I get software again, I will be 100% satisfied!

So I hope this helps you evaluate things.

[Muffy]

...

You do realize doncha that you're now the resident guinea pig...

It do have all the makings of a "limited rollout", don't it?

Muffy