BIG UPDATE: NEW RESPIRONICS PR Series Auto CPAP Released!

[Hawthorne]

Glad to hear you are feeling better!!!

Thanks for posting. It appears that your illness did not affect your data too badly. Maybe that's a plus for the PR System1.

Keep well.

[brianarn]

Thought I'd just pop in here with some experiences.

This PR Series Auto is my first machine. At the beginning, I was immensely frustrated that I don't have the daily breakdown. I kept an eye on my 7 and 30 day, but those aren't really granular enough for me to be happy.

Then life got busy, and, well, suddenly it's 10 weeks later. It's like night and day, the difference in how I feel, going from an AHI of 122 in my sleep study down to 1.3 average for the past 30 days with a 1.6 average for the past 7.

I still want my granular data, and will happily pay what I can to get my own copy of the viewer when it's available, but for now, the 7/30 are sufficient for me. At least until after the holidays and I have more free time to obsess again.

Seriously though, treatment has been great. I watched my nightly average sink rather quickly, and I haven't been above a 1.8 average on the 7 or 30 for the past month. My pressures have been relatively consistent between 14.5 and 15.5, and the machine being initially set to vary from 13 to 18 seems to have been a good setup. My sleep doc has also said that anytime I want to view my data snore by snore, to just stop on in and sit down at one of his computers with my SD card and go mining through my data.

My RT kinda sucks -- treats me like a peon who doesn't know crap -- but my doc is awesome and really wants to work with me, so, that's great.

It's so nice to get restful nights of sleep now.

[desert rider]

Can anyone post the PR customer support phone number? Thanks

1-800-345-6443


However, "we" are not the customer. So they don't want to talk to us. PR wants us to talk to our DME. So you have to be clever responding to the prompts. Then when you get someone, they want your account number (thinking your a provider calling). I have had success telling them my DME told me to call them, because the DME didn't know the answer to my question. So you have to figure out how to play the game... or they won't talk to you. Good luck.

If/when you call, mention to them that you are shopping for a new machine and will probably pass theirs over due to lack of accessible data.

[rested gal]

My sleep doc has also said that anytime I want to view my data snore by snore, to just stop on in and sit down at one of his computers with my SD card and go mining through my data.

What a great doctor!!

My RT kinda sucks -- treats me like a peon who doesn't know crap

Sounds like someone with an ego problem who thinks of himself as a demi-god... heheh.

-- but my doc is awesome and really wants to work with me, so, that's great.

That's the kind of doctor to have. One with a healthy ego; not threatend at all by a person who is intelligent, learning fast, and being proactive. I think a lot of doctors welcome that kind of "cpap user." Not thinking of you so much as a "patient", but as a successful CPAP user that he (the doctor) can take pride in helping, and probably enjoys learning a few things about "CPAP treatment" from your perspective. You and your doctor have a good cooperative relationship going...that's wonderful!!

It's so nice to get restful nights of sleep now.

Yep!!

[Gerryk]

Well, I have had my BiPap auto for just over a year now. Yes, I hate the damn lights but it looks like the new unit has a light if you use the humidifier. I have the old version of the pro software on an old computer because I have Vista Pro on this one and can't get it installed on here.
I would however like to have two units and can't really see a reason to buy this one if I can get the same thing I have without improving the only problem I have of the damn light.
I guess I will watch the sales and see if they begin to close out the old m series bipap that way my insurance will cover either one if it breaks. Or perhaps I will wait for the other company to come out with their new maching and one again trump Respironics.

Thanks for the updates. I know I have been sitting her a long time reading from the beginning but it was worth it.

Gerry

[socalmonkey]

Here is my November progress with the PR System One.

[cotech50]

I have called Respironics and sent a message and also sent an E-MAIL to d.spence@respironics.com. The E-MAIL I just guessed but I have not got a rejection back. If anyone has the executive E-MAIL addresses for any of these companies post them and start sending messages letting them know we are actually their customers. As to the Respironics software since they only needed a version change that tells me that an output format or additional data changed rendering previous versions not compatible with the PR so updated versions of the other software is what will be required. Changing the others should not be a major undertaking they just need some motivation by WE THE USER.

If your choice is a Respironics then let them know how you feel. Likewise if your choice is a Resmed do the same. I belive WE THE USER can AFFECT a change with these companies as well as the DME companies. If a DME cannot move a machine they have in stock they will change likewise if a company notices sales are down they will change because their bottom line is money. LET THEM KNOW HOW YOU FEEL

I have not heard from Respironics but I am not going away!

cotech50

[packer]

I like your attitude and agree with you

it isnt jut a Resperonics issue- it is the whole way CPAP is handled-
the whole deal is about healthcare to me- are we going to do what is best and cheapest- or are we going to "continue to do
what we have always done and expect different results"

I believe that we need , as individuals, and collectively, to stand up and say we want change in how CPAP is handled- to my way of looking
at it people are dying because of how stupid the system is- we must somehow improve education and percent of people who are
still on the hose beyond a couple of weeks [ what is real compliance- perhaps 50%?] make it about health and savings instead of profit [ good luck with that!!!]

this forum is wonderful for how it helped to educate me- I am 3 years in now and my doc and
DME respect my needs and actually ask me a lot about aflex therapy differences -[ I was first aflex here]

anyhow- thank you so much for insight on machine comparisons- if I can get both machines I will report also
thanks packer

[Guest]

cotech50 - get a life! wow.

[Dog Tired]

Dear "Guest",

I think it is you who needs to get a life, pal.

This forum is a venue for those interested in exchanging ideas and information to get the best possible treatment and sleep experience. Many of us are vitally interested. If you don't share that interest, why bother to hang around and be negative?

I'm sure you're more likely to find kindred spirits on a forum concerning a topic of actual interest to you.

If this isn't your scene and you are unable or unwilling to make a constructive contribution to the debate, then please either pipe down, or, (better still) just p!ss off.

[sierragail]

SoCalMonkey,
What is mask resistance and what does that mean? Do I have the same machine as you?

Last night I had a lousy night. Even though my AHI was 0.5, later in the day I fell asleep constantly in the car. We were out running errands----I was the passenger and every chance I got, I fell asleep. I remember being awake a lot last night, fiddling with the whistling noise on my mask, even had a dream about it. It was just an aggravating night and I don't know why. I got up and changed masks halfway through from nasal pillows to Zest nasal mask, but it didn't help. And the chin strap was making me hot and mad, even with the windows open to let the cold air in. I'm taking the Diamox for this stupid altitude here, but sometimes I think that, despite the medicine, the altitude is still messing me up, but yet my AHIs are really good. Who knows. Can't wait for July to get here (we're leaving then for life at a lower level).

[socalmonkey]

SoCalMonkey,
What is mask resistance and what does that mean? Do I have the same machine as you?

Mask Resistance is only applicable if your using a Respironics mask. It is suppose to provide comfort by enabling the device and mask to work optimally together.

Also see: http://systemoneresistancecontrol.respironics.com/

Here are the settings for Respironics masks:


I've tried some of these setting, but it didn't do anything for me. Since I don't use Respironics masks... I keep this setting turn off on my machine.

Looks like you and I have the same machine.

I hope this helps.

[sierragail]

Thank you!

[goose]

My brother-in-law just got one of these machines!!!!
I'm impressed so far (not an easy task with me). I like the fact they have finally graduated into the real world of technology with the SD card (well at least more advanced than the "smartcard").
The humidifier seems to be at least a step up. He uses his at 3 and only has to fill it every 2-3 days....my M-Series set on 1 needs refilling every night (HC150 every 2-3 days).

Now I'm trying to figure out how I can con my DME/Insurance company into issuing me a new machine after only 3 years.....It would be nice to have my M-Series as a spare......

cheers
goose

[bigtex]

I've been very interested in getting software for my new REMStart Pro C-Flex+ and have been following this forum.

I ran across the following link for EncoreViewer software:

http://www.directhomemedical.com/accessories/encoreviewer-software-respironics-cpap-bipap.html
(got to copy into your browser to see the link-- system wont let me post it directly as guest)

Claims compatability with the RemStar Pro C-Flex. Am I missing something, or is this not what we are looking for? Or does it need to be "REMstar Pro C-Flex PLUS"?

SOFTWARE COMPATIBILITY
EncoreViewer will work with all Encore Pro Smart Card enabled CPAP and BiPAP systems from Respironics including (but not limited to):
• M Series REMstar
• M Series REMstar Plus
• M Series REMstar Plus C-Flex
• M Series REMstar Pro C-Flex
• M Series REMstar Auto C-Flex
• M Series REMstar Auto A-Flex
• M Series BiPAP Plus
• M Series BiPAP Auto
• M Series BiPAP Auto with Bi-Flex
• REMstar Auto
• REMstar Auto with C-Flex
• REMstar Plus
• REMstar Plus with C-Flex
• REMstar Pro
• REMstar Pro with C-Flex
• REMstar Pro 2
• REMstar Pro 2 with C-Flex
• BiPAP Plus
• BiPAP ST
• Synchrony BiPAP
• BiPAP Auto
• BiPAP Auto with Bi-Flex
• BiPAP Pro
• BiPAP Pro 2