BIG UPDATE: NEW RESPIRONICS PR Series Auto CPAP Released!

[Goofproof]

Find out for sure what equiptment you have, not all models will give useful data. jim

[6PtStar]

bigtex, if your machine has C-Flex+ you must have the newer PR System One Pro from Respirionics. There is NO SOFTWARE for this machine series yet that you can get. There have been some promices that a patient version might be out mid 2010. Encore Viewer will not work with this series of machines. Encore Viewer was made for the "M" Series machines although it will work on the older Legacy machines but not the new machines.

Jerry

[RobertS]

Just discovered this board a few days ago. There seem to be a lot of wise and experienced people here, and I'm looking for help.

I used a Respironics Virtuoso LX with Oasis passover humidifier, mostly uneventfully and successfully, from 1999 until spring 2009. Because no one had software anymore to read the machine's memory (it had no card), it had been four years since the docs had seen how I was doing. So I had three overnights in the sleep lab and was prescribed a Blue Light Special, a Respironics M series auto CPAP with humidifier. I got that machine about a month ago.

The M series whined and squealed as it spooled up and down as I in- and exhaled, whether or not A-Flex was on. After two weeks of more wakefulness than sleep, I got a second identical machine. It was a little better, but still sounded like a tiny dentist's drill in the midst of the silent night.

Yesterday, the DME replaced that machine with a new PR series Auto. The good news is that the machine itself is quiet. The bad news is that my Comfort Classic mask howled softly at low pressures (machine is set at 9-20; 90 percent has recently been about 17) and howled loudly at higher pressures. The howling woke me several times during the night, and about 3 am I got up and came to this site. I found mask settings for the Resistance Control that SocalMonkey kindly posted above, and set the machine at X1. Didn't help but I did start over with ramp and managed to go to sleep. The Howl finally got me out of bed early this morning, however, when the pressure hit 19 (yikes).

I've heard wonderful things about Resmed S8 Autoset II, but my DME does not carry Resmed. I may just break down and buy it myself.

Meantime, I'm about to go back to the Virtuoso which was a wonderful and effective machine IMHO, but no one can tell if it's still working properly.

Sorry for such a long first post. I'd be grateful for any suggestions.

Robert

[packer]

if you think you need straight therapy- [ no auto- no change in pressure] I think you can set your PR for that

sounds like problem is mask though- why would flow generator- fan- blower whatever we call it cause trouble with mask?

I am not sure what you are saying but I dont think another machine would make a difference- try a new mask maybe??

write more about whats going on- people here will help you-- many much more knowledgeable than me are here!!

packer

[lusoman]

I've heard wonderful things about Resmed S8 Autoset II, but my DME does not carry Resmed. I may just break down and buy it myself.

Robert, I moved from the "Blue Meanie" (M-Series Pro Auto with A-Flex) to an Autoset II, and have since moved on the the S8 VPAP Auto 25.

I actually ran my Respironics in CPAP mode with C-Flex, since I ***HATED*** the feel of A-Flex. Just didn't work for me. I found the Autoset II superior in every way - noise, look, comfort (the comfort of EPR kicks C-Flex's a** for me personally) except one: the standard tank on the H4i humidifier is a bear to clean. However, there are new tanks you can get now that are dishwasher safe, and easy to clean. Would I go bacK to the Respironics? Only if there was no other choice.

This is my opinion, and I know others feel diferently, but for me, the ResMeds are way, way better than the M-Series.

[RobertS]

if you think you need straight therapy- [ no auto- no change in pressure] I think you can set your PR for that

sounds like problem is mask though- why would flow generator- fan- blower whatever we call it cause trouble with mask?

I am not sure what you are saying but I dont think another machine would make a difference- try a new mask maybe??

write more about whats going on- people here will help you-- many much more knowledgeable than me are here!!

packer

LOL! So much for my ability to make things clear. Thanks, packer, for pointing out that I need to be more clear. My aim in writing was to get some answers and solutions if possible:

1. Has anyone else had the M series making these noises? If so, what was the problem/solution, if any?
2. Has anyone else had the strange howling noise in their masks? If so, what was the problem/solution, if any?
3. What has been anyone else's experience with the newer Respironics vs. Resmed machines?

All of this seems very strange (and confusing) after ten years of CPAP with very few glitches.

Thanks,
Robert

[RobertS]

^ Thanks lusoman.

[packer]

Robert- I just did the exact test you are asking about
search resmed vs reperonics --at my house

long story- but I have used aflex for 3 years- average ahi 2- aflex about 9 to 17- not very loud- no weird sounds-
they gave you a bad machine I think

aflex did well for me but I have chance to get new machine

so I tried resmed autoset II and resperonics pr one- both are great- pr is quieter and exhale relief fits me better
[ for what its worth I do not like straight leaf blower mode- I like the relief of EPR or aflex ]

to answer you questions- my thoughts- series m aflex is fairly quiet- no squeaks or whatever you heard in 3 years here
dont know why new machine would make mask leak- unless new ones are getting higher pressure- you are at pretty high numbers

good luck - if more questions on new machines I will try to help- just had them both Packer

[RobertS]

^Thanks packer.

R

[Dog Tired]

...so I tried resmed autoset II and resperonics pr one- both are great- pr is quieter and exhale relief fits me better
[ for what its worth I do not like straight leaf blower mode- I like the relief of EPR or aflex ]

I now have both the Resmed and PR1 - Ditto to the above.

[ablong]

Just to put my two cents worth in this thread. I went on vac last summer and took a tank model auto
which had some use although not a lot. i took a new mask and a new hose and left the
Bipap at home. First nite out the thing made a howling sound like machine was going bad. I got to play
with it and found out it was the hose making the noise. One end makes more noise than the other.
When I got back it did the same on the Bi Pap. I have more hoses so it not a problem. Just thought
you would like to know. I was not looking foward to several nites with a broke machine.

Allen

[nittanyfan66]

I am real close to buying this unit (the Ds550) and keep hearing about the "brick" as a negative for travel. I want to use this as a traveling CPAP or APAP machine. Can someone tell me how big is this brick and how much does it weigh?

[packer]

the "brick" on the new PR One is much smaller and lighter than the brick for the older what I call aflex machine-
I think the PR one is easier to travel with- after I got the my new PR One my plan was
to use the aflex as travel CPAP and leave PR One hooked up by my bed-
but I like the new machine so much better- especially the quietness- that now I take
it when we travel and aflex is sitting in box in closet

I am going to give you dimensions of the "bricks" from both

older aflex by resperonics brick is quite heavy and measures about 7 by 3 by 2 inches high

new one is much lighter about 5 x3 x 2

[Hose_Head]

the "brick" on the new PR One is much smaller and lighter than the brick for the older what I call aflex machine-
I think the PR one is easier to travel with- after I got the my new PR One my plan was
to use the aflex as travel CPAP and leave PR One hooked up by my bed-
but I like the new machine so much better- especially the quietness- that now I take
it when we travel and aflex is sitting in box in closet

I am going to give you dimensions of the "bricks" from both

older aflex by resperonics brick is quite heavy and measures about 7 by 3 by 2 inches high

new one is much lighter about 5 x3 x 2

Packer: on the Respironics PR One, is the power brick permanently tethered to the PR One, or does the power brick plug into the PR One (i.e. the brick can be disconnected from the blower). I ask because I travel with my older M Series which has a permanently tethered power brick and it's a pain-in-the-a$$ to have to take out both at airport security.

[Dog Tired]

is the power brick permanently tethered to the PR One, or does the power brick plug into the PR One (i.e. the brick can be disconnected from the blower).

Plugs in - and there's a neat little rubber cord on it allowing you wrap the power cables around it and secure them. There also a nice dedicated space for it in the carry case.