Disappointed with . . . Encore or REMstar Plus

[DHC]

This is my first post - a complaint. Not the best way to make a debut, I suppose.

Having read through a great many of the posts here over the past couple of months, I suffered a serious case of 'data envy' and decided I HAD to have the data being produced by my CPAP device. That device is a Respironics REMstar Plus M Series - soon to be replaced with an Intellipap and somewhat due to this episode.

Anyway - I read about the Encore Viewer software for the legacy M Series (https://www.cpap.com/productpage/respir ... eader.html), which says it will work with "All M Series systems with SmartCard" - which mine has. So I placed the order with expedited delivery and anxiously awaited its arrival. That arrival was yesterday.

I managed to get the software installed - though it does not seem to like the 64-bit version of Windows 7 - so it want on an XP system using 32-bit Windows. The USB card reader installed OK and it recognized the SmartCard when inserted into the reader. So far so good.

The disappointment came when I discovered how little data is recorded on this particular machine. I was expecting to see all those cool tables and graphs displaying AHI and hypopnea data - but no joy. I finally stumbled onto this page -- http://encore.respironics.com/type.aspx - which makes it clear that not all "M Series" machines produce the same data. In fact, it is only the Pro and Auto versions that produce the "Advanced Compliance Data" I was (and still am) seeking.

So let this be an alert to those who might be interested in purchasing the Encore Viewer software with their "M Series" devices - be sure that your particular device produces the information you desire. Mine does not, so I ordered a new (and more capable) device.

[Emilia]

Welcome DHC... so sorry you purchased the software for your non-data machine. If you had only asked here first, you would have been told that information quickly! Anyway..... I believe you will be very happy with your new IntelliPAP Auto Adjust w/Smartflex...... be sure you are getting the auto since the data is more detailed for that machine than it is for the standard cpap. The SmartLink software for the Intellipap can be purchased at our host site: cpap.com. Feel free to PM me if you have questions. I've had my IntelliPAP Auto for 3 weeks now and love it!

[Janknitz]

Sorry you had that experience, DHC.

For future reference for anyone who has a Respironics machine, the "Plus" models (Series M and System One) do NOT have efficacy data.

It's a bit confusing because the Resprironics Remstar machines have things like "C-Flex Plus" that appear written on the CPAP Pro (not "Plus") machine--that one is still data capable because it's a "pro" model, not a "plus" model. SHEESH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Also, as far as the evil empire of ResMed machines, "Escape" models do not have efficacy data either. I think they fially stopped making non-data capable machines with the S9 line. Wish Respironics would do the same.

[Guest]

I bought the Encore Viewer when I had my initial issue RemStar Plus.
The upside was I had a copy of the compliance only report when I talked to my doctor and DME about exchanging it for an Auto (they said they didn't carry the Pro model).
Even though everyone was convinced the Plus was data capable - "see the card?" - it was pretty easy to show them the data was not going to help fine tune my therapy & they made the switch.

I later bought an IntelliPAP AutoAdjust Travel CPAP Machine with SmartFlex for a travel/backup (great machine, btw).

Make sure you get an AutoAdjust if you buy IntelliPAP or you'll end up where you are now - the Standard model only records compliance data.

[paulw]

I bought the Encore Viewer when I had my initial issue RemStar Plus.
The upside was I had a copy of the compliance only report when I talked to my doctor and DME about exchanging it for an Auto (they said they didn't carry the Pro model).
Even though everyone was convinced the Plus was data capable - "see the card?" - it was pretty easy to show them the data was not going to help fine tune my therapy & they made the switch.

I later bought an IntelliPAP AutoAdjust Travel CPAP Machine with SmartFlex for a travel/backup (great machine, btw).

Make sure you get an AutoAdjust if you buy IntelliPAP or you'll end up where you are now - the Standard model only records compliance data.

Huh...didn't know you cold post if you weren't logged in

[chunkyfrog]

I see where the 'Evil Empire" is now offering the S9 Escape in a CPAP and an Auto model.
Couldn't see a price, but BEWARE!!!!!
It looks like these bricks look almost exactly like the other S9's

[jonquiljo]

Anyway - I read about the Encore Viewer software for the legacy M Series (https://www.cpap.com/productpage/respir ... eader.html), which says it will work with "All M Series systems with SmartCard" - which mine has. So I placed the order with expedited delivery and anxiously awaited its arrival. That arrival was yesterday.

How dis you even buy an M series system. They haven't been made for a long time. Didn't Respironics phase that out for the System One over 1 1/2 years ago? Was this Internet or your local DME. If it was a local DME, then is it a new machine or rental - if so - can you return it?

I do know that the System One gives lots of good therapy data. With Encoreviewer (which is a pain in the butt with 64 bit machines) you can see quite a bit of what's going on. Well, whatever you do - good luck.

[GumbyCT]

Anyway - I read about the Encore Viewer software for the legacy M Series (https://www.cpap.com/productpage/respir ... eader.html), which says it will work with "All M Series systems with SmartCard" - which mine has. So I placed the order with expedited delivery and anxiously awaited its arrival. That arrival was yesterday.

How dis you even buy an M series system. They haven't been made for a long time. Didn't Respironics phase that out for the System One over 1 1/2 years ago? Was this Internet or your local DME. If it was a local DME, then is it a new machine or rental - if so - can you return it?

I do know that the System One gives lots of good therapy data. With Encoreviewer (which is a pain in the butt with 64 bit machines) you can see quite a bit of what's going on. Well, whatever you do - good luck.

Be careful here - IF using Viewer version 1 it will NOT work with anything but another M series machine. And Viewer has software requirements too.

[DHC]

Anyway - I read about the Encore Viewer software for the legacy M Series (https://www.cpap.com/productpage/respir ... eader.html), which says it will work with "All M Series systems with SmartCard" - which mine has. So I placed the order with expedited delivery and anxiously awaited its arrival. That arrival was yesterday.

How dis you even buy an M series system. They haven't been made for a long time. Didn't Respironics phase that out for the System One over 1 1/2 years ago? Was this Internet or your local DME. If it was a local DME, then is it a new machine or rental - if so - can you return it?

I do know that the System One gives lots of good therapy data. With Encoreviewer (which is a pain in the butt with 64 bit machines) you can see quite a bit of what's going on. Well, whatever you do - good luck.

My sleep study was conducted last November. The same company conducting the sleep study sent me home with the REMstar Plus M series - along with a ComfortGel nasal mask. There was no discussion of options - just a conclusion that I suffered from "severe" OSA, hand me the equipment and away I go. TO their credit, they have called to follow-up and they are very prompt with quarterly delivery of the mask, hose and filters.

The ComfortGel mask created sores on my nose and below my eyes, so predictably, I did not use the CPAP machine much, or at all, until July of this year.

In July I had ACDF surgery (cervical spine fusion) and upon awakening from surgery, it is clear since then I cannot sleep at all without the CPAP. When I try to sleep without CPAP I awaken roughly gasping for air.

Needless to say, since the surgery I have been 100% compliant. Nothing like the inability to breathe/sleep to force one into compliance.

In the hospital post-surgery they fitted me with a full-face mask that was much better than the nasal mask I had tried to use earlier, so that was an important step in the process.

Anyway - a long-winded answer to your question. The short answer is - the DME gave me the Plus M series, and it made little difference since I did not use it anyway. Now that I am actually using the device, I want to get the most out of it, and learned it was sub-standard insofar as data collection.

The IntelliPap arrived today, so I will be trying it out beginning tonight.

The DME (I guess that is correct . . . it is the same company as conducted the sleep study - at least, it seems so) contacted me recently to tell me I am eligible for a new machine under my insurance policy this coming November and they planned to send me a System One. I asked for an S9, and they agreed - so sometime later this year I should be able to directly compare the S9 with the IntelliPap - FWIW.

Between the IntelliPap and the S9 - and the CMS-50F Oximeter I should receive in a few days - I think my data starvation should soon be sated. Hopefully it will result in improved efficacy of my therapy as well