Shopping for a good used CPAP machine and need advice.

[lee_leses]

Hi All:

Of these three machines, does anyone know about what year these were new, and which of them is the best buy for $200.

Also, is it possible to change the settings on these without buying any software that would not be included?

I included all the information that I could that was provided to me.

All of them seem to have smart cards and I guess therefore the ability to collect data - which I need to start doing.

RESMED S7 ELITE CPAP

Respironics Remstar Pro Cpap With C-FLEX.....Model #1005961....

Respironics REMstar M Series CPAP - supposedly brand new.

Lee

[cflame1]

Ok... based on what I'm reading:

viewtopic/t46440/Remstar-model-1005960-vs-1005961.html

It appears that you don't want

Respironics Remstar Pro Cpap With C-FLEX.....Model #1005961....

which model is the Mseries? Is it the PRO or the PLUS? In the Mseries you only want the PRO

[Pugsy]

The presence of a smart card doesn't always mean full data. It can also mean hours of use only data, it is technically data but barely.

Only one I would consider would be the M series as long as it was NOT the Plus model.

The S7 is too old and the smart cards and card readers are extremely difficult to find and very expensive.

The M series requires a special card reader also but it is still available in places online for about $40. Encore Viewer and Pro software is available.
How much for the M series? Do you have RX for cpap in your possession (I forget why you are looking)?

[nanwilson]

I bought a used (250 hours) Remstar M series auto with a flex last fall from a member here and I love it. I do know that its a discontinued machine but was only discontinued about 2 years ago. I first used it without a humidifier and software. but I was lucky enough to get a humidifier and software this spring from another member. If the M series you are looking at is the same as mine you will not be disapointed.
Good luck
Nan

[Emilia]

Visit http://www.secondwindcpap.com to view their gently used machine which they benchcheck, sanitize, and warranty. They only accept used machines with few hours on them so they will last a good, long while. Excellent customer service, too! They also have some new machines for sale.

[lee_leses]

I REALLY appreciate all the help guys.

I'm going to probably be a pain in the a** until I get this hopefully worked out.

I looked at CPAP auction.com today as was suggested, the link was to a PR series remSTAR. So far I like that the best.

All the machines I asked about were listed on Craig's List at about $200.

I have been suffering tremendously for about 5 years! And the sleep doc I went to was an a** as far as I'm concerned, only worried about his payments, not about me!

I have a LOT of ideas now that I'm reading on this forum. I felt completely out of control, and for the first time I have new hope.

It seems to me that if I get a good machine with full data I will finally have a way to tell if I am breathing right when I am sleeping, or not. I live alone, and this is the only way I will know, other than another sleep study which I am trying to avoid because of the time, money, and problems I have sleeping in a lab. The only thing I know is when my sister and I stayed at a hotel together for my cousin's wedding 6-7 years ago, she said she would never be able to stay with me again, she said she never heard anyone snore worse! Again, I am 6'3" 275. I go to the gym a LOT, and trying to lose weight, but not very very overweight.

So, if I could get my pressure up to where it needs to be, and monitior to see if I am going apnic (spelling I know) during the night, plus if I feel better, it seems entirely possible to work on this problem using common sense instead of running to the doctors. Am I wrong?

I'm also wondering if the air that blows down into my stomach when I sleep on my right side would be better if the air was blowing at me through a full mask into both my nose and mouth, and not straight up into my nose only with a nasal interface. How many people sleep successfully on their side wearing a full mask?

I have my sleep study somewhere at home, I'm trying to find it to re-read it. If I find it I will post any useful information I find.

I'm also thinking highly of contacting the local DME I used before to ask them if they think I can get a new machine with a script without a new study, and find out which masks they do and do not have. If this is too much of a hassle, I guess I will have to look for good used. Thank you for the tips on sources for good used equipment. I MUST have a fully data capable machine so I can start to try to find a way to correctly treat my OSA.

So, two things a good CPAP will tell me is AHI, and also hours of sleep? Is that right? Are there other key data points to look for as well? I AM learning a LOT, but still a LOT more to understand. With my BP being up and all my other symptoms, I swear the biggest issue is my OSA has never been successfully treated.

I also was thinking about this whole mask problem, how you try a new mask and if it doesn't work for you you're supposed to wait 6 months to try a new one, according to the insurance company. I think good used masks should be available someplace, and they just have to get soaked in a bleach solution first like the respiratory techs do with hospital equipment?

I also did not know about the tear ducts being physically connected to the nasal areas and that there's surgery the eye doctor can do to seal the tear ducts for CPAP patients. Of course, I would like to avoid surgery if at all possible, but I wonder if that is part of the eye problems I've been having lately. I think my eyes are suffering like the rest of me due to lack of quality sleep.

Lee

[Pugsy]

There is much more to full data than AHI and hours of use.

Here is some information regarding software choices for PR S1 users with screen shots of examples.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=64906&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

Even if the craigslist M series was an APAP and not a Plus by the time you get the card reader you are real close to a gently used PR S1 at the auction. That would be the way I would go.

[lee_leses]

Thank you Pugsy, looking at your link now.

Lee