upgrade to what machine

[jess]

I still have not been able to determine what model of Respironic REMstar I have, but will call the medical supply people on Monday to find out. I think that they should have discussed the different alternatives with me before selling me the bottom of the line model (that's what I assume I have) I did not have a sleep study and won't be going back to the doctor for a year so I need to be able to monitor my progress myself. You mentioned a cflex or aflex. Can you give me an idea on what the difference is and what I need to ask for in order to monitor my own progress at home. I'm going to talk to the supply people in the morning about returning what they sold me and getting a better model. Just don't know what to ask for. Thanks

[Otter]

You need a machine that logs detailed therapy data. An APAP would be ideal, as even if you use the machine in straight CPAP mode most of the time, the auto mode can be useful for titration. APAP is also useful of your pressure needs change frequently, or you occasionally need much higher pressure than usual.

APAPs:
Resmed S9 Autoset (NOT Autoset Escape. "Escape" machines do not log detailed data. Just remember the DME making a getaway after robbing you, and you'll know which machine not to get.)
or
PR System One Remstar Auto

The top of the line CPAP machines will be a few dollars cheaper. These have full data, but do not automatically adjust the pessure.
Resmed S9 Elite
or
PR System One Remstar Pro

The PR System One Remstar Pro with AutoIQ is a sort of APAP/CPAP hybrid. It's new and I don't know much about it. I'd go with an APAP machine, but you may want to research this option.

The DeVilbiss Intellipap Autoadust is a good APAP machine that's considerably cheaper than Philips and Respironics machines. It does log events, but it does not log enough detail for you to look at your night breath by breath. That was a deal breaker for me, because I thought that someone should be looking at the squiggles, and without a sleep study, that would have to be me.

One advantage of sticking with the current genration from Philips or ResMed is that they are supported by SleepyHead, which is or soon will be the best data viewer for an individual hosehead.

[Pugsy]

Is the machine at least a PR System One machine? Click on the link in my signature and see if it visually looks like that model series?
If so you could give SleepyHead a try. If you only see hours of use on the report then you know it is only the base model.
http://sourceforge.net/projects/sleepyhead/

Also on the bottom of the machine there are several stickers. There is one that has a bar code and number that begins with the letter P..... in the upper left corner of this sticker is a model # and sometimes a name. Example,,mine says Auto 550.. The Pro is 450 and the Plus base model is 150 (no flex) & 250 with CFlex.

Regarding CFlex and AFlex. It is hard to describe the differences. If you get an APAP like I have you have choices.
If you get straight CPAP the only selection is CFlex + and its 3 choices.
The Flex family is described here...http://aflex.respironics.com/
I use AFlex set at 1. If I set it higher I sense that the machine is wanting me to breathe a bit faster than my natural rhythm. I tried CFlex back when I got my first M series Auto machine. To be honest, they all felt the same to me. But don't base what you might feel on what I feel. We are all different.

Since you already have a Respironics humidifier (I will assume System One until told differently as the others have been discontinued for quite some time) if you find out that you do have the no data Plus model and want full data model, I would suggest stick with Respironics machine so you don't have the expense of additional humidifier.

[archangle]

Don't count on the DME knowing the difference or giving you an honest answer. Please do what I posted on your other post.

I presume it says "Philips Respironics" somewhere. Does it say just "REMstar" near the display? Not "REMstar Plus, Pro, or Auto"?

Take out the water tank. You don't want to spill water into the machine while you're searching for the label.

With the water tank out, flip the machine over and look for a label on the bottom of the part with the buttons and display. It probably has a label with a barcode and says something like "REMstar REF 150P." What does it say on the bottom?

If you get a PRS1 (Philips Respironics Series One) machine, do NOT get the AutoIQ model. The "REMstar Auto A-flex" is the best choice. "REMstar PRO with C-Flex+" is OK.

Do not accept the "Plus" model or the "basic" REMstar machine. These do not record any useful therapy data at all. They have a data card and some DMEs will lie to you and tell you it records data, but all it records is the time you are using the machine, not how well it's working.

Do not accept a Respironics/REMstar machine that does not say "Philips Respironics." The newer machines are much better in several ways.

You can buy a PRS1 Auto machine with humidifier for under $700 online. Under $600 if you already own the humidifier. Masks not included.

ResMed machines are good, too. Do not accept one that says S8, you want an S9. Do not accept one that says Escape or Escape Auto. AutoSet is good, Elite is OK.

By the way, your existing machine WILL work just fine if you're stuck with it and you get the right pressure. You just have to guess at the right pressure by how you feel and blood pressure. It sounds like you've already found a pressure that's much better for you than NOT doing CPAP.

[jess]

ok - I looked at the bottom of the machine --- it says ref - 150 P. So guess I got the bottom of the line. I do want a data capable machine because maybe my apnea will change. I don't know if I need the flex options because this feels pretty comfortable, but then I'm at a 7. I do feel leaks when I first put on the mask at night. But then there have been times that I wake up in the middle of the night and don't even know I have the mask on. If my apnea gets worse and I need a higher pressure I'll need a flex -- right??? Sorry about my stupid questions, but I'm still very confused about all the terminology. I think that if a better machine just cost about $500.00 more than I should probably go for it. I'll stick with the Respronics -- Remstar. Would you tell me exactly what to get --- maybe you can give me one or two options --- then I'll price them in the morning. I won't be able to purchase online, because I've got to return this machine ---- I purchased it on 7/1/11 ---- not even sure if they'll take it back. I will have a better chance if I trade UP. Thanks again for all the help. Sure wish I had researched before purchase, but the doctor made me an appointment at this supply group because they were supposed to give me a discount. I don't think I got much of a discount. I paid $950.00 (excluding tax) for everything. Does that sound like a discount?

[lee_leses]

I would say to get the PR System One Pro or the PR System One Auto.

What I would do is buy it yourself from CPAP Auction.com for about $275-$300 for the Auto machine, and just keep the other machine as a backup machine.

And don't buy through insurance or the DME's anymore, it's too expensive for most of us to afford that way!

Lee

[Pugsy]

I paid $950.00 (excluding tax) for everything. Does that sound like a discount?

No. From CPAP.com you can get the PR System One Auto CPAP (APAP) like I have which is 2 machines in one, full data
with the Humidifier for $700.00

Yes, the 150P is the most basic machine. You may not need the Flex options but the full data machines come with it anyway.

You will want want of these 2 models.
The next step from what you have that is full data would be the PR S1 Pro CPAP with CFlex+. Model # would be 450P
This one. To see the discount price type LOW in the discount code box to see $455
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/3076

The top of the line in CPAP/APAP is like what I have. $535 Model #550P
https://www.cpap.com/cpap-machine/respi ... -flex.html

Humidifier is $165

While I know you can't purchase online now, this gives you an idea.
The online price for the Plus DS #150P is $245
and cpap.com is making money on them too.

If they won't work with you and money permits you could keep the Plus as a back up and buy online. Depends on how much they want to charge to trade up. You can also get one at the cpapauction as I see someone has mentioned.
Huge savings and some of those sellers have been around forever.

[jess]

Wonderful, wonderful information !!!! Now I need to decide whether to keep the one I have as a backup or trade up. Do I need a prescription for the one online? I'll let you know how this goes and which one I get. Thanks again so much!

[Otter]

CPAP.com and similar sites are selling the PR1 Auto and humidifier for $635.

If your doctor got you discount, and you paid $950 for the machine alone, then get a new doctor. The one you have now probably has a stake in the supply group he referred you to, and you can not trust him with your money, much less your health.

Even if that includes a mask, you paid a premium price. It might actually be lower than another local DME, as the bricks and mortar shops usually charge a bit more than online dealers. But discount? I'm afraid not.

[Pugsy]

Do I need a prescription for the one online?

Yes. You will need RX on file at cpap.com or the cpapauction. Any doctor or NP can write it.
Also a Rx worded with CPAP will also let you purchase the APAP. Doesn't have to say APAP.
APAP isn't always for everyone but there are times when it comes in handy. Besides, the cost difference isn't all that much and it really is like have 2 machines in one because you can always use an Auto machine in straight CPAP mode as well as the APAP mode.

I got my sleep doctor's office to give me a RX by telling them I found some really good deals on masks online and I wanted to try them but I needed RX for CPAP first. Tis the truth. We do also need RX for masks.

Here is example of auction deal. Brand new.
http://www.cpapauction.com/auction-list ... umber.html
And it includes the humidifier... If you watch it there are also machines without the humidifier.

[Otter]

Wonderful, wonderful information !!!! Now I need to decide whether to keep the one I have as a backup or trade up. Do I need a prescription for the one online? I'll let you know how this goes and which one I get. Thanks again so much!

Try to get them to give you a better machine first.

Yes, you need a prescription to buy from online DMEs, but you don't need a new prescription. Just get a copy of your original one.

[Pugsy]

CPAP.com and similar sites are selling the PR1 Auto and humidifier for $635.

When I do the LOW code thing I am getting Auto machine price of $535 and humidifier at $165.
What are you getting? In the past there has been times where different prices show up.
I know that I was surprised when I just checked today and it totaled $700 because I definitely remember checking and it totaled $635.

[Otter]

With the "low" discount code, it's $535 for the machine and $65 for the humidifer.

PR System One Heated Humidifier ($100.00) Buy Now & Save $65.00

Probably no urgency to by now and save that $35, because the price was the same four months ago when I was shopping for my first machine.

Hmmm. That's the price buying the humidifer as an option with the machine. If I look it up separately, its $165.00.

[Pugsy]

Hmmm. That's the price buying the humidifer as an option with the machine. If I look it up separately, its $165.00.

That's where my math was off. I was pricing separately. I will try to remember for the next time. No guarantees though.

[Otter]

That's where my math was off. I was pricing separately. I will try to remember for the next time. No guarantees though.

I know all too well what you mean.