NEW MACHINE NEEDED?

I think my 13 year old Respironics M Series w/ Aflex may have died on me. I have begun to experience a little apnea fatigue over the past weeks and today I'm dysfunctional. Looking at last night's data nothing jumps out at me, in fact there is an unusual lack of apnea events. I think maybe the machine is not sensing, treating or recording any. The blue lights on top seem pretty dim. I have a same model back up with brighter blue lights I'll try tonight.

Meanwhile it is overdue to replace my primary machine. I have stayed with it so long because it has worked so well for me. I had tried other manufacturers equipment that did not provide me good therapy. I attribute that to the specific algorithm used by my machine. The most important feature I want in a new machine is one with the same algorithm that seems to work for my apnea when other manufacturers don't.

It looks like the recall maybe an issue for me. I can't rule out that I could have developed "Centrals" I've never had before to my knowledge although my study is 13 years old now. Am I due for a new one?

I don't know what Covid feels like. Maybe it can feel like untreated apnea?

Help with the best replacement will be greatly appreciated!

You were due for a new one at 5+ yrs - never heard of 13! Stay away from Philips/Respironics, but look at the Resmed Airsense 10 auto, and now 11 one (and the 'for her' models are even better, and not just for her).

Since you are overdue, get in line for a Resmed Airsense 10 or 11 Autoset.
We get reports of folks who report how amazing the Resmed algorithms feel--
after clinging to the inferior technology for years--mostly to save money.
Sleeping can be a third of your life.
Do not sell yourself short.

Re: Centrals, M-series does not flag them so we can't help you there.
The good news is that the AutoSet (S9, AirSense 10 and 11) do flag them.

I had tried other manufacturers equipment that did not provide me good therapy. I attribute that to the specific algorithm used by my machine. The most important feature I want in a new machine is one with the same algorithm that seems to work for my apnea when other manufacturers don't.

Which one of the M series do you own?

It might be hard to get your favored brand of CPAP machine now because the new DreamStation2s are being used to replace the recalled machines.

ResMed's therapy algorithms anecdotally does a better job than Philips as seen by reports of lower AHIs at lower pressures.

A typical report:

Thumper1947 wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 06, 2021 10:54 am

From the for what it's worth department,after 5.5 years of using the Dreamstation, I bought a Resmed Auto Airsense 10 and started using it two months ago. I have slept better, slept longer, more comfortably, and had better numbers ever since the switch. I have used CPAP every night except for June 25th, when I didn't use it out of concern for the foam. On July 7, two months ago I started using the Resmed. All other factors, ie mask(Dreamware FF) remained the same. After switching, I removed the foam from the Dreamstation and when I tested it out, I was surprised at how much more comfortable the Resmed was. This was mainly because of the flex vs EPR which was set at 1 for both machines. There was no comparison of the the comfort level between the two machines. A look at the AHI data backs all this up very nicely. The red arrow was the night I started using the Resmed. I know all this stuff is very variable from person to person, but I'm quite happy with the change.
Thumper

Some do not like the feel of the ResMed's therapy, but turning the Response setting to Soft seems to solve that problem.

Try picking up an AutoSet cheaply on your local Craigslist, FB Marketplace just to try whether you like the ResMed algorithm before spending $600+ on a new machine. Note that S9 does not have the Soft Response setting available.

AutoSet Response mode
ResMed’s AutoSet algorithm now allows for additional customisation of therapy with the new AutoSet Response mode, which offers all the benefits of the enhanced AutoSet algorithm with gentler pressure increases for additional comfort.

For patients who are sensitive to faster changes in pressure during therapy, AutoSet Response can be set to either Standard or Soft. If set to soft, patients will receive gentler pressure rises during therapy.