Choosing a CPAP with data access

I was diagnosed with moderate apnea about 2 years ago. The details are kind of embarrassingly sketchy in my mind, but in general I use a CPAP with CFLEX (which I know is a brand-specific term, it's got different pressures for in and out as I recall). I've gotten to the point where I'm frustrated with not having access to the data or even having any idea of how much data mine collects, and sometimes it makes odd noises (I think it was damaged in travel) so it may need to be replaced regardless. So, I'm in the market for a new CPAP and would like to be able to look at my own data. Anything requiring Windows-only software won't work, I have a Mac and Linux, which I realize probably severely limits my options.

Any suggestions?

Heard about you folks from a friend, was glad to find you.

You have a bilevel machine?

If you post your current specific machine, that would help us determine that and that will then limit the field of possible machines.

deeann wrote:I was diagnosed with moderate apnea about 2 years ago. The details are kind of embarrassingly sketchy in my mind, but in general I use a CPAP with CFLEX (which I know is a brand-specific term, it's got different pressures for in and out as I recall). I've gotten to the point where I'm frustrated with not having access to the data or even having any idea of how much data mine collects, and sometimes it makes odd noises (I think it was damaged in travel) so it may need to be replaced regardless. So, I'm in the market for a new CPAP and would like to be able to look at my own data. Anything requiring Windows-only software won't work, I have a Mac and Linux, which I realize probably severely limits my options.

Any suggestions?

Heard about you folks from a friend, was glad to find you.

You need an Rx for a new machine. If you still have your old Rx, it will give you information about what the machine was setup to do.
C-Flex is only an option on Respironics (that's the company name) machines, and their Sleep Apnea line is called Remstar (the company also makes other breathing equipment). If your machine supplies different pressure for in (inhale=IPAP) and out (exhale=EPAP) then you've go a bi-level machine, which Respironics calls BiPAP, and others may call it BPAP.

The Respironics BiPAP Auto with Bi-FLEX (that the BiPAP version of C-Flex) is very well thought of by members of this forum.

Look at your machine from all sides - you'll find many of the necessary details written on it.

The newer machines give you data on the LCD screens. Software is much better - it shows you the event distribution and may teach you a lot, but LCD info is much better than none.

O.

Do find out what machine you have.

You can use your old prescription to buy any APAP or CPAP online at CPAP.com or CPAP auction.com. You will need a Bi-PAP script to buy a Bi-PAP.

All software is written for Windows, "It what the world runs on". A old notebook with Windows and working USB (Some have USB, but it doesn't work), or a used Windows computer, that's past it's real world life, can be had cheap, or you can even buy a Mac, that thinks it's a Windows machine, or maybe fool yours into running a windows install. Jim

If you don't have PC access or have a Mac that can't utilize Windows then your best bet - bar none - are the Resmed xPAPs. The Resmeds can't be beat for EASE or amount of data access via the LCD screen.

The Resmed S8 or S8 II Elite w/EPR would be the fully data capable CPAP.
The Resmed S8 or S8 II AutoSet Vantage or AutoSet would be the fully data capable AutoPAP.
The Resmed VPAP Auto or VPAP Auto 25 would be the fully data capable bi-level.

The S8 IIs are the newer models, just released in 2008. The VPAP Auto was just released in January 08 and the VPAP Auto 25 just released in July 08.

IF you opt to buy online, don't just swallow the online listed prices. ALWAYS call the various online DME suppliers' toll-free number and ask if they have an "unadvertised sale price" on the device(s) you are interested in. Resmed, Respironcis and Fisher & Paykel have, unfortunately, opted to inflict MAP (minimum advertised pricing) policies upon the online DME suppliers. In addition to the inconvenience of not being able to determine the prices right up front, it eliminates the advantage of cpap.com's Price Matching Policy because you can't provide proof of a better price elsewhere. Dirty pool, but, hey, we, the end users are stuck living w/it.

Sorry about not including the specific machine, I thought I had. Sometimes I despair that I have any memory left at all.

It's the REMstar Plus with C-Flex.

Goofproof wrote:All software is written for Windows, "It what the world runs on". A old notebook with Windows and working USB (Some have USB, but it doesn't work), or a used Windows computer, that's past it's real world life, can be had cheap, or you can even buy a Mac, that thinks it's a Windows machine, or maybe fool yours into running a windows install. Jim

Poor world.

I can get Linux or the Mac to handle Windows stuff one way or another (I'm a techie by profession), I just try to support vendors in general that realize that there's more than one operating system in the world. I was recently diagnosed diabetic (so now I get to travel with even more gadgets) and it's the same problem with the blood glucose testers, Windows software only.

Anyway, the OS stuff is a minor aspect compared to being able to take a bit more control of my own treatment one way or another.

The remstar plus with cflex could be a m series or could be the legacy model. The legacy series has a clear tank humidifier in the front; the m series has a covered humidifier on the side. In either case there is no data even if there was a smart card module added to the m series Plus.

The machine you might want is a m series Pro, the Resmed S8 Elite, and a few more out there now with some kind of data besides compliance data including most APAPs. I am sure someone will chime in with all the models out there.

However the software tends to run on windows platforms but there have been people who have been able to use various versions of Encore Pro with Macs and Linux. I have read posts about this over time. I am not sure about the new Encore Viewer.

In order to buy a new machine you will need a copy of the prescription. If you have that you can order one from an online vendor such as cpap.com or buy one at cpapauction.com. If you plan to use insurance you need to confirm in advance with your insurance they will accept an online vendor as some won't. If you chose to check your local craigslist ads or look at garage sales or thrift stores, the prescription will most likely not be needed.

I'd get a Sandman Auto, as long as your pressure requirement isn't 15 cm, it will give you AHI, Leak and Pressure info from the LCD in addition to reports.

You could install Virtual Box (http://www.virtualbox.org) and Windows on your Mac if you really wanted the reports. You can also transport the data via the data card, can you export it? that I don't know but the data is setup to allow you to transport the data to your doctor for reading.

Sandman software carries a very small footprint that is easy to install as opposed to Encore which has heavy overhead and a finicky card reader that is difficult to install even on a PC.

The Remstars give you same info but they are not very accurate from the LCD, Resmed also has it but still over priced. For $589 with humidifier the Sandman Auto is the best value out there. It is also the most flexible with how it treats your disorder, no exhale relief but that can easily be compensated for with a lower Minimum pressure or use of Auto:Ramp.

If you travel, it has a smaller footprint with its incorporated humidifier.

https://www.cpap.com/cpap-machine/covid ... chine.html

Snoredog wrote:For $589 with humidifier the Sandman Auto is the best value out there. It is also the most flexible with how it treats your disorder, no exhale relief but that can easily be compensated for with a lower Minimum pressure or use of Auto:Ramp.

If you travel, it has a smaller footprint with its incorporated humidifier.

A friend had recommended the Sandman Auto actually. I wonder if I could turn off the C-FLEX on mine and see how it feels. I do travel quite a bit, so one reason I was considering it is that it's so tiny.

deeann wrote:

Snoredog wrote:For $589 with humidifier the Sandman Auto is the best value out there. It is also the most flexible with how it treats your disorder, no exhale relief but that can easily be compensated for with a lower Minimum pressure or use of Auto:Ramp.

If you travel, it has a smaller footprint with its incorporated humidifier.

A friend had recommended the Sandman Auto actually. I wonder if I could turn off the C-FLEX on mine and see how it feels. I do travel quite a bit, so one reason I was considering it is that it's so tiny.

Of course. Any of the machines that have exhale relief, in one form or another, have an option to turn it off.

Den