New here, help with older machine

Hi all

I was diagnosed with sleep apnea in January 2011. Started CPAP at that time but to be honest, used it only very sporadically. I finally, after all these years, decided to get serious about using it and have used it every night for the last 24 days.

I didn't see my machine in the list, I'm assuming because it's probably ancient technology circa 2011. it's a REMstar Pro C-flex+, System One with a heated humidifier. I use nasal pillows but I have no idea what the mask name is.

So... the first two weeks or so since I started toward the beginning of November, my AHI was averaging around 11. I asked my family doc last week what my AHI was from the sleep study and he told me 25, so 11 was an improvement, but if I was having symptoms, to contact a sleep specialist for titration. I haven't done that yet, but as of this morning, my seven day average is down to 7.8.

Since it's going down, I wonder if I ought to hold off on the titration a little longer. I think the doc said my apnea was considered moderate, so I'm thinking with CPAP that my AHI should eventually be pretty close to zero? Or is that unreasonable?

I have no idea what my CPAP pressure is set at. Is there a way to find out from the machine itself? I think the flex option on the machine does something, but I don't know what.

It's been so long since my study, I don't even know the name of the sleep doc who evaluated it. They just sent the results to my family doc. I kind of feel in the dark about all this...

As far as symptoms go...i live alone, so there's nobody to observe how I'm sleeping. Well, except for my dog, but she's not much help in that regard In recent months I had started noticing that I felt pretty sleepy in the afternoons, although not to the point where I fall asleep at work. I do tend to drift off sometimes on the couch when watching tv in the evening. I have yet to wake up in the morning truly feeling "refreshed and energized" but I'm guessing that will eventually improve. I average about 5.5 hours of sleep a night so I'm guessing my sleep debt is... considerable.

Sorry for rambling... any help would be appreciated.

Welcome to the forum.

Your machine is old but not an old dinosaur...2011 System one would most likely be a 50 Series...look on the bottom of the blower for a model number starting with DS and the 3 digits...most likely will see 450 or 451.
If that's the case your machine is a PR System One Pro 50 series (there's a slightly newer 60 series and that's why we add 50 series in the model name to differentiate between the 2 System One models.) The 60 series models weren't released until maybe 2013. I forget exact release dates for some of these machines.

Go here and request the clinical/provider manual via email for your machine..this manual is for the 50 series
Respironics PR System One REMstar Pro with C-Flex+
https://www.apneaboard.com/adjust-cpap- ... tup-manual

Good news...your machine is what we call a full data...the Pro part of the name tells me that and there is available software that is free and easy to use so you can see more data than you see on the machine's LCD screen.
SleepyHead software.

Check out these links....if you haven't already.

viewtopic/t158560/How-to-post-images-for-review.html

viewtopic/t172378/Sticky--Newbies-PLEAS ... STING.html
Especially number 3 in this thread...it has SleepyHead information and links to get it.

As far as your machine not being available in the equipment lists...that's because it is a discontinued machine...just add it to the comments section of your equipment profile....saying PR S1 Pro model 450 is good enough. We know what it is.

Get SleepyHead and post a couple of typical detailed reports...I bet we can maybe make some adjustments and get your AHI down a bit as long as the AHI is mainly either OAs or hyponeas. If it's mainly CAs/centrals we have a different discussion but cross that bridge if we need to.

Ooohh... thank you! glad to know there's a way to get more info out of the machine. It is a 450.

welcome aboard!

you're in good hands with pugsy.

if you want to figure out which nasal pillow mask you're using, you may want to go here and see which one matches up-

https://www.cpap.com/cpap-masks/nasal-pillow-cpap-mask

good luck!

Aha.... apparently it's a Fisher & Paykel Opus 360 Nasal Pillow mask.

I'd really like to get the DreamWear mask. Not sure how that works with insurance, can I pick a different mask? I've only ordered restock supplies through Apria and it's been a while since I did that.

Which DreamWear mask are you wanting? There are 3 models available.

Normally all you have to do is call the DME up and request a new mask and they supply it as long as it has been within the replacement allowance time frame for your insurance...either 3 months of 6 months since the last one depending on the insurance.

If it has been a really, really long time since you got anything...there might be some additional hurdles because they might realize you haven't been using the cpap for a long time.

I didn't realize there are three models. I was looking at this:

https://www.apria.com/new-patient/respi ... d-headgear

Yeah...3 models all with same frame with minor differences in headgear.
https://www.usa.philips.com/healthcare/ ... /dreamwear
Scroll down a bit to see all 3 side by side.

Good grief. Lol.

The gel cushions look similar to what I use now and probably give a better seal, but the nasal cushion looks like it would be more comfortable.

The mask I use now keeps a good seal with no leaks, but the strap in the back rides up, and I get the nice red marks on my face in the morning. I'm probably not fitting it quite right.

The beauty of the DreamWear...the cushion and the gel pillows use the same frame and same headgear so you can try both and only have to have one frame and one headgear.

We don't need a different headgear until we want to try the full face version.

Check out Amazon ...last I heard wasn't bad at all.
Assuming you run into hurdles using your insurance and they drag their feet or something.

I have tried both...I prefer the gel pillows still. A lot because I have been using pillows for so long that the normal air blowing on the end of the nose from the under the cushion thing was a bit annoying since it was new to me. Always felt like I was having a leak but I wasn't because with nasal pillows if you feel air on your nose its from a leak.
Both were quite comfortable and I slept decently with either. My main problem was the frame size...the package came with a medium and it was too big...so harder to keep a seal. Much easier once I got the small frame.
Plus I wanted to try an XSmall (my usual size in nasal pillows) the gel pillows don't offer it. I don't know if I would have liked it better or not...just wanted to at least try it.

I have also tried the Opus 360 some years ago...I had issues with the headgear more than anything else. It's been around at least 10 years...these new models are so much more of an improvement in a lot of ways.

The gel pillows are soooooo much more comfortable against the nose than the Opus pillows.

FlyingCamaro wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 01, 2018 8:53 am

it's a REMstar Pro C-flex+, System One

You an just say "PRS1 Pro" all the rest is just marketing claptrap.

Yeah, the Opus pillows tend to irritate my nose, but I tolerate that a lot better than trying to use a full mask. Thankfully i normally sleep with my mouth shut.

palerider wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 01, 2018 4:34 pm

FlyingCamaro wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 01, 2018 8:53 am

it's a REMstar Pro C-flex+, System One

You an just say "PRS1 Pro" all the rest is just marketing claptrap.

I wondered about that but I overthink everything so I figured I should include all the details

FlyingCamaro wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 01, 2018 4:50 pm

palerider wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 01, 2018 4:34 pm

FlyingCamaro wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 01, 2018 8:53 am

it's a REMstar Pro C-flex+, System One

You an just say "PRS1 Pro" all the rest is just marketing claptrap.

I wondered about that but I overthink everything so I figured I should include all the details

Respironics used to have a lot of superfluous stuff on their machines...
"REMStar" they put that on all their machines for a decade, no matter what.. so it was meaningless... just a brand name.
"c-flex+" a feature, like "The new Chevy impala... WITH WHEELS! (you couldn't get it without...,)

"System one" narrows it down to a particular line, and "pro" the specific model. (then they came out with the System One 60 Series... what happened to the 10, 20, 30, and 40 series? (the original "system one" was the 50 series...))

most of them are in this list, if you're interested: wiki/index.php/CPAP_models

Where are you located?
I might have a couple of nasal type of masks in the donations box that you could have for cost of postage.
Barely used some of them and I even have one FFM that was never used.
Masks that people try and donate because they don't like them for whatever reason. They send them to me to get them out of their house and I store them and dole them out when I can and think it might help.
If interested...look at the masks here https://www.cpap.com/cpap-masks ...then make a list of the ones that interest you...then send me a PM with the list and your name, address.

I will then check to see if I happen to have anything on your wish list and I will let you know.