Tank-BiPAP Auto & M Series-Auto Detailed & Visual

blarg wrote:

Wulfman wrote:I think for a number of us, it was the fact that the "Classic"/"Tank" was our first machine (some of us are sentimental slobs....others aren't) and they have served us well.

This is one of the reasons I felt compelled to do the post. The M was my first machine, so if anything, I should be sentimental to the M Series.

being a newbie I was convinced by this forum to pick the M w/humidifyer --- realy hope the guy that controls the yellow light section 'MOVES' your work into that area!

BERT

I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for posting this info regarding M-series v. the Tank. I was diagnosed about 2 weeks ago and am waiting for my scrip.

In the meantime I have been researching tons and had come to the conclusion that Respironics made the machine for me, but was unsure about which to select. I am now firm on the Remstar Auto C-flex machine after reading your post because the things you mention that bother you would certainly bother me. I am hoping to get my scrip today or tomorrow and I am grateful to finally feel well informed about this decision. I can't imagine what people did before the internet.

Now I just have to figure out what to do about the fact that I mouth-breathe. The flexifit used during my sleep study left a bruise on the bridge of my nose that lasted for 2 days. I'm hoping the new hybrid mask that is about to come out will work for me because that looks far better than anything else I've seen.

I'm grateful for this forum and all the time and info you all are willing to share. I feel like an informed consumer now thanks to you!

socknitster wrote:I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for posting this info regarding M-series v. the Tank.

Thanks so much for your kind words.

socknitster wrote:I'm hoping the new hybrid mask that is about to come out will work for me because that looks far better than anything else I've seen.

Actually, the Hybrid has been out for some time. A new full face mask called the Quattro is in the works by ResMed. Anyway, take your time and you'll get through it all just fine. When they go to foist a mask on you, make sure to actually strap that sucker to your face and lay down. You'll know if it has any chance of working for you once they get it adjusted. It wouldn't be a bad idea to call your DME with a list of masks you're wanting to try to they can make sure they have them available when you're getting fitted.

socknitster wrote:I'm grateful for this forum and all the time and info you all are willing to share. I feel like an informed consumer now thanks to you!

That's great! Please register and tell us how things go.

Thanks again for all the info, blarg. As it turns out your info was even more pertinant than I suspected. I was told today I have severe apnea (osa). I don't know all the details yet, but I'm going to have a bipap with pressures of 14/16 epap/ipap. I'm still trying to understand everything. I mean I have been struggling with depression for about 10 years and my doc sent me to a sleep study because he noticed my tonsils were large. (?!)

I mean, it was totally a lark and now I have to have this super-industrial machine. I'm just taking baby steps now. I won't be able to get an auto tomorrow at the dme, but I'll rent a regular machine until I get the machine I want, because I am so freaked that I'm not breathing--I want to know the thing is working. I want data! I just can't believe I managed to deliever a healthy baby 4 years ago with such a severe problem.

Anyway, I'm grateful to have such good info available to me and once I get some decent shut-eye I will surely be able to figure everything out! I have actually wondered more than once today, what kind of person I will be when I actually have some energy! I imagine myself a superhero called The Blur.

socknitster wrote:I mean, it was totally a lark and now I have to have this super-industrial machine.

Well, it doesn't sound like everything was peaches and cream based on what you wrote above, but yes, it hits most of us from nowhere.

socknitster wrote:I want data!

In that case, make sure they give you one of the following machines.

BiPAP Pro 2 (NEEDS THE 2)
M Series BiPAP Pro
BiPAP Auto
M Series BiPAP Auto

The BiPAP Plus I'm almost positive that they're going to give you does not have data recording capabilities, and will only tell you how many hours it's used for.

socknitster wrote:Anyway, I'm grateful to have such good info available to me and once I get some decent shut-eye I will surely be able to figure everything out! I have actually wondered more than once today, what kind of person I will be when I actually have some energy! I imagine myself a superhero called The Blur.

You'll probably find that the hardest part is finding a GOOD mask. To give you some idea of what a good mask is, you should put it on, and then that should be the last time you have to touch it. You should not be fiddling with it endlessly because it leaks every time you turn over. You should strap up, go to sleep, and then wake up. It took me a few before I really found that. Keep in mind that it'll take a few nights to get any mask adjusted properly so that this is the case.

You were right about which machine they would give me. When I complained she was surprised but agreed to order the correct machine for me. As she pointed out, I am not the "typical" patient she sees. She made a crack about most of her clients don't have much experience with remotes much less computer software. I had to giggle when she asked me if I have throw rugs in my house, and smoke detectors and oddball things like that. She gave me a handout about how to prevent falls!

Anyway, I'm pleased that she didn't argue with me, but I suspect I'll have to be a squeeky wheel to make sure she is "compliant" about following through with ordering the correct machine for me. I'm renting now anyway and I can always threaten to buy elsewhere. I was also pleased to hear that I will automatically be shipped a new mask every 3 months and all the other equiptment replaced on a timely basis. I might buy a couple of masks out of pocket right now at the beginning just to compare. As you say, the mask seems to be the thing. I got the respironics ff mask today. We shall see how it goes.

Well, I'm off to try it out for the first time. I am hoping for an easy transition. The M-series seems to be fine. I have nothing to compare it to, so the quirks may not impact me. If it isn't too annoying I'll keep to this style when I upgrade to a software compatible machine because they made me buy the humidifier, blah, blah, blah.

Tomorrow I'll have to see if I can track down the software if it is still available! Thanks for the mask pointers. Very good to know.

Thanks again!

Well I completed my first full night with a wind tunnel strapped to my face. It wasn't too bad. I was more comfortable and in no pain compared to the sleep study (the mask they strapped to me when I was groggy was painful and I didn't have the energy to object). I did have trouble falling asleep. Yesterday was a long day and I was stressed. I'm tempted to take something to help me sleep tonight but I don't want to suppress my respiratory system more or start a bad habit, so I'm not sure. I guess it will depend on how I feel tonight at bedtime.

I was swallowing a little air, which I guess wasn't a surprise considering my pressure (ipap 16). I don't know about the ramp feature. It seems like a good idea at first when you press the button because it makes it so much more comfortable. But I was really aware of the increasing pressure and always wondering--is this finally the pressure? It made me constantly aware of my comfort level so I might try skipping it tonight and just buck up and learn to cope with my pressure because it was so distracting.

And after a full night of listening to the full repertoire of sounds the m-series can make, I get your objections to it. Mine makes a high-pitched sound almost like a whistle. At times I imagined I heard a horse whinney. Since I am already committed to an m-series humidifier I don't know yet how I will proceed. So far my only cash outlay has been a copay or two to see the docs.

The bipaps are pricey machines and I really want an auto because if there is any chance of spending part of the night with less pressure, I think that would improve my chance of long term compliance. I'm wondering how I should proceed with the rangling with the DME. I have brought up wanting an auto a couple of times and she seemed irritated. I have got her to agree to get me a machine with a smart card, so i don't know if I should compromise there or continue to fight. The machine I selected before going in there was a tank auto bipap. No tanks in stock. I want to start therapy now, been waiting for weeks, so I compromise and bring home the m-series, but now I'm committed to that humidifier. What a tangled mess. Ugh.

I'm considering trying the new resmed liberty because I want to try a completely different style of ff mask. I'm going to have to do some research here to find more info.

Despite spending half the night listening to the machine and not feeling like I was sleeping at all, I seem to feel a little better rested. I'm still plugging away. Took my 3-year-old to pick 16 lbs of strawberries this morning by sheer force of will (I would much rather have watched tv but strawberries are only in season a few weeks a year!) I picked, he ate strawberries until his hands and cheeks were pink and he was "tired."

Thanks for all your input, if you have any suggestions about my dilemna, I'm listening (reading!).

Good for you!

Stick with it and don't be afraid to play around with masks.

It'll start feeling normal before you know it.

Interesting and valuable post, Blarg. I'm basically happy with the M-series, but I can see your points on the comparison to the Tank. (Had two PB Goodknights that both went south about 18 months to two years after purchase.) I like the two-year warranty on the Respironics machines.

I've found using a small plastic funnel helps a lot for filling the humidifier.