Missing Data Again

RipVW · Post by **RipVW** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 1:03 pm

Yep, I'm doing the "missing data" thing again this weekend. This is annoying! Wondering why Respironics continues to fail to address this widespread issue with the M Series, my only complaint about my machine.

mindy · Post by **mindy** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 1:04 pm

If our collective theories are correct, then erasing everyday would prevent the problem.

Mindy

mindy · Post by **mindy** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 1:10 pm

[quote="RipVW"]Yep, I'm doing the "missing data" thing again this weekend. This is annoying! Wondering why Respironics continues to fail to address this widespread issue with the M Series, my only complaint about my machine.
/quote]

Although it certainly is annoying, I don't think it's surprising. Besides the fact that all of our collective machines might need to be sent back to the factory to fix the firmware, I wouldn't be surprised if Respironics (or any other maker of these machines) doesn't consider it worth the $ and hassles. Since in most cases it's "only" us patients who really look at the non-compliance data, they don't have much incentive to do so.

My bet is that in newer machines at some point the problem will no longer be present once they have a fix. I don't think we're likely to be able to get the fix for our current machines. Our M-series do work for their intended purpose and we can get data. We either live with dropping an occasional day or two or we erase the Smartcard after each download (and download at least two or three times a week). So, it's not an unsolvable problem.

Mindy

RipVW · Post by **RipVW** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 2:14 pm

I know you're right, Mindy--certainly we can live without those two days of data, and I'm happy with my M Series despite this little glitch. But, the vigilant consumer in me just can't seem to leave it alone. I just sent this to Respironics via the contact form on their website. Maybe they will respond (?). If they do, I'll share the response with all here.

I have discovered that the M Series Auto with AFLEX consistently fails to report therapy and compliance data two days out of each month. Moreover, through readings of forum postings by many users of this device, I note that the issue is universal. It appears that ALL of M Series CPAP machines have this issue. Assuming you must be aware of this, I would like to know status of the problem, what is being done to address the issue, and when may owners of the M Series anticipate resolution.

Thank you!

TossinNTurnin · Post by **TossinNTurnin** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 3:51 pm

Grrrr.... Just had my first problem with the missing data.

And what pisses me off, is that it happened on THE night that I had the worst trouble. I had a couple of drinks last night... and I woke myself up snoring a couple of times, and my mouth was sore and dry, so my mouth was probably open.

I really would've liked to seen last nights data to compare it to the rest.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

TossinNTurnin · Post by **TossinNTurnin** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 3:53 pm

mindy wrote:
RipVW wrote:Yep, I'm doing the "missing data" thing again this weekend. This is annoying! Wondering why Respironics continues to fail to address this widespread issue with the M Series, my only complaint about my machine.
/quote]

Although it certainly is annoying, I don't think it's surprising. Besides the fact that all of our collective machines might need to be sent back to the factory to fix the firmware, I wouldn't be surprised if Respironics (or any other maker of these machines) doesn't consider it worth the $ and hassles. Since in most cases it's "only" us patients who really look at the non-compliance data, they don't have much incentive to do so.

My bet is that in newer machines at some point the problem will no longer be present once they have a fix. I don't think we're likely to be able to get the fix for our current machines. Our M-series do work for their intended purpose and we can get data. We either live with dropping an occasional day or two or we erase the Smartcard after each download (and download at least two or three times a week). So, it's not an unsolvable problem.

Mindy

Yes, but this is an obvious glitch, and they do have a one year warranty. I would have to think they are obligated to fix the issue.

mindy · Post by **mindy** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 4:35 pm

I wish the manufacturers would watch these forums and post a reply to issues like this .... but I think that's about as likely as a fix being made available.

Mindy

Perchancetodream · Post by **Perchancetodream** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 6:00 pm

Somebody, I think it was Gumby, mentioned turning the power to the machine off everyday. I was in the middle of a dropped data period (that usually lasts a few days) when I read that and started unplugging my machine everyday. So far, I have gotten data from every night. I won't know for another couple of weeks if this will continue to work, but it did interrupt an ongoing case of data loss.

Perhaps the machine does need to reboot daily. Has anybody had data loss while unplugging or otherwise cutting the power to the machine daily?

Susan

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 7:12 pm

BearCat didn't have enough nerve and so put me up to dropping in and saying:

My Resmed S8 Elite and my Resmed S8 AutoSet Vantage, my AutoScan 5.7 and my ResScan do NOT drop data. Nyah, nyah.

GumbyCT · Post by **GumbyCT** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 7:49 pm

DO they record anything useful TO drop. Meaning - how could Resmed drop what it never recorded?

Oh wow foghead, neva thought of that!!.

Slinky wrote:BearCat didn't have enough nerve and so put me up to dropping in and saying:

My Resmed S8 Elite and my Resmed S8 AutoSet Vantage, my AutoScan 5.7 and my ResScan do NOT drop data. Nyah, nyah.

mindy · Post by **mindy** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 10:26 pm

Perchancetodream wrote:Somebody, I think it was Gumby, mentioned turning the power to the machine off everyday. I was in the middle of a dropped data period (that usually lasts a few days) when I read that and started unplugging my machine everyday. So far, I have gotten data from every night. I won't know for another couple of weeks if this will continue to work, but it did interrupt an ongoing case of data loss.

Perhaps the machine does need to reboot daily. Has anybody had data loss while unplugging or otherwise cutting the power to the machine daily?

Susan

Tried that too - doesn't work. *If* I'm right about the cause, you'll see that erasing every day is about the only real solution. I *think* that it gets all choked up when one has a longer than usual night's sleep. Somehow I would guess that the way it apportions space on the card and then the way it writes, if we have a longer night, it can't quite figure out how to fit in the data and so it gets lost. How's that for a scientific explanation!!!

I've tried everything I can think of and the problem sometimes goes away for several weeks and then comes back again. That's why when we try something and it seems to work, we think we've "got" it. It just pops back up again ..... step right up ladies and gents and play whack-a-mole

Mindy

GumbyCT · Post by **GumbyCT** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 11:32 pm

mindy wrote:Somehow I would guess that the way it apportions space on the card and then the way it writes, if we have a longer night, it can't quite figure out how to fit in the data and so it gets lost. How's that for a scientific explanation!!!

I have been told the card has a limitation - of 3 sessions during a 24hr period. I don't know what defines a session. I do know the default period is from 12 noon to 12 noon. That really messes with my thinking so I changed mine to a normal 24 hr period = midnite - midnite. Now my days are the same as Encore's - YAHOO!!! We are now on the same page.

From what I understand - if more than 3 sessions are attempted - the 4th or later sessions simply will NOT be recorded. This should NOT be considered lost or missing data. If someone knows any differently - kindly step up.

I do NOT erase my card daily - so my success can NOT be any daily erasures. However, I have been powering the machine OFF, which I believe has been contributing to my success, lately.

Nelson & Mindy -
I don't know how either of you could say that the daily data erasures are working when you are doing other things that could be the reason. Not too scientific, eh!

My suggestion is to stop turning the power OFF but continue with the daily data erasures. You need to eliminate other variables. The card can be removed from the machine while still plugged in to AC power but with the blower OFF. Which I believe is how many of us have been removing the card.

So give that a try if you will please and let us know how you are making out.
Thanks,
GumbyCT

Guest-2 · Post by **Guest-2** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 12:40 am

Long live the tank! ! !

stevoreno · Post by **stevoreno** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 4:41 am

Is this missing data problem associated with all of the Respironics M series models, not including the older "tank" model, but all of the M series models which can record all night time data? I'm trying to get an M Series Pro CPAP with C-Flex through my DME but if the machines are not recording all of the data every night I don't know if I should bother trying to get one from my DME if the machines have a problem with being able to record all of the night time data.

Besides trying to get one of those machines there's the extra out of pocket expense required to purchase the software, the card reader, etc. to go with the machine so the machine can record all of the data every night. If the missing data problem is that big of a problem with all of the Respironics M series machines that are set up to record all night time data should I consider going with a Resmed Elite S8 with EPR instead?

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 6:21 am

Personally, I would. When I bought a Respironics auto, despite only a $50 difference between the "tank" and the M Series I bought the "tank" BECAUSE of the dropped data "and" the "touchy" humidifier issue. I "may" be needing to switch to a bi-level and w/the bi-levels Respironics does seem to be ahead of the Resmeds. So ... *sigh* ... I'm looking at the "tank" and the M-Series Bi-Pap w/Bi-Flex ... and I REALLY hate to go the M Series route. But the "tank" Bi-PAP w/Bi-Flex is becoming more and more scarce. cpap.com has sold 8 of them in just the past week and I'm concerned by the time my sleep lab gets me thru the PSG and the bi-level titration (if it comes to that), that the "tank" Bi-PAP may be sold out.