Remstar Auto - Runaway Machine or Runaway Body?

rested gal-

I know! It doesn't seem possible for anyone to snore that much and live to tell about it!!!

I always thought snoring was reserved for big men and not for women. I'm 5'2" and I could snore most men under the table! Such a feminine trait too... sigh.... (Although why I'd bother to be concerned about femininity when I'm now wearing this contraption on my face every night, I can't explain!)

I'll record myself and I'll try the settings you suggest. I appreciate all your help and for taking the time to look at my data.

Is it possible that the snores would never go away, even at 20? Just curious.

Thanks for everything!!

Hey wader---

Is it because of the cflex that you much prefer the Remstar Auto to the PB420E? Or are there other reasons too? Just curious, as I would like to make the most informed decision I can in regards to buying a 420E in the hopes it's algorithms are more compatible with my anatomical anomaly.

(That sounds bad, doesn't it... 'My anatomical anomaly.')

Sincerely,

Woman with Three Heads

WillSucceed, I agree absolutely with you that no one machine is the answer to everyone's prayers.

I've used the 420E auto, two Remstar Autos (one without C-flex and one with C-Flex) and an Autoset Spirit. All of them give me great treatment.

The reason I usually recommend the Respironics Remstar Auto with C-Flex, especially to newly diagnosed people wondering about machines, is because of the C-Flex feature. You're correct that if the machine itself doesn't suit a particular person, C-Flex loses its value as a feature.

But.....most people who use an autopap seem to get good treatment from any autopap. In that case, an autopap that can also give them relief on exhalation is a plus, imho. I don't even really need C-flex, but I do enjoy using it for that little bit of extra comfort breathing out.

I understand what you mean about the drumbeat for autopap -- and for the Remstar with C-Flex in particular. If one compares the number of posts by people who got that machine and love it, compared to the few it doesn't work well for, it looks like it is suiting most people, right out of the box.

The 420E is a favorite of mine for many reasons, even though I did have to turn off IFL1. It works fine for most people as is. Turning that off was necessary for me. Turning it off is no big deal - IF you know how to do it and, more importantly, why. But what if I had not had access to a message board like this? What if there had not been someone as smart as -SWS is about these machines to look at my data and suggest I turn that setting off? What if I had to rely on a DME or doctor who was clueless about the 420E's advanced settings - and who are not really interested in looking at detailed data -- or would even understand what they were looking at, the way -SWS did?

To me, the fact that quite a few people have reported having to turn off IFL1 to avoid pressure runaway on the 420E, compared to the fewer number of people who have reported pressure runaway with the Remstar Auto....well, to me that makes the Remstar Auto the "best bet" in the machine gamble for an auto that will behave for the most people, "as is", right out of the box.

The 420E (really, I do absolutely love that wonderfully designed machine) suits many, many people beautifully without having to change a thing in the the default advanced settings. However, I do think the Remstar Auto/C-Flex probably is the better bet for the most people, when it comes to the slight chance of a consistent pressure runaway with any particular autopap for any particular person. Either machine would suit most people fine. As would the Spirit, and probably a lot of other makers' autopaps that we don't hear much about.

Wader wrote:

Have you used this machine?

Yes, Wader, as I have said in many posts, I have trialed this machine.

Wader wrote:

I think YOU do a disservice to particular forum members when you put words in their mouths.

No Wader, I am not doing a disservice to anyone and I have not put words in anyone's mouth. Go back and read my post again; try to do it without being a hothead and craft a response that is appropriate to what I have posted. The point of my whole post is that rather than tell people who are new to CPAP what machine we think is best, we are likely to help them more when we tell them about features of all machines and encourage them to trial the different machines before they commit to one specific machine.

Wader wrote:

I personally wrote a very detailed review of all the features and drawbacks of this machine. There is no way to know if an individual is incompatible with a particular auto unit unless they try it.

Sure, you wrote a very detailed review... Did you invite anyone reading the review to bear in mind that this is your experience only AND, that someone new to CPAP should consider trying other machines so that he/she can compare?

Wader wrote:

By making that statement am I misleading the "frightened and vulnerable?" I can't see how I am.

Once again, Wader, go back and read my post. I have NOT used the word 'misleading,' I have simply said that we should remember that new users of CPAP are likely to be feeling frightened and vulnerable and those of us with some experience should remember this and encourage that new uses try out several different machines.

So, Wader, how about checking the bruised ego at the door? ALWAYS encouraging new CPAPers to get lots of info and try out several machines before they commit to any one machine can only be a good thing to do.

Rested Gal wrote:

But.....most people who use an autopap seem to get good treatment from any autopap. In that case, an autopap that can also give them relief on exhalation is a plus, imho. I don't even really need C-flex, but I do enjoy using it for that little bit of extra comfort breathing out.

I understand what you mean about the drumbeat for autopap -- and for the Remstar with C-Flex in particular. If one compares the number of posts by people who got that machine and love it, compared to the few it doesn't work well for, it looks like it is suiting most people, right out of the box

Rested Gal:
As always, you are the voice of calm. I agree with you completely, that the RemStar does offer a feature that is unique to it, and a wonderful extra for many. Further, that it is a good machine for most.

I am just very glad that when I was starting out, I read posts from wise people (you are one of them) that talked about different machines and gave what felt like broad and balanced reviews that encouraged me, as a new CPAPer to find what was best for me rather than just following the party line.

We need to do more of this.

It seems that up to about 6 months ago the standard prescribed machine by sleep docs was the cpap. Take it or leave it. Now thru this forum a lot of ppl are finding out about the wonders of an auto. After a year on cpap I got my auto because of info in this forum. I have usually first advised ppl to get an auto if at all possible.If they asked what I use, I tell them. But these machines are not one size fits all. I got the remstar auto with c-flex mainly due to the c-flex feature. It would be a wonderful world if we could trial and error many machines and masks. It would be like driving a differnt car a month for 5 months, then deciding whats good. But for insurance or other reasons testing cpap equipment isn t possible. Just wait to the next generation of machines comes out. More comparing. At least were not hooked up to a vacumn cleaner.

Could there be something near your unit that is causing this. A cat chewing on the hose. A clock or something . Do you talk in your sleep ? Others have had similar problems and have traced it to white noise machines and even cats ! keep looking. Or, you may just be the 1 in 1000 whom it just doesn't work for. You can always do as RG suggests.

For All:

I started this topic early this morning because I had a new and alarming to me experience...apparent runaway APAP. I had not run across this APAP phenomenon previously. I've only been on the Remstar Auto for a week now and following the forum for about 6 weeks. Between the replies to my inquiry plus the seperate but related thread Derek started I've already learned alot of new info today. Much to digest and cosider. Unfortunately I didn't have a choice to test several different machines so I based my decision on overall research plus info on this and the "Other" forum. No matter how I cut it my choice to push my DME and Dr. for a Remstar Auto w/CFlex at least gives me options...something I wouldn't have had if I'd settled for what they wanted to put me on. At no time have I felt I was receiving anything other than honest opinions and advice...Thanks All for your support and input to this forum.

Jim

Willsucceed,

No need to re-read your post. I stand by all of what I wrote and yes I am a little peeved at your need to twist what others have said.

Why would a review of the REMstar auto w/ C-flex need to invite readers to try other machines? Also I think it was obvious that this review was my opinion. I don't feel the need to add disclaimers to my posts. The standard disclaimer at the bottom of each page serves this purpose.

I hear you are fond of claiming another poster on this forum "Just doesn't get it" Please realize the same about yourself.

Willsucceed again,

Your insistence on re-reading prompted me to go back and re-read my review. I suggest you do the same because I think you missed a key point in my conclusion. I'll paste it below to save you the effort.

"Ultimately individual preference and results will dictate what machine is best for you, but the REMstar Auto with C-Flex is worthy of the status as one of the top two or three machines to consider."

Seems I did suggest people decide for themselves. I guess the newbies don't have to cringe in fear after reading my review after all.

Wader wrote:

I guess the newbies don't have to cringe in fear after reading my review after all.

I did not say that "newbies" should "cringe in fear after reading [your] review..." I commented on ALL of us making sure that we offer reviews that clearly identify that our comments are personal opinion AND that we encourage people to try different machines.

So again, Wader, there is no need for the hostility -->check the 'I'm in a snit because someone does not agree with me' at the door. I'm interested to hear your balanced opinions, not your hostility.

Wader wrote: "I hear you are fond of claiming another poster on this forum "Just doesn't get it" Please realize the same about yourself."

What I realize is that when this other poster lets his anger do the talking, his usually sensible opinions loose balance and don't get heard because of the intensity of the anger. This is a loss for all of us as hearing the balanced opinion is the important part. The same applies to you. I'd encourage YOU to take YOUR own advice and "please realize the same about yourself."

Willsucceed,

As they say "If the shoe fits" I suggest you check out the "shoes" you wear on the forum.

Realize that your innacurate characterization of others on the forum is "Hostile" on it's face whether or not you try to couch it in flowery language or not.

I would like to suggest that you two get each others telephone numbers and carry this bickering on offline.

"Guest",

No "bickering" on my end! Just defending the accuracy of my posts. "On the Forum" is THE only place to do this.

neversleeps wrote:Hey wader---

Is it because of the cflex that you much prefer the Remstar Auto to the PB420E? Or are there other reasons too? Just curious, as I would like to make the most informed decision I can in regards to buying a 420E in the hopes it's algorithms are more compatible with my anatomical anomaly.

(That sounds bad, doesn't it... 'My anatomical anomaly.')

Sincerely,

Woman with Three Heads

Still hoping to hear from you wader! Aside from the CFlex, are there other reasons you much prefer the REMstar? I'm thinking of trying the 420E for the possible auto benefit that my unusual problem prevents me from getting from the REMstar.

I realize it would just be a matter of opinion and personal comfort if the only difference between the two machines is the CFlex, but is there more?
(I mean aside from the size difference which is important if portability is an issue, as WillSucceed pointed out.)