BIG UPDATE: NEW RESPIRONICS PR Series Auto CPAP Released!

socalmonkey wrote:

Rustyolddude wrote: Is there any real disadvantage of the M-Series Auto?

That is the big question. I really liked my M-Series Auto (other than the noise level). My therapy and comfort greatly improved with that machine. I would not have even been looking for a change, except this new one came out less than 30 after getting the M. I didn't like the idea of being stuck with a machine that is being discontinued.

Hi, I have been following this thread since the beginning and I have a few questions for Socalmonkey. For your previous machine, you have chosen the M series Aflex over Resmed Autoset S8 II which is quieter (and is still quieter than the PR), what makes you stick wih Resmed models all these while knowing that quietness is big issue with you? Can I presume your machine before the M series Aflex was also a Resmed? Aflex/Cflex better than EPR?

Let me explain my keen interest in all this. I have gone for a PSG and MLST in mid of July this year and was diagnosed with a mild Apnea(AHI=6.3) but high O2 sat(>94%). I was prescibed for a month trial Auto CPAP with 4 to 20 cm pressure to rule out if I have respiratory arousals. I have chosen the Remstar Auto Aflex for the trial and so far have had two weeks worth of therapy. I am ok with this as far as therapy is concerned and I do agree that the Aflex is somehow trying to control my breathing a little bit. I did have a chance to compared (noise level) it the Resmed AutoSet S8 II at my local Resmed supplier. Both were set at 10 cm and the Resmed machine was really quiet. I was impressed. Not that the M series noise bothered me initially but after witnessing the quiet performance of the Resmed, I am now a little hesitant on which set to go for after my trial period is over. I was betting on the PR but...software, noise(I am a light-sleeper) as you all have have mentioned...

ping wrote:Hi, I have been following this thread since the beginning and I have a few questions for Socalmonkey. For your previous machine, you have chosen the M series Aflex over Resmed Autoset S8 II which is quieter (and is still quieter than the PR), what makes you stick wih Resmed models all these while knowing that quietness is big issue with you? Can I presume your machine before the M series Aflex was also a Resmed? Aflex/Cflex better than EPR?

I think you mixed up (typo) Remed when you meant to type Respironics a couple places. I choose Auto M Series with A-Flex a month ago for the following reasons. Some of these are not really a good way to judge things.

1. The Auto M with A-Flex had a good following with many satisfied users.
2. The software was available. I liked the information and printout formats on the report. Resmed had pulled the software in the US. So that was a big one.
3. I liked the aesthetics of the Respironics machine better. The Resmed (especially with attached humidifier) was not attractive to me. Then again, your eyes are closed so it should make no difference.

My machine prior to that was a basic straight CPAP Respironics machine. No data, no C-Flex or A-Flex. I hated the humidifier on that one. Horrible designed that leaked etc. So when I replaced that with the Auto-M A-Flex, I used an external F&P HC150. Although later, I learned they improved that over the original model I had. But the new PR humidifier is awesome (so far). So my move to the Auto-M was a big jump up in technology. For 3 years on a basic machine that was not working well for me. But I didn't know any better, until discovering this site. I got immediately improvements with the Auto-M. The difference was night & day for me. I had chest pains everyday (that doctors were chasing) and they went completely away when I switched.

ping wrote:Let me explain my keen interest in all this. I have gone for a PSG and MLST in mid of July this year and was diagnosed with a mild Apnea(AHI=6.3) but high O2 sat(>94%). I was prescibed for a month trial Auto CPAP with 4 to 20 cm pressure to rule out if I have respiratory arousals. I have chosen the Remstar Auto Aflex for the trial and so far have had two weeks worth of therapy. I am ok with this as far as therapy is concerned and I do agree that the Aflex is somehow trying to control my breathing a little bit. I did have a chance to compared (noise level) it the Resmed AutoSet S8 II at my local Resmed supplier. Both were set at 10 cm and the Resmed machine was really quiet. I was impressed. Not that the M series noise bothered me initially but after witnessing the quiet performance of the Resmed, I am now a little hesitant on which set to go for after my trial period is over. I was betting on the PR but...software, noise(I am a light-sleeper) as you all have have mentioned...

The A-Flex difference from the old machine to the PR is minor. Either one will give your great therapy. Whatever difference I am feeling is subtle. The noise from the machine is a major difference. I can't speak to how it compares to an S8 II, but I couldn't ask for it to be much quieter in the mode I use the machine. The db sound spec they are quoting for the PR is very conservative on the high side. The PR is much better than the specs.

Originally I was hot on the DeVilbiss IntelliPAP AutoAdjust, but with no exhalation relief (something I never previously had)... I ruled that one out. I would have probably been very happy with an S8 II. But lack of software was the main reason. Now I know it's not that hard to still get there software. But kind of funny, how I now find myself in that same position... with no software!

Once the PR has software, it will be complete. I really love everything else about the machine. Not crazy about the data on the LCD screen, and my understanding is the S8 has much better data reporting on the screen. If you can live with waiting for the software, the PR is a great choice.

As far as the noise... I believe it's a none issue. I too am a light sleeper and I've been sleeping better through the whole night... never waking up... and I believe the low sound level from this machine has a lot to do with that.

I hope this clears up some of your questions and helps you evaluate your needs better.

By the way, this from the cpap.com home page regarding the M Series Auto with A-Flex that we have all known and loved...

Thinking about getting an M Series? You better hurry!
The top rated M Series with A-Flex has been discontinued
to make room for a new wave of Respironics machines.
Quantities are limited.

My humidifier experience last night was interesting.

Since getting the new machine, I have been using it on a setting of 2. But last night I decided to try it at 3. At some time in the middle of the night it woke me up. This is the first time I have ever experience moist warm air from a heated humidifier. None of my previous models would ever make the air that moist and warm. I am taking noticeably warm... almost hot.

I've heard of people describe that warm moist air, be never have I experienced it. At most, boosting the setting on my HC-150 would result in rain out. So I would turn it back down. Never would the air still be warm by the time it reached me. My old original M-Series heated humidifier would never come close to producing any heated air effect as well.

So I found it interesting that a setting of 3 would produce very warm and moist air. Since it woke me up, I decided it was a bit too much for me... and I turned it down and went back to sleep. I will try it back at 3 again in the winter time and see if I like it better then. But for now, I won't mess with success. Ok, maybe I will try the number 1 setting soon.

If this new design performs this well on a setting of 3... then I can't imagine how scorching hot the 5 setting will be.

Hmmm. The only time I've felt warm, moist air was using my Aussie heated hose. I didn't much like it and decided I should save the heated hose for winter. Since it's cooled off here, I've had to turn my humidifier down from 2 to 1 to avoid rain out. I picked up a HC150 on cpapauction and wonder if I might need to use it during winter.

Keep the reports on the PR1 coming, SoCal. This is a very interesting thread!

My unoffical review of the PR System One REMstar Auto CPAP Machine is now on cpap.com!

The machine:
https://www.cpap.com/cpap-machine/respi ... serReviews

The humidifier:
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/respir ... serReviews

On the machine, I was pretty kind with my rating. But I really let them have it on the software not being available yet. I hope PR actually looks at these reviews.

How the new PR System One REMstar Auto stores it data. Some new insights.

Okay, I have braved the big data reset. In the interest of looking at my previous night's average on the LCD, (after backing up the card) I reset my data today.
Here is what I did:

1. I reset the data on the machine with the card out
2. Backed up the card to my computer
3. Returned the card to the machine and checked for data
4. Put the card back in the computer and compared the file size

The first question I got answered, was if the machine would read the data on the card after it was reset and returned to the machine. The answer is no. When the card was returned to the machine, after the reset, the machine still showed zero data. However, the card now has more data (one more file) after it was returned to the machine. Interesting, it apparently writes another file every time it's re-inserted. Also, the original data all seems to be retained on the card. The file size is the same (slightly bigger). Even though I can't read the data, the file size after seven days is 1.3 mb.

Here is what the data actually looks like:



Another interesting observation is that it writes the data in GMT, not in the GMT offset time set on the machine. Notice the last data file (Sept 3, 2009 1:58 AM)... that is tomorrow's date... and that is exactly when I re-inserted the card (Step #4). However that time is 7 hours in the future (it is -7 GMT in my time zone).

So I have already confirmed in another thread, that the LCD display shows the previous night's data at 12 noon local time... IF you have the GMT Offset properly set to your local time zone. Also see viewtopic/t44738/Understanding-the-Resp ... rages.html.

Tomorrow I hope to have the big question answered. Can you reset your data everyday, and see the results the next day after 12 noon?

[The only reason I question it... is that my first day with the machine did not produce results on the LCD the next day. My first night's data was missed. Hopefully that doesn't always happen after a reset].

The answer... tomorrow!

And the answer is....

YES!

The new machine will give you fresh data from the night before... after a reset. So that is good news. Until we get software, at least I can read the AHI from the previous night (it has to be after noon local time), then you can read it and reset it. It's limited data, but it works. So far the only helpful info I get, is the AHI and 90% pressure. Everything else is zero (for me so far), so I guess that's good. The only leaks reported on the LCD, are "large leaks"... which I never get. I wish it reported the mask leak average from the previous night, instead of only large ones.

Here is one interesting thing learned today. Well, most of you won't care... but I find this interesting. I copied the card again, then I reset the machine with the card in it. Then I checked it again in the computer. Resetting the machine with the card in, produces a new file/folder on the card called "Clear0". Inside of "Clear0" is basically a backup! It's all the same data from the machine, prior to it being cleared! That is good news. Nothing gets erased by resetting it. But resetting the card in the machine each day, will produce a new data file/folder.

So I think it's better to reset the machine each day, with the SD card removed. This way it keeps adding each day to the same data file (when re-inserted). At least this is going to be my approach for now.

It's a shame Respironics insists on doing things the same old way with data. Only reporting 7 day/30 day averages on the LCD. But at least we know, if you choose to reset the machine each day, you can get the previous nights limited data on the LCD. At least It's better than nothing until the software materializes.

I do really miss the software. So unless your current machine breaks. I would wait until the software is released. Unless you don't care about full data. I am going to tuff it out... in the name of science! I do really still love everything else about it. Oh, and the humidifier... I am finding great results using it as a passover. With this current warm weather, I turned the heat off last night for the first time. Felt fine in the morning. So I may not need it heated right now. Your actual mileage may vary. Enjoy!

Socal

Hi. I'm new to this site, sleep apnea, and CPAP. I just got the same machine that you have about 3 days ago. So far, it seems like a nifty little machine but can't figure out some things and was wondering if you could help since you have had yours for a few weeks now. I can't quite get used to sleeping with scuba gear on.

Have you gotten any more response from the manufacturer regarding software that the patient can use? Having all this data stored on a SD card that I cannot access is driving me nuts. I can't figure out if the machine is working properly or not. It seems to blow the same amount of pressure when it's on or off (A-flex with range of 4 to 5). My 7 day average is around 5.3. Why would it show 0 for system leaks when I know that I knocked the mask off one night and air just blew into the bed for a few hours? Or I spend so much time during the night fiddling with the mask that it has to be leaking.

Also can't figure out how to get the mask alert turned on. I turn it on in the patient accessible setup menu and when I remove the mask from my face, it just keeps blowing. No visual or audible alarm to indicate anything. Also can't get the auto on, auto off, backlight stuff to work as selected on the patient setup menu. I read the little booklet about the provider setup menu, made the changes there and again nothing.

I called the DME rep and he said that he didn't turn that stuff on and he would do it in 10 days when he came to swap out the SD card. I can't wait that long. Is there a second "secret handshake" to access these items? DME rep said that 2 week turn on getting results was pretty good. I have to disagree with that statement.

Any help (or other tricks of the trade) would be greatly appreciated.

Skibum9 wrote:Socal

Hi. I'm new to this site, sleep apnea, and CPAP. I just got the same machine that you have about 3 days ago. So far, it seems like a nifty little machine but can't figure out some things and was wondering if you could help since you have had yours for a few weeks now. I can't quite get used to sleeping with scuba gear on.

Have you gotten any more response from the manufacturer regarding software that the patient can use? Having all this data stored on a SD card that I cannot access is driving me nuts. I can't figure out if the machine is working properly or not. It seems to blow the same amount of pressure when it's on or off (A-flex with range of 4 to 5). My 7 day average is around 5.3. Why would it show 0 for system leaks when I know that I knocked the mask off one night and air just blew into the bed for a few hours? Or I spend so much time during the night fiddling with the mask that it has to be leaking.

Also can't figure out how to get the mask alert turned on. I turn it on in the patient accessible setup menu and when I remove the mask from my face, it just keeps blowing. No visual or audible alarm to indicate anything. Also can't get the auto on, auto off, backlight stuff to work as selected on the patient setup menu. I read the little booklet about the provider setup menu, made the changes there and again nothing.

I called the DME rep and he said that he didn't turn that stuff on and he would do it in 10 days when he came to swap out the SD card. I can't wait that long. Is there a second "secret handshake" to access these items? DME rep said that 2 week turn on getting results was pretty good. I have to disagree with that statement.

Any help (or other tricks of the trade) would be greatly appreciated.

I would guess that it's the Swift mask you're using. That type of thing has been reported before on previous models.


Den

Skibum9 wrote:Have you gotten any more response from the manufacturer regarding software that the patient can use? Having all this data stored on a SD card that I cannot access is driving me nuts.

There is nothing new from the PR. I have been told multiple times, that something was "in the works". But once, in an email about a week ago... I was told "nothing is planned". So I don't know what to make of it. They might just be tired of me bugging them.

Skibum9 wrote:It seems to blow the same amount of pressure when it's on or off (A-flex with range of 4 to 5).

Hmm, is it running in the Auto mode or straight CPAP?

Skibum9 wrote:Why would it show 0 for system leaks when I know that I knocked the mask off one night and air just blew into the bed for a few hours?

I have never had mine report a system leak yet. The leaks report on the LCD are only "large leaks". I'm not sure what the exact criteria for that would be. But I would think what you describe would be it. In my case, I believe it's right since my other numbers are very low. On my old machine (with software), I never got large leaks.

Skibum9 wrote:Also can't figure out how to get the mask alert turned on. I turn it on in the patient accessible setup menu and when I remove the mask from my face, it just keeps blowing. No visual or audible alarm to indicate anything. Also can't get the auto on, auto off, backlight stuff to work as selected on the patient setup menu. I read the little booklet about the provider setup menu, made the changes there and again nothing.

I have never used this feature, but it sounds what your doing should work - IF - it actually is turned on in the unlocked setup mode.

Skibum9 wrote:I called the DME rep and he said that he didn't turn that stuff on and he would do it in 10 days when he came to swap out the SD card. I can't wait that long. Is there a second "secret handshake" to access these items? DME rep said that 2 week turn on getting results was pretty good. I have to disagree with that statement.

Any help (or other tricks of the trade) would be greatly appreciated.

There is no "secret handshake" that I know of. I highly recommend that you reset the data each day, so your not stuck with 7 day/30 day averages. I've been resetting mine daily, and recording the data on spread sheet... which charts my AHI. Mine have been mostly around 0.9 - 0.6 or in the low 1 point something range. My results have been very good so far.

I plan to post my spread sheet here at at the end of the month.

My daily routine with the machine (after 12 noon local time) is as follows:

1. Release the card (and turn off the message)
2. Read and record the data (I do the Therapy Hours, System Leak, AHI, Perodic Breathing and 90% Pressure)
3. Select "Setup" and hold both buttons until it beeps and is unlocked
4. Select "Reset" and hold both buttons until it beeps and is reset
5. Select "Exit" and get out of the setup mode
6. Reinsert the SD card

It's simple and has been working great for me. But it has to be reset everyday to get any meaningful data from it. With my method, the SD card will keep saving all the data (so eventually software can read it).

By the way, one night I got a 1% reading on Periodic Breathing. I was surprised to get that result. Luckily it's only been on one night.

So I hope you find this helpful. I am still really happy with this machine and even with the lack of data, I would not switch back to the old one. Mainly I read the AHI and 90% Pressure to judge how I am doing. My AHI has been pretty low and consistent, so I am happy and done messing around with changing masks. I wish the System Leaks reported on the LCD were not large leaks. Because if I have large ones, I would wake up and know about it. For me the bottom line is, if the AHI is low and I am feeling great each day (which I am), then I guess that's what matters most for now.

Remember, to get in the clinician setup mode, you have to hold both those buttons for about 5 seconds until it beeps and the screen changes (it's very obvious). Otherwise, I would see your DME and verify if everything is turned on right.

I hope this helps.

HI, I am a brand new newbie to sleep Apnea and this is my first post at this site, so please bear with me if my questions are basic and ignorant.

I was diagnosed with Sleep Apnea about 2 months ago and started using my very first CPAP about 3 weeks ago. I am using the PR system APAP with humidifier and the Comfortgel nasal mask. As a new user and after reading all these posts detailing the agony and struggle of adapting to CPAP, I was prepared to expect a long period of sleepless nights trying to get used to the CPAP and the gigantic mask on your face. But to my pleasant surprise, The PR APAP proves to be a very easy machine for a new user like me, and it took me only about 3 or 4 nights to start sleeping through the nights. The breathing algorithm seems intelligent enough to follow my breath pattern and ease on the pressure where it needed. I have it set up as auto mode with Aflex-2.

The noise level is not an issue for me. Once the mask is on you can hardly hear any noise. The only noise that i wish the future model would improve is the clicking sound of the wheel knob. It is so loud when I press it down it wakes up my wife during the nights when I needed to tune if off to go to the bathroom. I have not used the humidifier yet as I am living in a humid environment. I leave it at 0 setting so I guess it is essentially in a passover mode.

The biggest drawback of this machine is the lack of a patient interface software. The only useful data I can get off from the little LCD is AHI and the 90% pressure. But the numbers are in this bizarre 7-day and 30-day average which I find it somewhat useless. This is like piloting a plane in a fog without any instrumentation. You just don't know how effective the therapy is and whether the machine is doing the right thing. Had I known that I can't even buy the Encore professional, I would probably not have bought this machine just for this reason. As a new patient, I would very much like to know how I do with the therapy. I have tried to reset the machine as what SOCAL suggested in some of his posts (Socal, thanks for your invaluable input here. I have learned whole lot more from you than from the PR) but I can't find a way to reset the data.

Here are some of my questions to all of you:

1) When I am in the provider's "setup mode", I can't find the RESET command under SETUP as described in the manual. The RESET command is actually in the INFO screen and when I select/press it, nothing happens. None of the data was reset to zero. Can anyone tell me how to reset the data?

2) The only way I can reset the data to zero is to fiddle with the GMT offset. By changing the offset to zero and adjust it back to my time zone again under the "SETUP MODE", all the data are reset to zero except the phone-in numbers which stays accumulative. Does anyone have the same effect when changing the offset ?

3) I find it hard to read the LCD screen when its dark. Is there a back light for the LCD screen? I can only find the white back light for the humidifier setting which can be turn it on or off.

4) I noticed that the therapy hours are always shorter than the blow hours. Can anyone tell me the definition of therapy hours? What are the criteria for the machine to record as therapy hours?

5) System leak, periodic breathing stay zero after 3 weeks of using. Is this right? Does anyone has any reading on these two items?

Any input would be appreciated.

Sorry, I have to reposet this to show my signature with equipmen profile as I did not log in when I post the previor message. I hope this time it would work
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HI, I am a brand new newbie to sleep Apnea and this is my first post at this site, so please bear with me if my questions are basic and ignorant.

I was diagnosed with Sleep Apnea about 2 months ago and started using my very first CPAP about 3 weeks ago. I am using the PR system APAP with humidifier and the Comfortgel nasal mask. As a new user and after reading all these posts detailing the agony and struggle of adapting to CPAP, I was prepared to expect a long period of sleepless nights trying to get used to the CPAP and the gigantic mask on your face. But to my pleasant surprise, The PR APAP proves to be a very easy machine for a new user like me, and it took me only about 3 or 4 nights to start sleeping through the nights. The breathing algorithm seems intelligent enough to follow my breath pattern and ease on the pressure where it needed. I have it set up as auto mode with Aflex-2.

The noise level is not an issue for me. Once the mask is on you can hardly hear any noise. The only noise that i wish the future model would improve is the clicking sound of the wheel knob. It is so loud when I press it down it wakes up my wife during the nights when I needed to tune if off to go to the bathroom. I have not used the humidifier yet as I am living in a humid environment. I leave it at 0 setting so I guess it is essentially in a passover mode.

The biggest drawback of this machine is the lack of a patient interface software. The only useful data I can get off from the little LCD is AHI and the 90% pressure. But the numbers are in this bizarre 7-day and 30-day average which I find it somewhat useless. This is like piloting a plane in a fog without any instrumentation. You just don't know how effective the therapy is and whether the machine is doing the right thing. Had I known that I can't even buy the Encore professional, I would probably not have bought this machine just for this reason. As a new patient, I would very much like to know how I do with the therapy. I have tried to reset the machine as what SOCAL suggested in some of his posts (Socal, thanks for your invaluable input here. I have learned whole lot more from you than from the PR) but I can't find a way to reset the data.

Here are some of my questions to all of you:

1) When I am in the provider's "setup mode", I can't find the RESET command under SETUP as described in the manual. The RESET command is actually in the INFO screen and when I select/press it, nothing happens. None of the data was reset to zero. Can anyone tell me how to reset the data?

2) The only way I can reset the data to zero is to fiddle with the GMT offset. By changing the offset to zero and adjust it back to my time zone again under the "SETUP MODE", all the data are reset to zero except the phone-in numbers which stays accumulative. Does anyone have the same effect when changing the offset ?

3) I find it hard to read the LCD screen when its dark. Is there a back light for the LCD screen? I can only find the white back light for the humidifier setting which can be turn it on or off.

4) I noticed that the therapy hours are always shorter than the blow hours. Can anyone tell me the definition of therapy hours? What are the criteria for the machine to record as therapy hours?

5) System leak, periodic breathing stay zero after 3 weeks of using. Is this right? Does anyone has any reading on these two items?

Any input would be appreciated.

I really appreciate these reports by SystemOne users. I was so intrigued by this APAP and really looking forward to PR coming out w/a SystemOne Bi-PAP. BUT - the lack of data and hassle to go thru to get nightly data has convinced me I've lost all interest. The only thing Respironics had going for it was the Daily Events Per Hour table generated by their software. The SystemOne sounds to be just another step backward as far as what I like/want in an xPAP. Either PR doesn't have reps reading thru these forums or they don't give a rat's rear about what their end-users, the patients, want.

When Respironics comes up w/the software for the SystemOne I will be excited again - until then. Phooey!!!

Socal,

Thanks for your response, it was very helpful. I believe the machine is running in Auto, A-Flex 3 setting.

I guess I have a lot of questions for the DME rep next week. I had been getting into the clinician mode to try and change the alarm alert, auto on/off, and backlight, but to no avail. I knocked the mask off again last night so there the thing is blowing air into the sheets. I would assume this is considered a major leak, but again nothing on the system leak reading. I guess I will be demanding a copy of the report when I have to exchange out my card next week. As an engineer, the lack of access to the data is killing me!!!! I need plots, charts, and graphs (all of which I'm willing to make myself).

Another question, if I reset the data every day with the card out of the machine, does it write over the existing data when you reinsert the card or does it just append to the existing files. I don't want to wipe out any data the doc want to read.

All the numbers that I can access every day are holding pretty steady. AHI is between 2 - 2.5 and 90% pressure is right at 5.3. So on the surface it seems like the machine works, it's just that I have woken up with the mask on the pillow next to me 2 out 4 nights that has me a bit concerned.

The machine it self is pretty quite, its my breathing in and out of the mask that's driving me crazy. But I think I'm starting to get used to it. I don't think I'm fiddling with the mask all night long.

Here is the response to my online inquiry with Respironics regarding whether or not there was any patient software available. "Thank you for your inquiry. Currently we do not have any patient software. We have not been informed of any in the works."

Tony, I can't really answer any of your questions. Like you I'm on a learning curve.