BIG UPDATE: NEW RESPIRONICS PR Series Auto CPAP Released!

I just dumped my rental and went through a decision between this and the S8 Autoset II. Resmed won!
The factors were:
1) Software vs no Software
2) Resmed has a larger humidifier chamber
3) Respironics dials back the humidity to prevent rainout so they essentially defeat the value of my Aussie heated hose.
4) Respironics power brick is a pain.
5) Not enough reviews or info yet on PR therapy changes if any.
6) My sleep doctor does not support the new card format and with their budget cutbacks it might be a while. So neither of us can provide the other with data.
7) The Resmed has builtin setup option for my Swift mask
Supposedly the Resmed is quieter but as I get older that is not much of an issue.

So its not a big difference but enough for me. I will be paying attention to people who go the other way and watch the satisfaction indicators.

I understand your reasoning. Now you get to go into your User Control Panel and change your equipment!!! You're still showing the Respironics.

Slinky wrote:I understand your reasoning. Now you get to go into your User Control Panel and change your equipment!!! You're still showing the Respironics.

Done. Thanks for the reminder. I always seem to tuneout my signature

Right on! THAT looks better. *wicked grin*

Skibum9 wrote: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).

Yeah I don't know how long it has to happen before it reports it as a large leak. The trick is to stop taking it off! Tell yourself not to do it. Ok, easier said than done.

I too really missed the full data early on. But now that I am getting constant results, and a lot of data on my spread sheet... so I miss the software less and less. As long as I feel great and have a low AHI... then I don't miss anything.

Skibum9 wrote: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.

It does not appear to wipe out the data on the card. If you reset with the card in the machine... it does reset it on the card as well. At least that's what I determined by testing it. All my data is still on the card. I can see all the files for every night. What it does (if the card is not removed) is it creates and moves the reset data to another folder (I forget what it's called). Look back at the previous page on this thread and I mention it.

I actually don't completely remove it... I just press it and it partially pops out enough. Then reset the data. Press on the card again to snap it back in place... and all the data stays in the same folder. So either way, the data is not deleted. But I didn't want it to be in bunch of different folders.

I am looking for a DME or doctor that will be able to read it. So far no luck in my area. It's just a matter of time.

Skibum9 wrote: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.

Well that can happen regardless of the machine. In time you'll get a handle on it.

Skibum9 wrote: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.

Mine too is extremely quiet! The only noise I hear is from my breathing through the mask. That's why I love the Activia LT so much. It's the most silent mask I've used... and now with my results being constant and low... happy days are here again!

Skibum9 wrote: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."

That is very similar to the last one I got. Very disturbing. However, in time I do believe the market place will cause them to respond. Remember, this product has only been out a month. PR doesn't even have any mention of it on there web site. They will be coming out with more machines (looking like this) that will eventually replace the existing product line. I was told that will be over the next 6 months... and that's how long it might take for software.

Don't buy it... everybody hold out. That will bring it sooner - IF - everybody complaints and tells PR that's why they're not buying it yet.

That said, they seem to be selling plenty of machines. Currently cpap.com says "8% of AutoCPAP Machine product buyers choose this product". Not bad for only being out for a month in the USA. I believe good things will come when PR does the full roll out.

Skibum9 wrote: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."

there are folks who have the aflex and the card reader and the software etc for "old" aflex

just so I understand for sure== would the "old" encore pro [ it works for old aflex] work for this data? you would just use a "sd" drive??

I am wondering about all the complaining about software?? people seem to be able to get it before, right?

thinking of getting this new machine- I really like the aflex- when I got it couple of years ago it made a huge difference for me from the old leaf blowers-

now the new one is even better?

It's my understanfing that the old software won't work becasue it will only read data from the card reader.... it won't even know the SD card is in the computer.

packer wrote:just so I understand for sure== would the "old" encore pro [ it works for old aflex] work for this data? you would just use a "sd" drive?

Nope, it is a completely new ball game. It can not be read on any previous version. The data can only be read by Encore Pro 2.1

packer wrote:I am wondering about all the complaining about software?? people seem to be able to get it before, right?

Maybe because it's relatively new... but it can not be had (at the present time). Most DME's and doctor's don't even have the 2.1 software and most (that I've run into) are not interested in getting it yet.

I love my machine and feel that I am getting better therapy than old M-Series Auto w/A-Flex. I can measure this improvement by the way I feel and the AHI. Because it's working so well for me, I don't miss the software that much. But if it wasn't working, I would be bummed that I could see everything that's happening to figure out how to fine tune it. There is a lot more information this machine reports (via the software) if we could just access it. It seems really ridiculous that Philips Respironics would boasts about these new advanced data features... and we have no way to access them. This makes no sense. They are not really in touch with there customers, as they claim to be.

socalmonkey wrote:It seems really ridiculous that Philips Respironics would boasts about these new advanced data features... and we have no way to access them. This makes no sense. They are not really in touch with there customers, as they claim to be.

Oh, but they ARE. Their customers are doctors and DMEs, not us peons who actually use the equipment.

but the same underground network that got the old encore out there- whether someone's brother in law or a seller in Australia or whatever- will get the new software out pretty soon as well I suppose- right?
in the meantime it sounds like quite a bit is shown
and - what I always do anyhow is use the oximeter about once every two or 3 weeks overnite and see the desats

software will come eventually I bet- and thanks to the " monkey" for all the info- I probably will go ahead

Socal

I figured out that I'm not actually taking the mask off, but it slides off in the middle of the night. I guess due to all my hair. I have tried making the straps tighter, but that just makes my nose hurt more in the morning. I may have to look into a different mask, something with straps below the ears and around the neck instead of above the ears and top of the head. Either that or quite the hair cut.

The machine did register a 2% system leak the other night, not sure how that translates into time.

I seem to be getting a little more used to sleeping with the mask and don't spend as much time fiddling with it. Still really fatigued all the time. I sure hope with a little patience this will start to pay off soon.

Have you tried putting your hair through the straps? Kind of like a pony tail... It's been awhile since I used a Swift (and it was the original Swift)... but I used to pull my hair through the headgear, over the bottom strap, and that kept it in place.

Thanks for the suggestion. I was going to this try tonight, since it was last night that I figured the mask was sliding off. Kind of like when I stick my hair out the back of a ball cap.

The hair through the mask trick did the job and I kept the mask on all night. After a week on the machine, I seem to be averaging 6 to 7 hours a night and all the 7-day averages are staying pretty consistent. Once I give the DME or sleep doc the first down load, it will probably try hitting reset every day. I'm starting to get used to the idea that I can't access all the data and that as long as I can get to the AHI and 90% pressure, that is good enough for the time being.

What are the typical time frames for seeing positive results from sleeping in this contraption? I'm still really fatigued. I know "patience grasshopper", but I'm pretty impatient at times.