Remstar Auto w/ CFlex - same as bipap for exhalation?

SuckingWind · Post by **SuckingWind** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 4:24 pm

I'm considering getting the Remstar Auto w/ CFlex b/c I am on a regular CPAP now with a pressure of 20 and it is choking me. I am wondering if anyone knows if the CFlex feature is as effective as a bilevel on exhalation.

I'll have to pay for this machine myself (insurance company is resisting a bipap, much less an autopap) but I think it will be worth it if I can exhale properly.

Thanks in advance for everyone's input...I LOVE this forum!!

snamvar · Post by **snamvar** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 5:03 pm

Hi SuckingWind,
I don't know about bipaps, but I first started on a staright Remstart CPAP about 4 months ago with ther pressure 8. I found it very uncomfortable to exhale against the air pressure. I switched to one with the C-flex and there was a world of difference. It was much more comfortable and I could tolerate it. So with your high pressure, I think C-flex would be a great feature. Good luck.

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 7:07 pm

Hi SuckingWind,

I forwarded several questions along this line to be asked in the Respironics Interview to be conducted by cpap.com. Hopefuly they will address them. I would like to know if a apneatic with a high pressure and less frequent events could use an autopap instead of a bipap.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 7:29 pm

I've often wondered that also, wader. My hunch is that quite a few could. Too bad that people can't easily try many different machines (with data reporting capability) at home, a week at a time.

I was glad to see your questions about it for the interview. However I'll bet the rep just says that would be something for a doctor to decide. heh.

davidtwotrees · Post by **davidtwotrees** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 8:03 pm

>I've often wondered that also, wader. My hunch is that quite a few could. >Too bad that people can't easily try many different machines (with data >reporting capability) at home, a week at a time.

HI. I've posted periodically, saying that I am not getting any benefits from my cpap. I saw the sleep doc and he said to hang in there another 6 weeks and lowered my pressure from 8 to 7. I finally called the dme or the sleep tech or whatever she is and said I wanted a machine that could tell us what is going on while I sleep-this is ridiculous! She agreed, called the Doc, and I will pick up an auto machine on monday for a two week trial, after which I will take it in and we can go over my sleep. I wondered why I didn't get one right off and she had no answer for me. When I started talking about being able to monitor myself on an auto pap, she was kind of incredulous, as if I couldn't fathom the intricacies of such a deep and complicated art. Smiles. Really, I'll pay the difference if that is what it takes to get an autopap. I'll be interested to see if it makes a difference..............

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 8:28 pm

Good luck David,

I guess the squeaky wheel gets the grease!

If the dme feels you can't fathom those intricacies then question her about how she couldn't possibly understand how you feel in the morning using the equipment she gave you.

Keep after it!

davidtwotrees · Post by **davidtwotrees** » Fri Dec 10, 2004 7:22 am

>Good luck David,
>I guess the squeaky wheel gets the grease!
>If the dme feels you can't fathom those intricacies then question her about >how she couldn't possibly understand how you feel in the morning using >the equipment she gave you. Keep after it!

Thanks Muckie! I am sitting here yawning my head off at 7am and hoping the autopap works next week. I kind of feel cheated, like the cpap was gonna really make a change in my life, and now that it hasn't I feel like the kid who dropped his dreamsicle in the sand................

Miko · Post by **Miko** » Fri Dec 10, 2004 8:14 pm

Correct me if I am wrong, but with CFLEX, pressure upon exhalation is reduce a maximum of 3cm?

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Sat Dec 11, 2004 12:09 am

miko,

I asked that very question for the interview.

Miko · Post by **Miko** » Sat Dec 11, 2004 2:10 pm

Wading, great minds think a like

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Sat Dec 11, 2004 5:59 pm

I'll be interested in seeing the answer too. I've read it explained both ways on other boards - that C-Flex "1" means 1cm less, "2"=2 cm less, "3"=3cm less. I've also read some who said that it isn't an exact correlation...that "3", for example might be as much backing off as 6 cm less for exhaling. Dunno. Hope the rep answers that clearly. Inquiring minds want to know!

SuckingWind · Post by **SuckingWind** » Sat Dec 11, 2004 7:36 pm

Hey Wading,

Any idea when that interview will be posted?

And thanks everyone for the input.

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Sat Dec 11, 2004 7:55 pm

S W

Your guess is as good as mine!

Remstar Auto w/ CFlex - same as bipap for exhalation?

Remstar Auto w/ CFlex - same as bipap for exhalation?

Upcoming Interview w/ Rep