Self-programming a Respironics REMstar Auto/A-Flex, M series

My wife was set up with a Respironics REMstar Auto/A-Flex, M series for her sleep apnea about three years ago. She stopped using it after about 6 months of fairly sporadic use when it seemed to quit working properly. Is the software designed to expire? She had a titration study and we had regular visits with the sleep therapist, then I lost my health insurance, and it seemed to quit about three months after the last visit. Keeping her on the cpap wasn't a priority in out budget at the time. Now, dealing with her sleep apnea is more of a priority, so I need to check out self-programming. Can someone please direct me to how to re-program the cpap?

You can request the provider/clinical manual for your machine here.
http://www.apneaboard.com/adjust-cpap-p ... tup-manual
These show how to get to the clinical menu setup areas.
Here is the quick short version
http://www.apneaboard.com/manuals51/REM ... 0Guide.pdf

What are you going to reprogram it to and why? Is there some reason that you don't want to use the original settings?
Do you have the software and smart card reader needed to evaluate the data that the machine offers.
The data that the M series offers on the LCD screen is extremely limited. Only 7/30 averages for pressure, leak and AHI.

Thanks, Pugsy. All I know is that it stopped working properly three to six months after her last visit to the therapist. It may be something other than a built-in setting expiration command in the programming, getting us to go back to the therapist. Or, maybe it was a mechanical failure, though it hasn't been used enough to be worn out. Electrical damage from a power surge that I'm not aware of? I don't know anything about software or a smart card reader, something separate from the slot in the back of the cpap?

Todd

There should be a smart card in the back of the machine...blue and about the size of a credit card. Has a little gold box on it. Yes, there is software available but you also need a special card reader to attach to your computer and slide the smart card into so you can use the software. The card reader is around $46.
I can help with the software so no cost there.

Need to figure out what is going on with the machine if it isn't working properly. I don't know about a power surge (always a chance of that I suppose) but water spillage from humidifier into the blower unit is a definite possibility. Water and those electronic sensors don't play nice together.

Any error messages? What makes you think it isn't working properly?

I can point you to where to get the smart card reader but I wouldn't spend money on it until I knew for sure the machine was in good working order. If you end up with a new machine they use SD cards and those card readers aren't needed.

I have the card. I'll plug the machine back in, turn it on and see what it will do. I should download the manuals you linked first and see if I can do any troubleshooting. Seems to me it stopped blowing at the usual rate, was stuck at a low rate, would not kick in with the first inhale. I will get back to you. How about if I PM you?

Thanks.

Todd

I don't mind private messages at all. Get them all the time.

If the machine won't start with inhaling an exhaling then that is likely the Auto On feature...it may be turned off.
If it won't change pressure it may be that it got set to cpap mode which is of course straight single fixed pressure....or it may be that ramp was being used at first at a lower pressure and got turned off so now the machine starts out at whatever it is set to start out.

The auto on feature with first inhale/exhale thing....sometimes if someone is breathing rather shallowly and maybe using a full face mask then the machine may not be able to sense the breathing and turn itself on.

To the best of my knowledge, there's no "time out" available for the M series machines.

They can be programmed to display a message after a certain amount of time, but it shouldn't affect the operation of the machine other than blinking the lights or some such when it starts.