I've been reading CPAP Basics 1

So it's got me thinking I do need to be better educated.

I started CPAP in 1998 after a sleep study and was given one of those bricks machine set to 10. I did struggle with finding a mask that I could deal with but not without a fight of waking in the night and adjusting because of the air leaks. It was the Breeze nasal pillows.

After 10 years I was given an new machine, a Respronics M series which has a smart card. I also got a copy of the Encore Pro and tried to check out the data though I really didn't know what I was looking at and hated trying to sort out all of the information on this site. I really wasn't very successful of getting the whole picture but since I now had a auto machine I figured it would just sense what pressure I needed and eventually get my pressure right. Reviewing that data I could see my pressures were running a little over 12. I then quit looking at the data.

Recently, I tried to check my data with my Encore Pro but that no longer works, some server connection problem.

On another note along the same time I got the new M series machine I finally found a good headset and interface, it was a Twilight/Aura/Headrest. This was a much better headset and my nightly struggles with leaks was greatly reduced.

Now, I am due, or qualify for a new machine and they want to give me another M series. I think now after reading all the post on the CPAP Basics 1 thread I could be missing something and probably should be a little more involved with understanding my data.

As far as a new machine, should I settle on the M series or are there other machines I should ask my DME about? I will need to order the software the start over with that.

Bryan

They quit making the M Series some years ago. That generation of flow generators was NOT one of Respironics's outstanding achievements. The current equivalent is the Philips/Respironics System One (Series 60).
If you get an APAP, you can always run it in straight pressure CPAP mode.

The software issue kind of depends on what computer operating system you have. Some of it is downloadable for free and some is purchasable.

Check some of the links in "Pugsy's" and "Uncle_Bob's" profiles.

Den

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Hi bryansong,
I really don't have the knowledge yet to be much help, but I can suggest that you could try changing your post to say something like
"I need advice on what machine to accept" that should get more answers…

Insist on the new generation of machines. Software is easier to use..no need for special card readers for smart cards...and there's more data available so you will be even more confused.
But we will help you understand it.
It isn't rocket science and you can make it as simple or as complicated as you desire.

If you want to stay with the Respironics brand...get a 60 series APAP (model 560) and make sure they give you the optional heated hose equipment.

The M series was discontinued around the beginning of 2010 when the first of the PR System One machine were released.
The PR S1 machines were a definite improvement in several areas.

Pugsy wrote: If you want to stay with the Respironics brand...get a 60 series APAP (model 560) and make sure they give you the optional heated hose equipment.

I personally dont like the heated hose. The heated hose + headed humidifier makes the air from the blower too warm. I feel like Ive hooked my apap hose to a space heater. I wake up after an hour or two kicking the blankets off myself because Im too hot. I chucked mine in the closet and am running a standard hose. I didnt see where you could run the heated hose without it being on and heating.

I sleep in a 70 degree bedroom and I live in Oregon, so moderate-high humidity. I get zero condensation in my tube and barely any in my mask with a standard hose.

My guess is that you'd only see rainout issues with my machine if you slept in an icebox of a room.

If you can get both, I'd do so. There is a special lid for the humidifier that you need for the heated hose, so make sure they give it to you. It has a little electric plug on the hose hookup port. However, Id start with non-heated and see if you get any condensation in the hose before going with the heated one. It really does blow some fairly warm air.

Q

~Q~ wrote: If you can get both, I'd do so. There is a special lid for the humidifier that you need for the heated hose, so make sure they give it to you.

Actually there is no need to get both...get the heated hose equipment but turn the heated hose function off and use it with traditional System One humidification system or Classic mode which is the old way with heat only. Let the insurance pay for it.

There's another reason why I suggest the heated hose system to a person who has been using the older Respironics machine in the past. They are going to be used to the old way of humidification and that way produced more moisture than the new way. His body is likely going to be used to more moisture and to change to the new way of doing things is going to possibly present problems. The New PR S1 humidification system without the heated hose produces a lot less moisture when compared to similar setting on an older Respironics machine. If someone needs that moisture it presents a problem. I know this from personal experience.

Your 70 degree bedroom...I would have a really hard time sleeping with that much heat...if I were a guest in your house the windows would be coming open even in the wintertime. Your idea of an icebox may not be someone else's idea of an icebox.
Your idea of comfortable to me is a sauna.

So it is always best to get the extra goodies (when possible) because they can be turned off if not needed or wanted but it is real hard to make them appear in the middle of the night if they are needed. Better to have them and not need them than need them and not have them...sort of thing.

FWIW...I have a PR S1 machine but not the 60 series machine and I had used the old M series machine for 2 years...the new humidification system doesn't produce enough moisture to keep my nasal mucosa happy and I have to use the old Classic mode or my nasal mucosa get really ugly about it.
OP in this thread had been using an older Respironics machine which delivered more moisture (Classic mode) and there's a good chance that his nasal mucosa might prefer that method of moisture delivery.

The 60 series machines were released to compete with the S9 Climateline hose... It's more than just "warmer" air it's about the ability to deliver constant amount of humidity even at lower temperatures. Otherwise lower temperatures mean lower amounts of added moisture to the air and the chance that the nasal mucosa will get mad and when they get mad they can be real ugly. I have had it happen on the new humidification system as well as when I forget to fill the tank and it goes dry.
It takes me 3 days of miserable nasal symptoms for my nasal mucosa to forgive me and get back to normal.

Thanks to you all.

Pugsy,

I called Apria this morning and it looks like I will be getting 60 series APAP (and I ask her, model 560? She said yes). I go in next Tuesday but I do have another question.

Where do I get this Encore Pro software? The DME lady didn't think I could get it, says it's so they can read the data. That can't be correct, I've never had an RP
at Apria look at any of my data, I've never had a doctor look at my data. I don't have a sleep doctor.

Anyway, any software direction would be appreciated.

Bryan

bryansong wrote: Where do I get this Encore Pro software?

I can get you the Pro software but to be honest it is more of a PITA than it is worth because EncoreBasic offers the exact same reports. You could buy the new EncoreViewer 2.2 but it doesn't offer the wave form graphs that Basic and Pro offers and Viewer costs $100....Basic or Pro can be found for "free"...You can always tell your DME that Respironics has released the new Viewer 2.2 which is the patient version of the software and available for purchase...it's true. It hasn't been released very long..2 or 3 weeks I think...DME probably doesn't even know about it.

The DME may or may not include the heated hose optional equipment with the 560. It may or may not be important to you so up to you what you want to do about it if they don't. Hopefully they will include it but it's available online as a $75 upgrade because you would need a different power supply along with different lid for the humidifier and the heated hose.
It's a nice feature if you need it or want it. Though not a deal breaker if you don't...you have been using the old way of doing things for a long time and I assume you got along well enough. I just like to have all the bells and whistles...just in case...we can always turn them off if they aren't really needed but kinda hard to make them materialize in the middle of the night if we need them and don't have them. Insurance should cover the heated hose thing...even Medicare has a billing code for heated hose.

Look in Uncle Bob's signature line for where to find Basic.
memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=38643
Be sure to read the Help section because it tells you how to use the software.

EncoreGuide link this will show you examples of what you will see. For a different machine than yours but the basics are the same. Pretty much what you saw with your old Pro version with the addition of a few different data points that your old machine didn't gather...RERAs...Clear airway...wave form graphs.
http://www.healthcare.philips.com/pwc_h ... _Guide.pdf

You are right Pugsy, I haven't needed the heated hose before and got by OK. I don't use the humidifier all that often but have been lately.
I have had the rain out which tends to make me stop using the humidifer altogether.

And I all for having all the bells and whistles that come with the unit, just in case.

Thanks for the help.

Bryan