Remstar Plus M Series w/CFlex Question

How in the world could I convince my Dr. or equipment provider to get me a new Remstar Pro M Series w/CFlex machine or an APAP machine for that matter? When I went to my equipment provider, I wsn't even given an option of machines. He just brought out the Remstar Plus M Series w/CFlex for me. Granted it's a nice machine and it seems to be working well for me, but who knows, maybe an APAP or some other machine might work better. I also want to be able to monitor my therapy using the Encore Pro software, and my current machine only displays compliance data, not the good stuff that the Dr.s get to see. My insurance covers me 100% and I've only been CPAP'ing it for about 3 1/2 weeks now.

You're in the same boat I was in until today. I also have the Remstar Plus M Series with C-Flex. It's a great little unit but as you said, it's a regular CPAP, which is working but could it work better? No one can really decide that for you until you try the unit. I've been on mine for about 2 weeks and I have a 1 month appointment to decide whether or not to rent or buy.

First I contacted the rep who gave me my basic sleep study results. My DME (Durable Medical Equipment Mgr] is in the same office as my sleep doctor. I reported my findings regarding sleeping on my side (requiring possibly less pressure as well as my findings regarding drinking alcohol affecting my sleep apnea, perhaps needing more pressure on those nights) He was very helpful and seemed knowledgeable but seemed to want to kind've shine me on. Then I contacted the DME mgr. She gave me some reasons this morning WHY I couldn't exchange my current unit without paying the difference in cost of the machines because she said my insurance won't pay for an APAP, only a CPAP. She also stated that the machine I was thinking about was heavier. (LOL! This current unit is 2.2 lbs. and the one I was thinking about is 2.9 lbs, which was the Remstar Auto with C-flex (non-M series))

Oh yeah and she said the doc would have to give me a script for the APAP instead of the CPAP too.

So, after careful consideration I called the wife and we discussed paying up to $300 for the upgrade. When I called back, it was during lunch and they're closed for 2 hours. I left a detailed message saying that I would be willing to pay the difference in cost and I didn't mind if it was a heavier unit. The thing could weigh 20 lbs and I'd still use it and take it on the road with me when I travel In fact, I could do my curls with it at that weight. Hehe. I also informed her that I was using my machine about 6.5 hours a night but not the full 8 hours because of my sleep disturbances, which are due to the pressure being too high at certain times in the night, like when I'm on my side.

Anyway, she calls me back and tells me that I would need to pay for a new "water chamber" which I assume is the humidifier tray. It's a cheap little thing that couldn't have cost more than $15 but I'll pay the $35 requested. I asked what kind of machine they would replace it with? To which she responded a Resmed S8 Autoset Vantage. I asked how much extra I'd have to pay in order to exchange them and she said "don't worry about it." Her tune had indeed changed since this morning's call. What a difference 4 to 5 hours makes!

This was my experience. I'm to go in with the current machine and exchange it out tomorrow.

Oh yeah, when I called back I said I'd need the doctor to write me a prescription for the APAP instead if that was needed, even though I was willing to pay the difference in cost, which I was told this morning would be $200 to $300. Turns out to be $35.

..Your really into making this work! I think you are on the right track.
My apena is very positional, 7 cu/H2O on side, and 10 cu/H2O on back.

Just a word here. The ResMed unit will not deliever exhale relief in auto mode. However, the RemStar Auto/C-Flex will. If the exhale relief is important to you, you may want to hold out for a RemStar..

As I recall with the Resmed. it can do Automatic titration of the xPAP OR their version of C-Flex, EPR. https://www.cpap.com/DisplayNewsletter/22 is the article from our host that explains the difference.

If your doctor has prescribed both exhalation pressure relief for comfort and APAP at the same time, the prescription can't be filled with a Resmed, unless things have changed since the above article.

Some people think that the Resmed has a more effective relief - it lasts for the entire exhalation and is of fixed reduction - it is like a bi-level that can be set to 1, 2, or 3 cm relief on exhalation. Respironics just drops the pressure a bit and unless you are exhaling fast, it will be back up part way through the exhale. And there are other differences, read the article - but the big difference, to me, is that you can't have both at the same time with the Resmed and you can with Respironics.

Well, I did it. I had a follow up appointment with my Dr. yesterday and convinced him to write me a script for a different machine. He had no problem doing so. But when I called my DME to tell them this, of course they gave me the run around saying that I don't need another machine, yada, yada, yada. Who are they to tell me what I need or don't need? Anyways, after fighting with a number of people there, they finally gave in and ordered me a Respironics M Series Pro. Now I know that that's pretty much the same machine I have now, but I want it for the simple fact that I can get the Encore Pro software and monitor my therapy on my own!! I'm so excited I can't wait.