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Advice - comparison of machines - Remstar Auto M vs. Resmed Autoset II
Hello,
I'm frustrated as hell, as usual, about my interaction with the wonderful world of sleep apnea therapy and I could really use some advice.
My DME just replaced a defective Remstar M Series with A-Flex with a Resmed Autoset II.
I would like some feedback about these two machines, i.e. if they are comparable to each other.
I was expecting the Remstar to be replaced with the same model, but the tech told me that the DME was out of stock of the Remstar and that the Resmed machine was comparable because it was also auto-adjusting.
I wasn't at all happy about this switch, because I've adjusted quite well to the Remstar, whereas my first machine was a Resmed Escape II CPAP machine and I couldn't stand that machine. But the tech assured me that this Remed Autoset II machine was completely different from the Resmed CPAP.
This is my first night with this Resmed machine, and I'm awake after 2 hours, throwing the mask off of my face because the pressure from the mask feels so uncomfortable.
Is this Resmed Autoset II machine truly an equivalent replacement for the Remstar Auto M A-flex?
Thank you!
I'm frustrated as hell, as usual, about my interaction with the wonderful world of sleep apnea therapy and I could really use some advice.
My DME just replaced a defective Remstar M Series with A-Flex with a Resmed Autoset II.
I would like some feedback about these two machines, i.e. if they are comparable to each other.
I was expecting the Remstar to be replaced with the same model, but the tech told me that the DME was out of stock of the Remstar and that the Resmed machine was comparable because it was also auto-adjusting.
I wasn't at all happy about this switch, because I've adjusted quite well to the Remstar, whereas my first machine was a Resmed Escape II CPAP machine and I couldn't stand that machine. But the tech assured me that this Remed Autoset II machine was completely different from the Resmed CPAP.
This is my first night with this Resmed machine, and I'm awake after 2 hours, throwing the mask off of my face because the pressure from the mask feels so uncomfortable.
Is this Resmed Autoset II machine truly an equivalent replacement for the Remstar Auto M A-flex?
Thank you!
Views: 812
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on
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Yes they are pretty much equal across the board. Some might even say that the Resmed is better.
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Permalink Reply by James Goodman on
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Thanks for letting me know this.
I'm having a problem with the Resmed that I wasn't with the Remstar. Perhaps the settings are wrong?
It feels as if the Resmed is not adjusting to my breathing patterns and is just blowing air down my throat steadily, like my original CPAP machine that I couldn't adjust to. I keep on waking up and removing the mask because I can't sleep with it on.
I adjusted to the Remstar machine almost immediately and never had the sensation that the mask or the pressure was unbearable like I'm now having again with this Resmed machine.
Thanks again!
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Did the DME calibrate the machine for you? The pressures between each machine are not the same. They should have taken that into consideration. I know that a pressure of 8 should be a pressure of 8, but it isn't. Typically your pressure needs will be lower on a Resmed unit. Not that one machine is better. It is just the way it is.
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Rock Hinkle said:Did the DME calibrate the machine for you? The pressures between each machine are not the same. They should have taken that into consideration. I know that a pressure of 8 should be a pressure of 8, but it isn't. Typically your pressure needs will be lower on a Resmed unit. Not that one machine is better. It is just the way it is.
Okay, I guess that's the key and that's the problem. The tech just took the number from the Remstar (I think it was 8) and plugged it into the Resmed.
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Don't go quoting me on this James! I do believe that the DME should have done some math on this issue. Then again 8cmwp might be low enough to not matter all that much. I am not very good at this sleep thing.
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Rock Hinkle said:Don't go quoting me on this James! I do believe that the DME should have done some math on this issue. Then again 8cmwp might be low enough to not matter all that much. I am not very good at this sleep thing.
Do you have any suggestions about how to go about getting the machine adjusted properly? I want to avoid dealing with the DME provider, since they're so indifferent and incompetent.
I'm trying to get an appointment with a sleep doctor. Will a doctor typically make adjustments to a machine?
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Pardon me whilst I choke on that last question!! Most sleep doctors don't know diddley-squat about these CPAPs. There are just too many brands and models for them to be bothered with, plus why should they bother since they can pawn off that "comfort settings" on the DME provider's RRT. All most sleep doctors know is Pressure setting and whether to turn C-Flex or EPR on.
Do you know if you were using a C- or A-Flex setting w//your M Series? Do you know if EPR is turned on w/this Resmed and if so at what setting?
In what way is the pressure uncomfortable? Too much? Not enough?
Personally, I feel the Resmeds are a MUCH SUPERIOR device than the M Series. Altho it has nothing to do w/the quality of the therapy my greatest appreciation of the fully data capable Resmeds over the fully data capable Respironics is the ease of access and amount of data available via the LCD screen. The reasons WHY I wouldn't even consider an M Series were I HATE that power brick. I didn't even want to deal w/the blue lights you could never turn off. I didn't like that they tend to drop data one or two nights a month. The integrated humidifier was not their brightest invention. And accessing the limited data via the LCD screen was a PITA as compared to the Resmeds. When packed for travel they are 1 lb heavier than the Resmeds.
You notice that NOT ONE of my dislikes of the M Series had ANYTHING to do w/the quality of the therapy they provide.
Respironics obviously learned their lesson well from the M Series integrated humidifier and the entirely new PR SystemOne they've come out w/has an integrated humidifier it is almost impossible to make leak. The PR SystemOne is an intriguing new xPAP and I'm quite interested in it - except there's no software available for it yet. The data available via the LCD screen is still limited as far as I understand those who've gotten one.
Resmeds are EASY to adjust settings as compared to the Respironics. But you want to know what you are doing and why before you begin playing w/your pressure settings. So - In what way is the pressure uncomfortable? Too much? Not enough? Be as specific as you can about what is uncomfortable or less comfortable w/this Resmed.
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Judy said:Do you know if you were using a C- or A-Flex setting w//your M Series? Do you know if EPR is turned on w/this Resmed and if so at what setting?
In what way is the pressure uncomfortable? Too much? Not enough? But you want to know what you are doing and why before you begin playing w/your pressure settings. So - In what way is the pressure uncomfortable? Too much? Not enough? Be as specific as you can about what is uncomfortable or less comfortable w/this Resmed.
I really don't know diddley-squat about the machines or the settings or anything else about this brave new world. I'm still a stranger in a strange land.
I don't know anything about what the settings were on the Remstar or the Resmed.
All that I do know is that with the Remstar machine I felt as if the machine was working with me, instead of against me and I adjusted to the machine almost immediately.
With the original Resmed CPAP and with this new Resmed APAP I feel as if the machine is waging war against me and I can't keep the mask on for too long.
The pressure feels like too much and it feels like it's not adjusting at all between in and out breath. Just a constant rush of excessive air down my throat. I would swear that this machine is a carbon copy of the original CPAP machine that I found unbearable. Maybe the problem with the original CPAP was never the lack of adjustment between in and out breath, but simply that the setting was too high, and the Remstar machine with the same setting had a lower pressure?????
Thanks for the advice and consideration. I'm still overwhelmed by all this, but doing my best to take it in and learn.
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Judy said:Pardon me whilst I choke on that last question!! Most sleep doctors don't know diddley-squat about these CPAPs. There are just too many brands and models for them to be bothered with, plus why should they bother since they can pawn off that "comfort settings" on the DME provider's RRT. All most sleep doctors know is Pressure setting and whether to turn C-Flex or EPR on
So the doctors don't know diddley-squat.
And the DME provider is either incompetent, callous and/or simply out to lunch.
Is there any professional out there that can provide service and support and help me to set this machine properly?
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You are not telling anyone just WHAT the problem is. You HAVE to be more specific. Really THINK and PAY ATTENTION to what is uncomfortable about it. Then tell us. I'm sure there are those of us here who can help out. Are we to assume that you are using the same mask as you did w/the Respironics? Which mask is it? Do you still have the literature for it?
You don't know what your settings w/the Respironics were but know you want to properly change the Resmed settings?
You NEED to contact your sleep doctor and request a copy of your equipment order (script). While you are at it it would be a good idea to request a copy of his dictated reports from both your in-lab sleep evaluation PSG and your in-lab titration PSG as well as a copy of the full scored data summary report w/condensed graphs from both in-lab studies. These are part of your medical records and as such you have a LEGAL RIGHT to these copies under HIPAA (assuming you are in the USA).
I am taking a WILD GUESS that your problem has to do, not w/the Pressure setting(s), but rather w/the use or non-use of the expiration pressure relief (C- and A-Flex on the Respironics and EPR on the Resmeds). Was the Ramp feature turned on with either device?
Give me a minute to check the Clinicians Manual for the S8 AutoSet II to see how to access the Ramp and EPR.
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Judy said:You are not telling anyone just WHAT the problem is. You HAVE to be more specific. Really THINK and PAY ATTENTION to what is uncomfortable about it. Then tell us. I'm sure there are those of us here who can help out. Are we to assume that you are using the same mask as you did w/the Respironics? Which mask is it? Do you still have the literature for it?
The mask is a Fisker and Paykel 431 full face mask. It's the only mask I've used on all 3 machines. I do have the literature for the mask.
What is uncomfortable is the feeling of excessive pressure being pushed down my throat continuously. Particularly when I'm breathing out. I feel like I'm fighting to breathe out. It's not unberarable but it's uncomfortable enough to wake me up and to keep me awake; or else I end up taking the mask off to be able to go back to sleep.
I'm not sure what other information I could provide that would be useful.
I appreciate your consideration and assistance very much.
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Press and hold the Left and Right arrow buttons for 4-5 seconds. This gives quick access to the Quickview menu Settings section (for patients to view their device settings in read-only mode) and the Results section only. Review should appear.
Press the Left arrow. Settings should appear.
Press the Down arrow button.
Now tell us what each setting is, use the Down button to proceed to the next screen until the last screen has an UP arrow instead of a Down arrow under the printed screen information. Then press the Right arrow key to Exit each screen back to original Ramp or Settling screen.
So you are able to GET to sleep but can not STAY asleep? Knowing that's a big help. It tells us that the Ramp or Settling are set at a good time period for you. Whether it is set to Ramp or to Settling will tell us if your AutoSet is set in straight CPAP mode or in Auto mode.
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