CrohnieToo wrote:

A SAFER way to check your data each day is to press the Left and Right buttons and hold for 3-4 seconds. That will take you to the advanced patient menu where you can't accidentally - or intentionally - alter your therapy settings. Once you've done that it is a matter of Left button to Enter, Right button to Exit, Up button to return to the previous screen and Down button to proceed to the next screen.

Thanks much for these instructions. I tried them and they work fine.  It's wonderful that the DME tech didn't bother to show me that. I specifically asked her whether I can view anything.  For some reason, I can't open any of the PDF files on the ResMed website for this unit.

At this point, I've only used the machine twice for 3 hours each time.  The screens all say "No Data" (but it's also past noon at this point).  I read in the Humidifier FAQ on the ResMed website that warmer air lessens sinus congestion. I'll raise the humidifier setting tonight as well as maybe use an Ace bandage to help keep my mouth closed and see if that stops me from snoring.  I did turn on the leak alarm on the unit, which was turned off.  I may live to regret that!

These machines are real chick magnets, aren't they     I'm sure glad my wife loves me!

The real test, eh? Love me, love my CPAP and mask! Hey! She loved you thru the snoring! Once the lights are out she can't see you. But, I"ll betchya she could hear all that snoring!


_________________
Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity mask, ResScan 3.7, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.

These guys are great, they have over 30 years experience and it shows. Mike and Neil were very helpful throughout the whole process and I now have a great fitting mask and I love my S8 Elite. I was able to talk to Mike who is a certified sleep therapist before I ever bought anything and it was free of charge. I know that they were doing it to earn me as a customer and well,  it worked. Their prices were right there with everybody else’s and definitely recommend them to anyone who is looking for a cpap, mask, or supplies; they have earned my business for life. Check them out, pretty nice website with a lot of info and a nifty quiz... WWW.SMRTSLEEP.COM

I just got the Respironics M-Series machine and it's great! I heard about some problems with other machines, but I've had this one for about 4 months and its working really well.  It was really expensive at a lot of places, but the best price I found was at cpaphouse.com and I even got free shipping! Anyway, I recommend this machine to anyone who has had problems with other machines in the past

.....

any time you get less pressure means less discomfort. what I see after reading the main post here that Auto Bi Flex has all the possible chances of having less pressure, so why it is not the standard beginning??

Bi mean less exhalation pressure
Flex means better transition (less transition pressure) both ways exhalation/inhalation
Auto means less pressure when you don't need it

it has all the options of less pressure, why people go to C Flex, CPAP, A FLEX..ect? am I missing something?

Thanks for your help

I have had a resmed Autoset II (S8 seriesII) and a h4i humidifier.  It came with a ResScan data card.  All the DME said was to put the card in and get my data IF my doctor told me to before a visit.  I would like to be able to get the details.  I have done a little probing but I am worried that the machine and card that I have are 'new' and that the current programs etc that I see aren't going to work.  Does anyone have any information that might help?  

So far I am very pleased with the machine and truly feel that it is helping.  It is so quiet that my husbandd can't tell it is running.  I am going to call and try to get a copy of my full sleep study report so I can learn more.

Do CPAP machines wear out? I was diagnosed in Dec. 2004 and have used my CPAP 99.9% of the nights since then. It has almost 8200 hours on it. Lately, I get the feeling that the air flow isn't what it used to be. I've done all the routine maintenance, including cleaning filters. Just wondering if it could be time for a new one. Any suggestions?

predsfan wrote:

Do CPAP machines wear out? I was diagnosed in Dec. 2004 and have used my CPAP 99.9% of the nights since then. It has almost 8200 hours on it. Lately, I get the feeling that the air flow isn't what it used to be. I've done all the routine maintenance, including cleaning filters. Just wondering if it could be time for a new one. Any suggestions?

My DME supplier told me once that about every 5 years the machine needs internal servicing (clean the gunk out of the fan motor, etc.).  It might be time to check with the manufacturer about your "50,000 mile service", or consider a new one.  You should see the inside of my computer housing!  I can only imagine what finds its way into our CPAP machines.  Mine sits on the floor next to my bed!


_________________
----
ResMed VPAP Auto 25 w/heated humidifier
ResMed Mirage Liberty Full Face Mask (nasal pillows and mouth enclosure)
BiPAP pressures: 14/10

If you read your Users Manual I believe you will find that it is recommended that once a year you take your xPAP to your local DME supplier for a "check up" (i.e at least a pressure check w/a manometer).

W/the Resmed S8 II xPAPs you need at least ResScan v.3.4 and if you have Vista on your 'puter you need ResScan v.3.7. If you have a Mac you are SOL unless you have the necessities to run Windows based programs.

NO. Anytime you get less pressure, it does NOT necessarily mean less discomfort. One MUST have sufficient pressure for comfort and effective therapy. Bi- does NOT mean less pressure, Bi- means two, dual, i.e. two pressures IPAP and EPAP (inhalation and exhalation)

Auto does NOT mean less pressure when you don't need it. Auto means self. And in the context of APAP it means auto or self titrating.

CPAPerRon, you may find that a leg cut off a pair of panty hose tights works better than an Ace bandage as a chin strap.


_________________
Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity mask, ResScan 3.7, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.

CrohnieToo wrote:

CPAPerRon, you may find that a leg cut off a pair of panty hose tights works better than an Ace bandage as a chin strap.

Chronie,
Thanks, I'll give that a try!  The ace bandage pushes my beard hair into my chin and is pretty uncomfortable!


_________________
----
ResMed VPAP Auto 25 w/heated humidifier
ResMed Mirage Liberty Full Face Mask (nasal pillows and mouth enclosure)
BiPAP pressures: 14/10

Am I reading the info on the Elite S8 II correctly that you need vista to view the data? Does it not work with XP?

To the best of my knowledge ResScan 3.4 and above are compatable w/the S8 IIs but it takes ResScan 3.7 to be compatable w/Vista.


_________________
Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity mask, ResScan 3.7, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.

williamco wrote:

any time you get less pressure means less discomfort. what I see after reading the main post here that Auto Bi Flex has all the possible chances of having less pressure, so why it is not the standard beginning??

Bi mean less exhalation pressure
Flex means better transition (less transition pressure) both ways exhalation/inhalation
Auto means less pressure when you don't need it

it has all the options of less pressure, why people go to C Flex, CPAP, A FLEX..ect? am I missing something?

Thanks for your help

I had a Resperonics with the flex option and viewing the data over a two month trial with it showed I had better results with a standard straight setting.  I had the same CPAP on trial for four months.  First month set at a straight setting of 8, the next two months on A-Flex followed by the fourth month on 8 again.

The results were that my AHIs were substantially higher (double) when on A-Flex.  So, in my case the flex was not a good way to go...

Vis

There are many who do NOT do well w/the constant fluctuation in pressure. And bi-levels are considerably more expensive than CPAPs and APAPs so why script them when they are not necessary? Or when straight CPAP or CPAP w/C-Flex or EPR will do as well for many?

Check the price of a bi-level vs a good straight CPAP w/or w/o A- or C-Flex or EPR and then answer honestly IF YOU WERE PAYING FOR THE DEVICE OUT OF POCKET would you buy a bi-level or a CPAP w/o PROOF you needed a bi-level? Or when a CPAP w/or w/o EPR, C- or A-Flex worked for you?


_________________
Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity mask, ResScan 3.7, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.