Machine Change causing Issues

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Permalink Reply by Jonathan on October 24, 2013 at 18:38

Hi David,

My Respironics machine is an M-Series machine with heated humidifier.  I see that the Remstar comes in heated and unheated versions:

http://www.cpap.com/productpage/respironics-remstar-heated-humidifi...

http://www.cpap.com/productpage/respironics-integrated-passover-hum...

I confess, I have no idea how the Remstar version connects!  The only consequence of turning the humidity up too high is 'rain out' or condensation forming in the hose, which then gurgles, and needs to be drained.

My symptom of not having the humidifier was a dry/sore throat.  It didn't make the machine less effective, so it sounds like something else may be the cause of your poor sleep.  Having said that, I understand everyone has a few events per night, and an AHI of less than 5 is no cause for concern.

At the time of my diagnosis, the Respironics machine issued by my NHS hospital was well-regarded.  My partner has now been diagnosed, by a different NHS hospital, and he's been issued with a ResMed S9 Escape.  I've not tried the ResMed, but he's happily used my (spare) Respironics machine.  I don't think there's a lot to choose between them.

I'm tempted to buy an auto (APAP) machine.  My consultant chuckled a little and suggested that geeks love them because of the rich data they can download and analyse, but she thought that in terms of comfort and efficacy there isn't much/any difference.  When I give in to my geek tendencies, I'll let you know :)

I have found that masks play a bigger role.  I didn't much like the NHS issued Respironics mask. I've alternated between SleepWeavers and the Respironics Comfort Curve.  When the latter went out of production, I bought a couple of spares.

I hope you find a solution soon.  A good night's sleep is a human right!

J

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Permalink Reply by Yvonne Kelly on November 1, 2013 at 20:24

hello David, I wish I had seen your post a bit earlier but I hope you get to read this. I had a resmed S7 auto machine for many years with no problems at all. When it gave up the ghost and I had to replace it, I had an awful job getting a newer replacement machine that I could tolerate.   Briefly .... the Resmed S9 worked differently - continually ramped up to 20 to chase every hypopnea and kept me awake most of the night - machine was working correctly but I just couldn't tolerate it;  I tried the Philips Respironics (Remstar, I think) which apparently works in a different way again - keeps giving out a little puff of air to detect state of airway.... every time it "puffed", I woke up!.   I was desperate but eventually Resmed tracked down and sold me an old demo S8 machine - perfect ... works in same way as the S7 and gives the same results... set a min 6 max 20, 95th is always around 8-9 and maximum it ramps to is never more than around 10.   So you see David - different machines can work in different ways and may or may not be tolerated.    

I do hope you get the right one for you - don't give up and enlist the help of the sleep clinic.

Regards   

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Permalink Reply by David Vinnicombe on November 1, 2013 at 20:44

Hi Yvonne, Thank you very much for that. I was beginning to think I was going crazy with the machine change. I was back at the hospital yesterday and they analysed the data from the Respironics machine and they said it was all fine with nothing to worry about. They said there was no reason why I was feeling tired again and yawning all day, as the machine was fine! I told them I couldn't explain it, but I was a different person on the Resmed machine. They then explained that they have just started to stock the S9 series and offered me a change. I slept the same last night, but today when I looked at the data using the Sleepyhead program it was completely different. Previously using the Respironics machine there were a lot of red lines marking snoring events, but not a single one last night. In fact there were not many events at all really. I did feel better today and I did still yawn a few times, but I guess it will take a while as it did when I was first diagnosed. But at least I feel I'm moving forward with my therapy again.

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Permalink Reply by Jonathan on November 1, 2013 at 21:18

Wonderful news. Well done for persevering.

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Permalink Reply by Terry Vella on November 2, 2013 at 6:18

Well done David, don't worrying about the yawning it is natural for us to yawn and it will probable decrease as the therapy kicks back in again, good to see you using the Sleepyhead software.
 
David Vinnicombe said:

Hi Yvonne, Thank you very much for that. I was beginning to think I was going crazy with the machine change. I was back at the hospital yesterday and they analysed the data from the Respironics machine and they said it was all fine with nothing to worry about. They said there was no reason why I was feeling tired again and yawning all day, as the machine was fine! I told them I couldn't explain it, but I was a different person on the Resmed machine. They then explained that they have just started to stock the S9 series and offered me a change. I slept the same last night, but today when I looked at the data using the Sleepyhead program it was completely different. Previously using the Respironics machine there were a lot of red lines marking snoring events, but not a single one last night. In fact there were not many events at all really. I did feel better today and I did still yawn a few times, but I guess it will take a while as it did when I was first diagnosed. But at least I feel I'm moving forward with my therapy again.

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Permalink Reply by Kath Hope on November 2, 2013 at 12:46

This is an interesting discussion, and it's like with the masks 'what works best for one person doesn't always work for another.'  I was the opposite, and got better therapy on the Respironics' one (I tried Respironics, Resmed + Fisher & Paykel before my purchase).  I also know of a couple of people who got better therapy after being moved over to the Devilbiss Sleep Cube (called IntelliPAP in the US).  I also use the Sleep Cube when I go away which also gives me good therapy.

So pleased you got to the bottom of your problems David.

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Permalink Reply by Yvonne Kelly on November 3, 2013 at 11:13

Hi David - I know exactly what you mean about thinking you must be crazy when they tell you the machine is working properly ....because of course it probably is but the different makes and even the different models within the same make can work in different ways  - different "algorithms" whatever that means!   I now have my trusty S8 but live in fear of it packing up as I know I won't be able to find a replacement.   The hospital I go to said they had replaced all the S8s with S9s - what did they do with them, I'd like to know?   Surely they must send them somewhere and not just dump them.  When I was desperate before I managed to get the old demo S8 from Resmed, I placed an ad on this site as I thought someone might have an old S7 in the back of their wardrobe ... but no luck!  

While I'm on HAS ANYONE GOT AN S8 FOR SALE??!!!

Best wishes, David

Yvonne

 

  David Vinnicombe said:

Hi Yvonne, Thank you very much for that. I was beginning to think I was going crazy with the machine change. I was back at the hospital yesterday and they analysed the data from the Respironics machine and they said it was all fine with nothing to worry about. They said there was no reason why I was feeling tired again and yawning all day, as the machine was fine! I told them I couldn't explain it, but I was a different person on the Resmed machine. They then explained that they have just started to stock the S9 series and offered me a change. I slept the same last night, but today when I looked at the data using the Sleepyhead program it was completely different. Previously using the Respironics machine there were a lot of red lines marking snoring events, but not a single one last night. In fact there were not many events at all really. I did feel better today and I did still yawn a few times, but I guess it will take a while as it did when I was first diagnosed. But at least I feel I'm moving forward with my therapy again.

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Permalink Reply by Pete on April 2, 2014 at 19:48

Hi David,

I started off with a Phillips Respironics REMstar Auto A-Flex, but switched to a ResMed A9 Auto and that resulted in a lower AHI score (down from about 6 or 7 to less than 1 on most nights).

But everyone is different and what works well for one person may not work well for another.

Pete

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