Difference between Respironics models?

I've recently been diagnosed with mild to moderate sleep apnea (more sleep-interrupting hyponeas than apneas).

My doctor prescribed a Respironics Series M Pro CPAP with C-Flex.
I've also used a Respironics Series M Auto-CPAP with A-Flex on loan from my sleep center.
Respironics also sells a Series M Auto-CPAP with C-Flex.

I want to have as many options as possible for future treatment, so I'd like to obtain the machine with the greatest capability.

My question is: What are the actual capabilities of these three machines?

Although the Auto-CPAP is listed as an "A-Flex" machine and another Series M Auto-CPAP is sold as having "C-Flex", I recall that the Clinician's setup menu on the A-Flex machine offered a choice of either A-Flex or C-Flex. Can the A-Flex machine be configured as a C-Flex machine and vice-versa? Are they actually the same machine?

Also, is there any advantage at all of buying a Series M Pro CPAP over the Series M Auto CPAP with A-Flex? They are the same price to me, but I'll need to convince my doctor to modify the prescription if I want the Auto CPAP.

Is the Series M Pro CPAP actually a different machine than the Series M Auto CPAP with A-Flex or the Series M Auto CPAP with C-Flex? Again, I recall the Clinician's setup menu on the Series M Auto having the ability to place the device in CPAP (non-auto) mode.

Thanks for your help, everyone! This forum is a fantastic resource!

I found the following information on the official product page for the Respironics Series M Auto CPAP with C-Flex / A-Flex:

MODES OF OPERATION
(five CPAP options available with REMstar Auto M Series with A-Flex)
CPAP, CPAP w/C-Flex, Auto-CPAP, Auto-CPAP w/C-Flex, Auto CPAP w/A-Flex

This suggests that the "Auto with A-Flex" machine is a superset of all three machines and is the best choice for maximizing my treatment options (given the fact that there's no price difference for me). By calling out the A-Flex version as having five options, it also implies that the "Auto with C-Flex" machine has fewer options.

Based on this, I believe these are the most likely modes of operation available in each machine:

Series M Pro: CPAP, CPAP w/C-Flex
Series M Auto with C-Flex: CPAP, CPAP w/C-Flex, Auto-CPAP, Auto-CPAP w/C-Flex
Series M Auto with A-Flex: CPAP, CPAP w/C-Flex, Auto-CPAP, Auto-CPAP w/C-Flex, Auto-CPAP w/A-Flex

Can anyone confirm or dispute this?

Thanks again for your help!

Ok -- I found and read the Provider/Clinician Manuals for all three models and it confirms what I said in my previous post.

The Series M Pro can only do CPAP and CPAP w/C-Flex.

The Series M Auto C-Flex can do everything above plus: Auto-CPAP and Auto-CPAP w/C-Flex

The Series M Auto A-Flex can do everything above plus: Auto-CPAP w/A-Flex

If you have reason to disagree, please let me know!

I plan to ask my doctor to rewrite the prescription for the A-Flex machine tomorrow.

Thanks again for your help!

Xeno....

You are exactly right. Go for the AFLEX machine....it gives you the most options. It'll make a big difference in your success probability.

Also, immediately order "Viewer" software and a card reader as a package from CPAP.com

CPAP machine Software is critical to your success.

And finally, if you really want to conquer sleep apnea, purchase a recording Oximeter with software. I've used a SPO-7500 purchased from turnermedical.com for the past year. Good machine, good software, and nice people.

Gerald

I would recommend the 'script say:

"Auto CPAP of patient's choice"

It gives you a lot of flexibility. Suppose the week after you get your 'script specifically saying "A-flex", they release an Auto machine with "brand-new-super-duper-flex" and you decide you want that.

LinkC wrote:I would recommend the 'script say:

"Auto CPAP of patient's choice"

It gives you a lot of flexibility. Suppose the week after you get your 'script specifically saying "A-flex", they release an Auto machine with "brand-new-super-duper-flex" and you decide you want that.

That's good advice, if my doctor is willing to do it.

I don't know what kind of limitations are on physicians for CPAP prescriptions. A doctor would never write a prescription for "painkiller of patient's choice", but it seems to make a whole lot of sense when it comes to CPAP machines.

Gerald wrote:...

And finally, if you really want to conquer sleep apnea, purchase a recording Oximeter with software. I've used a SPO-7500 purchased from turnermedical for the past year. Good machine, good software, and nice people.

Gerald

Thanks, Gerald! I've been looking for a recording oximeter!

I'd had one of these to confirm that my oxygen saturation levels were dropping, I would have pursued apnea treatment much earlier.

I would suggest a script written with the words "Auto CPAP of patient's choice" will permit the DME to provide any brand auto machine. Not that another brand is a bad machine but I didn't see that listed in your posts. At the very least prepare to debate with your DME unless you plan to buy online.

I would suggest (again) a make/model specific script with the words "Dispense as Written"; the set pressure(s) are ALWAYS required. Get the script "in your hand" and provide the DME (of your choice) with a copy. As with all medicines, should the need arise you can get another script.

Not mentioned in your model comparison is the fact that some of the lower end models do NOT provide any useful data.

You should still prepare for a debate with your DME and ask the doc not to change the script when the DME calls.

A search will bring up many more lively discussions and ideas about script suggestions.

Good Luck

GumbyCT wrote:I would suggest a script written with the words "Auto CPAP of patient's choice" will permit the DME to provide any brand auto machine. Not that another brand is a bad machine but I didn't see that listed in your posts. At the very least prepare to debate with your DME unless you plan to buy online.

I would suggest (again) a make/model specific script with the words "Dispense as Written"; the set pressure(s) are ALWAYS required. Get the script "in your hand" and provide the DME (of your choice) with a copy. As with all medicines, should the need arise you can get another script.

Not mentioned in your model comparison is the fact that some of the lower end models do NOT provide any useful data.

You should still prepare for a debate with your DME and ask the doc not to change the script when the DME calls.

A search will bring up many more lively discussions and ideas about script suggestions.

Good Luck

I don't think the DME will cause me grief. I spoke with them yesterday and they seemed happy to provide the machine I want if the doctor changes the prescription. Since I plan to buy the unit this week, I'll ask the doctor for the specific model I'm interested in to avoid confusion with the DME.

I'd prefer to buy the equipment online and save money, but my insurance company will only pay 70% online versus 90% for a contracted DME. Thanks to the kickbacks the insurance company gets from the contracted DME (in the form a price increase for me and a reduction for the insurance company), I wind up paying about the same amount (~$250) either way, but get more support from the local DME.

GumbyCT wrote:I would suggest a script written with the words "Auto CPAP of patient's choice" will permit the DME to provide any brand auto machine.

Not at all! "Patient's choice" is the key phrase. The brand and the specific features are the PATIENT's choice, not the DME's. If the 'script only said "Auto CPAP", I would agree with your assessment.

(Technically, "Auto CPAP" is an oxymoron, but it always flies...)

Xeno wrote:I believe these are the most likely modes of operation available in each machine:

Series M Pro: CPAP, CPAP w/C-Flex
Series M Auto with C-Flex: CPAP, CPAP w/C-Flex, Auto-CPAP, Auto-CPAP w/C-Flex
Series M Auto with A-Flex: CPAP, CPAP w/C-Flex, Auto-CPAP, Auto-CPAP w/C-Flex, Auto-CPAP w/A-Flex

Can anyone confirm or dispute this?

Thanks again for your help!

You've described exactly the modes of operation for each of those models, Xeno.

I'd get the M series Auto with A-Flex.

Personally, I'd not get the integrated M humidifier. I'd get a separate heated humidifier to use with the M machine. I'd get the Fisher & Paykel HC 150 humidifier. That's just my personal choice. I don't like the M series humidifier. I use a separate F&P humidifier with my M Auto/A-Flex.

Xeno wrote:I'd prefer to buy the equipment online and save money, but my insurance company will only pay 70% online versus 90% for a contracted DME. Thanks to the kickbacks the insurance company gets from the contracted DME (in the form a price increase for me and a reduction for the insurance company), I wind up paying about the same amount (~$250) either way, but get more support from the local DME.

LOL... don't count on it

Local DME's that are good do exist... but a lot of us have found that they are few and far between.

For those who are curious, here's the outcome:

After a bit of back and forth with my doctor, she agreed to change my prescription to an M Series Auto with A-Flex.

I picked it up on Friday (with no hassle from DME) and have been using it for a couple of nights now.

I also ordered a recording oximeter (SPO Medical PulseOX 7500H) and Encore software with USB card reader for tracking my progress. These won't arrive for a few more days.

Based on my first two nights, I have a few kinks that I'll need to work out before CPAP is comfortable for me, but I'll save those for another post.

Thanks to everyone for your help!

Xeno......

You have made good choices....and you now have a good "toolkit"....either on-site....or on the way. You'll do well.

The next hill to climb is to find "the" mask. Realize that you may have to try a bunch....maybe as many as half-a-dozen....before you find the one that gives the best results.

The main problem is to find a mask that is comfortable.......but one that doesn't leak. For a while, this may be frustrating......but you'll learn a little bit every day. And finally, you'll "get it all together"....and you'll look forward to "suiting-up" at night....because you'll know that you'll be getting good rest.

You may find that....if you're not using a full-face-mask....you'll decide to "tape" in order to prevent mouth leaks.

Once you get mask leak...and....mouth leaks under control, you may learn that you can throttle back on the pressure....and still get good therapy.

From reading your other thread, I realize that you're frustrated after having "bloated up" (aerophaegia)....but, you'll learn how to control that little problem. Work on parking your tongue in the roof of your mouth....with the tip touching the back side of your upper front teeth.

Be relentlessly patient......take control of your therapy....and you'll get there.

Gerald

I'd prefer to buy the equipment online and save money, but my insurance company will only pay 70% online versus 90% for a contracted DME. Thanks to the kickbacks the insurance company gets from the contracted DME (in the form a price increase for me and a reduction for the insurance company), I wind up paying about the same amount (~$250) either way, but get more support from the local DME.

From where are you saving the money? Your local DME is where you SHOULD buy your equipment. That's where this stuff should be purchased. I'm glad your insurance company is smart enough to not compensate fully for online purchases. When manufacturers wake up and start raising their prices to online companies, then you'll see many things change.