RamblinLamb, my love,
Maybe we just need a month or ten in Maui! Me

that's not such a silly idea you two   after all you've both been through, it would be nice to have a vacation and not feel tired all the time.  i am going to take a vacation when i am better.  it's been years since i've done that.


_________________
"Attitude is a little word that makes a big difference" - Winston S Churchill
Machine: Respironics M Series Pro, 17cm
Mask 1: Respironics Comfortgel nasal
Mask 2: Resmed Quattro full face
37yo female, New Zealand, Mixed SA, AHI 45

I also have a Respironics M-Series machine.  I've had the machine for one year and it makes a terrible whirring sound that drives me crazy.  When I complained about it, they said the machine does not make noise; it must be me because they have never heard of this.  In addition to the external noise, if I lay my ear on any surface (pillow, bed, hand) the whirring sound is magnified inside my head, so then it is external and internal.  I believe the sound comes up the tube, into my nose, and into my ears.  It's real annoying and I've called my machine many names, but never Harold.  Harold would be much too kind for the noisy beast.  I'm sorry you are having problems, but relieved to hear that someone else out there may understand the noise I'm describing.  I started CPAP therapy three years ago and didn't have the noise issue while on a CPAP machine; the noise issue started when I was switched to a Bi-Pap.

My husband sleeps in our spare room now and we are currently checking out new machines.  The insurance company just paid off this Respironics machine, so we will be purchasing out of pocket.  From all the research I've done the "ResMed S8 Autoset II" looks good.  Does anyone know anything about this machine?  I notice it states it has a CPAP mode with EPR.  Can the EPR be turned off if it makes noise?

Ok - this is not working. I'm going to have to buy a second bed,  I can fall asleep for a few hours, but then his cpap either gets louder or his breathing is really uneven or he starts snoring.
All three happened last night. It scared me that I coudl hear really loud inhales, but no exhales.  Anyway, I finally grabbed my Ipod to drown out the machine and that worked gret until the snoring got louder. Oh, yeah and the foot twitching was worse than it's been in a while.
My night was a progress of sleeping for a couple hours, being wakend by one noise or another, getting up to get something or (let the cat out or in) and sleeping again.
It's now 7:34 and for hte past 8 hours, I've been up and down like a yoyo.

The ipod idea worked fairly well except that I need some better music to sleep by. Any suggestions? I think of my Mom's singing lullabys and cringe.  
Nancy

Hi folks.
Thought I'd update you all. He sleeps with the mask for 3 - 4 hours, then takes it off. It's hot and uncomfortable, but he says he doesn't want the nose pillows. I'm sleeping better, so that is good, but I wonder about him. Anyway, he will go and exchange the machine and get a smaller mask tomorrow.
Will let ya know.
Nancy

thanks Nancy, i was wondering how you two were getting on.  could it be too hot because his humidifier is set too high? mine is only on about 2 out of 6 most nights


_________________
"Attitude is a little word that makes a big difference" - Winston S Churchill
Machine: Respironics M Series Pro, 17cm
Mask 1: Respironics Comfortgel nasal
Mask 2: Resmed Quattro full face
37yo female, New Zealand, Mixed SA, AHI 45

See my post under "NOISY whirring sound from Respironics RemStarPro M series" ...

Essentially, the M series is a cheap version of Respironics old reliable Remstar Pro, etc. and does not resemble its predecessors in the least.  Respironics cut quality, tried to squeeze the hefty fan unit into a small box which vibrates, whines, etc.  We who are stuck with these units are either happy (don't know any better, in my estimation) or severely disappointed in a cute little ole noisy CPAP unit.  Frankly, the new M series unit my spouse came home with three weeks ago is a goner...we're using his old (I repaired it) Remstar Pro with 18K hours on it until I can convince my medical insurance to cover a new unit, preferably a Resmed Elite II.  Respironics has lost this long-time (16 years) patient/consumer with the crummy M series units...  It's down to the #$^% Remstar M series CPAP unit or our marriage!!  And, I'm glad to report that our marriage has triumphed!!  

And for NancyL, whom I sympathize with: (maybe I missed it in your previous posts, but...) what brand mask does your husband have?  Mine has tried them all (full face style) and always comes back to the Resmed Mirage series (now it is revamped and named the Mirage Quattro).  The silicone gasket is soft and non-irritating and he certainly does not complain about it being too warm in the warm months (winter here now).  He also uses a humidifier but we keep it at "2" (current M series CPAP).  You might want to turn the heater off since he complains about the mask being too warm.  He'll still get the humidity from the air blowing across the cool water in the reservoir.  Good luck!



Last edited by snorezzalot on Mon Feb 09, 2009 5:26 pm; edited 1 time in total

And so far our insurance company has been awesome. I don't know how it will work with switching machines -- and switching jobs, thus insurance provider, but I think that is their problem.  The first insurance company has a lame policy to only cover used machines -- and they rent them.  Whether the new insurance program has to cover the rental cost following this change is beyond me.
Whatever it was they said, spouse was happy about it.

I guess we are on a roll.
Nancy

snorezzalot wrote:

... Essentially, the M series is a cheap version of Respironics old reliable Remstar Pro, etc. and does not resemble its predecessors in the least.  Respironics cut quality, tried to squeeze the hefty fan unit into a small box which vibrates, whines, etc.  We who are stuck with these units are either happy (don't know any better, in my estimation) or severely disappointed in a cute little ole noisy CPAP unit.  Frankly, the new M series unit my spouse came home with three weeks ago is a goner...we're using his old (I repaired it) Remstar Pro with 18K hours on it until I can convince my medical insurance to cover a new unit, preferably a Resmed Elite II.  Respironics has lost this long-time (16 years) patient/consumer with the crummy M series units...  It's down to the #$^% Remstar M series CPAP unit or our marriage!!  And, I'm glad to report that our marriage has triumphed!!  

thanks, it is always useful to get people's impressions of machines before making purchase decisions.  i think resmed has done more the include design features that lead to a better experience for the patient, but i still applaud Respironics for making machines that are considerably more affordable for those without the ability to pay.  If (heaven forbid) I may need an ASV machine at any time in the future the current price comparison is Respironics: NZ$5,600 Resmed NZ$10,000.  I simply don't have the option of Resmed at the high end.  

Respironics may fix up this problem (or may already have) and so i think we need to keep supporting them where possible because the last thing we need is Resmed becoming huge in the market... that will inflate the prices even more. F&P quite frankly needs to get into the 21st century and build smartcards into their machines because that is the only reason I am not considering them.  they have great technology, but I am not lugging my unit around to take it to the clinic for data download.  for one, its too expensive to get damaged or stolen.  if it did, i couldnt guarantee getting a replacement for that night's use, and for USA consumers, i understand a used machine cannot be resold.  i am also thinking of all the people who are housebound or have various other practical reasons for needing smartcards.  such a shame they don't have them. anyway, viva la healthy competition!


_________________
"Attitude is a little word that makes a big difference" - Winston S Churchill
Machine: Respironics M Series Pro, 17cm
Mask 1: Respironics Comfortgel nasal
Mask 2: Resmed Quattro full face
37yo female, New Zealand, Mixed SA, AHI 45

Thanks, ApneaKiwi, for your candid and intelligent response to my tirade on the Remstar M series CPAP units.  I, too, would like to support Respironics, having been a supporter of this company [subsidiary of Philips (big electronics manufacturer)/Philips Healthcare, by the way] for over 16 years.  

The first CPAP unit, a Remstar that resembled a rocket ship ready to launch, cost us $2200 in early 1993.  The second unit, another Remstar but the smaller Pro version, a model that is still being used, ran us $1600 around 1999; it's successor, another Remstar Pro (same design but with C flex capabilitiy) was free (2002), actually, because Respironics replaced the former unit, even after the warranty had expired, due to an electronic flaw in it (i.e. manufacturing flaw).  I was impressed with Respironics' customer service at that point.  Lately (since Jan.9, 2009), though, I have not been impressed with the newest Remstar product, the M series, and the level of customer service I am getting.  Respironics will not admit to a design flaw in the M series, causing a much amplified noise level.  Instead they try to convince me that a shorter hose (tried that...doesn't even touch the problem) from the 10-12 feet my spouse uses to get from the foot of our King bed to his mask, a hose insulator (no difference in the noise level there, either) , and a filter cover (it actually amplified the noise somewhat).  We're on a second M series unit (in a month) and it is still putting out that awful high pitched whine when under pressure (my spouse breathing into and from it).  

My sleep clinic technician tells me they haven't had any other complaints about the M series Remstar noise level.  [It's always nice to know that I am "one of those" chronic complainers!]  I had her listen to my spouse breathing on the unit and she agreed that it was quite loud.  This was when she pointed out a demo Resmed unit and suggested we try that one.  Oh, indeed...it was hugely more quiet!  So, I'm researching the possibility of our getting a Resmed Elite II unit, one that our sleep clinic doesn't handle, unfortunately, even though they have one for sleep trials.

Anyway, I've complained enough about the new M series of Remstar...  I have found the Resmed Elite II unit runs in the same price range as the Remstar, around $700-750 USD.  My spouse strictly uses a CPAP unit so he doesn't need the higher priced BiPAP or the other multi-function units made for sleep apnea, etc.  I don't blame you for staying with the Remstar...if the noise level isn't bothersome, why change?


_________________
No GOOD deed goes unpunished...

Hi all,
The great news is my spouse has been sleeping almost every night with his new CPAP machine.  I barely hear it if the fan is on. If no bedroom fan, his breathing is rhythmic, steady, and quiet.  He's a hoot when he tries to talk.  We placed the cpap on a small stand so it was off the floor (after reading that dust can be a problem if it's on the floor).  It fell off last night and the hose filled with water.  This was the first night in weeks that he woke me.

Now can someone convince my cat to leave me alone betwen 3 and 6 am?
Nancy

Hey - I just wanted to update you guys. The dude is sleeping well, wears his new CPAP machine nightly, doesn't take it off and seems to feel pretty darn good.
Me?  Well, I guess it's just nice that I can now sleep too, and the only real disturbance is his feet jiggling around. I barely hear this newer one.  :)

great news nancy, thanks so much for the update.  i'm feeling heaps better too - i love my cpap machine!

hey, do you know if his sleep study report showed any PLMs (periodic limb movements)?  is the feet jiggling when he is awake, asleep, or both?


_________________
"Attitude is a little word that makes a big difference" - Winston S Churchill
Machine: Respironics M Series Pro, 17cm
Mask 1: Respironics Comfortgel nasal
Mask 2: Resmed Quattro full face
37yo female, New Zealand, Mixed SA, AHI 45