Am I getting snowed?

[bigdaddyjj]

Hi all,

I've been lurking here for a while, and I must say this is a very informed and involved group! Its been a great source of info for me. I'm at a point where I've received approval to get a new cpap to replace my current FP unit, and could use some help.

Based on my learning here, I've been leaning toward a Devilbliss Intellipap due to size, full data capability and customer feeback. The DME I'm being driven to by the doctor who wrote the script has been trying to steer me away from the Intellipap towards the PR System One. It appears there's something going on between this Dr and the DME, but at this point (end of year time constraints) I'm not inclined to attempt to persuade him to allow me to use another DME. In any case the DME has made the following claims:

1) Cost will be the same. They claim they'll be reimbursed and I'll pay at the same amount for either.
2) The System One is a superior unit.
3) The Intellipap has experienced some reliability issues, and
4) Devilbliss is taking 8 weeks to return repaired units.

I get the feeling someone's pulling my leg here, particularly regarding the Intellipap reliability and repair time. I'd appreciate any info/feedback/suggestions anyone can provide.

Thanks.

[elg5cats]

"bigdaddyjj" Hi all, I've received approval to get a new cpap to replace my current FP unit, and could use some help. Based on my learning here, I've been leaning toward a Devilbliss Intellipap due to size, full data capability and customer feeback.

Researching machines, specifications and data capability is a very good starting place as you make your decision. Here's a chart that compares machine, not sure the PR System One has been included yet.

http://www.cpap-supply.com/v/CPAP-Machi ... -Chart.asp

https://www.cpap.com/cpap-machine/respi ... -plus.html

The DME I'm being driven to by the doctor who wrote the script has been trying to steer me away from the Intellipap towards the PR System One.

1) Cost will be the same. They claim they'll be reimbursed and I'll pay at the same amount for either.

True, they will be reimbursed the same if you get a gold standard machine, a piece of junk or a vacuum cleaner they can put a diagnostic code on.

2) The System One is a superior unit.

Some have debated this unit on the forum.

3) The Intellipap has experienced some reliability issues, and 4) Devilbliss is taking 8 weeks to return repaired units.

Sounds like they are using some scare tactics here...Let your research make the decision for your machine, even if that results in changing DME's.

I get the feeling someone's pulling my leg here, particularly regarding the Intellipap reliability and repair time. I'd appreciate any info/feedback/suggestions anyone can provide.

They may be pulling more at your wallet than your leg, be careful.

elg5cats

[BlackSpinner]

I'm not inclined to attempt to persuade him to allow me to use another DME.

He has no control over the DME you use, your insurance does. You have the right to your prescription and you can take it anywhere that is in your insurance network. If you don't have insurance you can buy online from cpap.com with your prescription, the local flea market, or anywhere else in the world.

[rested gal]

Welcome to the message board, bigdaddyjj.

First of all, regardless of what DME your doctor prefers, for whatever his reason, you have the right to a copy of your cpap prescription and a copy of your sleep study results. You should get those two things immediately even if you decide to use the DME the doctor recommends. Armed with those two items, you can use whatever DME you choose. The doctor's preferred one, or one of your own choosing. Check with your insurance company to find out the names of other DMEs in your area they do business with.

If you want to give the doctor a "reason" for your Rx request, you could say you want a copy of your prescription and sleep study results to have with you when traveling, in case the machine gets lost or broken and you need to get an emergency loaner from an out of town DME.

Of the two machines you mentioned, I'd choose the PR System One machine. I have no idea if the DME is correct about points 3 and 4. I've had good experiences with the Respironics machines I've used, so the Philips Respironics machine would get my nod over a DeVilbiss. I've not been all that impressed with what I've read from the DeVilbiss rep who posted on this board. Just my opinion.

Actually, when it comes to quiet, small size, and well built reliability, I'd lean more toward a ResMed S8 Elite II with EPR than either of the two machines you're considering. The ResMed machines have long excelled (imho) in the detail of data available the next morning right in the LCD window of the machine itself. I would not even bother getting software for a ResMed machine since the amount of data shown on the machine is everything I'd need to see to monitor how treatment is going.

Good luck, whatever your decision, bigdaddyjj. More important even than what machine you eventually get, is the DME's policy on mask exchanges during your first month or two. I'd be checking into that -- how often will the DME let you bring a mask back and try another (at home, not just in their office.) The mask will be the real key to how easily and comfortably you'll be able to sleep "doing CPAP."

[ozij]

If I had to choose between a PR1 and an Intellipap, I'd do my utmost to get a trial run of both.

I have tried the DeVilbiss (rented it) -- it has a very rough, rudimentary algorithm. More bells and whistles to the machine that true therapeutic refinement. The DeVilbiss philosophy is to ignore flow limitations, and and have a non-differentiated response to apneas and hypopneas -- see one, shoot the pressure up. I couldn't get any benefit from it and stopped the trial befor the rental time was over. I didn't find its software too helpful either.

I don't do well with Resprionics' M series CFLEX / AFLEX options either, but if I had a chance for a trial of the PR1 -- even rental -- I'd grab it. Renting a machine for trial is money well spent, IMHO.

I agree with what RG says about the Resmed -- and I would add that I find its exhale relief (that's the II series, with EasyBreathe and EPR) excellent and the software very informative.

[bigdaddyjj]

Thanks everyone. You've given me new things to think about and some things to reconsider.

[bearded_two]

I have not heard of any durability problems with the IntelliPAP, and it has been out for over a year; the System One does not yet have a track record. I have an auto IntelliPAP and an auto M Series, and I much prefer the IntelliPAP. I know nothing about Series One, and it is possible that the two major problems I have with the M Series have been addressed with the Series One. The M Series is much noisier than the IntelliPAP, and the Series M uses an awkward shape power brick rather than having both a 120 volt and a 12 volt power jack on the machine. The awkward shape power brick makes it more difficult to travel with and not having a 120 volt power input jack means that I cannot plug the machine into both a wall outlet and into a standby battery -- which means that the machine will die when the power goes out. In order switch to battery, the power brick has to be unplugged from the machine and the battery has to be plugged into the machine -- in the dark, while still mostly asleep.

If the Series One has put the AC power supply back into the machine, the noise issue has been fixed, and the ghastly blue LEDs have been removed; the Series One might be a good machine.

[GumbyCT]

You have been given some excellent advise here. Including how could the PR1 even have a track record? Seems to me both your doc and DME are swayed by money. Oh surprise.

I for one would shy away from any machine I can't get software for - TODAY. We all know what a promise means.

I would also shy away from any doc who has a finacial interest in the DME. After all, how could the doc be concerned about you over the financial gain? I would insist on getting my prescription and sleep study in my hand. Don't let the end of year rush you into taking unknown equipment.

If I recall (IIRC) there is a comparison of the M series and Intellipap by users. Maybe some kind sole could even post the link.

For me, I would take the M or Intellipap over the PR1 only because I could get the software.

Also consider looking on Craiglist and cpapauction for what you want and compare the cost to your insurance co-pay. You might be surprised.

Good Luck.

[cotech50]

I have been using the PR1 since 11/25. I have no other experience with any other machine but have found the AFLEX works well for me and the machine is very quiet. I had to up the humidifier from 1 to 3 due to sinuses hurting that helped, do not use much water and have not had a problem with rain out, we keep our bedroom cool for sleeping.

[KatieW]

If I recall (IIRC) there is a comparison of the M series and Intellipap by users. Maybe some kind sole could even post the link. Good Luck.

Here is that link:

http://intellipap-aflex-auto.cpaptalk.com/

[bigdaddyjj]

Thanks again everyone. Very productive discussion.