What is everyone's opinion on the best APAP machine?

cpapjack · Post by **cpapjack** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 8:31 am

What is everyone's opinion on the best APAP machine? I'm going to talk with my Dr. today about the possibility of getting one along with a letter of medical neccesity so I don't run into any issues with my insurance company. Also, with an APAP machine, if you choose not to use it in auot mode, can you run it in straight CPAP mode if need be? Part of the reason I want an APAP machine is so I can get the software and monitor everything. Thanks.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 9:00 am

The Remstar Auto with C-Flex is the best autopap machine out there. It can run in several different modes including straight cpap mode. CPAP results in the highest overall pressure, the APAP results in the lowest pressure.

The benefits to you are:

it titrates you every hour for current conditions instead of cpap's one pressure fix-all mentality. You need higher pressure if you sleep on your back than on your stomach or side. As you change positions, the autopap will automatically adjust for this where cpap won't. Autopaps have fewer side effects than cpap (aerophagia etc.), are easier to fall asleep with and stay asleep.

The Remstars are the only machines available with C-flex and with this feature functioning in a autopap. C-Flex is much easier to breathe against than a machine without. Resmed's EPR only works when the machine is in the CPAP mode (doesn't work in auto).

If your doctor tells you autopaps are still lacking or haven't quite arrived yet, start looking for a new doctor as he probably doesn't know all that much about sleep either.

Autopaps are your best long term machine to have.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 9:04 am

cpapjack caption reads:

"To view my display picture, hold down 'Alt' + 'F4'"

real funny, you should be a comedian...

what are you like 12yrs old? does your mother know your on-line?

cpapjack · Post by **cpapjack** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 10:07 am

Thanks for the response guest.

So can I assume you did what my avatar said to do?It is pretty funny isn't it?

I'm 32yrs. old in fact. I'm a computer techie, so it only made sense for me to us a little computer humor.

GoofyUT · Post by **GoofyUT** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 10:17 am

I'm going to give you the benefit of doubt, and assume that you are an adult who is sincerely looking for advice.

So, here goes:

The ABSOUTELY VERY BEST APAP is........mine! It is because it does such a good job of allowing me to have a good night's sleep and feel fresh, refreshed, alert and HAPPY during the day.

The ABSOLUTELY VERY BEST APAP for you will be the one that does the same for you.

Now, you can get hung-up in C-Flex, EPR, testing algorithms, flow-based algorithms, size, shape, color, and brand loyalty, but my statement still stands; The BEST APAP will be the one that gives you the best night sleep.

I get my good night's sleep from a ResMed S8 AutoSet Vantage. And, I like this APAP alot because of my clinical response to it, as well as because of its ease of use. It's the ONLY APAP that allows viewing efficacy (Pressure,leakage, AHI, AI and HI) data right on its LCD screen by day, week, month, six-months and year WITHOUT the need to purchase any software or hardware or even have a computer. And, its algorithm is well tested and reported in the world medical literature.

But ya know what? Mine's the BEST cause it helps me to sleep good!

Hope this helps!

Chuck

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): resmed, C-FLEX, AHI, APAP

Rastaman · Post by **Rastaman** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 10:20 am

I don't really think a Remstar Auto is the best product on the market unless you make that decision because of C-flex. In my case, I never really noticed C-flex working or not working. I could KIND'VE detect it but it wasn't a big deal because when I switched to the Resmed S8 Autoset Vantage, I didn't miss it at all. Now, I'm NOT saying the Remstar Auto isn't the best just because I have a different product. I did have the Remstar Plus M series with C-flex for 2 weeks. But from all my research the only feature seperating the top of the line APAP for each manufacturer is the c-flex feature. And people are eatting it up like hotcakes.

I do plan on buying a back-up machine some day and when I do I MIGHT get a Remstar Auto just to compare two different APAP's back to back. Then I can see if this feature is really so great. But if I'm not suffering I don't see the point to it. Alot of people are VERY sensative to different things so C-flex is like a nice comfy blanket that smells like Downy or something. Can they sleep without it? Probably. But they're going to tell you no way!

Plus people want to encourage others to get the same thing they have first and foremost. That's just human nature. And then they want to share their good experience. Let me put it THIS way: You would atleast have the option of C-flex with a Remstar Auto even if you never use it. And you just might use it.

As far as Puritan Bennett, Respironics (Remstar) and Resmed, I think they're all high quality machines and they ALL work.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 11:39 am

In light of the fact Resmed is increasing their online prices by 40% in August, I'd cast my vote for Respironics. Why buy a product from a company that gouges the consumer if you don't have to?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 11:51 am

Rastaman jumps both ways. This is what he wrote less than a week ago:

"I HAD the Remstar Plus M Series with C-flex (not the same animal but.....I liked C-Flex) and now I have the s8 Autoset Vantage by Resmed. It does not have c-flex but it does have EPR IF I was using CPAP mode. But I'm not. So, I'm not getting c-flex. At first I thought it wasn't necessary. And it's really not. But if the two machines were sitting side by side I would probably get the Remstar Auto for that extra feature. "

Moral of the story, don't count his vote.

My vote is for the Remstar Auto with cflex.

GoofyUT · Post by **GoofyUT** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 11:56 am

Why buy a ResMed?? GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP. Period.

Chuck

johnnygoodman · Post by **johnnygoodman** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 12:07 pm

Greetings,

I am hung up on the S8 Vantage EPR thing. You can't use it in auto mode. You can use C-Flex in auto mode. I think that makes the Auto with C-Flex objectively better for users with higher pressures or for first time users who are not used to all that CPAP pressure.

Say C-Flex/EPR isn't a temptation for you. In that case, go PB 420E. It is lighter than both the S8 and (when it comes out) the M Series Auto, which is what counts when traveling. It also has low price going for it.

So then if you want easy breathing, go Respironics, if you don't care about that and want the most cost effective, durable, light travel unit, go 420E.

Lastly, I agree that GoofyUT is on the money. It is what works for YOU. Know the pros and cons of each unit, match them up to what you need, and buy that!

Here's a chart that can help you do just that:

https://www.cpap.com/cpap-compare-chart/CPAP

Johnny

sleepylady · Post by **sleepylady** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 12:15 pm

Great points Johnny. When I was trying to figure out what APAP to request my dr. write my script for, I looked at all of the factors. For me, even with a pressure of 16, I didn't have problems exhaling so Cflex wasn't a necessity. For me what was is the size of the machine. I like to travel and as such I have to be able to lug it around with my other luggage on and off countless trains. For this reason size was essential. I picked the P&B 420e and am very happy with it. It's quieter than the ResMed S7 lightweight CPAP I had and much lighter.

Just look at what your requirements are and go from there.

Best of luck.

Melinda

cpapjack · Post by **cpapjack** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 12:24 pm

Thanks everyone for your opinions, which is what I wa solely looking for. I understand GoofyUT saying the best one is the one that works the best for you. But I don't know anything about any APAP machine. That's why I'm asking for people's opinions. I will take those for what they are worth and compare each of the units, and then if my Dr. will prescribe me an APAP machine, make the decision then on which to get. I was thinking about the S8 Vantage, until I read up on the 420E that johnnygoodman uses. They both sound like good ones to me.

Darth Vader Look · Post by **Darth Vader Look** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 12:54 pm

All 3 units mentioned (Respironics, Resmed & P&B) are all great units. Popularity is another point to be taken. The Respironics REMstar is by far the most popular of the 3, not necessarily the best, this coming from a guy that owns a REMstar auto. I can't tell you which is best because I haven't tried all 3. Two people I know who have are RG and Will Succeed. The only treatment difference amongst those machines is how the algorithm treats you. For some that is a deciding factor. Will Succeed had some wise information he put forth in this forum last year. He suggested that if you can, rent each of the units for a week or 2 and see which unit works best for you. That is the best advice you will get hands down. He chose the P&B 420E auto for himself. If you don't have that option the only thing I can add is that the Respironics has everything you need and unlike the Resmed with EPR the C-Flex works in all modes unless you decide to have it turned off.

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 1:03 pm

Good points by all. Like DVL, I have only used the Remstar Auto (for 3 years), and have no problems using it. Recently, I bought the one with cflex. But any machine would probably work well for me.

I think if I had a titrated pressure above 12, I definitely would get the Auto with cflex. But for the lower pressures, I don't think it makes much difference. Then, buy according to what looks good and you can pack and carry easily.

GoofyUT · Post by **GoofyUT** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 1:36 pm

Really, all that matters is what works best for you. Folks will be debating whether C-Flex or EPR is better and whether its really necessary in Auto mode. In terms of size, all of them (S8, PB420E and M-series) are small enough that they can be packed in a laptop-like bag. There are differences in how the humidifiers work, but all will get the job done. Reliability may be an issue and I believe that ResMed may be the winner there.

But still, what works best for you is all that matters. The algorithms, or the logic of how the machine detects events and treats you ARE different between manufacturers. One will work better for you than others, and that's the one that you should get. This is THE difference between APAP and CPAP. In CPAP-land, 10 cm is 10 cm no matter which machine is blowing it. But APAP algoritms (their BRAINS) are VERY different, and you should try them all until you find the one that works bsst for you.

So, DVL's re-posting of Will Succeed's wisdom is BY FAR, the best advice that you'll get here.

Chuck

What is everyone's opinion on the best APAP machine?

What is everyone's opinion on the best APAP machine?

Best APAP!!!!!!!!!!!

What works