new user... 1 month in

I got my machine January 15 on a 1 month trial. I've completed my trial and on Saturday I go to get my "prescription filled" and get a new machine. It's $2000 worth of benefits, but I don't wanna make a decision based on very little research.

I'm currently demo'ing a REsMed S9, which is part of the rental fleet and will need to be returned. I've been fighting with it for a month but last night I think I finally got it dialed in right. The first 2 weeks with the nose mask were awful as I plug up pretty easily. The next week with the regular face mask was fine, but I had to CRANK up the humidity to max and I was still getting really dry by the 4 hour mark and popping the mask off. They gave me a heated tube to try with it last week, and finally last night I think I finally set it up so it's comfortable for the whole night. I had a few nights where I felt more energized, but the last four-five days I'm exhausted...I feel like I haven't slept at all. I see the benefits for sure, I even noticed napping on the weekend without the machine I was waking myself up choking for air. So I think this is a good thing... the wife is for sure happy and supportive.


It looks like I have two options that my benefits will fully cover:

Phillips Dreamstation and ResMEd Airsense 10.

I do travel a tiny bit, usually 3-4 nights a year so the dreamstation is more interesting to me as it can run without the humidifier and becomes a lot smaller without it. I'm usually traveling in the summer when the humidity is a lot better (it's abysmal right now) so I might be able to get away with it. I also really like the hose port on top as the hose outlet on the ResMed S9 is currently blocking the display of my clock. I don't got a whole lot of room left on my end table after putting the machine on there either. I also like the aesthetics of the Dreamstation a bit better too.

The ResMed seems to be the more trusted product overall.

Both will include a heated tube. and I'm using the ResMed Airfit 10 full face mask and aside from some air leaks at the beard it's been pretty good. I'm interested in the "Amara View" however, as I wear glasses and like to read while I'm relaxing getting ready to sleep.

Are there any questions I should ask my provider before pulling the trigger?

Either of those machines are great...BUT...be sure that you get the AUTOSET model. Airsense 10 AUTOSET or Dreamstation AUTO. Both are data capable machines.

I certainly like my Dreamstation so far, but I've not used the Resmed machines, so can't compare. Others may have used both. I think Resmed is often touted as having a better, and more advanced auto mode.

I do like that the PR models report total leak rate. This allows me to get a more accurate mask leak rate, since I can tailor to specific masks' exhaust curves in SleepyHead.

Do you ever do any off the grid camping?
If you do you might want to lean towards the Respironics...it's cheaper to use with a battery because it is already 12 volt and the ResMed requires a pricey little converter since it is 24 volt.

Wired335 wrote:It looks like I have two options that my benefits will fully cover:

Phillips Dreamstation and ResMEd Airsense 10.

Exactly which models? There are several. You want to make sure you get a full efficacy data model and not a machine with very limited data available.

The 2 to avoid because the data is extremely limited
Respironics...DreamStation CPAP model DSX200
ResMed....AIrSense 10 CPAP...and I forget the model number but the model name is clearly shown on the face of the machine

In the the models that offer full data...these are good machines
ResMed AirSense 10 Elite (1 mode of operation)...commonly referred to as plain cpap machine
ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet (2 modes of operation)....commonly referred to as an apap machine
ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet for Her (3 modes of operation)..commonly referred to as an apap machine

Respironics DreamStation Pro Model DSX400....(1 mode of operation like the Elite but does have some limited apap capabilities)
Respironics DreamStation Auto CPAP model DSX500 (2 modes of operation like the AutoSet)

A machine that is an "apap" is usually preferable over a "cpap" because apap machines have cpap mode available...it's like having 2 machines in one.
APAP is just auto adjusting pressure
CPAP is a fixed pressure
Some people do better with auto adjusting pressures...comes in handy if you have varying pressure needs during the night.
Some people do better with fixed pressures.
My thought about it...it's better to have something and not need it than need it and not have it.
If at all possible...get the apap because even if you don't need or want auto adjusting capabilities right now...you might want it later.

Avoid anything from ResMed with AirStart 10 in the model name even if it is an APAP...they are totally without any useful data to help you if you run into trouble.

I have personally owned both brands. There are minor pros and cons to either but none are huge deal makers or deal breakers.
If your pressure needs are above 10 I would suggest leaning towards the ResMed because at pressures above 10 their exhale relief might make things a little more comfortable.

In general overall...both are quality machines....unless you do a lot of off the grid camping where battery use is important...I would suggest leaning towards the ResMed if the cost to you is the same.
If your pressure needs are over 10....and even if you do a lot of camping...it might still be a better option even with the one time slightly expensive converter purchase.

linuxman wrote:I think Resmed is often touted as having a better, and more advanced auto mode.

It's not necessarily a more "advanced" auto mode...it's really just a different algorithm.
ResMed's algorithm when in auto adjusting mode tends to be a little more "aggressive" meaning it tends to respond a little faster both with increasing the pressure and reducing the pressure.
There are minor pros and cons with either brands algorithm but for the most part I think most people would do well with either.

Each brand has a little different algorithm so they go down the "preventing airway collapse" road just a little differently but they both end up in the same place at the end of the road. Most people could take either road and be quite happy...there are a few people who might find one road better for them than the other road. Unfortunately we don't often get the luxury of trying out both roads.

I started with a Respironics bilevel and still use it for battery travel. I had the opportunity to buy a ResMed bilevel for home use and am very happy with it. I can use both with no problems but I think if I was getting an APAP and I had higher pressures, I would lean toward ResMed with the EPR feature. If camping was a consideration, you could always pick up a used Respironics for backup.

haven't gone camping in years, but I know the wife wants to get back into that now that our son is a little older and we aren't as busy.


I'll make sure that we look at one of the higher end models with the data stuff and the auto modes. Just don't want to go over my insurance coverage because I just can't incur extra charges in my life right now.

My pressure is fairly low @ 8.

Where are you located and from whom are you getting the machine?

In the US when these machines are paid for with insurance through a DME (cpap equipment supplier) it doesn't matter which brand or model...insurance pays by HCPCS billing code and that's E0601 for all those machines and they pay the same whether it's a brick or full data.

Now if you are outside the US...things can be different and it depends on the country and the insurance and whatever so brand and model cost could be different.

Wired335 wrote: I'll make sure that we look at one of the higher end models with the data stuff and the auto modes. Just don't want to go over my insurance coverage because I just can't incur extra charges in my life right now.

My pressure is fairly low @ 8.

If you haven't met your deductible, it won't matter..you'll be paying for it anyway..so be prepared for that ... If you have, you'll presumably be paying 20% of the cost, and as Pugsy mentioned, that may well be a fixed amount anyway.

no deductible on my insurance

in Canada and my work benefits cover it 100% upto a max of $2000

Wired335 wrote:no deductible on my insurance

Wow..that's amazing... HMO?

linuxman wrote: Wow..that's amazing... HMO?

Probably not HMO. He's in Canada and they do things differently up there...and it also depends on which province they are in along with many variations in what their insurance may or may not cover. A lot of people have no cpap coverage at all.

The cpap equipment suppliers in Canada can charge different prices for different brands and models...and they do.

Pugsy wrote:

linuxman wrote: Wow..that's amazing... HMO?

Probably not HMO. He's in Canada and they do things differently up there...and it also depends on which province they are in along with many variations in what their insurance may or may not cover. A lot of people have no cpap coverage at all.

The cpap equipment suppliers in Canada can charge different prices for different brands and models...and they do.

Ah Canada...missed that.