Need advice for new machine

Ok, I've been on cpap for seven years, been using a resppironics auto system one. Well it's time for a new machine, please advise what would be a good replacement?
Thanks for the advice in advance.....
Ray

hands down, it's a resmed for her, with the duel algorithms. The dreamstation is slow to react, but when I say this I mean it's dumb.

ref33 wrote:Ok, I've been on cpap for seven years, been using a resppironics auto system one. Well it's time for a new machine, please advise what would be a good replacement?
Thanks for the advice in advance.....
Ray

Having only used a Respironics Dreamstation Auto, my experience is limited; however, I'm quite happy with it.

you may well be, but it has to be adjusted closer to the 95% pressure for most people, to the point that it's almost fixed cpap. it doesn't respond to events as well as the resmed. This is based on watching the dreamstation owners being titrated on apneaboard.

ajack wrote:you may well be, but it has to be adjusted closer to the 95% pressure for most people, to the point that it's almost fixed cpap. it doesn't respond to events as well as the resmed. This is based on watching the dreamstation owners being titrated on apneaboard.

Well, shoot, and here I was feeling good about my treatment.

your treatment is probably good, what is the AHI ? If it isn't good the forum can help you fine tune it. 2cm above and below the 90/95% is a good start.
the dreamstation is slow with hypopnea, it seems there has to be a few within a short space of time to trigger a pressure increase.

do you use the sleepyhead program to see your treatment?

Cpap.com has pix, ratings and reviews of all machines, so you could take a look and see what's what there.

ajack wrote:your treatment is probably good, what is the AHI ? If it isn't good the forum can help you fine tune it. 2cm above and below the 90/95% is a good start.
the dreamstation is slow with hypopnea, it seems there has to be a few within a short space of time to trigger a pressure increase.

do you use the sleepyhead program to see your treatment?

AHI during home study: 13; treated AHI .5 to 2.0, mostly centered on 1.0
Initially put on fixed 6.0 cm; discovered here and on apneaboard that I could set my own pressure and have settled on Auto 6.5 to 10.5
Devoted Sleepyhead user, love getting all the details
Tried all sorts of masks, and have found 3 nasal pillows that work well for me,: Nuance Pro Gel, Airfit P10, Swift FX

I have actually been following your advice on the pressure range, and it has worked well for me, so thanks.

sounds good to me. I guess the 95% is 8.5?
but honestly, I've seen users having to set the min very close to 90/95% to get it working.

ajack wrote:sounds good to me. I guess the 95% is 8.5?
but honestly, I've seen users having to set the min very close to 90/95% to get it working.

My 90% is 8.5; 95% is between 8.5 and 9, but if I set the min to 7 the results are not as good. I have a spreadsheet where I keep track of mask, settings, and results, and make only one change at a time then stay there for one week (unless it's noticeably worse) before making any other changes. It has worked beautifully for me.

ref33 wrote: Ok, I've been on cpap for seven years, been using a resppironics auto system one. Well it's time for a new machine, please advise what would be a good replacement?

Actually unless you are unhappy with your results this past 7 years there is no urgent need to change brands.

ResMed and Respironics...to 2 main players in the cpap market have 2 different algorithms when using the auto adjusting mode (don't know which mode you are using fixed cpap or auto adjusting apap) and while some people think the Respironics is "dumb" for not reacting faster it's not that it is "dumb" it's just that is what Respironics came up with in terms of auto adjusting algorithm. It is different and it is a bit slower but sometimes slower works better for some people and sometimes speed doesn't matter to some and finally for some the faster ResMed might be a better fit.

Which model Respironics have you been using and in which mode?

Fixed cpap mode doesn't really matter much...there are some minor differences in the 2 brands but not enough to be a deal maker or deal breaker for most people. If using pressures in the teens I think ResMed's EPR exhale relief is nice than Respironics but some people don't even care to use any exhale relief.

In general if using auto adjusting mode where there is a significant difference in how the machine reacts I usually say stick with what you have been using as long as you are doing well with it. 7 years with one way of doing auto adjusting and going to a totally new way of auto adjusting might not be a good idea. Your body is used to one way of doing things and if you go changing things the body might rebel.
Might not also.. I personally have owned and used both brands in auto adjusting capable machines and use auto adjusting mode...I get same level of therapy at pretty much the same pressure settings with either brand. The "slower to respond" Respironics machine in apap mode isn't really less effective than the faster ResMed for me anyway. Changes in the algorithm don't seem to impact me at all.
Sleep just fine with either.
You may or may not be like me.

It's really up to you...stick with tried and true or try something new and see how you like it.
Pros and cons either way.

Respironics has the new DreamStation model line and ResMed has the new AirSense 10 model line.
Both are excellent brands and while they sometimes go about their jobs a bit differently the end result is they both provide excellent therapy...
Some people prefer one way of doing things over the other...some don't care. Most people don't get a chance to compare brands though...I have used both brands and in fact still own both brands in auto adjusting machines. They both will get the job done quite effectively and I sleep great with either.

Pugsy wrote:ResMed and Respironics...to 2 main players in the cpap market

Pugsy, any thoughts on Devilbiss' algorithms? The Devilbiss Intellipap 2 has a bunch of updates including Bluetooth. I like the adjustable shape of the Flex on my Intellipap Auto travel machine. If I didn't have a new Airsense 10, I might consider the Intellipap 2.

VinnieBarbarino wrote:Pugsy, any thoughts on Devilbiss' algorithms? The Devilbiss Intellipap 2 has a bunch of updates including Bluetooth. I like the adjustable shape of the Flex on my Intellipap Auto travel machine. If I didn't have a new Airsense 10, I might consider the Intellipap 2.

Sorry...no personal experience on the DeVilbiss but I have seen some reports from DeVilbiss users and it seems like the hyponea counts are hard to reduce. The usual "little more pressure" don't seem to bring about the same results as it does with ResMed or Respironics.
Not everyone will have that issue though.
I don't know anything about the actual auto algorithm on the Devilbiss...I know that their definitions for events are slightly different and you can actually alter the sensitivity and change the algorithm but I don't know if that is a good or bad thing. Just because we can do something doesn't always mean we should do something..if you know what I mean.

I know we have a lot of very happy DeVilbiss users here and I don't want to bad mouth their equipment because I am sure it does a fine job.
There's just some things about it that I don't personally care for and/or don't understand. Like the need for that extra module for the detailed software stuff and the fact that it seems like the hyponea count seems high for some people and it doesn't want to respond as I would expect it to.

If you really are lured by the BlueTooth thing...I think the DreamStations have it built in now.
It doesn't thrill me because if I am going to bother looking at the data I want it all and not just the highlights but that is just me.
I know that for a lot of people those highlights are all they need to be happy.
Heck I might go for months and not even download at all or look on the screen... after 8 years I pretty much know what I am going to see anyway.
But I do understand the need for others and that's fine.

Should I ever get a chance to try a Devilbiss machine I am certainly willing to try it but it isn't something on my list where I would pay money out of my pocket just to try it. Then I could maybe express more thoughts on just how it goes about doing its job but that is unlikely to happen as not many people giving out free machines just for me to try on a whim.

You might do just fine with it..might love it and get the best nights sleep of your entire night.
You also might not or you might not notice any change in anything.
It all depends on just how much that curiosity itch is causing you to want to scratch. I am mildly curious but don't itch enough to spend my own money to scratch the itch.

I own aircurve (resmed) and dreamstation bipap auto (respironics). I do much better with the resmed.
But it is personal preference. If you are getting good results with respironics, i like the dreamstation unit (the user experience) much better.
But at the end of the day it is about the AHI to me. Resmed I can get 0.0-1.0 AHI. Dreamstation I have struggled to get it down to 2.0 and that higher AHI makes a difference to me.

Every now and then I will bring out the dreamstation and tweak it and try it.. but i have switched units in the middle of the night because it does not work. The respironics seems to have more options and control and i have felt maybe that is why it doesnt work (i have some setting off) but i have tried and tried.. no luck.

So in conclusion: if respironics works for you, go with dreamstation. It is a better machine and feels like newer technology to me.
If you think you can do better and want better results, try resmed.

If I was in your shoes, unless you are disappointed in your old machine, i would go with respironics

Pugsy, thanks for your advice, I'm using auto set at 9.5 to 12.5 just had a sleep study done last week AHI was 91 with out machine. It should have been a split night but I was unable to get to sleep very long. The second night the pressure was good at 12.....
For the last 7 years I've been at 9.5 in cpap mode but lately I've still been tired so the Dr. sent me for a new study..
Thanks again.