New Machine Suggestion(s) / Activa Question

Hi everyone. I hope everyone had a safe new year. Well Jan has finally come -- our insurance fund starts all over. I figure it would be a good time to get set up with a new machine since the Bipap Pro 2 I have had for about 5 years now. I am looking for a much smaller and quieter machine. My wife is a light sleeper and has had a tough time with the noise levels. I need to still be on a Bipap (12/8) -- any suggestions? I also want to examine the data on a daily basis as well (smart card feature).

Now, the other question. I think I saw in another thread -- the I have been using a Mirage Activa mask on a bipap. Is this wrong? I got the impression (I am going to look for the thread) that the Activa is not supposed to be on a bipap machine. Just wondering ...

Thanks ...

I can't say about the Activa as I've never used it. When I was switched to a bi-level I insisted on the Resmed VPAP Auto that had just come on the market in January 2008 (in July 2008 they came out w/the VPAP Auto 25 w/a 25 cm capacity rather than 20 cm capacity). These S8 IIs are supposedly the quietest on the market w/a rating of 25 dcbs. I know mine is quiet and Birdshell's Compact is quiet as we traveled together and had both on the same nightstand in the same motel room). I prefer the Resmed's due to their ease of access to and the amount of data available via the LCD screen. I love the new EasyBreathe technology. Its a good size for traveling and travels well. The one problem I've had is that neither my local DME supplier's RT nor my sleep doctor are at all familiar w/the various "comfort options" this VPAP Auto offers and when my doctor switched me to Spontaneous mode from Auto mode I encounter a "puff" at the end of inhalation/beginning of exhalation. Neither one has the slightest idea how to correct that nor any interest in figuring it out. I'm pretty sure it is the Rise Time setting which is on the Default setting but since it is so comfortable in Auto mode I just put it back in Auto and said the h*ll w/them. The RT whilst a heck of a nice fella prefers the Fisher & Paykels 'cause they don't take any brain effort to set up and operate. Duh. Compliance data only at best.

Then there is the Respironics M Series Auto Bi-PAP w/Bi-Flex. I am not a fan of the M Series. Respironics can and has done better. I searched for quite a while to find a lightly used Respironics pre-M Series Bi-PAP Auto w/Bi-Flex as a backup. I'm very pleased w/it but have only used it in Auto mode. Access to the data via the LCD screen w/the Respironics is not as convenient as w/the Resmeds but not a difficult feat by any means. So far as I know these are the only two manufacturers providing fully data capable bi-levels w/data available via the LCD screen.

I also prefer the Resmed ResScan software (v.3.7) as easier to install and understand than the Respironics EncorePro software - but I started w/the Resmed software which could explain my preference for it. Both need a cable reader as well. The Respironics M Series is a bit smaller than the Resmed S8 IIs in actual size, but the Resmeds are 1 lb lighter than the M Series when complete and traveling. 5.5 lbs if I remember correctly.

You'll see that Slinky... and some of us are prejudiced towards our own "brand" of machine around here.

Honestly though... if you have the Bipap Pro2 with the humidifier... go for the standard Bipap Auto if you can find it. That way you can still use the same humidifer. Setup will be the same, keys to push will be the same. Then pick up Encore Viewer and you can look at the data to your heart's content. If you can't get the old Respironics version... go with the M series but pick up the FP 150 humidifier.

As for an Activa? Go for it. I've used one occasionally with my Bipap Auto. If you can get used to the way (as somebody around here put it) that it was like a love-sick octopus, and it works for you without a lot of leaks, then use it.

Good point, cflame!!! I missed that savings by not needing a new humidifier if SleepyNY got a pre-M Series Auto w/C-Flex, the much beloved "tank"!! Of course, unless there is a high co-pay, why not have the extra humidifier? And I concur completely, avoid the M Series integrated humidifier and get the F&P HC 150 stand alone heated humidifier if SleepyNY opts to go w/the Respironics M Series Auto w/A-Flex, or C-Flex. I don't think you can beat that HC 150, its a honey! I have the HC 100 and REALLY appreciate it, especially during the winter when high winds have the furnace running almost constantly. If it hadn't been for that HC 100 about 3 months after I started CPAP therapy I might well have given up on CPAP!!!

Thanks for the input so far .... I am just wondering why I should avoid the "M" series of machines? Are they that bad quality wise? I have to admit I am/was leaning to the "M" series because I think it would be very similar to the Bipap Pro 2 (settings wise) -- but I do like the idea of the Resmed being very quiet, more infomation on lcd, and it seems to be easier software wise, but it also makes me very nervous about having to start over with getting a feel for the settings. Does the Resmed have that same type of "Bi-Flex" or whatever it's called on the Bipap Pro 2? Speaking of which -- is "Bi-Flex" and "C-Flex" the same thing?

All of the Respironics M Series provide excellent quality therapy. The problem w/the M Series has been the poorly designed integrated humidifier, even after the leaks were "fixed", it is still not as convenient to remove and insert the tank as the Resmeds. And some do tend to drop data one or two nights a month. But as far as therapy, they are excellent.

C-Flex, A-Flex and Bi-Flex are not exactly the same thing but the idea and concept are. The Resmeds refer to their expiration pressure relief as EPR and that pressure relief is in 1 cm increments whilst Respironics gives no indication of what increments their 1, 2 and 3 levels provide.