Repironics vs. Resmed

[jonquiljo]

Remembering a recent thread where someone had vastly different experiences between two machine brands - it kind of makes me wonder what is going on in terms of reporting. Yes, a machine is a machine when you are talking about a device applying a pressure through a hose - but the event reporting seems to vary considerably. That raises the question of what is closest to reality - and will not lead you astray with it's own idea of what it wants you to hear? We use the reporting capabilities to let us know when we are using the wrong mask or pressure, etc. It would be nice to know what is the most reliable and accurate (to reality) in telling you what events are happening.

I got a Respironics APAP because that's what my sleep Dr. Rx'd - but it most likely is just a way she can standardize her ability to examine patient data. Since I will be looking at the reports far more than she will be - it's more important that I get what I need rather than what she wants.

I want to buy a backup machine (travel, breakage, etc.) and was thinking that many people around here seem to like the Resmed machines the best. Is a Resmed machine that much better? I guess I would be thinking an S9 Autopap (Autoset?). I have heard that getting Resmed software is really difficult. Is that true?

I'm just curious as to what people think - Resmed vs. Respironics? If Resmed is the better of the two I can always use the Respironics as a backup after I buy a Resmed for daily use. I don't know much about the software differences but it seems that the Resmed is better. I am seeing my sleep Dr. tomorrow and I can ask her for a new Rx. I can't imagine she would have a problem doing that.

[DHC]

Remembering a recent thread where someone had vastly different experiences between two machine brands - it kind of makes me wonder what is going on in terms of reporting. Yes, a machine is a machine when you are talking about a device applying a pressure through a hose - but the event reporting seems to vary considerably. That raises the question of what is closest to reality - and will not lead you astray with it's own idea of what it wants you to hear? We use the reporting capabilities to let us know when we are using the wrong mask or pressure, etc. It would be nice to know what is the most reliable and accurate (to reality) in telling you what events are happening.

I got a Respironics APAP because that's what my sleep Dr. Rx'd - but it most likely is just a way she can standardize her ability to examine patient data. Since I will be looking at the reports far more than she will be - it's more important that I get what I need rather than what she wants.

I want to buy a backup machine (travel, breakage, etc.) and was thinking that many people around here seem to like the Resmed machines the best. Is a Resmed machine that much better? I guess I would be thinking an S9 Autopap (Autoset?). I have heard that getting Resmed software is really difficult. Is that true?

I'm just curious as to what people think - Resmed vs. Respironics? If Resmed is the better of the two I can always use the Respironics as a backup after I buy a Resmed for daily use. I don't know much about the software differences but it seems that the Resmed is better. I am seeing my sleep Dr. tomorrow and I can ask her for a new Rx. I can't imagine she would have a problem doing that.

I found ResScan v 3.11 available as a download (free) - from someone here at cpaptalk, IIRC.

In terms of the IntelliPAP v S9 metrics, I have been running in straight CPAP mode for a few days now, and will update that topic with results probably tomorrow. I wanted to have more than a single datapoint with either machine before reporting the results. Quick hint: I don't think removing the auto responses from the equation will make ANY difference in the previously reported disparities.

[Breathe Jimbo]

The ResMed software is easy to get. Look at the links at the bottom of any email from Uncle_Bob. It is also on Pirate Bay.

[Janknitz]

My understanding is that they are equal, but somewhat different, in the therapy they deliver. They use different algorithms and some people are more comfortable with one or the other, but both deliver excellent therapy overall.

The main differences seem to be in the bells and whistles (i.e. ResMed's data rich color LED readout vs. Respironics piss poor screen with only minimal information, ResMed's mask fit feature, ResMed's data printouts allow for greater control of the detail of data shown). But these don't have anything to do with the quality of therapy delivered (though ResMed certainly makes it easier to monitor and thus--adjust--your own therapy).

They each seem to have their own quirks. I've heard that ResMeds tend to overscore hypopneas (this may have been corrected in the S9's) and Respironics System Ones seem to overscore vibratory snores. ResMed's humidifier tank is trickier to fill and clean, and the tubing comes off the back which is not the most convenient spot. Respironics is known to be ever so slightly noiser and some seem to have a defect that is a high pitched beep. The ResMed filter is flimsy. ResMed has slimline and climateline hoses, Respironics does not.

I don't think you can go wrong with either for getting good therapy.

[Stormynights]

My husband has one and I have the other. I like the display screen on mine much better. I believe mine is a smidge quieter. I have napped with his and I couldn't tell any difference therapy wise.

[navyvet]

I can only speak for my new respironics (in my signature) and it's VERY quiet. I had an M series pro with c-flex before though and it was kind of noisy. My wife though loves this one, says she cannot hear it at all.

I have never used the resmed, so that will have to come from those that have.

[Emilia]

I would suggest you also look at the IntelliPAP AutoAdjust Travel CPAP from DeVilbiss. It is a very small footprint, comes with a great travel bag, and it is the best selling auto on our host' s site. The software is available for purchase, but even with the cost of the machine and software combines, you will spend quite less than the ResMed machine. It also does not have a power brick as the S9 has. So, for travel, the IntelliPAP is a good choice.

[jonquiljo]

I've heard that ResMeds tend to overscore hypopneas (this may have been corrected in the S9's) and Respironics System Ones seem to overscore vibratory snores.

Well, most of my problems are with hypopneas. Does Resmed overscore them or does Respironics underscore them? My biggest beef with my Respironics System One is not the therapy - but the reporting. I am constantly told of AHI's in the 0.3 to 0.1 range - sometimes 0.0. I frankly don't believe it. My snores are always in the 5.0-8.0 range. I also notice in APAP mode that the machine has significantly different (more then 1cm) 90% and average pressures on different days - even though the events reported aren't substantially different (0.1 to 0.3 AHI). I wonder sometimes if this is too good to be true - as the machine doesn't seem to react to much of anything other than snores. Then again, it seems to say that all I do of substance is snore. Calibrating a machine to give better news than reality would be a really good sales tactic. You buy a smartphone and you can read one of a million comparisons. I've yet to see one about the scoring abilities of the newer CPAP machines.

If we are to use reporting to manage our therapy - then how do we believe what these machines are telling us? It's great in theory, but the reality is that each machine seems to have vastly different ranges of reporting (as DHC has reported). I've tried an oximeter but it has way too many artifacts and does not seems to add much to the picture - short of choking.

I guess I don't want Resmed if it overscores - but I don't want Respironics if it underscores. I do notice that my Respironics seems to react to snores in APAP mode more than it seems to react to flow limitations or hypopneas. That just makes me wonder what the scoring is there for. Is it grading sleep quality to justify itself or is it grading sleep quality to report to the end user (or physician) what is going on during sleep?

I guess what I am saying is that I would feel more convinced that I am setting this machine correctly if I knew it was really examining what was going on while I am sleeping. I guess I am (possibly erroneously) assuming that people tend to be big on Resmed because they are better at detection. Then again, what is the story with the software - is it unavailable or is it freely available? If Resmed does not want to sell software - and it must be downloaded "in the dark" - then they have a really bad attitude.

[ozij]

No forum member can give you proof that either machine gives you valid data.

[jonquiljo]

No forum member can give you proof that either machine gives you valid data.

No kidding, but gut feeling as to what they find to be better is all that I can expect. That's a whole lot better than listening to what the manufacturers say.

[ozij]

I guess what I am saying is that I would feel more convinced that I am setting this machine correctly if I knew it was really examining what was going on while I am sleeping. I guess I am (possibly erroneously) assuming that people tend to be big on Resmed because they are better at detection.

No forum member can give you proof that either machine gives you valid data.

No kidding, but gut feeling as to what they find to be better is all that I can expect. That's a whole lot better than listening to what the manufacturers say.

Oh. I see you're interested in gut feelings from other people that will convice you the you are setting your machine correctly.

Anyone in the forum can give you their gut feelings, and then you'll know and which machine really examines what is going on while you are sleeping.

Gut feelings is what you're after, not validity.

O.

[DHC]

No forum member can give you proof that either machine gives you valid data.

Can any of the manufacturers?

"Valid" according to what 'standard' or reference?

[jnk]

Here is my gut feeling. And the size of my gut qualifies me to have a doozy.

Home machines don't provide PSG-level data. That is why their manufacturers have never claimed that they do. They only claim that the machines provide trending data based on proprietary definitions based merely on flow estimates. Therefore, in my opinion, it is less than insightful to expect to be able to compare the "accuracy" of home-machine data directly to PSG data, despite one's futile desire to be able to do so.

Any patient who gets frustrated by that reality is a walking argument that 'patients shouldn't be allowed to see data, since it only upsets them.' So let's try to show enough insight to accept the data for what it is, to use it how it is meant to be used, and to be happy that manufacturers supply the data that they do, since that allows us to tweak therapy pressure more easily than if we had no home-treatment-machine data to use for that purpose.

[DoriC]

I'm sorry, but I don't quite remember if you've been having therapy problems, but is it possible that based on trends and how you're feeling now you may truly have found your "sweet spot" and the data is reporting just that?

[Muse-Inc]

...most of my problems are with hypopneas. Does Resmed overscore them or does Respironics underscore them?...

Knowing the number provides little info other than after you have stable numbers to try setting your initial pressure slightly higher to see if it reduces the number scored. The number reported by the machine is relative to that machine; without the EEG factor as in a PSG, these reflect breathing %s not sleep stage shifts which is why the pros don't pay any attention to the HI number and just a tad more to the AI number. For us users, it's helpful to watch for trends as that helps us determine the effectiveness of our CPAP therapy & suggests which direction for modest twesks at our own risk. These reported numbers are not absolutes. It's simply how each mfg identifies/scores a hypop vs an apnea.

...constantly told of AHI's in the 0.3 to 0.1 range - sometimes 0.0. I frankly don't believe it. My snores are always in the 5.0-8.0 range. I also notice in APAP mode that the machine has significantly different (more then 1cm) 90% and average pressures on different days - even though the events reported aren't substantially different (0.1 to 0.3 AHI)...

Snores don't always precede coming events, sometimes they're just snores. As to pressure changes, then the machine did what it was supposed to do...increase pressure to prevent events. IMHO, this should vary...are you in the identical situation airway-wise every single night...I think not.

...tried an oximeter but it has way too many artifacts and does not seems to add much to the picture - short of choking...

Compare the reported events to what your machine reports...use something like SnagIt to drag the graphs to match and review all reported events to see the relationships. Artifacts...try to stabilize the sensor to eliminate 'em.

...I guess I am (possibly erroneously) assuming that people tend to be big on Resmed because they are better at detection...

Various mfg's devices will more or less feel like your own breathing pattern (via their waveform technology). The more it feels like your own breathing, the less you will fight the machine as it delivers pressure to stent open your airway which in itself is a very artificial/alien feeling. So, for many of us here at least, ResMed feels more like our own breathing pattern. The exhalation relief can be critical to comfort; the difference in feeling between ResMed's EPR & Respironics' Aflex or Cflex is huge.

...If Resmed does not want to sell software - and it must be downloaded "in the dark" - then they have a really bad attitude.

Everyone here agrees on that. The software is available, you have to hunt for it/ask where it is.