Traveling with the ResMed S8 AutoSet Vantage

[GoofyUT]

After several months using a ResMed S8 Vantage AutoSet, I switched to a REMstar Auto and experienced an immediate improvement in my sleep. I believe this is because I (and this is valid only for me) responded better to Respironic's more temperate step-wise algorithm than I did the ResMed's more aggressive algorithm which, I believe, has a sharp rise-time for pressures that would arouse and even awaken me. However, I found the REMstar to be large, ugly and NOT very travel friendly.

So, when I had to travel to Minneapolis this past week for meetings, I went back to my ResMed S8 AuotSet Vantage. I HAD A DELIGHTFUL TRAVEL EXPERIENCE WITH IT!!! It is TINY and comes with a wonderful travel case that looks exactly like a modern laptop briefcase, and has plenty of room to hold flow genrator, humidifier (each in their own fitted and VENTED) cases, hose, mask and power cord (even an extension cord for those who really plan well). Its VERY lightweight as well.

Beyond those factors, I again rediscovered just how wonderful the ResMed's human facttors design was! Its just SO EASY to use. The humidifier fills with the flip of a lid, and the reservoir is easily removed for the purposes of draining/cleaning. It occupies a very small footprint on the hotel's typical center night stand. With SmartStart, you simply don the mask and it turns on in under a secnd, and in the morning, taking the mask off turns the blower off in about 5 seconds. And, the best part is, of course, that I can then IMMEDIATELY view how my night went by simply pressing two keys to get an instantaneous display of the night's pressure, leak, AHI, AI and HI, without needing to download to card, invoke software and the computer I would need to have along with the Smart Card reader that I would have had to remember to pack and haul.

However, here's the kicker. Having used APAP for several months now, and with the help of Respironic's EXCELLENT Encore Pro software, I've been successfully able to determine my IDEAL pressure (actually within 0.5 cms of what I was originally titrated to during my original PSG at the start of this adventure). So, I used my S8 AutoSet Vantage in CPAP mode. And, I used EPR for the FIRST time. I LOVED IT!!!! I found EPR to be MUCH more comfortable (and comforting) than C-flex (though I do find C-Flex to be VERY effective). I find, as others have reported, that I feel slightly "rushed" in my breathing with C-flex. With ResMed's EPR, I found that its exhalation pressure relief lasting THROUGHOUT the entirety of my exhalation was VERY relaxing, and sort of lulled me off to sleep. I had several GREAT night's sleep throughout my trip, for which I am SO grateful!

Now, I returned last evening and used my REMstar Auto last night, and also had a great night's sleep. However, given the MANY human factors advantages that the ResMed has over the Respironics machines, I intend to switch back to my ResMed S8 AutoSet Vantage (in CPAP mode with EPR) as my standard machine. I'll reserve the REMstar Auto for loyal and faithful back-up purposes.

There's no doubt in my mind that I owe the ultimate success of my xPAP experience to my REMstar Auto. My current numbers according to Encore Pro are AHI=0, AI=0 and HI=0. I wouldn't have (and wasn't) able to achieve this with my ResMed in auto-mode, and I certainly used Encore Pro to help determine my ideal pressure. But now I know where I need to be, sleeping with (and using) the ResMed S8 Vantage w/EPR. So, since the S8 has proven to be MUCH MORE CONVENIENT TO USE, I'm gonna bow to convenience and go back to it. And, in my opinion, its is the IDEAL TRAVEL MACHINE. (Well, perhaps with the exception of the battery-powered Invacare Polaris TR if you plan to do back-country travel.)

BTW, I have NOTHING to do with ResMed, Respironics, Invacare or any other SDB-industry commercial concern, and I've received NO inducements to offer these coments. I'm a state government slug. And, these comments are valid ONLY for me. Your experience may be (and probably WILL be) entirely different.

Hope this helps somebody.

Chuck

[bbeck4x4]

I have recently switched back to the (unfavorable company at the moment)the resmed full face mask trying to get a hold of mouth breathing/talking in my sleep troubles that I have been having, The very mask that was the WORST mask ever for me, is for me now that I am more used to having a mask on my face, the best mask at the moment for me.

maybe that I have spent 4 weeks doing my very best trying to get the "very expensive" hybrid mask to work for me, when it worked it was wonderful, light, easy to wash, etc, downsides were many, the biggest was the headgear Velcro popping off in the middle of the night, and if that were not enough only one of the two nasal pieces would pop out,. so I even had myself trained to readjust, re-poke, etc as needed and even maintain some chance of sleep for the night, but in the end it has proved to fussy to be worth it, great design, the cheep, low quality production lost it for me.

maybe that will change next month, for now I am trying to regain a ton of ground that I have lost, and get some rest.

I wish that I didn't mouth breath and that I could still keep using the activa, best mask ever

it has been nice to be able to "go back" because I still have that option, it is interesting my reaction as me experience and needs have changed.

[Paul B]

Hey Chuck,

Welcome back from the dark side. Just kidding. Sort of. The Resmed S8 Vantage is a well thought out design, close to perfect algorithm, and excellent human engineering.

Now if we could only get the company to align themselves with the American way of doing business, quit shooting themselves in the foot, and let their quality products compete in the marketplace based on their therapeutic competence, Resmed would become the number one supplier. But first they need to end their silly artificial price support and let the internet retailers offer an alternative to DME's for those who prefer it.

I think they'll wake up soon. Hopefully they won't have alienated everyone by that time.

[Snoredog]

[quote="Paul B"]Hey Chuck,

Welcome back from the dark side. Just kidding. Sort of. The Resmed S8 Vantage is a well thought out design, close to perfect algorithm, and excellent human engineering.

Now if we could only get the company to align themselves with the American way of doing business, quit shooting themselves in the foot, and let their quality products compete in the marketplace based on their therapeutic competence, Resmed would become the number one supplier. But first they need to end their silly artificial price support and let the internet retailers offer an alternative to DME's for those who prefer it.

I think they'll wake up soon. Hopefully they won't have alienated everyone by that time.

[GoofyUT]

While I'll certainly acknowledge that, FOR ME, the Respironics algorithm proved to be more effective than ResMed's auto-titration algorithm, in the end, I AM SWITCHING BACK TO RESMED. It is simply a VASTLY better thought out and designed machine in terms of efficacy, human factors, convenience and travel friendliness, in my opinion.

I believe that auto-titration is very useful in the near-term. But, after one determines their own ideal pressure, I definitely believe after my own experiences that CPAP provides a smoother, more restful night's sleep than does the varying pressures of APAP machines which I believe we all experience as stimuli that tend to arouse us. And, I certainly believe that, for straight CPAPs, there are NONE BETTER than ResMed's extraordinarily well thought out designs.

So, despite the silly post preceding this one, please don't lose sight of the fact that, in the end, I'm going BACK TO RESMED.

Hope this helps.

Chuck

P.S. I want to state that I have NEVER posted as a "Guest". I have on fewer occasions than I can count on one hand, posted as "Goofy-Guest" out of sheer laziness, when I didn't want to spend the time logging in. I have too much self-respect NOT to claim ownership of and responsibility for the opinions and thoughts that I share here.

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): resmed, CPAP, auto, APAP, Travel

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): respironics, resmed, CPAP, auto, APAP, Travel

[Sergeant Bob]

I used an S8 Vantage for about 2 months (a loner while they downloaded data for my Dr., they're kinda slow huh?)

I was kinda hoping they would just forget about mine and let me keep the S8.

Very small, seemed top work about the same as my Autoset, and I really like the design of the humidifier. So much easier than tipping it up and dribbling water out of the inlet.

[DreamStalker]

Chuck -

Are you still maintaining the zero club status with S8 CPAP/EPR mode?

- r

[parker]

[

u]I believe that auto-titration is very useful in the near-term. But, after one determines their own ideal pressure,[/u] I definitely believe after my own experiences that CPAP provides a smoother, more restful night's sleep than does the varying pressures of APAP machines which I believe we all experience as stimuli that tend to arouse us. And, I certainly believe that, for straight CPAPs, there are NONE BETTER than ResMed's extraordinarily well thought out designs.

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Not wanting to get into the ResMed v. Respironics debate (I own both) but the idea that auto-titration is only useful in the short term is incorrect for some. For example: I need 4+ more cm when I sleep on my side vs. on my back. I suppose I could set to the higher level on CPAP but I prefer a more calibrated level thru the night to minimize leakage, etc.

[rested gal]

parker, you hit on one of the many reasons autopaps are very effective permanent treatment machines for so many people.

Autopaps have given me very restful treatment for quite a few years. Largely for the reason you mentioned. Not only can there be a difference in cm's required for back vs side, there can also be quite a difference in the pressure requirement depending on what stage of sleep a person is in, REM sleep being when apneas/hypopneas are apt to occur and require more pressure.

It's a good thing there are choices in types of machines, as some people do indeed do better on a single fixed pressure. One of the other beauties of having an autopap is that an autopap can always be set to work as a single pressure cpap if that turns out to be better.