Need a New Machine....Which one?

[GregPS]

Hello, its been a long time since I frequented the forums here. When I started treatment in 2006 this forum was fantastic and really helped me get started on the right foot. Browsing through the forum posts I see the quality of the forum is still in tact.

I am starting to look at replacement machines and am interested in opinions. My last two machines have been Respironics (Mseries then PRSOne) and auto cpaps. This is mostly because they were both purchased under an insurance plan from the local sleep clinic and that is all they offered at the time. My situation has changed and have the flexibility to purchase any brand of machine. I have done some research and it seems like there has been a lot of improvements especially with data collection via blue tooth etc. I am a techy guy so I like those types of improvements.

My therapy has been going very well, my 7 day average AHI is typically 0.5 to 0.8 but never more than 1.5.

Am I wrong in thinking that I should just stick to Respironics? I feel like because that is all I have used to that there wouldn't be any significant difference in the feel of the therapy. The results can't get much better but could they with a different brand of machine?

Is there any significant differences in the algorithms in other brands that would make my therapy negative compared to my Respironics CPAPs? For example have I been missing out on something with a Resmed perhaps?

Heated tube is now an option, is it worth it? We live in a pretty dry climate so I have seldom had condensation issues? any other benefits?

Also is now a good time to dive into a new machine? My current machine is 6.5 years old, I think it still has some life left in it so I am not in an immediate rush for a new machine but I know it is coming soon. Seems like the current machines have been out a while, are new improved machines on their way shortly? When?

I apologize as I know this is a long winded post with lots of questions, any feed back, advice or comments would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

[Pugsy]

Heated tube is now an option, is it worth it? We live in a pretty dry climate so I have seldom had condensation issues? any other benefits?

Might be of benefit simply from warming up the air in the hose going to your face if you keep the bedroom ambient room air temp on the cold side and the cold air bugs you. I like a cold bedroom to sleep in but that cold air actually causes my nose to hurt/ache.
I call it ice cube nose syndrome so in the winter when it gets cold (think upper 50s) in my bedroom I will crank up the hose air temp just for comfort if nothing else. I like cool air but when it gets down right cold it wakes me up often because it makes my nose so cold.

If you don't have similar cold air to nose issues...and you never get any condensation in the mask or hose then you probably don't really need a heated hose and won't miss it by not having one.

I would probably use it anyway because it allows for more customization of the humidity that is being delivered and more consistency.
I use the same humidity setting year round and only change the hose air temp as needed for comfort...warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.

[GregPS]

Thanks, I was leaning towards a heated hose anyway. I like to have lots of things to adjust so hose temperature is a welcome addition

[Pugsy]

What are your current pressure settings?
Do you like or use exhale relief or need it?

Do you like to try new things just to be trying? Curious about the ResMed?
I started therapy with the M series APAP..moved to the 50 series apap like you have now...then moved to the 60 series with the heated hose as soon as it became available...and tried some ResMed machines in between...and still have a PR S1 760 along with a new AirSense 10 AutoSet for Her that I got last August.
I have always been the curious type and I scratch that curiosity itch whenever I can.

The ResMed auto adjusting algorithm is a bit different...more aggressive might be a good adjective in terms of increase and decrease of the pressure when compared to Respironics. ResMed...Goes up faster but comes down faster.

Having used both brands...I lean towards liking the ResMed best myself but there's nothing wrong with Respironics. It does an excellent job.

Do you like trying new stuff...just to be trying new stuff?

Now would you be happy with ResMed's way of doing things? I am 99.9999% sure that you would be happy with it.
I know a couple of people who prefer Respironics way of doing things and they were lucky enough to get to try both brands.
The majority of people who I know who have tried both brands lean towards preferring the ResMed.

[greatunclebill]

I always had respironics. my ahi was always 5 -10 or more. very seldom under 5. 11 days in on the new resmed cadillac and running under 5 every single night. Listen to Pugsy, I did. Thank you Pugsy.

[GregPS]

Thanks for the feed back.

I do like the exhale relief, but I am so used to using it I am not sure what it is like without. Does Resmed do it differently? Better or worse?

I do like to try new things, honestly that is what has me most intrigued about having a choice this time around. Even if I stick with Respironics I know part of me in the back of my head will wonder if I made the right choice or not.

Now you have me leaning towards Resmed, other than a more aggressive algorithm, Is there anything other differences I can expect? Is now the right time to be buying? Will there be any new models available in the near future? Is there any particular model I should be after?

Greg

[Goofproof]

Apples and Oranges, would you rather Sleep on a Roller Coaster or a Merry Go Around? Jim

[Pugsy]

ResMed does have exhale relief called EPR for exhale pressure relief..does it a little differently and I actually like EPR better than Flex relief.
You might take a stroll through the manual. It's a combo manual but pay particular attention to the Autoset models...that is the model most like the Respironics APAP models.
https://sleep.tnet.com/home/files/resme ... -guide.pdf

We have no way of knowing when a new model is going to be released....nothing in the rumor mill at the present time though for either brand.

[greatunclebill]

Thanks for the feed back.

I do like the exhale relief, but I am so used to using it I am not sure what it is like without. Does Resmed do it differently? Better or worse?

I do like to try new things, honestly that is what has me most intrigued about having a choice this time around. Even if I stick with Respironics I know part of me in the back of my head will wonder if I made the right choice or not.

Now you have me leaning towards Resmed, other than a more aggressive algorithm, Is there anything other differences I can expect? Is now the right time to be buying? Will there be any new models available in the near future? Is there any particular model I should be after?

Greg

i had the same machines you did. first the old respironics brick, then the m-series, then the 50 series. I am way beyond happy with the resmed. click it in my profile to go to the full name and description. of course they both have exhalation relief. i don't about algorithms, i just know they feel basically the same when working, but i feel better and my scores are off the chart better. there alot of easy to use settings so you can set it the way you want it. if you get it, get the heated tube with it. you should get the clinician manual to see how the settings work.

[GregPS]

Again thank you for your feed back.

Feels like I am going to do some more research on the machines but am leaning towards trying something new

[Holden4th]

I started on Resmed (the loaner) then had two Respironics 60 series - one APAP the other BiPAP. I've just gone back to Resmed and couldn't be happier. To me it just seems so much more comfortable to us than the PR. Then again, your body is now used to Respironics way of doing things. Maybe a month with a Resmed loaner just to try it out?

[GregPS]

A loaner would be a good idea, not sure if I can get one or not. I think I will just try it out, it did not take long for me to get used to this 12 years ago. I expect the same trying the new machine

[remstarcpap]

I love my Resmed S9 Autoset with heated hose! It's the penultimate model from Resmed, so can be found cheaply on various sites and Craigslist. Small, quiet, works well.

[JDS74]

Since there is no significant difference in the treatment provided by the ResMed or the Respironics machines, the reported "better" results from switching from one to the other is more likely their response to the difference in the algorithms within the machines. That is why I recommend that if you are having good results with one brand, stay with that brand. OTOH, if you can get a loaner of a different brand so you can try it out for a week or so, then go for it. That's the only way I know of to tell if you are one of those 1% who are really sensitive to the difference in algorithms. You may find that you are not one of the 1% or so that discover they cannot tolerate how the other brand's algorithm works and switching won't be an issue after they buy their new machine.

After getting past that issue, then lower cost for a similar machine and good support should be the driving ideas in selecting a new machine.
I hope all works out well for you.

[GregPS]

Just an update. I decided to go with the Resmed over the Respironics. Heated tubing, same mask. Set everything up the way it was on my PRS1. Low and behold I didn't really notice many differences.

I slept well, don't have any results to share because of some date issue,which I worked out and should have results tomorrow.

The few things I have noticed at least based on 1 nights sleep was I definitely prefer the exhale pressure relief on the resmed, big difference. But negatively my mouth was so Ooo dry this morning. I can't remember a dry mouth ever in any of my 12 years of therapy.

Overall happy with my decision. Thanks again for the feed back