2 Questions related to getting a new machine

[markrb]

You guys have been great thank you for all the information.

I have a question for everyone, but I really would like to hear what palerider has to say on this as I think your signature said you had an S9.

If you had to buy one today would you consider an S9 Autoset for Her if it was $100 cheaper then the Airsense Autoset 10 and came with a one year warranty?
I don't care that it's pink.

Thank You,
Mark

[Dog Slobber]

If you had to buy one today would you consider an S9 Autoset for Her if it was $100 cheaper then the S10 and came with a one year warranty?

A critical piece of information to answer this question properly is number of hours on the machines.

In another thread I saw P.R. normalize life span by comparing it the hours used on a used machine to the hours used for 5 years. 5 years often being thought of as a good lifespan for a machine.

He's also likely to remind you that there's no such thing as an S10.

[markrb]

A critical piece of information to answer this question properly is number of hours on the machines.

In another thread I saw P.R. normalize life span by comparing it the hours used on a used machine to the hours used for 5 years. 5 years often being thought of as a good lifespan for a machine.

He's also likely to remind you that there's no such thing as an S10.
[/quote]

I will call and ask when I get a moment. They say low hours and claim all machines under 2000 hours.

You are correct. I meant Airsense 10. I will fix it.

Thanks,
Mark
[/quote]

[Pugsy]

PR (and myself) would also want to know which AirSense 10 model we are comparing to the S9 AutoSet for Her.

Also...refurbished or gently used...what you talking about? To me they are 2 different things.
Refurbished to me means was once broken and now fixed and hours set to zero at the factory level.

If you are talking about secondwindcpap.com....they don't fix broken machines....they clean up used machines and make sure everything is working properly and then sell them but they are still used with used run hours on them.

If that is where you are looking to get a machine...they are a great place to buy used machines. Your "refurbished" wording threw me off a bit.

[Barbee]

Just chiming in to say I use a fixed pressure on an auto machine. I know there is a difference in price but with the average of a 5 year machine life, i wanted the auto option just in case things changed with me. Good luck in your decision.

[markrb]

PR (and myself) would also want to know which AirSense 10 model we are comparing to the S9 AutoSet for Her.

Also...refurbished or gently used...what you talking about? To me they are 2 different things.
Refurbished to me means was once broken and now fixed and hours set to zero at the factory level.

If you are talking about secondwindcpap.com....they don't fix broken machines....they clean up used machines and make sure everything is working properly and then sell them but they are still used with used run hours on them.

If that is where you are looking to get a machine...they are a great place to buy used machines. Your "refurbished" wording threw me off a bit.

Yes that is where I am looking and I will stop calling it refurbished. I am glad to hear that about them from you as I have heard good things about them from other sources, but you obviously know your stuff.

I was comparing it to the 10 Autoset, not the 10 Autoset for her. For the cost of that S9 Autoset for her I could afford an Autoset. The 10 Autoset is a bit out of my range right now.

Thank You,
Mark

[Pugsy]

If money is tight....I would definitely just buy the S9 AutoSet even if it's that ugly pink color.
They introduced that pink color during breast cancer awareness week a few years ago. Of all the pinks out there...that's kinda ugly (and that's coming from a woman) but you can't see the color at night with the lights off so who cares. I think that there are a still few skins floating around that can cover up the pink if someone wants to do that.

The very minor differences between the S9 AutoSet and the AirSense 10 AutoSet...not that big of a deal.
The only real down side is the S9 machine overwrites the data on the SD card after 7 or 30 days (depends on which file) so if you watch your graphs closely you have to be diligent about downloading at least once a week. If you don't need to do that or want to do that...not a big deal.

[Keeska]

I'm on my 2nd machine. I had regular insurance with my 1st one and have Medicare with my new one. Both regular insurance and Medicare pay for them in monthly installments. My 1st machine co-pay was $20 per month for 10 months and then I owned it. With Medicare, my 2nd machine costs me a $9 co-pay per month for 13 months and then it's mine. My first machine lasted 8 years before it died, and I just got my new one in November of last year. I think the insurance works it that way in case the patient is non-compliant. My DME must report my hours used to Medicare, and if I don't use it at least 4 hours a night, I would be considered non-compliant. My previous regular insurance worked the same way. Whatever kind you do get, I hope it's quiet for you.

[palerider]

You guys have been great thank you for all the information.

I have a question for everyone, but I really would like to hear what palerider has to say on this as I think your signature said you had an S9.

If you had to buy one today would you consider an S9 Autoset for Her if it was $100 cheaper then the Airsense Autoset 10 and came with a one year warranty?
I don't care that it's pink.

Thank You,
Mark

I sure would, The S9 autoset for her was identical in operation to the S9 autoset. It's a great machine. (as long as it didn't have a ton of hours on it).

There were some very minor changes in the treatment behavior between the S9 and Airsense 10 autosets, but they provide effectively the same treatment. The main difference in the air10 machines is the form factor, and in fact, it was a step backwards with the water tank... the S9 water tank has a solid metal bottom... it *can't leak*.. whereas sometimes, the Air10 machines water tanks can, where the metal and plastic are glued (?) together.

[palerider]

Refurbished to me means was once broken and now fixed and hours set to zero at the factory level

I've never had an issue with properly refurbished product, instead of coming off an assembly line in a torrent, someone actually tested and checked the thing...

Of course, that's properly refurbished, not just having someone turn it on and say 'ok, it works'...

[palerider]

If money is tight....I would definitely just buy the S9 AutoSet even if it's that ugly pink color.
They introduced that pink color during breast cancer awareness week a few years ago. Of all the pinks out there...that's kinda ugly (and that's coming from a woman) but you can't see the color at night with the lights off so who cares. I think that there are a still few skins floating around that can cover up the pink if someone wants to do that.

obligatory reposting of the skin on my S9:

[markrb12]

First great Skin.

Thank You to everyone here.

I picked up my new machine from the DME. I was actually surprised they gave me the Airsense 10 Autoset in CPAP mode. Turns out since Autoset machines according to the DME since Autoset machines are by far their most prescribed they do not bother carrying the non Autoset versions.

I may only be able to keep this particular unit for 5 months due to the potential loss of this insurance and who knows if my new insurance (hopefully I have some) will work with this DME etc...
The cost to keep this machine from the DME in cash is ridiculous as it's a 10 month rent to own and I will owe 5 months at almost $245 a month (Over $1200 my cost, a complete rip off IMHO).
However I can return it with no penalty and buy a new to me unit online if I have to.

I chose this route for these reasons.

1. Validate this is the correct machine type (vs variable pressure (BiPap/BPap)). With the much better reporting then my previous machine a more informed decision can be made. My last sleep study was almost 10 years ago.
2. Verify I like the machine
3. Short term much reduced cost (first month is $70 then goes way down from there). 5 months will cost less then $200 total with insurance. I realize it will end up costing that much more long term if the new insurance doesn't pick it up, assuming I have insurance, as I will end up buying one online with cash.


Initial thoughts.

Likes:

1. Size. smaller and lighter than my previous machine.
2. Information. My previous machine had less and no ability to detect central. BTW it says 3.1 central for me. I haven't researched central before, but I know in general an AHI of 5 or lower is considered pretty good. My doctor said he would be thrilled if I am under 10 as my sleep study number was 98. Machine reported a total of 5 for last night.
3. Really quiet motor. can't hear it at all
4. The pressure seems much gentler. It's hard to explain, but compared to my last machine it just feels more natural and I am not even talking about breathing out against it. I am talking all the time. I know I have pressure relief on and maybe that is it.

Dislike:

1. Small humidifier water chamber. My F&P water chamber was much larger and could go for almost a week before needing filling and at that time I would clean and then fill it. This looks like it will be daily. Not a huge deal, but more of an annoyance.


Need to get used to:
1. The air pressure delivery is different then I am used to. This machine seems (might be just me) to increase the airflow when I am breathing in. This has actually forced me to tighten my mask somewhat as it can cause my mask to leak when I take in a deeper breath.
2. Air noise more than I am used to. The noise increases when I take a breath in. A bit of a distraction and something I will need to get used to, but I did get to sleep on the first night with a new machine. Something I was nervous about as it took me literally a month to be able to sleep consistently when I first started years ago.


Question:

Reading the clinical guide I cannot find a setting for tube length. Is there one with the Airsense 10 Autoset?
My unit did not come with a SD Card. DME says they only use the internet, but it has a spot and I would like to use it. What size should I get and what type is it?


Note:
It will probably make no difference at all, but I am going to pick up an 8 foot hose to replace the 10 I have now. 6 is definitely too short and 10 is a hair in the way sometimes. I did have an 8 before and forget why I changed back to 10.

Overall initially I do like the machine.

Again Thank You all for the help,
Mark

[Thumper68]

4. The pressure seems much gentler. It's hard to explain, but compared to my last machine it just feels more natural and I am not even talking about breathing out against it. I am talking all the time. I know I have pressure relief on and maybe that is it.

Mark,
I totally get what you are saying. I just switched to a Resmsed machine from a Respironics Dreamstation. I described it as I felt like there was reduced air flow, but I think that your description is a better one. I am getting used to it, but I do still notice it. I have only used the Resmed for the last 10 days. It doesn't keep me awake or anything, and I know that in a few weeks I won't even notice it. I love everything else about the machine.

[palerider]

1. Validate this is the correct machine type (vs variable pressure (BiPap/BPap)).

Bilevel isn't about variable pressure, that's what your autoset gives you, bilevel is about a larger pressure difference between inhale and exhale pressures.

4. The pressure seems much gentler. It's hard to explain, but compared to my last machine it just feels more natural and I am not even talking about breathing out against it. I am talking all the time. I know I have pressure relief on and maybe that is it.

That's easybreathe controlling the pressure relief... It works with your breathing to make it feel... easy.

Reading the clinical guide I cannot find a setting for tube length. Is there one with the Airsense 10 Autoset?
My unit did not come with a SD Card. DME says they only use the internet, but it has a spot and I would like to use it. What size should I get and what type is it?

No, the bilevels have a slim, regular, 3meter setting, it doesn't matter enough on non-bilevel machines.

Pretty much any SD card works, but you don't need more than a few gig, so, small cheap one.