Problems with Dreamstation Go Auto

[icon123]

Hello everyone. I'm new here. I started my journey about 3 months ago and acclimated quickly. Things have been really good (in my opinion) the last 2 months. I have an AirSense 10 Auto with humidifier, standard heated hose and N30 (I guess pillow/nasal) mask. Here's last night info, short night, most are better:

Air10.PNG (116.01 KiB) Viewed 1059 times

Since I will be traveling more for both work and pleasure, I decided I wanted to get a travel unit. Initially I wanted the ResMed version since I'm already use to their algorithms but I was concerned about not having a real humidifier as I have only used my AirSense with one and I seem to use quite a bit of water (average half tank or so). So I bought the DreamStation Go Auto with humidifier. I tried using it Sunday night and Monday night and it was (2) of the worse days of sleep since I started therapy. I used my N30 for now since that is what I was use to and the included 12mm hose. Here are my numbers:

DSGo.PNG (140.14 KiB) Viewed 1059 times

I think I am waking up with the high pressure and then my throat is super dry. I'm guessing do to the higher pressure, my mouth opens. I have only had this problem with my AirSense once or twice in (3) months and both days with the Go resulted in this. I also wan surprised that it only used about a half of its small tank. I immediately lost confidence in the unit and had buyers remorse. The place I bought it from doesn't want/won't let me return it (cpap.com). Understandable, it says so right in their return policy. I am awaiting for a manager to call me but it has been 24 hours so I'm not getting my hopes up.

So finally the questions.

• Does any of this make sense?

• Could this be cause by the 12mm hose? Should I try a 19mm one?

• Would I have been better off with the ResMed version (subjective, I know)?

I don't feel I should have to "get used to it" since I already "got use to" my current one. I'm not going to use this fulltime, so I'm worried every time I do use it for either a business trip or vacation will result in bad nights of sleep. If I have to go the route of selling it, what are my best options? Thanks for the help.

[Pugsy]

Not only are you using different auto adjusting algorithms you are using a different minimum starting pressure.

4 cm minimum with the Respironics and 5 cm with the ResMed.
So between the slower Respironics algorithm and the lower starting pressure....what you see really is not unexpected.

Try a minimum of 6 or 7 with the Respironics and see what happens.

[icon123]

Thanks for the reply. Can you explain how increasing the minimum will help me not wake up when it gets to the higher pressure or dry mouth since I'm not experiencing this on the ResMed? My opinion is the Resp. takes longer to respond, both up and down. I don't think I like it as much but maybe that is just what I got use to. So you don't think it would help going to a bigger hose? I like the size and transportability of the 12mm.

[Pugsy]

The minimum pressure always has done the bulk of the work holding the airway open and the idea is to prevent the collapse in the first place and not try to fix it after it happened because none of these machines does anything except twiddle its little thumbs during a flagged event. You would get the same advice if you were using the DreamStation Auto and trying to compare its results to your ResMed Auto.

I have no idea about the difference in the hose diameter size impacting anything...sorry.

I have used both brands (ResMed and Respironics in apap mode) and I can get similar results with both but with the Respironics I always had to use 2 to 3 cm more minimum than I got by with using the ResMed. The difference in algorithm is quite significant.

Using more minimum gives the machine a better head start to get to where it needs to get to in order to hold the airway open.
It's all about preventing the collapse with both brands...not fixing after the fact.

[icon123]

Thanks again. While I have you on the phone, any changes you would suggest on the ResMed unit?

[icon123]

I'm sorry, I thought of another question. Do you think "Mask Resistance" setting of "1" is correct for a N30 style mask?

[cpap626]

I notice that my dreamstation has a lot more flags than the resmed, not sure if the dreamstation is more sensitive or not.

[LSAT]

Turn off the ramp. With the lower minimum pressure , you don't need a 45 minute ramp on the Airsense or a 30 minute ramp on the Go.

[Pugsy]

Turn off the ramp on the ResMed....the machine doesn't flag anything during ramp so you may be having a few events during ramp time that the machine is missing plus you shouldn't need 45 minutes to go from 4 cm to 5 cm.

Mask selection on the Go....Respironics says when using a non Respironics mask just set it to 0 which just turns it off.
That particular setting on a Respironics machine isn't that critical of a setting anyway.

[icon123]

Thanks everyone for their replies and help. I guess I will just try to stick it out and see if I can get use to this thing quickly and reliably. I may reach out again once I test it again, probably not until this weekend.

[icon123]

Just an update...

I tried messing with the GO this weekend and even tried to attempt another night of therapy with it. I didn't get very long before I took it apart and went back to my ResMed device for the night. Here's what seems to be bugging me. It seems like when I inhale and stop to exhale, the machine keeps forcing air into my lungs (prior to exhaling) and making it feel very uncomfortable. It does appear to then stop to let me exhale (as I'm pretty sure I have that option setup). Has any one else noticed this? Does my description make sense? I payed more attention to my ResMed, and as soon as I stop inhaling, it stops forcing area into my lungs.

BTW, cpap.com still hasn't gotten back to me about this. I even tried to email them as well. So, take that with what you will. Thanks,

[icon123]

Another update...

cpap.com did get back to me and offered my a full refund and apologized for the delay. I did return it and am going to try an AirMini. Wish me luck.