Differences Between Machines

[JP11283]

So I got diagnosed with pretty severe OSA and started on CPAP last September. I was set up with a Philips Dreamstation (finally received a letter from the home health that set me up about the recall) and have always struggled with it, usually ripping the mask off in my sleep after an hour or two. I travel a lot for work so I bought a ResMed Mini to use as a travel machine and went in and adjusted the pressure settings to match the settings on my Dreamstation. I've been having much much greater success with the ResMed and have actually set it up to use at home instead of the Dreamstation as I'm averaging between five and seven hours on it each night and never rip the mask off. I'm using the same mask as I have for the Dreamstation, a ResMed Airfit F20.

Is there really this much of a difference between the Dreamstation and ResMed machines, or is this all in my head?

[chunkyfrog]

No, it is not in your head.
There is a big difference in the algorithm that controls treatment and data collection.
Top that off with the responsible use of SAFE materials in construction.
Resmed prices are a little higher--but we are worth it.

[Pugsy]

No, it's not in your head.
The 2 brands have 2 different auto adjusting algorithms so it is entirely possible that your body does better with the ResMed algorithm. You wouldn't be the first.
There's a video comparing the 2 but I can't seem to locate the link....anyone have it handy?

[palerider]

Is there really this much of a difference between the Dreamstation and ResMed machines, or is this all in my head?

And I'll third what the others said, it's not your imagination, Resmed's are just that much smarter in how the operate, they're better programmed, better designed, better built.

[GrumpyHere]

There's a video comparing the 2 but I can't seem to locate the link....anyone have it handy?

https://youtu.be/lzCCgNLya_g

[palerider]

There's a video comparing the 2 but I can't seem to locate the link....anyone have it handy?

https://youtu.be/lzCCgNLya_g

It's important to note that while this video is about the S9 Autoset and the PR System One Auto, the treatment algorithms are virtually the same with the AS10 Autoset and the PR NightmareStation. (and presumably, the AS11 Autoset and NightmareStation II, though we can't tell since NightmareStation 2, the sequel has no usable data at this time.

[Miss Emerita]

I don't know if you were using flex (PR machine) and are now using EPR (ResMed), but as someone who has used both, I have to say EPR is infinitely better for me. It follows my lead in the timing of my inhalation and exhalation; flex on the PR machine kept providing the inhalation pressure prematurely, so I always felt I was being rushed to take my next breath.

[palerider]

flex on the PR machine kept providing the inhalation pressure prematurely, so I always felt I was being rushed to take my next breath.

I believe their "logic" (yeah, I know, 'logic' with Philips? what am I thinking) is that by raising the pressure before the exhalation is finished, it might prevent an apnea... but *flex doesn't drop the pressure that much. And it has confused legions of people, just like it did you, and you don't need anything else bothering you when trying to go to sleep!

[Pugsy]

I don't know if you were using flex (PR machine) and are now using EPR (ResMed), but as someone who has used both, I have to say EPR is infinitely better for me. It follows my lead in the timing of my inhalation and exhalation; flex on the PR machine kept providing the inhalation pressure prematurely, so I always felt I was being rushed to take my next breath.

I have also used both brands and I know exactly what you are talking about which is why you will see me talk about Flex being more of a timing thing than the actual reduction thing.
And why when someone comes here complaining about being "rushed" with Flex I can almost guarantee the person is likely using the setting of 3. I felt the same way with the 3 setting....setting of 1 was too slow but I got lucky and the setting of 2 timing matched my breathing pattern perfectly and I fell in love with AFlex at 2.

Deeper love developed though when I finally got to try the ResMed and EPR though...
I had no desire to ever go back to a Respironics machine even before the foam fiasco. It did a good job for me and I started cpap back in 2009 using Respironics. Finally got around to trying a ResMed about 3 years later and never looked back.