ResMed CPAP vs APAP - comments please?

[drsgbriggs]

OK, I want to buy myself a top of the line iron lung that will let me download and analyze all my data on my home PC. I have moderately severe sleep apnea but no other respiratory problems. I've done well on a basic CPAP machine (ResMed S8 Escape) for 2.5 years. Is there any downside to going with APAP (read ResMed S8 Autoset Spirit II with Easy Breathe)? Thanks for any comments, especially from folks who may have recently swithched from CPAP to APAP. Price no object, the quieter the better.

[Slinky]

The ONLY downside to a Resmed S8 II AutoSet vs a Resmed S8 II Elite w/EPR is the price for those for whom cost is an important factor. The upside to the AutoSet over the Elite is that it IS an APAP and therefore like getting two xPAPs in one - an APAP if you prefer and a CPAP if you prefer.

The S8 IIs require ResScan 3.4 or better software, ResScan 3.7 has just become available so you might as well get 3.7. You need either the Resmed proprietary cable reader or I'm not sure if proprietary, a direct cable between device and 'puter (is that what you call a USB cable?).

If you REALLY wanna go top of the line, you'd need a script for a bi-level, and could get the Resmed VPAP Auto 25. Then you have the option of CPAP, BPAP or AB-PAP. But that really is overkill and in my estimation not really worth the excessive extra cost unless a bi-level is medically necessary.

Beware the relatively recent MAP (minimum advertised pricing) policies of Resmed, Respironics and Fisher & Paykel instituted against the online DME suppliers. Call the online supplier's toll-free number and ask if their advertised price is the best price they can offer or do they have an "unadvertised sale price". Also, since you are in Canada ask if they ship to Canada and how much extra that will cost. I "think" I've read it is cheaper if sent via USPS whilst most online suppliers ship via UPS.

[Wulfman]

What pressure are you using?

ResMed Autos have some limitations with regard to pursuing apneas above the pressure of 10 cm. They will increase the pressure beyond 10 if they're preceded by snores or flow limitations, but not "frank" apneas.

Den

[drsgbriggs]

I was prescribed 12, but I've been usung 14.

[sleepyangler]

I understand you have said that money is no object and I can also understand why someone might believe that resmed represents top of the line in cpap equipment. However, you owe it to yourself to at least take a look at the puritan bennett xpaps and associated software. Not only will you be able to tailor your treatment better with the sandman auto (based on the 12 -14 pressures) but you will be able to save hundreds on the machine, humidifier, software, and means to transfer the date to your pc. And if ever you need to run the apap off dc power, the cable needed to do so will cost about 1/3 the price of the proprietary resmed adapter. About the only reason I can see opting for the resmed over the sandman would be if you absolutely feel you need the epr comfort feature. Otherwise, it ought to be a no brainer.

[Slinky]

I would concur, tho I've not had a chance to try them, the Covidien (Puritan Bennett) new Sandman Auto and even the DeVilBiss AutoAdjust IntelliPAP are well worth investigating. I've found both to be quite intriguiging and wouldn't pass up a chance to try either or both out. I know those who have the somewhat older Puritan Bennett GoodKnight 420E are all extremely happy w/them and I've never see a complaint about one. The Sandman should be at least as good and maybe even better.

[ozij]

And:
Both the PB 420E and the Sandman let you export data to a CSV file, which you then import into Excel...


O.

[Slinky]

Good point, Ozij. You can also do that w/the S8s "if" you use AutoScan 5.7. The S8 IIs require ResScan 3.4 or higher and ResScan won't export in csv, only pdf. And if one has Vista on one's 'puter one MUST use ResScan 3.5 or higher.

[billbolton]

And if ever you need to run the apap off dc power, the cable needed to do so will cost about 1/3 the price of the proprietary resmed adapter.

And does none of the useful things that Resmed DC-12 does, so at 1/3rd the price its rip off!

Cheers,

Bill

[sleepyangler]

And does none of the useful things that Resmed DC-12 does, so at 1/3rd the price its rip off!

Care to back that up with a few examples of all the "useful things" the resmed dc cord does that the others don't? The $80 resmed dc "cigarette lighter" adapter does nothing more than allow you to run an S8 xpap off of a 12v power source. It's not a pure sine dc/ac converter needed to let you run the xpaps and the humidifier off of a dc source. It is absolutely no different than the dc cords for any other brand of xpap, other than the polarity of the plug to go into the machine has been reversed. Resmed could have chosen to follow established standards; instead they decided to make it so folks needed to buy their product at nearly 3x the cost. To suggest the over priced cable does anything special is simply blowing pro-resmed smoke.

Resmed makes some great equipment and they charge a pretty proud price for those products. Unfortunately, a significant amount of the asking price is for nothing more then the resmed name. Equally good equipment is available for less $$$.

[Shilohcane]

I have the S8 Elite™ II with Easy-Breathe and love it. I was prescribed 13 on a CPAP but the S8 APAP keeps me at 10.8 and my AHI is 3.8 which is normal. I spent the extra money getting a APAP and it was money well spent. I had a buddy that had been prescribed 18 on a CPAP and when he got a new S8 Elite™ II it has him at around 16 and working well for him.

There is no reason to give you more air than you need and some people think high pressure can cause central apnea. My APAP changes with my needs like if I have a cold or gain or lose some weight or even have a little to much to drink. I would never want a CPAP when I could have a APAP. Also, since my APAP keep adjusting to my needs I am never going back to that sleep study center if for some reason my pressure needs change.