Resmed vs Resperonics challenge- at my house

[rested gal]

It's my understanding that the EPR lowers the pressure by 1-3 cms accordingly.

You're correct about that, Dori.

I'm not sure if the Aflex works the same

It doesn't. The amount of drop A-Flex and C-Flex give, no matter what either of them is set at, is very dependent on how forcefully a person breathes out. The more forceful the exhalation is, the more drop there will be with those. The lighter the exhalation, the less drop and the sooner the regular pressure comes back in. A-Flex/C-Flex are supposed to let the regular pressure back in before the exhalation is finished.

EPR keeps the pressure down the exact number of cms (1, 2, or 3 cms) throughout the entire exhalation and during the pause after the exhalation is finished. When the person actually starts to breathe in again, the regular pressure happens.

Since there's a chance that the lower EPR pressure might have allowed the throat to collapse at the end of the exhalation, and a person might not be able to start to breathe in again in a timely manner, there's a safeguard built into EPR. If so many seconds go by and the person has not started to inhale again, EPR is suspended and the regular pressure comes back. When normal breathing has been resumed, EPR resumes doing its thing.

I personally prefer to set my "prescribed" pressure, whether it be for CPAP or as the minimum pressure setting on an autopap, at least a cm or two higher if I'm using EPR.

[timbalionguy]

I am so grateful to have found this website and this post! I am newly diagnosed with OSA and have been researching autopap machines, trying to decide what to buy. I had just narrowed it down to Resmed Autoset8 II, Respironics PR system one, and respironics M series Auto with a-flex (or c-flex?? I get them confused). I am hoping to choose the most comfortable machine so that my transition into the world of autopap sleeping is as smooth as possible. I know it is important for my health and I need to set myself up for compliance! I am so interested in your opinions and grateful for all of the input. Right on time! Blessings, Deb

You may want to consider adding the DeVilbiss AutoPAP autoadjust machine to your short list. Although this machine has no pressure relief functions, I find it quite easy to breathe against, even at high pressures.

[DoriC]

It's my understanding that the EPR lowers the pressure by 1-3 cms accordingly.

You're correct about that, Dori.

I'm not sure if the Aflex works the same

It doesn't. The amount of drop A-Flex and C-Flex give, no matter what either of them is set at, is very dependent on how forcefully a person breathes out. The more forceful the exhalation is, the more drop there will be with those. The lighter the exhalation, the less drop and the sooner the regular pressure comes back in. A-Flex/C-Flex are supposed to let the regular pressure back in before the exhalation is finished.

EPR keeps the pressure down the exact number of cms (1, 2, or 3 cms) throughout the entire exhalation and during the pause after the exhalation is finished. When the person actually starts to breathe in again, the regular pressure happens.

Since there's a chance that the lower EPR pressure might have allowed the throat to collapse at the end of the exhalation, and a person might not be able to start to breathe in again in a timely manner, there's a safeguard built into EPR. If so many seconds go by and the person has not started to inhale again, EPR is suspended and the regular pressure comes back. When normal breathing has been resumed, EPR resumes doing its thing.

I personally prefer to set my "prescribed" pressure, whether it be for CPAP or as the minimum pressure setting on an autopap, at least a cm or two higher if I'm using EPR.

Thanks RG, I remember now that's why we shut the Flex off, it disturbed Mike's breathing rhythm.

[lovetoyou]

Thanks for the feedback abt DeVilbuss Timbalion...Good to know!
Hi Packer...I'm interested to hear any new updates on your Resmed S8 Autoset II experience? Is there Anything you have been displeased with so far? ( I am leaning toward this for my first machine). I should get off the fence and order...but I think I am going to wait to hear a bit more about your experience with both machines Specifically which one feels more like natural breathing? When do you start your PR auto system 1 trial? Much Thanks from a scared Newbie!

[josef]

I would be interested in knowing more about the oximeter. What brand, what kind of reading does it give. This is all new to me.

my plan is to use the oximeter two nights in a row with each machine and see how o2 numbers compare

[ idea being to do two nights to help level off things that might happen in the house etc ]

also- and this is important info -- my wife says this machine is quieter- her opinion counts
cause she hears it when I am sleeping
last night she was up for a couple minutes and said the resmed was definitely quieter to her ears than aflex

[packer]

oximeter is a SPO MEDICAL pulseox 7500 [ got on sale here couple years ago for cheap]
looks and wears like a wristwatch with a wire going down to the little rubber deal sits over your nail bed
you set it up by clearing it by USB hookup to computer program - then all you do is wear it- it comes on when senses pulse-
I set mine up to record every two seconds- it records all night- then hook up USB next day and it downloads data into report
pretty simple- it shows your pulse rate and o2 level -either in numbers or graph

as I understand it- when you are in apnea your brain calls for more O2- and makes your heart speed up to pump more
O2 to your noggin- this is what hurts us with apnea- your heart is racing all night instead of resting- trying to get more O2 to brain,
but heart can't pump O2 laden blood because apnea shuts off source of air O2 to your lungs- so O2 isnt in blood to begin with- then your brain gets desperate and make you wake up,so you move around and get O2 back into lungs- and then process starts over as you fall back asleep and have another apnea

I used oximeter to check Resmed autoset II last night and night before last
I will put results on next reply

[packer]

two nights with Resmed Auto set II were excellent subjectively- Resmed is definitely quieter- both at rest and when working [ as reported by wife]
I got more rain than normal but turned down dial to lower number and stopped the rain [ twilight NP is probably worst rainout mask there is!]

excellent results as proven [ to my satisfaction ] by oximeter

over 95 % of time O2 level above 95%
a little over 4 % of time 88 to 93
0.2 % 83 to 88- that was lowest- for literally a few seconds
there were 39 episodes of desaturation - when I went under 93%- these totaled only 4 minutes- so equipment did the job
out of the whole night only 4 minutes under 93 %- and both machines were set at level 3 for comfort - yet did great job

control to compare to is my aflex - I have list of old tests in data base- very similar- both machines are doing the job!
based on this test I would go to the Resmed- it is quieter- and lighter [ no brick] EPR works for me as well as aflex
both are doing the job- just as we all expected- no big differences in therapy levels
tomorrow I take back the Autoset and pick up new PR one- so will do the same two nights to compare

I am a little surprised- somehow I thought aflex was better and would be more comfortable than Resmed- probably because Aflex
was such a savior from old leaf blower I had at first-
Will write again as I get more data - hope people find this helpful- Packer

[lovetoyou]

Will write again as I get more data - hope people find this helpful- Packer

I find it very helpful! Thanks for the update! I will beinterested to know if you find the PR1 more/less comfortable to breathe with. And any other differences you may experience between the two. I don't seem to have the option to try out machines, so your feedback is deeply appreciated!

[lovetoyou]

Packer, how is it going with the Resperonics PR System 1? How does it compare to the Resmed S8 Autoset II? I am waiting with bated breath

[packer]

sorry i didnt write today- was at hospital- minor surgery - trouble with a whole different issue- nothing to do with apnea

anyhow-- PR one is even quieter than resmed- worked wonderfully-
the new pr one is much different than the aflex- they did something much different with the aflex- dont hardly know you are on cpap
anyhow- after one night- my wife says she did not know pr one was running!! seriously quiet - amazing
last night was very cold here- I did same test- opened window a couple inches in master bath- not a drop of rain! [ set on 3 ] bedroom was
under 60 degrees by morning
so-- as I do another night on oximeter I will give results - [ havent even downloaded yet ] but i am sure they will be good- I slept through night etc

right now I am switched back to reperonics and surprised again- I was thinking autoset till I tried
PR one-- heavily leaning toward PR one now- even with a brick! [ its not nearly as heavy- about half the size
so- hope for another good night with PR one - will pull trigger on autoset or pr one friday- right now its pr one
packer

[lovetoyou]

Packer,
What did you decide and why? Also, would you please comment on differences you may have noted with regard to the comfort/ease of breathing with the two machines? I appreciate your perspective, and am really looking forward to your review. After I hear from you I am going to get off this anxiety fence, make a decision and hopefully get some sleep! Thanks, Lovetoyou

[packer]

I am going with the Resperonics PR One - no doubt in my mind a better machine for me!

1. quietness- not a little quieter- a lot- literally my wife did not know it was on!!
[ autoset was way quieter than aflex- this is very much quieter than autoset]

2. ease of breathing- it is different and better than aflex- no fighting the machine at all- it breathes with you
[resmed autoset EPR is great also- as good as aflex- this PR is better in my opinion]

3. they all do a great job- I cant see where one is better than other- they all do the job!!!!

4. you can get data from the PR- of course its pain now etc- I will get the software eventually-
I can look at results now if I want to- again- I use the oximeter once in a while also-
having the SD card sure looks to be a great system when I have the software- so the other issues outweighed no software now for me

frankly I am surprised - I thought aflex was best but then tried Resmed Auto and was going to get that
because its nicer than the aflex- but the PR One was my favorite by quite a bit
disclaimer- my opinion-- get what works best for you - if you can do a trial that would be the best-
I am so glad i did all this- and again- I am grateful for good DME etc- I am lucky to have this chance to see for myself-

If people have more questions I will respond as best I can- but you need to get what works for you- Packer

[secret agent girl]

.

[packer]

The Resmed auto was very good for me also- i thought even better than the aflex

[ when I first got aflex it was wonderful- easy to breathe out- exhale- not having to "fight" to exhale ]

It is hard to put in words- it really is a feel- a totally subjective thing- to me the PR is closer to normal breating-
it is like I dont know I have it on

like this on a continuum perhaps

old leaf blower
that cheap DME
gives newbies autos then aflex and EPR PR one- just a little easier yet
great advances

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the other thing I think may be part of it is the quietness- I dont hear the PR change at all as I breath in and out- not listening
either consciously or subconsciously to the change of the motor- just quietness -

hard to describe but it just feels pretty much like normal breathing to me Packer

[lovetoyou]

I really appreciate your thoughtful feedback Packer! Thanks for taking us with, on your autopap challenge. I decided to ask my cpap coordinator if I could try out machines...she checked with the DME supplier and I will be able to try out those same two machines myself. I am a total newbie so this will be interesting....(to say the least). I hope to hear from them tomorrow and get started in the next few days. I am in desparate need of sleep (I average 64 'events' per hour; sat in low 70's)! Wishing you and all of the readers Happy, Healthy, Well Rested, Holidays! Deb