My S9 AutoSet arrived today

[dave21]

LOL - I can imagine! I would usually be the same if I couldn't get hold of the latest tech gear. Still waiting for the Apple iPad! I unfortunately stumbled on the S9, a friend who is registered with RealSleep (ResMed Sleep Vantage) received their newsletter in the post and I didn't. I went onto their website and low and behold I saw the new S9, totally amazed after reading the literature I called up ResMed and they said it would be available in 4 weeks and asked if I would like a call when they have it in. 2 weeks later I received a call to say both the S9 and H5i was in, did I want to purchase one.......Hell Yes!

[GaryG]

Katie,
Now you have a new toy to play with! Think of all the fun you'll have tweaking with the new machine. Let us know how you're doing. Have fun.

[DreamDiver]

Congrats, KatieW!

dave21 - Are you saying you don't need a prescription to buy the machine in the UK?

... I called up ResMed and they said it would be available in 4 weeks and asked if I would like a call when they have it in. 2 weeks later I received a call to say both the S9 and H5i was in, did I want to purchase one.......Hell Yes!

[dave21]

dave21 - Are you saying you don't need a prescription to buy the machine in the UK?

No you do unfortunately need a prescription from your doctor/hospital. I had my initial prescription 5 years ago. I provided the ResMed form to my doctor who signed it and put my titration rate on the form. Since I purchased my first S8 AutoSet Spirit directly from ResMed with the prescription form they have it on record that I require a CPAP and have a doctors consent so I didn't need a 2nd prescription form for my 2nd S8 AutoSet Spirit, and I didn't need an additional prescription for the S9 purchase.

If I however wanted to change to Philips Respironics or another company I would probably require a new prescription form.

I'm not sure if it works any differently in the US or other countries?

[DreamDiver]

dave21 - Are you saying you don't need a prescription to buy the machine in the UK?

No you do unfortunately need a prescription from your doctor/hospital. I had my initial prescription 5 years ago. I provided the ResMed form to my doctor who signed it and put my titration rate on the form. Since I purchased my first S8 AutoSet Spirit directly from ResMed with the prescription form they have it on record that I require a CPAP and have a doctors consent so I didn't need a 2nd prescription form for my 2nd S8 AutoSet Spirit, and I didn't need an additional prescription for the S9 purchase.

If I however wanted to change to Philips Respironics or another company I would probably require a new prescription form.

I'm not sure if it works any differently in the US or other countries?

In the US, we can get a prescription that can be more general:
Machine: CPAP/APAP - patient's choice
Settings: 11cm
Humidifier: Patient's preference
Mask: Patient's Preference
Hoses, filters, mask parts, etc.: All patient's preference

The above prescription would allow an XPAP user to buy either CPAP or APAP any brand, set as a CPAP at 11cm. The patient could then buy either a CPAP or an APAP. If the settings included both min and max settings, however, some companies might restrict you to only being able to buy an APAP. The above prescription gives you a wider choice of machines, but at a CPAP setting - which the patient is likely to change anyway if they self-titrate.

Clinical software as a patient-available tool is a different issue - probably similar in the UK - that may actually resolve at some point, hopefully in the xPAP users' favor. We shall see. Auto-titration with user-access to clinical software really is the future. Insurance companies will come around as they realize it's just more economical.

[dave21]

I just dug out my original 5yr old prescription that I scanned (just in case I needed it in future) and it does only stipulate fixed pressure. I do remember ResMed saying that on the first S8 Elite I was looking at they would recommend the S8 AutoSet Spirit (obviously a little expensive) but they were happy to allow me to purchase this instead.

On another note, I was just reading your old review of the the CMS-60D - viewtopic.php?f=1&t=34394&st=0&sk=t&sd=a and it looks like it could be a good addition to the S9's ResScan graphs. I was looking in the UK but can't seem to find the CMS-60D for sale but do see the CMS-60C - http://www.pulmolink.co.uk/pulse_oximet ... etail.html only difference being that it doesn't have removable AA batteries. I think I might get one to enhance the graphs of the S9.

How are you still getting on with it? Any problems or cons other than you noted in the review above? Are you able to easily line up the graphs with those from ResScan on the S9?

[Lila919]

How is your S9 working out? Do you have the heated hose?

I just got mine yesterday, too and had a great night's sleep. Mine came with the standard slimline hose, and I am wondering about the heated hose.

[dave21]

The S9 is working out great for me. I've had it for a month now, I think I was one of the first to get it in the UK, I find it's much more quieter than the previous machines and technology has moved on a lot in the last 5 years.

I do have the ClimateLine hose, but you only get that hose if you also purchase the H5i (humidifier) otherwise you get the slimline hose.

I previously had the S8 AutoSet Spirit with H4i but I hardly ever used the H4i Humidifier because I used to get rainout in the mask, but with the S9 I'm using the humdifier every night as it's a lot more easier to fill too. I can use the machine without the humidifer but it gives you a little more warmth to the air and a little more humidity which makes it feel a lot better.

One day I slept in a hotel in London and they had the heating on full and I decided to open a window and sleep with my S8 machine and I didn't have the humidifer. It was January and boy was I wrong. I awoke with a freezing room, my throat was so sore due to the cold air in the morning and had a sore throat for several days. Since then and getting the S9 I take the humidifer with me everywhere.

[Lila919]

I do have the S9 humidifier, but it came with the plain slimline hose. It was quite an ordeal to get this through Apria, insurance, Dr, etc and I was quite happy to get the new machine. I may get the heated hose independently - my climate tends to be cold and dry.

[dave21]

I would complain to them because you should have received both hoses. You shouldn't use the slimline hose on the humidifier as far as I know.

[JStaggie]

I would complain to them because you should have received both hoses. You shouldn't use the slimline hose on the humidifier as far as I know.

Actually, the climateline hose kit is optional.

If you don't use the climateline hose, then the humidifier works but the climate control feature does not.

[Lila919]

Ok, Dave, thanks. I will call Apria on Monday.

[Nord]

I would complain to them because you should have received both hoses. You shouldn't use the slimline hose on the humidifier as far as I know.

As the other posters have noted... climateline is optional. My S9 arrived yesterday but the ClimateLine is backordered so she left a SlimLine which actually works pretty well with the H5i. I had it set at 2.5 the first night and only used a very small amount of water and no dryness in a NorthEast climate. Today its set for 3.0 and I'm watching.

Nord

[DreamOn]

KatieW,

What do you think about your new S9 so far? Any major difference in results numbers? I hope that you're sleeping well.

[KatieW]

KatieW,

What do you think about your new S9 so far? Any major difference in results numbers? I hope that you're sleeping well.

I was in Phoenix all day, and picked up a SD Card Reader on the way home. Have spent the last few hours playing with ResScan 3.10. Amazing data!

I wouldn't say there's a major difference in results numbers. Thursday on the S8 Autoset II was a pretty average night for me: Leak 0, AI .2, HI, 1.6, AHI 1.8.

Here's my results from last night on the S 9 Autoset. I'm not too concerned with numbers right now, there was a slight increase in AI--likely due to 1st night excitement, and getting used to the new set-up. And a drop in hypopnea, maybe due to a different algorithm. (?) As others have said it is very quiet (and as you know, the S8 is quiet) and the EPR is even more gentle and comfortable. I used EPR 2.

My hope was that the Climate Control would be a major improvement, and I am very pleased with it so far. I used the Auto setting for the Humidifier, and the default of 80 degrees. It was perfect--not a drop of mask condensation, or that feeling of having a "hot head" when I wake up.

I don't understand Flow Limitation or Minute Ventilation, so any input would be appreciated.