Recommendation for New Machine

[debrodl]

Next week I am going to my sleep specialist because my AHI numbers are creeping up. I am also having sleep arousals again. So I am going to ask her for a new sleep study. I am also going to discuss getting a new machine.

I do best with Bi-Pap/VPAP therapy. That's what I use now but it's an old Resmed Malibu. It's so noisy I actually have other people in the house who complain about the noise. I have to use ear plugs so the noise doesn't keep me awake. Using earplugs with the therapy pressure affects my eustachian tubes.

So - given my need for Bi-Pap/VPAP what machine type should I request? I'm not even sure I need BiPap as much as I need very good exhalation relief. I have good insurance so I think I can be pretty insistent about the machine I need. I'd appreciate your responses.

[cflame1]

either a Resmed S9 VPAP Auto or a PR S1 Bipap Auto

[Slinky]

I can't speak for the Resmed S9 VPAP Auto as I've not had the opportunity to use one. These bi-levels are NOT cheap! *sigh* I usually prefer the Resmeds and have a soft spot in my heart for them due to their ease of access to and amount of data available via the LCD screen.

However, I CAN speak for the PR SystemOne BPAP Auto. It is quiet and I get excellent therapy w/it. I do NOT like the limited data and the way the data is presented via the LCD screen. And the early PR S1 models had no backlight for the LCD screen. Duh!!! The integrated humidifier tank can be taken apart for cleaning and filling. I don't care for it. I much prefer the one piece tanks of the Resmed S8s and the Respironics Legacy series. I also don't care for the tank being hidden away in its little compartment. I liked the S8 and Legacy tanks sitting right out front daring me to top it off or fill it. I've never liked Respironics' power brick. I do like the use of an SD card and USB card reader. THAT is a HUGE improvement!! I do really like the swivel hose attachment on the humidifer. THAT was a stroke of genius and probably the best new feature of the PR S1s.

I also can't speak for the DeVilbiss.

Hopefully more of our members will share their experience w/the various PAPs, bi-level users are in a minority so it may take a while to get many opinions and the selection of bi-level auto PAPs is pretty limited. I think just Resmed, PR and DeVilbiss.

[archangle]

Some of the clumsiness of the PRS1 water tank is probably due to the "dry box" design. It makes it really difficult to spill water from the tank back into the machine, even if you accidentally tip the machine over or move it with water in the tank.

I actually like the PRS1 tank better and legacy or M series. Lift the lid, the tank slides right out, no fiddling with squeezing it into the slot like the legacy, no need to pull the hose off. No problems getting the silicone coupler to seal. The water level is more visible than the M series tank, and you don't have to push against the latches and seals when you slide it in.

[Alshain]

Yeah, I gotta say the humidifier on the old REMStar's are not good. I'm always having trouble with it not sealing properly and cause the stupid seal is on the bottom (which is really insane, IMO) it leaks and makes a mess if I'm not real careful.