Mask Question Respironics vs ResMed

[retrodave15]

Since I am relatively new to all of this I have a question. I see lots of people here with ResMed machines, Respironics machines, and ResMed masks. Does any one use Respironics masks? Even when I was getting fitted for my first mask at the DME's office the RT seemed to not care for Respironics masks.

I have probably just thrown gasoline on a burning bridge, but inquiring minds would like to know? Are ResMed masks superior?

[DoriC]

That seems to be the consensus I think. I know my husband tried a few of the Respironics Comfort FF masks when he started and they were anything but. Of course that doesn't hold true for everyone.

[retrodave15]

I got that feeling too, I thought it just might have been that RT. Even my wife commented when she what trying out masks with a different RT at the same place that they were reluctant to being out the Respironics masks. She got the comment that the machines from Respironics are good but they need to spend some more time in the mask department.

[archangle]

I don't think there's any consensus.

Maybe more ResMed mask users have to come here to figure out how make them work.

Maybe ResMed does a better job of keeping DMEs happy.

ResMed is a lot tougher on restricting who can sell stuff and how. You can often buy non ResMed masks online without a prescription. ResMed seems to restrict the price online dealers can sell for more than some other manufacturers.

By the way, I'm not necessarily saying they are or aren't better. I was given a Respironics mask and have kept using the same one for 7 years. The earlier Respironics masks I use had a defective design and the clips broke off until they finally fixed the design.

[chunkyfrog]

For my face shape, Respironics full face masks fit better than Resmed
I have a small Mirage Micro that is too large (the next smaller size is too small for me)
and a small Quattro that is the wrong shape.
The silly thing rocks on my cheekbones, forcing me to choose between chin or nose leaks.
I suffered wearing them, which I never will again.
I wore the Micro for three months, and the Quattro about four times.
Edit: I may cannibalize them for lab rat parts.

[LSAT]

Since I am relatively new to all of this I have a question. I see lots of people here with ResMed machines, Respironics machines, and ResMed masks. Does any one use Respironics masks? Even when I was getting fitted for my first mask at the DME's office the RT seemed to not care for Respironics masks.

I have probably just thrown gasoline on a burning bridge, but inquiring minds would like to know? Are ResMed masks superior?

Is this the only DME in your town??? If not, get in your car and find another....(Drive to Columbus if necessary).

[retrodave15]

I actually do drive to Columbus, actually I work there. This thread was to satisfy a curiosity for me. My RT at my DME, after a bit of prodding, had me try a few Respironics, masks. To me the ResMed masks seemed a bit more refined.

After working in the medical world for years, now producing trade shows; I have seen that some medical device companies pay attention to design while others make devices that are functionally acceptable but lack aesthetics or refinements. Having devices that work well and look good can lead to patient acceptance. My wife is a prefect example of this. Give her two functionally identical masks, but one that has pink straps - which one is she going to choose. h

Respironics PRS1 - it looks like a gray brick. vs ResMed S9 it looks like a clock radio and has less of a clinical feel.

On the functional side the machines are pretty equal, each with their own merits and drawbacks. I was on vacation recently and my buddy had an S9, as we compared machines, we decided that we liked how his machine looked, but liked how my humidifier worked

I applaud ResMed for paying attention to design, however it is a captive audience market, where customer choice is limited. Their work and marketing is done for the DMEs, RTs, and physicians first and patients second.

We need to find a way to turn this around that they make the patient first.

[Kairosgrammy]

I'm no expert but I love my resmed swift fx and their mirage swift saved me. I was ready to give up on cpap with a nasal mask, just too claustophobic. Some of it though may be due to how a particular complany works with dme places. If one company gives better deals to those dme places that offer their masks, I imagine those are the masks offered. I probably didn't explain that well. I'm a speech path and have no economic sense whatsoever.

Since I am relatively new to all of this I have a question. I see lots of people here with ResMed machines, Respironics machines, and ResMed masks. Does any one use Respironics masks? Even when I was getting fitted for my first mask at the DME's office the RT seemed to not care for Respironics masks.

I have probably just thrown gasoline on a burning bridge, but inquiring minds would like to know? Are ResMed masks superior?

[Kairosgrammy]

Bump

[GregDoering]

I use the "Comfort Classic" by Respironics. It is all I have used for the last 4 + years. It has been a challenge to get used to finding the right tension for the proper seal vs waking up with my face throbbing from being too tight. I never received any advice from the sleep clinic; other than" you"ll figure it out". I have; and find the mask works very well. (I invented the "Oris Perfect Seal" device for my moustache to help) I have many things I would like to improve though; the acoustic noise from the tube supplying air, it's over rigid construction, lack of gimble type swivel at mask connection, and a way to suspend the hose so it has a zero gravity feel. I would enjoy experimenting with the two, if I didn't have to go to work . I think tests should be done at home without the intrusive nature of a sleep lab, feeling like an Astronaut wired for space travel.
Greg

[Olivejune]

Yes, Philips Respironics has a number of masks. The decision should be up to you, you are the one that will be wearing it. Ask for all options, if they won't show you...go to another DME.

[DavidE]

Hi, RetroDave-- When I first got a CPAP machine, the doc told me that it would be this one, and he pointed to the Respironcs M-Series (now discontinued) sitting on his desk. I was given no choice or even told about any others. That was five years ago. My guess is that perhaps the Respironics reps were taking the docs out to lunch or doing something special in the way of "direct marketing" at that time. I recently got a new machine (of my choosing this time) from a different doc. I picked a ResMed S9 Elite with humidifier and Climate Master hose. My present doc, a pulmonologist at the local sleep center run by the large, non-profit hospital in town, had no particular machine or masks on his agenda; he simply wrote my script for machine, mask and supplies. My impression is that between ResMed and Respironics, one company's masks are not really better than the other company's. It seems to me that masks and mask fits are are a very individual subject. One mask that works well for one person may not work at all for the next person. After using a nasal and then a full face mask (both by ResMed), I've just switched to a Respironics model. I had decided that a total face mask might solve my red-bridge-of-the-nose and open mouth problems that the first two did not. While looking online, I found that Respironics, not ResMed, makes a total face mask. So, I ordered one and feel that I'm really going to like it.