which machine do I buy? Help

[49er]

I am needing to purchase a cpap machine and I am a relatively new user. I am on straight pressure my doctor does not reccomend auto. Which is better Phillips Respironics system one c flex or remstar s9. Is there any difference? I would love some direction on this. Thanks.

Another advantage to having an auto is it is my understanding that the pressure you obtain is about 40% less than being on a cpap. If the patient doesn't get aroused by the changing pressures and can afford the extra cost, this would seem like a no brainer, particularly since it can be switched to the cpap mode. I just don't understand doctors who are closed minded about this.

49er

[The Choker]

Hi again,
Thank you all for all your help. My computer is xp and I have 1GB of Ram with about 30 gb free space. How much do you need? What else do I need to know?

Your computer has enough capacity. Which CPAP machine will you be using?

[livingstone]

Hi,
The machine I will be using is a Resmed S9 Elite. It is not a auto machine. Dr. says do not buy an auto. He does not trust them. I'm not really sure why.

[The Choker]

I would like to choke your doctor but that is a story for another day.

From where will you buy the machine? Most outlets, at least in the U.S., would sell you a ResMed S9 Autoset if you have a prescription for "CPAP".

Software is easy. Just download to your computer from ResMed's site - http://www.resmed.com/int/assets/html/s ... ister.html

Your computer has enough capacity for the program.

The machine comes with an SD card which stores the data. You will need an SD card reader to upload the data to your computer. SD card readers sell for less than $10.

Once you download some data and run a report you can find online a tutorial on using and interpreting ResScan reports. Maybe someone will now post the link. You can also get help from this forum members to interpret the reports. You will quickly begin to understand how your therapy is working and what needs to be tweaked - things like mask leak and pressure.

I hope you can get the AutoSet. The price on cpap.com is only 6% more than the Elite. That is $48. Spread over 5 years that is less than $10 per year. Well worth it IMO.

I think maybe your doctor thinks autos are to be set at pressure range 4 - 20 and then the machine finds the correct pressure. If so, I would agree with your doctor that this is a totally unsatisfactory therapy. But none of us set our autos this way. We set them at narrow ranges surrounding the straight CPAP setting. Then the machine adjusts nicely during the night to accommodate different sleeping positions, different levels of congestion, and other factors that vary during the night or night to night.

[The Choker]

Hi,
The machine I will be using is a Resmed S9 Elite. It is not a auto machine. Dr. says do not buy an auto. He does not trust them. I'm not really sure why.

I am trying to help you but then you post as "carpenter1" in this thread - viewtopic.php?f=1&t=74603&p=684198#p684198

What is going on? Am I wasting my time with you?

[chunkyfrog]

Choker:
You never forgot to sign in? not as oxygen deprived as I've been.

[livingstone]

sorry, I'm new at this. Don't use the site too often. Forgot the protocol. (username)

[Uncle_Bob]

Hi,
The machine I will be using is a Resmed S9 Elite. It is not a auto machine. Dr. says do not buy an auto. He does not trust them. I'm not really sure why.

Tell him its your money. Is your doctor the DME aswell?
You could try asking for an APAP and state clearly that it can be run in CPAP only mode and that APAP feature would be there should you ever need it.
Also you can walk out with your CPAP Rx and purchase an APAP from cpap.com with your CPAP only Rx.

[livingstone]

yes, I can buy an auto machine but my Dr. said it would be set on straight pressure and I would not be able to change it. It has to be done by him. He will only use straight pressure with me. He says if I wanted to buy an auto machine it would be a waste of extra money. About $500. more

[Hawthorne]

You would be able to change it but your doctor may not like that. You may have to do what he wants - depending upon the type of person he/she is.

Since you are just starting out, you may be wise to work with him on this machine and, later, do something else. You may want a doctor close by in the begining and you don't want to oppose him probably. I went with "the system" when I started out since I felt I needed that "close to home" support,such as it was - an it wasn't much even when I could get to see him but I understand.

I had PMED you and just sent you a reply to your email with some thoughts from a fellow Canadian. Then I came here to catch up on the thread.

[NightMonkey]

yes, I can buy an auto machine but my Dr. said it would be set on straight pressure and I would not be able to change it. It has to be done by him. He will only use straight pressure with me. He says if I wanted to buy an auto machine it would be a waste of extra money. About $500. more

Where are you buying the machine? Why is the AutoSet $500 more? The price is not that much different unless you are buing from a crook. How much will you pay for the Elite?

If you get the AutoSet I would highly recommend that you use the straight CPAP settings that the doctor prescribes. Your therapy will be identical to the therapy with the Elite CPAP.

If later you (and your doctor) see that the settings are not working too well, you can experiment with an auto setting.

What is your prescribed CPAP pressure? (Sorry if you mentioned it earlier I have not been reading your thread before.)

[Hawthorne]

I think people responding to this post are not noticing of forgetting that the OP is in Canada where cpap is more expensive and the system is different. It also differs from Province to Province.

[NightMonkey]

I think people responding to this post are not noticing of forgetting that the OP is in Canada where cpap is more expensive and the system is different. It also differs from Province to Province.

I would like to know why an AutoSet costs $500 more than an Elite? And how much they each cost? And how they are paid for - self-pay, insurance, government? And who supplies the machines?

Does it really cost $500 more or is this just something that a newbie, livingstone, has been told by someone who doesn't want her to get an AutoSet?

Basic questions no matter the country or province.

[livingstone]

Hi,
To answer your questions in Canada at least the province of BC the machine costs $2000.00. There is no medical coverage for this unless you have extended healthcare. They justify this high cost by saying that if you need further help it is included in the price. ex. if you need to have the data downloaded or your pressure changed they include this. However, they only want you back in one year.
I guess my concern is what if something changes and how do I know if I have leaks etc. It's all rather tiring. They assured me that the pressure would not change unless I gained a lot of weight.

[Hawthorne]

ALL machines and cpap supplies are way more expensive in Canada, no matter the Province. A cpap machine, in Canada, will cost $2000 or $3000 dollars, depending on the make and whether it is auto or straight cpap. It was somewhat cheaper when I got my first one in Ontario about 10 years ago. They CLAIM that the cost is so much more because they have to import them from the US and send them back there is service is needed and any help they provide you such as a loaner when your machine is back for repair.

In Ontario where I live, the Assistive Devices Program pays for a large portion of the machine. The remainder of the cost or some portion of it (depending on your extended health plan) pays for the rest - or you do, if you have no extended health plan. Here, in Ontario, I cannot get a new machine every 5 years unless I have a new prescription and have had another sleep study and even then, a new prescription depends on your doctor.


In some Provinces sleep apnea is not considered a medical condition and nothing is covered except MAYBE some or all by your extended health plan.

I have had sleep apnea for about 10 years. I got my first machine here in Ontario. The Asssitive Devices Program paid most and my extended health plan covered all the rest so my first machine and mask cost me nothing. If I had a more caring and cooperative doctor I could do that every 5 years. My sleep doctor is neither cooperative or caring. In the city where I live (a city of 300,000+ people), there are very few sleep doctors (I think 2) and family doctors don't like to step on the Specialist's toes so the patient is caught in the middle.

I now buy everything online, mostly from cpap.com because it costs WAY less (even with shipping) and I can use my 10 year old cpap prescription and get an auto with that old prescription. Resmed will not allow any shipping of any of their products outside of the US anymore so, if you want a Resmed, you go the Canadian supplier route. I have never used Resmed, except for some masks so no problem shopping with cpap.com.

I see there was a reply while I was typing!