New to this site.....

[bilgerat57]

Greetings to all...... Looking forward to getting acquainted with the board and the users. Just out of curiousity, does anyone else have problems with DME providers trying to keep them on a leash? I'm getting real tired of hearing "You don't need to have access to that feature" or "You don't need to know how that works", and my all time favorite "The software is proprietary.You have to bring it in to get a report, but we're nationwide and you can get to us easily". Now that I've got that out of my system.....I'm getting ready to switch over from an iSleep i20 to a Resmed S9. I'm a bit apprehensive about this. I'm very fond of the iSleep. It's been a great machine, but my newest sleep study says I need a top end pressure of 21 and the iSleep only goes to 20. Finding an iSleep 25 is like finding an ethical politician.....they say it exists, but nobody knows where one is. I would be interested in hearing about the S9 without the 'paid endosements' attached. I work on a towboat in the gulf coast which requires flying often and with minimal space in sleeping quarters, as well as retty drastic fluctuation in voltage (depending on heavy equipment usage). So any comments about portability and durability are most welcome. Thanks in advance!

[jencat824]

Welcome to the forum!

I don't have any knowledge of the isleep, but I've not been a forum member long. When getting the S9 (or any other machine) below is a link that will help you in choosing that new machine.

http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/

I know a lot of members here have various S9 machines, the key is getting a FULLY DATA CAPABLE machine. Members here have links to the software, so you can manage your own therapy. I had gotten a new machine before I found this forum, so I've got a machine that does have data, but is a PITA to use. Look over this list & post back here the exact model you want & members with some knowledge of that particular machine will give you some feedback.

Again welcome & happy, well informed machine shopping,
Jen

[2 B Sleeping Soundly]

bilgerat57,
Welcome to the Forum! Things are a little slower here because of the Holidays so it might take a little longer then normal to get the answers you are looking for. Make yourself at home and look around (if you haven't already done so) and others will certainly do their best (like jen above) to help you out with their information and experiences. The search function at the top left area of the Forum pages can give you more than a few hours of searching fun and might help in answering your questions utill wiser 'hose heads' then me come around .
John

[BlackSpinner]

If you are going over 20 you need a Bipap. Not all resmed S9s will do that. I believe the Resmed version is called the Vpap.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/S9-VPA ... chine.html

But yes the DME is a great source of frustration. Most of them make the classical used car salesmen look like they should get an award for honest service.

Note that all manuals are available on line somewhere. If a DME staff can read them then they must be really simple to use.

[Sheriff Buford]

I only use my DME to get my supplies. You can work all your issues here fully educate yourself at this site. You can download sleepy head (software) to monitor your progress. The S9 is probably your best bet. Finding a mask that is comfortable and doesn't leak is your key to success. Good luck, and don't be a stranger!

Sheriff

[RandyJ]

Search Pugsy's posts for the S9 VPAP Auto. She has this machine and has posted about it extensively. It goes up to 25 cm pressure.

If insurance isn't paying and money is an issue, there are gently used S8 Auto 25 machines around at sites like secondwindcpap.com

[cosmo]

I would be interested in hearing about the S9 without the 'paid endorsements' attached.

I find that offensive for some reason

[bilgerat57]

I would be interested in hearing about the S9 without the 'paid endorsements' attached.

I find that offensive for some reason

No offense intended. I was referring to the pamphlets and bulletins put out by manufacturers and reviewers who make money off their reviews and opinions. Rather I'm interested in hearing from actual users who have invested their hard earned money in the product.

[cosmo]

Ok, I thought you were calling people on here shills for device manufactures.

[Pugsy]

With pressure needs exceeding 20 cm you will need a bilevel machine...they go up to 25 cm.
Respironics and ResMed are the 2 main players in the bilevel machine market. I happen to own both brands. Minor pros and cons with either machine brand but both do a great job.
Not familiar with the Breas product line and especially their Bilevel pressure machines.
Send me a private message with your private email address and I can send you the provider/clinical manual for the S9 VPAP model and you can see what it says if you want to see it.

Both my bilevel machines were both with my own money...no insurance involved. I have never regretted spending my own money for either brand I have.
Software for the S9 or the Respironics PR System One BiPap is easily available and free.

My bilevel machine models...the S9 VPAP Auto and the PR S1 BiPap Auto...these are NOT the high end ASV type of bilevel machines which are used for people having a problem with central or complex sleep apnea.
While my pressure needs aren't as high as yours, I can tell you that bilevel is quite nice and very comfortable and both machines are super quiet. My husband just this morning asked me if I had turned off my machine last night because he couldn't hear a thing but I had not turned it off at all during the night.

[chunkyfrog]

Since I am a bit too busy to use the software most days, my S9 has the information I need
in the sleep report screen: AHI, CI, leak, and pressure. More is there if I want.
I've only used an S9 Elite and my Autoset, so I can't compare--but it does the job.
Resmed equipment is more expensive, and the company has engaged in some rather
cold-blooded price-fixing activities.
The DC power requirements are quite costly, for which reason, my travel machine is an Intellipap.

[johnthomasmacdonald]

Greetings - and i don't think you'll have to worry at all about any "paid endorsements" here - at least i haven't seen any

[Starlette]

Welcome to the forum bilgerat57. As you can see there are lots of folks here willing to help you reach sleep nirvana.
As questions, and read, read and read some more.
I made some freshly baked cookies for you and also have on hand a very cold glass of milk

Welcome.
Starlette

[MariaBell]

I am new to this forum and I didn't know about this iSleep 25. Glad to know more about the forum and to see the forum members.