Choosing my first machine

[Winter]

So I have been renting a machine from a pharmacy while I try different masks and settings to figure out what I need to purchase. The machine they've given me looks like a Phillips Respironics PR system one 60 series auto with humidifier although that's just me guessing from the pictures I'm looking at online. The first 6 weeks it was on auto and now that it's figured out my optimal pressure is 15.5 they have set it to fixed pressure so I can see how I go with that. It's been two weeks and apart from adjusting the starting pressure from 6 to 8 it's been all good.

I've been alternating between a resmed full face mask and a resmed swift FX nasal pillow mask. Ultimately I'm pretty sure I'll purchase the nasal pillow style as I find it more comfortable but I've alternated between the two whilst finding ways to overcome soreness when I use the nasal pillows for more than two days in a row. A bit of adjusting of humidity and some sesame seed oil spray seem to be helping so I'm sure I'll be able to use the nasal pillows all the time shortly.

So overall I've been very happy with that machine but it seems to be a few hundred dollars more expensive than the Resmed S9 Autoset (in the Australian websites I've looked at so far anyway). A lot of people on here seem to recommend the Resmed S9 Autoset so I was wondering if anyone can tell me if and how it's better than the machine I'm currently using. And if I'm coping fine with the setting on fixed pressure (AHI of 1.3 on average) is there any real benefit in getting the auto machine? Apart from being fixed pressure, is there any features I'd miss out on if I got the Resmed S9 Elite?

[DeepBreathing]

G'day Winter - it sounds like you've adapted to CPAP really well - congratulations.

Resmed v Philips Respironics: I think it's a bit of a Ford v Holden argument. Both are good machines and both are very popular. For what it's worth, Resmed is an Australian company (though now seems to be based overseas) and their machines are made in Sydney. So buying a Resmed supports the Australian manufacturing industry (and God knows it needs support). However, both brands are available from reputable suppliers in the States for around half the Australian cost (even the Resmed, which is made here).

The benefits of an Autoset over a fixed pressure machine are

1) as you get older your pressure requirements might change (eg if you gain or lose weight or develop other conditions). An autoset machine will automatically compensate, while the fixed pressure machine needs resetting. (Not a big issue really).

2) the autoset operates on a lower base pressure and only increases as necessary to treat apnea and hypopnea events. A lot of people find it more comfortable to use the lower pressure and build up only when necessary. If you're fine operating with fixed pressure, then that's not an issue for you.

One thing to be careful of is to get a machine that's fully "data capable" - ie it makes a complete record of your treatment on a breath-by-breath basis. This will let you observe in detail how your therapy is going and make changes as necessary. Some machines (eg the Resmed Escape models) only record the hours used.

[Winter]

Ford vs Holden - That's a truly Aussie way of explaining it that I understand perfectly lol

Thanks for your advice. I appreciate it. I didn't know Resmed was Australian so that's even more annoying that we have to pay so much more here than in the US. I think I am leaning that way though. Do you know if both the Autoset and the Elite are fully data compatible?

[DeepBreathing]

As far as I know the Elite and Autoset are both data compatible. see http://www.s9morecomfort.com/s9morecomf ... gb/sp.html

Resmed will do deals - check the various resellers for packages which include the humidifier, heated tube and mask. From the tone of your first post it sounds like you've got things pretty much sorted. One really major issue is to make sure you have a mask which is comfortable and doesn't leak. I went through five different masks till I found one to suit my face. (Which probably says a lot about my face )

[robysue]

I wrote this post not too long ago when a newbie on another forum asked me the same thing: viewtopic/t94287/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=82 ... AP#p866535

A couple of things to keep in mind as you my linked post: Here in the US, the PR machines are usually quite a bit cheaper than the Resmed machines and the "Coke vs. Pepsi war" is the analogy I use "which is better".