Veteran switching to Dreamstation from S9

[lance]

Hi, everyone! First post in a very long time, and I need some assistance with my new Dreamstation. I've been successfully using CPAP since mid-2009, mostly with a Resmed S9 set to Auto-CPAP and with a full-face large Quattro mask. My provider recently issued me a new Dreamstation. Using it out of the box has been frustrating to say the least, and I've returned to my S9...but I would like to use the Dreamstation. Soon.

My issue seems to be exhalation relief. I've tried various settings on the Dreamstation (Clinician view), and everything I've tried gives me a noisy experience, as if the air is trapped somewhat in the mask. (I'm assuming that's it.) When I switch back to the S9, everything's as quiet as can be. I've searched on the forum quite a bit but haven't been able to find a duplicate issue. I've tried adjusting the mask setting (there is no defined mask setting on the Quattro or its packing material) and the Flex setting to no avail. My S9's EPR setting was 3.

Has anyone here had a similar switch-over experience, and if so, what did you do? Thanks in advance....

Lance

[Gasper62]

Why change horses in the middle of the stream ? It seems obvious that you're comfortable with ResMed's tech. You won't get that from a Phillips machine.............. Maybe try to get another S9 or the newer Airsense model ? Good luck.

[LSAT]

I agree +1....I love the S9. I have 3

[Wulfman...]

Hi, everyone! First post in a very long time, and I need some assistance with my new Dreamstation. I've been successfully using CPAP since mid-2009, mostly with a Resmed S9 set to Auto-CPAP and with a full-face large Quattro mask. My provider recently issued me a new Dreamstation. Using it out of the box has been frustrating to say the least, and I've returned to my S9...but I would like to use the Dreamstation. Soon.

My issue seems to be exhalation relief. I've tried various settings on the Dreamstation (Clinician view), and everything I've tried gives me a noisy experience, as if the air is trapped somewhat in the mask. (I'm assuming that's it.) When I switch back to the S9, everything's as quiet as can be. I've searched on the forum quite a bit but haven't been able to find a duplicate issue. I've tried adjusting the mask setting (there is no defined mask setting on the Quattro or its packing material) and the Flex setting to no avail. My S9's EPR setting was 3.

Has anyone here had a similar switch-over experience, and if so, what did you do? Thanks in advance....

Lance

What were/are all of your settings on the S9 and what are all of your settings on the DreamStation?

Can you narrow down a description and/or source for the "noise"?

If you're talking about the System One Resistance Setting.........for non-Respironics masks, it should be set to Zero.

Flex settings and EPR settings don't correlate equally. EPR is relief in actual centimeters of pressure drop and Flex settings are relative to the exhale effort.......up to about 2 - 2.5 cm. with a setting of 3.


Den

.

[lance]

Thanks for the feedback. The S9 works fine, of course, but it is an "older" machine now....so I was glad to get an upgrade of sorts for a co-pay. And it's my first time to switch to a different machine, so I have no experience at this kind of thing. I'll keep adjusting the Dreamstation....at least I have a working machine that I LIKE!

One thing that I didn't note is that I went from a 22mm tube to a 15mm tube, if that has anything to do with it. My prescription is for 13cm of pressure, and the AutoPAP was set for 4.0 to 20.0 initially; I moved the minimum to 7.0. (I have the S9 at 10.0 to 16.0.) I don't use ramping. I've tried x1 and x2 (and "off') for the mask setting. I've tried "1" and "2" for Flex. And I have the S9's EPR at 3.

Lance

[Pugsy]

As long as the machine is set for the correct hose diameter that shouldn't have any effect on the noise.
Now if you are using one diameter and the machine thinks it is another diameter then there could potentially be a problem there.

I have used both brands...ResMed and Respironics and multiple machines in each brand. I always found that Respironics seemed to give me a little more noise on inhale and ResMeds gave me a little more noise on exhale but overall...the ResMeds were a little less "noisy".
I have not used a DreamStation though.
I do think that some people are more sensitive to various noises and when one is used to the relative quiet of the ResMed and they are given a machine that makes even a little more noise (was never a big deal for me) that it can be something that affects sleep quality. It's probably partly because there is a tiny bit more noise and partly because someone is used to another way and partly maybe the person is just more sensitive.
Of course it's also possible that there is a problem with the machine itself...Respironics machines aren't hugely louder than ResMed.

Sounds like whomever you used to supply your machine has switched over to the Respironics brand.
They could supply a ResMed if they would be willing to special order (if they don't have any in stock) and since it is a big problem for you...and you did really well with ResMed...I would push for getting another ResMed if at all possible...or at least test drive another Respironics to make sure the noise you hear isn't indicative of an unusual situation with this particular machine. It shouldn't be keeping you awake.

[chunkyfrog]

Nothing to add here, but thank you for your service.