Machine opinions please

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
Fletch
Posts: 18
Joined: Mon Sep 11, 2006 9:49 am

Machine opinions please

Post by Fletch » Mon Sep 11, 2006 10:35 am

I just started on CPAP a couple of months ago. My provider was Apria who gave me a REMStar CFlex with humidifier. Because I was going on vacation almost immediately I also privately purchased an S8 Escape as a travel machine.

Anyway when I called Apria to pay the bill I was surprised to discover that the Remstar was just a rental, apparently I have to rent for 12 months before the insurance company will buy one.

Now that's a problem because my wife just finished a job and she provided our insurance. Rental copay on the machine was about $40 a month so I'm suspecting that the full uninsured rate is probably higher. I decided to return the REMStar and use the S8 as my main machine for now but the Escape is very basic without any flex provision when you exhale. I'm considering getting a better machine for home use and keeping the S8 for travel/backup.

Looking online and pricing I've come up with 2 posibilities and would like opinions.

1) An S8 Vantage --- same as my Escape but also auto with reflex. Since it will fit my existing humidifier it's a possible choice. Has the advantage that it can be moved easily of the Escape happens to be the machine that dies first.

2) A Remstar with humidifier (essentially the machine I have now.) Huge, but costs about teh same with the humidifier as the Vantage does solo. I'm considering it because I know that the reflex function works really well on the Resprionics machines where as the flex funtion on Resmed's is still unknown.

Any opinions?


User avatar
cpapjack
Posts: 492
Joined: Tue May 16, 2006 12:02 pm
Location: Western New York
Contact:

Post by cpapjack » Mon Sep 11, 2006 10:44 am

The EPR function works only in straight CPAP mode on the Vantage.


User avatar
Goofproof
Posts: 16087
Joined: Mon Dec 05, 2005 3:16 pm
Location: Central Indiana, USA

Post by Goofproof » Mon Sep 11, 2006 10:46 am

It's nor "Reflex" it's C-Flex, Resmed's Auto does NOT have exhale relief in the auto mode.

I would get a Remstar that recorded data so I would know how I was doing, A Remstar APAP or Pro 2 CPAP, with HH and software and reader. Then you would have the C-Flex you have come to like. Jim

Use data to optimize your xPAP treatment!

"The art of medicine consists in amusing the patient while nature cures the disease." Voltaire

User avatar
oldgearhead
Posts: 1243
Joined: Thu Mar 30, 2006 9:53 am
Location: Indy

Post by oldgearhead » Mon Sep 11, 2006 10:49 am

Easy answer, for lots of reasons, is:
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/1607
+ Aussie heated hose.
....................................................................

People have more fun than anybody..

chdurie2
Posts: 642
Joined: Fri Mar 03, 2006 8:25 pm
Location: New Jersey
Contact:

Post by chdurie2 » Mon Sep 11, 2006 11:15 am

around here these days, it is very politically incorrect to like Resmed products, particularly machines, because of the company's desire to change inequitably the pricing for machines purchased via the internet.so if you view this as a political purchase, you need to buy a Remstar.

However, the Resmed Vantage is a great machine. It's relatively light, attractive and gives you easy readouts on the key data so that you will not have to get into the software business unless you want more data. I don't know if Remstar machines do this. The attractiveness of the Vantage also was a big plus for me--although I would not choose an inferior machine because it was attractive, I also don't want my cpap equipment to be any uglier than it needs to be; the cpap process is de-humanizing enough. The Remstar looks like a battleship. Personally, I chose Resmed Vantage for these reasons.

Either machine is very good, but the efficacy of the machine has nothing to do with the economic politics of the company who makes it, in my opinion.

Caroline


_________________
Mask
Additional Comments: Large mask collection
caroline

snoregirl
Posts: 1318
Joined: Fri Apr 07, 2006 3:36 pm

Post by snoregirl » Mon Sep 11, 2006 12:38 pm

I have the "battleship" Remstar Auto and am very happy with it.

I like being able to use C-flex in auto mode. On the other hand as you say the humidifier you have would fit both machines, and you can get some data off the ResMed machines without software.

I looked at both machines and had the same hard choice to make.

Really up to you as to what is important.


User avatar
DreamStalker
Posts: 7509
Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 9:58 am
Location: Nowhere & Everywhere At Once

Post by DreamStalker » Mon Sep 11, 2006 1:11 pm

When I first joined this group, I too asked the same question. I had been provided a ResMed S8 machine as a rental but wanted to learn about the differences before I would need to purchase one.

For straight CPAP, the only differences between the two machines are in the pressure relief for exhaling … ResMed uses EPR while Remstar uses C-Flex. As I understand it, EPR lowers pressure throughout the entire exhalation period whereas C-Flex lowers the pressure only at the beginning of exhalation.

For “auto” PAP, the two machines use different algorithms for increasing pressure to prevent an apnea/hypopnea … ResMed uses a steeper attack (ie. quicker increase in pressure) but takes longer to decrease back to base pressure while Remstar uses a slower stair-step like increase but then decreases more quickly to base pressure. The algorithms are actually a little more complicated than that but that is a fair generalization IMO. In addition, as others have mentioned, the ResMed EPR is disabled when in the auto mode (I think because it interferes with ResMed’s auto algorithm) whereas the C-flex for the Remstar works in either straight or auto PAP modes.

The choice for which one is best (pricing and corporate ethics aside) as I understand it depends upon the individual’s unique characteristics of their sleep disorder such as the prevalent type of apnea (obstructive, central, or mixed). I must admit that all of this still remains a bit fuzzy to me but there are others such as GoofyUT and Snoredog who have a better understanding of it than I do and may chime in here to explain further.

Nevertheless, trying to determine which APAP is best for you will generally require that you have a sound understanding of your sleep disorder and a very good understanding of the “auto” algorithms and even then you may end up having to experiment with both to determine which one is best suited to you. For CPAP the choice is much simpler in that you only have determine whether you would do better with EPR or C-Flex.

- roberto

Last edited by DreamStalker on Mon Sep 11, 2006 1:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.
President-pretender, J. Biden, said "the DNC has built the largest voter fraud organization in US history". Too bad they didn’t build the smartest voter fraud organization and got caught.

Fletch
Posts: 18
Joined: Mon Sep 11, 2006 9:49 am

Post by Fletch » Mon Sep 11, 2006 1:18 pm

Thanks for the comments.

I need a humidifier so the choice isn't between the Vantage and the Remstar auto but between the Vantage and whatever EPR REMStar can be had with a humidifier for around $600


whatrdreamsmadeof
Posts: 421
Joined: Sat Aug 19, 2006 2:12 pm
Location: vA. BEACH, VA.

resmed va remstar

Post by whatrdreamsmadeof » Mon Sep 11, 2006 1:20 pm

I recieved the resmed vantage about 2 weeks ago, I rent for 3 months and then own, while I like to be able to go into the clinical menu of the resmed I find it to be noisey and I seem to wake at the increase and decrease of pressure.......... I would like the try the remstar as I hear the majority here loves it.......my dme is a pain in the behind so I hope I can get to try it..........try to exhaust all your options........these folks can give you a lot of great info. good luck


User avatar
DreamStalker
Posts: 7509
Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 9:58 am
Location: Nowhere & Everywhere At Once

Post by DreamStalker » Mon Sep 11, 2006 1:23 pm

Fletch wrote:Thanks for the comments.

I need a humidifier so the choice isn't between the Vantage and the Remstar auto but between the Vantage and whatever EPR REMStar can be had with a humidifier for around $600
Still confused?

Are you asking whether Remstar w/C-flex + humidifier is better than Vantage S8 auto w/o humidifier?

If so that doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Usually, it is better to have an APAP over a straight CPAP.

- roberto

President-pretender, J. Biden, said "the DNC has built the largest voter fraud organization in US history". Too bad they didn’t build the smartest voter fraud organization and got caught.

Fletch
Posts: 18
Joined: Mon Sep 11, 2006 9:49 am

Post by Fletch » Mon Sep 11, 2006 1:40 pm

I have an S8 Escape and a humidifier. My Dr says I need the humidifier. I am thinking of upgrading to a machine with EPR. My choices are a Vantage (because I already have a humidifier that fits) or a REMStar EPR with a humidifier. Since I only have $600 to spend I can't follow the recomendation of folks that suggest a REMStar auto (because it would cost too much with humidifier.)


User avatar
christinequilts
Posts: 489
Joined: Sun Jan 23, 2005 12:06 pm

Post by christinequilts » Mon Sep 11, 2006 1:42 pm

Fletch- Check with your insurance and the EOB (explanation of benefits) you received the first couple of months you were on CPAP to see if the heated humidifier is a rental or not. Most times heated humidifiers are purchased, like the hoses & masks are...and you wouldn't return those with the machine, would you? If you call your DME, your best bet would be to speak dirrectly to billing & have them check E0562- the HCPCS code assigned to heated humidifiers.

If the Remstar humidifier is yours, that might help in your decision...or at least save you some $$$


User avatar
DreamStalker
Posts: 7509
Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 9:58 am
Location: Nowhere & Everywhere At Once

Post by DreamStalker » Mon Sep 11, 2006 1:53 pm

Fletch wrote:I have an S8 Escape and a humidifier. My Dr says I need the humidifier. I am thinking of upgrading to a machine with EPR. My choices are a Vantage (because I already have a humidifier that fits) or a REMStar EPR with a humidifier. Since I only have $600 to spend I can't follow the recomendation of folks that suggest a REMStar auto (because it would cost too much with humidifier.)
In that case ... I think you would want to get the Vantage S8 auto.

Although you will have to use it as a straight CPAP in order to use the EPR, you will have the option to use auto to check for changes in needed pressure (which you would not be able to do with Remstar's straight CPAP). In addition, you can get some limited data from the Vantage LED menu which you cannot get from the Remstar without having to buy $225 software and card reader set-up.

- roberto

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): humidifier, CPAP, auto

President-pretender, J. Biden, said "the DNC has built the largest voter fraud organization in US history". Too bad they didn’t build the smartest voter fraud organization and got caught.

Mile High Sleeper
Posts: 275
Joined: Sun Dec 18, 2005 5:48 pm
Location: Colorado
Contact:

machine choices

Post by Mile High Sleeper » Mon Sep 11, 2006 2:21 pm

Your health is worth a lot. Select a machine that will work for now and 6 months and 2 years from now if your pressure changes. See the article on CPAP Machine Choices at http://smart-sleep-apnea.blogspot.com .


_________________
Mask: Ultra Mirage™ Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: SleepZone heated hose, PAPillow, bed wedge, Grossan Hydro-Mate, SnuggleHose, AIEOMed Everest w/ hh, battery pack, DC cord, PadACheek, Headrest pillows
Mile High Sleeper Gal
Problems cannot be solved at the same level of awareness that created them. - Albert Einstein

Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person. - Mother Teresa

User avatar
oldgearhead
Posts: 1243
Joined: Thu Mar 30, 2006 9:53 am
Location: Indy

Post by oldgearhead » Mon Sep 11, 2006 2:33 pm

+ Aussie heated hose.
....................................................................

People have more fun than anybody..