I am looking into ResMed for a new APAP, any reviews I should know about. From what I have seen, it all looks good.
Thanks
Res Med
Unfortunately you have come to the wrong place to get an objective assesment of Resmed machines. At best you will get repeatedly lectured on Resmed's apparent unpopular marketing policies.
A few brave souls may dare to offer some objective advice but even that may be written with somewhat appologetic wording.
Most people here have learned to keep away from Resmed as a topic unless the writer's intention is to take another whack at them.
Having said my bit I will say that the S8 Auto is a lovely little machine. It is among the best in terms of its ability to do its job. If you are paying for it yourself, compare it against a Remstar Auto with cflex as that too will give excellent results.
It has a feature called EPR that allows it to act like a mini-Bilevel. This feature is an alternale to the AUTO mode. EPR allows for an inhale pressure and an exhale pressure & you can set them 1 2 or 3 cms apart. 3cms is a very nice gap.
When comparing features with say the Remstar Auto with cflex, you will find a lot of people like the added benefit of the REmstar cflex which is very helpful whan on higher pressures as it provides an effective form of momentary exhale relief that can be adjusted.
Summary: S8 Auto is a top of the line machine and well worth consideration.
DSM
A few brave souls may dare to offer some objective advice but even that may be written with somewhat appologetic wording.
Most people here have learned to keep away from Resmed as a topic unless the writer's intention is to take another whack at them.
Having said my bit I will say that the S8 Auto is a lovely little machine. It is among the best in terms of its ability to do its job. If you are paying for it yourself, compare it against a Remstar Auto with cflex as that too will give excellent results.
It has a feature called EPR that allows it to act like a mini-Bilevel. This feature is an alternale to the AUTO mode. EPR allows for an inhale pressure and an exhale pressure & you can set them 1 2 or 3 cms apart. 3cms is a very nice gap.
When comparing features with say the Remstar Auto with cflex, you will find a lot of people like the added benefit of the REmstar cflex which is very helpful whan on higher pressures as it provides an effective form of momentary exhale relief that can be adjusted.
Summary: S8 Auto is a top of the line machine and well worth consideration.
DSM
xPAP and Quattro std mask (plus a pad-a-cheek anti-leak strap)
I am not trying to "take a wack at Resmed" but since you ask I will state what DSM alluded to.
The Resmed policy of setting internet pricing that the internet vendors must follow (which is significantly higher than what it was before this corporate decision) does burn a lot of people's butts here.
I looked at both machines pre-policy change and it was really hard at that time to make a decision.
The Respironics has cflex in auto mode the resmed doesn't. The Resmed has on screen data. The new M series has some on screen data, however, I don't know (not having either Resmed or the m series Respironics), which one gives more or better data. And with the M series, there has been that leaky humidifier issue. Software for Respironics can be purchased, Resmed now cannot anymore unless you can find somewhere that has some that will sell it to you.
The Older classic model Respironics APAP doesn't give on screen data, but also the tank doesn't have issues.
So, depending on what is valuable to you, each person may come to a different purchasing decision. Data on the led screen or not. Whether or not you want the software, whether or not you are paying out of pocket (then the online price hike policy might be an issue) and how you feel about exhale relief in auto model etc. And last but not least, many say that the way the machines treat is different, one more agressive than the other. I cannot address this issue and I doubt anyone who hasn't tried both actually can. I did see on a couple of posts that the Resmed is not so good for heavy snorers, so I being one of those, probably made a good choice with out really knowing that at the time.
Both have their pros and cons and I doubt one person can really tell you which to buy. All things being equal, I choose to avoid Resmed due to their corporate policies. And I have no problem saying that and do not feel that informing other of this issue is "Resmed bashing" it is suppling factual information.
The Resmed policy of setting internet pricing that the internet vendors must follow (which is significantly higher than what it was before this corporate decision) does burn a lot of people's butts here.
I looked at both machines pre-policy change and it was really hard at that time to make a decision.
The Respironics has cflex in auto mode the resmed doesn't. The Resmed has on screen data. The new M series has some on screen data, however, I don't know (not having either Resmed or the m series Respironics), which one gives more or better data. And with the M series, there has been that leaky humidifier issue. Software for Respironics can be purchased, Resmed now cannot anymore unless you can find somewhere that has some that will sell it to you.
The Older classic model Respironics APAP doesn't give on screen data, but also the tank doesn't have issues.
So, depending on what is valuable to you, each person may come to a different purchasing decision. Data on the led screen or not. Whether or not you want the software, whether or not you are paying out of pocket (then the online price hike policy might be an issue) and how you feel about exhale relief in auto model etc. And last but not least, many say that the way the machines treat is different, one more agressive than the other. I cannot address this issue and I doubt anyone who hasn't tried both actually can. I did see on a couple of posts that the Resmed is not so good for heavy snorers, so I being one of those, probably made a good choice with out really knowing that at the time.
Both have their pros and cons and I doubt one person can really tell you which to buy. All things being equal, I choose to avoid Resmed due to their corporate policies. And I have no problem saying that and do not feel that informing other of this issue is "Resmed bashing" it is suppling factual information.
ResMed
I actually tried the ResMed S8 Escape and Vantage, each for about 6 weeks before trying the Respironics M series auto, which I now have had for almost 6 weeks. My preference is for the M series Auto. I like the c-flex with auto-pap so much better than the other 2. This is a personal preference, but I wanted to tell you of my experience since I have tried all three machines. The Vantage Auto was much better for me than the Escape, which is low end, but is a nice size. If what is needed or wanted is straight CPAP, nothing but compliance data and no special features, it was fine.
Today I picked up the replacement tank which is to solve the leak problem. I hope it does. For me, the machine only leaked if the pressure was above 13 cms of pressure. That is not often for me, and I was prepared for it. I was confident that Respironics would fix the problem sooner or later. Time will tell if it is now fixed.
I am pretty new at this therapy, so my experience is limited to the above. I have no idea how another person would respond to any of the machines. I would not want to steer anyone in a wrong decision, so please just consider my opinion to be just that, an opinion.
Catnapper
Today I picked up the replacement tank which is to solve the leak problem. I hope it does. For me, the machine only leaked if the pressure was above 13 cms of pressure. That is not often for me, and I was prepared for it. I was confident that Respironics would fix the problem sooner or later. Time will tell if it is now fixed.
I am pretty new at this therapy, so my experience is limited to the above. I have no idea how another person would respond to any of the machines. I would not want to steer anyone in a wrong decision, so please just consider my opinion to be just that, an opinion.
Catnapper
_________________
| Machine: DreamStation BiPAP® Auto Machine |
| Mask: AirFit™ P10 For Her Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear |
| Humidifier: DreamStation Heated Humidifier |
Latest Resmed sales stats @ cpap.com -- Q4, 2006
Just look at the sales figures for Q4 noted at the cpap.com site. The trend for every Resmed product for this quarter is significantly downward.
No surprize for any of the cpaptalkers that have been around for the last several months.
When the price goes up, the sales go down. When the Resmed sales strategy became effective, the sales go down.
The online retailers make up a small market, and Resmed wants to cut them out.
The months to come should be interesting.
Keep watching the cpap.com sales figures.
No surprize for any of the cpaptalkers that have been around for the last several months.
When the price goes up, the sales go down. When the Resmed sales strategy became effective, the sales go down.
The online retailers make up a small market, and Resmed wants to cut them out.
The months to come should be interesting.
Keep watching the cpap.com sales figures.
I used the own the Spirit, same technology and algorithm response inside as the S8, wouldn't give you 29 cents for it based upon my SDB patterns.
If you are a chronic snorer and are at risk of central apnea CA or MA or CSDB it is a lousy machine treatment-wise. The snoring causes the pressure to increase where the machine then becomes blind to apnea events, as long as the snores continue the machine will continue with the pressure increases even if those increases trigger central apnea.
Now with a Respironics machine it will "limit" its response to events, if the snoring doesn't discontinue it will pause with pressure increases after 3 then if they continue after that it will lock that circuit out.
The Respironics machine also has a feature not available in AutoSet mode, that is Cflex. It works and works good in either cpap or autopap modes, the S8 EPR feature doesn't work but in cpap mode.
The Respironics M series also displays AHI, pressure, leak and compliance information from the LCD. Want reports? All you have to do is get the optional software and reader and you have great detailed reports. Resmed no longer sells its software to patients. If a dealer does they are doing it against their policy.
If you are a chronic snorer and are at risk of central apnea CA or MA or CSDB it is a lousy machine treatment-wise. The snoring causes the pressure to increase where the machine then becomes blind to apnea events, as long as the snores continue the machine will continue with the pressure increases even if those increases trigger central apnea.
Now with a Respironics machine it will "limit" its response to events, if the snoring doesn't discontinue it will pause with pressure increases after 3 then if they continue after that it will lock that circuit out.
The Respironics machine also has a feature not available in AutoSet mode, that is Cflex. It works and works good in either cpap or autopap modes, the S8 EPR feature doesn't work but in cpap mode.
The Respironics M series also displays AHI, pressure, leak and compliance information from the LCD. Want reports? All you have to do is get the optional software and reader and you have great detailed reports. Resmed no longer sells its software to patients. If a dealer does they are doing it against their policy.
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billbolton
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billbolton
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I have the Respironics M auto
...and am extremely happy with it. After a little over a month with it, I have been able, thanks to the Encore Pro Data and Jskinners program, to get my AHI's down in the 1.0 range...yesterday I was at 0.1!!
The leaky humidifier has been taken care of...I have have not had one leak since they sent me the replacement at no charge.
The leaky humidifier has been taken care of...I have have not had one leak since they sent me the replacement at no charge.
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rested gal
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Moon, that company makes good machines, as do other companies.Moon wrote:I am looking into ResMed for a new APAP, any reviews I should know about. From what I have seen, it all looks good.
If an exhalation pressure relief feature is something that attracts a person looking for an autopap to consider the S8 Autoset Vantage with EPR, it's important to be aware of what Snoredog said: "the S8 EPR feature doesn't work but in cpap mode".
When using the Vantage in APAP mode, its 1, 2, or 3 cm's of "EPR" can't be turned on at all. There's no EPR exhalation relief feature in the S8 Vantage when operating it as an autopap.
During the past three years, I used several models of both resmed and Respironics machines...cpaps, autopaps and bi-level machines...as well as Puritan Bennett's autopap. I got good treatment with all of them.
My two main reasons for deciding to use the Respironics REMstar Auto with C-Flex (and later the Respironics Bipap Auto with Bi-Flex) as my primary machine:
1. being able to get comfortable exhalation relief (C-Flex) while operating the autopap in auto mode
2. being able to use Encore Pro software, which I very much preferred over resmed's Autoscan software.
When I want to use a small autopap with software, I like the PB 420E auto with its excellent (imho) Silverlining software.
After trying all three major manufacturers' autopaps, I chose to continue using those particular machines for my treatment. I had already settled on the Respironics and Puritan Bennett autopaps long before there was even a hint about resmed's mandatory minimum pricing for internet sales of their equipment.
All three major manufacturers (plus several others) make very good machines. Each has its own set of pros and cons depending on what a person is looking for or needs.
I think fortunately you have come to exactly the right place, Moon, to see what many people like/don't like about several brands and models of machines. You'll find many opinions that have been arrived at quite independently of what anyone thinks of the policies of the companies who manufacture the machines.dsm wrote:Unfortunately you have come to the wrong place to get an objective assesment of Resmed machines.
At best, imho, you'll get answers to your questions, based on peoples' experiences and opinions about various machines.dsm wrote:At best you will get repeatedly lectured on Resmed's apparent unpopular marketing policies.
It's a little ironic, Doug, that you chose to spend the first three paragraphs of your post delivering a lecture of your own before getting around to addressing what Moon asked.
Moon, I don't think dsm meant to imply you had an ulterior motive. I'd sure be sorry to see any newcomers to the board hesitate to post a question because someone advised them that "Most people here have learned to keep away from Resmed as a topic." Or feel reluctant to ask about any particular brand. Or worse, be made to think people would question their intentions if they asked about certain brands. Or that it takes bravery and daring or apologetic wording to discuss any particular brand.dsm wrote:A few brave souls may dare to offer some objective advice but even that may be written with somewhat appologetic wording.
Most people here have learned to keep away from Resmed as a topic unless the writer's intention is to take another whack at them.
I think Catnapper made a good point which applies to what any of us say about any of the machines...we are stating our opinions.
Catnapper wrote:I have no idea how another person would respond to any of the machines. I would not want to steer anyone in a wrong decision, so please just consider my opinion to be just that, an opinion.
My personal opinion is that most people -- most people, not all -- can get effective treatment with any cpap or autopap or bi-level machine from most any of the manufacturers. Having that opinion, I agree with snoregirl...and I'm putting words that are especially important to me in bold:
If during a discussion about a machine people voice their opinion about the manufacturers' sales policies or prices, that's just another factor which might be of interest to a person considering which machine to buy. Understanding why one brand of autopap is priced several hundred dollars higher than other brands can be useful information. Especially if a price has been forced to a "mandatory minimum price" by one manufacturer.snoregirl wrote: All things being equal, I choose to avoid Resmed due to their corporate policies. And I have no problem saying that and do not feel that informing other of this issue is "Resmed bashing" it is suppling factual information.
LINKS to discussions about resmed's internet sales policy
viewtopic.php?p=98895
ResMed S9 VPAP Auto (ASV)
Humidifier: Integrated + Climate Control hose
Mask: Aeiomed Headrest (deconstructed, with homemade straps
3M painters tape over mouth
ALL LINKS by rested gal:
viewtopic.php?t=17435
Humidifier: Integrated + Climate Control hose
Mask: Aeiomed Headrest (deconstructed, with homemade straps
3M painters tape over mouth
ALL LINKS by rested gal:
viewtopic.php?t=17435
Machine (brand) evaluations
Do bear in mind that some of the opinions rendered here, absent disclosures to the contrary, MAY be motivated by incentives such as free equipment or even, salary and bonuses. So, CAVEAT EMPTOR.
With regard to straights CPAPs, Resprionics air is the very SAME as ResMed AIR is the very same as Puritan-Bennett air. Both ResMed and Respironics offer a form of expiratory pressure relief. ResMed's EPR functions very much like a bi-level PAP, with pressure relief lasting for the entirety of the exhalation at a degree which is specific and user-selectable at 1, 2 or 3 cms. Respironics' C-Flex operates for only an instant at the start of the exhalation, at a non-specific degree of pressure relief, though it too is user selectable at settings of 1, 2 or 3 (though these settings are relative and DON'T specify a specific amount of pressure relief).
As many others have pointed out here, ResMed's EPR is NOT available in APAP mode. It operates only when the machine is oeprating in CPAP mode. Respironics' C-Flex oeprates in both.
Because of the pronounced differences in the operations of the auto-titration algorithms between the three major manufacturers, if you are considering acquiring an auto-titrating CPAP (APAP) you ought to try each with a fair trial to determine which provides the most effective treatment for you.
All three algorithms have been extensively studied. These studies are available on-line in many cases for you to read and evaluate for yourself.ResMed earned my respect by taking the step of not only listing the articles evaluating its machines on its web-site, but providing direct hyperlinks giving you access to the articles themselves. These links therefore, provide you access to the body of professional literature in juried scientific journals, and allows you to access other literature cited in the references of the articles ResMed lists, in case you are curious about the possibility that ResMed cites only favorable articles. Respironics on the other hand, while citing articles evaluating its machiens, provides no such hyperlinks giving access to the actual articles, and provides only abstracts of those articles, which abstracts are themselves written by Respironics, NOT the authors or editors of those articles.
Good luck in your evaluations.
Chuck
With regard to straights CPAPs, Resprionics air is the very SAME as ResMed AIR is the very same as Puritan-Bennett air. Both ResMed and Respironics offer a form of expiratory pressure relief. ResMed's EPR functions very much like a bi-level PAP, with pressure relief lasting for the entirety of the exhalation at a degree which is specific and user-selectable at 1, 2 or 3 cms. Respironics' C-Flex operates for only an instant at the start of the exhalation, at a non-specific degree of pressure relief, though it too is user selectable at settings of 1, 2 or 3 (though these settings are relative and DON'T specify a specific amount of pressure relief).
As many others have pointed out here, ResMed's EPR is NOT available in APAP mode. It operates only when the machine is oeprating in CPAP mode. Respironics' C-Flex oeprates in both.
Because of the pronounced differences in the operations of the auto-titration algorithms between the three major manufacturers, if you are considering acquiring an auto-titrating CPAP (APAP) you ought to try each with a fair trial to determine which provides the most effective treatment for you.
All three algorithms have been extensively studied. These studies are available on-line in many cases for you to read and evaluate for yourself.ResMed earned my respect by taking the step of not only listing the articles evaluating its machines on its web-site, but providing direct hyperlinks giving you access to the articles themselves. These links therefore, provide you access to the body of professional literature in juried scientific journals, and allows you to access other literature cited in the references of the articles ResMed lists, in case you are curious about the possibility that ResMed cites only favorable articles. Respironics on the other hand, while citing articles evaluating its machiens, provides no such hyperlinks giving access to the actual articles, and provides only abstracts of those articles, which abstracts are themselves written by Respironics, NOT the authors or editors of those articles.
Good luck in your evaluations.
Chuck
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DreamStalker
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Re: Res Med
There are several threads that discuss ResMed vs. Respironics and even more threads that whack ResMed as Doug stated ... although you asked specifically only about ResMed APAP. If you are interested in difference between machines, do a search and you will find plenty of good info on politics, human factors, reliability, and “auto” algorithms.Moon wrote:I am looking into ResMed for a new APAP, any reviews I should know about. From what I have seen, it all looks good.
Thanks
I use the ResMed S8 Vantage and it has been good to me. Some feel that its "auto" algorithm is too aggressive (ie. it responds too quickly with addition of pressure in response to an apnea/hypopnea event) and causes unnecessary arousals (wakings). I don’t think I have had any problems with the aggressiveness but I also have not yet had the chance to compare the Respironics either. Some have said that the ResMed algorithm is not good for “central” type apneas but if your sleep study did not show that you are significantly affected by centrals then that is not an issue … a good reason to get a copy of your sleep study report and learn to understand it.
As Chuck said … if you have the chance to try each of them out before you buy … do so.
Not worry too much as others have stated before, any APAP is usually better than no APAP.
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neversleeps
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Yep. There are many satisfied Resmed APAP users. When you make your decision, keep in mind:Moon wrote:I am looking into ResMed for a new APAP, any reviews I should know about. From what I have seen, it all looks good.
-if you want exhalation relief in APAP mode, then you won't want a Resmed APAP because there is no exhalation relief in APAP mode. By comparison, Respironics does have exhalation relief in APAP mode.
-if you want to buy the software, then you won't want a Resmed machine because Resmed prohibits the sale of their software to patients. By comparison, both Respironics and Puritan Bennett do permit sale of their software to patients.
-if you want to buy Resmed equipment via the internet, be advised they recently implemented a 40+% price increase for all their products so their equipment is substantially more expensive. ($1085.00 for the Resmed Vantage APAP with heated humidifier vs. $704.00 for the Respironics APAP with heated humidifier vs. $629.00 for the Puritan Bennett APAP with heated humidifier at cpap.com.)
If you aren't concerned with having exhalation relief in APAP mode, aren't interested in getting the software, don't plan on buying their equipment online and don't object to Resmed's corporate policies regarding internet sales, then Resmed is a fine choice.
DISCLOSURE: My opinion is not motivated by incentives such as free equipment, salary or bonuses.
