Opinions on DreamStation Auto-PAP?

[CpapUser100]

I have a doctor appointment coming up and I am hoping to get a prescription for a new machine. It looks like the DME supplier that they usually use only carries one machine. It's the DreamStation AutoPAP. I believe the model number is 500.

Is this a good machine? Is there something better out there? I could probably go to a different supplier in my area if I wanted a different machine.

[palerider]

I have a doctor appointment coming up and I am hoping to get a prescription for a new machine. It looks like the DME supplier that they usually use only carries one machine. It's the DreamStation AutoPAP. I believe the model number is 500.

Is this a good machine? Is there something better out there? I could probably go to a different supplier in my area if I wanted a different machine.

It's an ok machine... There's nothing *wrong* with it, per se... but the Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset (for her) beats it out in almost every way.

The Dreamstation wins out in being cheaper (which doesn't matter if your insurance is paying) and it's a little easier and cheaper to use on battery.

The Resmed Autoset (for her) however:

• Provides better sleep therapy
• Is more responsive to your needs throughout the night
• is a little quieter
• is better engineered
• holds more water
• has a better travel bag included
• takes up less space on your side table
• provides better, more detailed data
• Most people who've tried Resmed EPR say they like it better than Philips *flex
• and probably a few things I forgot.

Don't settle for second best... either force the DME to get you a Resmed, or go to a different DME, it's *entirely* up to you, not to your doctor, you have to live with the machine every night, you might as well get the best thing you can.

The "For Her" model has everything the Autoset does, plus an extra treatment mode that *might* be advantageous... for no more money, so I recommend that.

[CpapUser100]

Thank you. That is exactly the kind of information I was looking for. I wonder if the ResMed AirSense AutoSet for Her would be better since I'm female.

[K5MOW]

I love the AirSence 10 Auto.

Roger

[Pugsy]

Thank you. That is exactly the kind of information I was looking for. I wonder if the ResMed AirSense AutoSet for Her would be better since I'm female.

It would be a good choice for anyone....male or female.
The "for Her" AutoSet has 3 modes of operation.

The first 2 modes are like the regular AutoSet....cpap mode and regular auto/apap adjusting mode
but the for Her model has a 3rd different auto adjusting mode with a different algorithm from the regular auto mode.
It's like 3 machines in one and what makes it different isn't something that is totally female related. There's no reason in the world why a man might not benefit from it also.

You can read about it here
https://www.respshop.com/manuals/ResMed ... %20her.pdf

Always better to have something and not need it than need it and not have it.....especially when the cost is the same.

[Dog Slobber]

• The Resmed Autoset however:
• Provides better sleep therapy
• Is more responsive to your needs throughout the night
• is a little quieter
• is better engineered
• holds more water
• has a better travel bag included
• takes up less space on your side table
• provides better, more detailed data
• and probably a few things I forgot.

I think you got most of them, my only addition is:
Chicks really dig men who use the AirSense 10 AutoSet for Her.

[centrum]

If you're using comfort setting, resmed EPR does better job than Phillips Flex mode.

[Thumper68]

I own both a dreamstation APAP and a resmed autoset for her. I much prefer the resmed algorithm over the dreamstation. It is quicker to respond, and the breathing feels more natural to me. As with all thing’s CPAP YMMV. I am a male, but I do use the “for her” setting. The for her setting just works better for me.

[palerider]

Thank you. That is exactly the kind of information I was looking for. I wonder if the ResMed AirSense AutoSet for Her would be better since I'm female.

Yes, that's actually what I recommend for everyone, because it usually costs the same amount, and both guys and gals *might* benefit from the extra mode.

I'll go back and correct my post, thank you.

[palerider]

If you're using comfort setting, resmed EPR does better job than Phillips Flex mode.

Added that to the list above Thanks.

[palerider]

• The Resmed Autoset however:
• Provides better sleep therapy
• Is more responsive to your needs throughout the night
• is a little quieter
• is better engineered
• holds more water
• has a better travel bag included
• takes up less space on your side table
• provides better, more detailed data
• and probably a few things I forgot.

I think you got most of them, my only addition is:
Chicks really dig men who use the AirSense 10 AutoSet for Her.

Since I'm not privileged enough to have one, I'll have to take your word for it

[ragtopcircus]

A few subtleties “for her”:
1) The “for her” algorithm will only go up to 12 for apnea, can still go up to 20 for flow limitation and snore. It is, per the clinician guide, intended for mild to moderate apnea.
2) RERA is reported in all modes. Older, gender-ambiguous machines do not report RERA. I’ve heard that newer machines might, but don’t know the date code or firmware level that supposedly added it.

As already stated, there’s no downside to getting the for her. The list price is the same for both. Sale prices may not be though. I just bought a new “for her” for 637 USD, including “free” overnight shipping.

[Pugsy]

A few subtleties “for her”:
1) The “for her” algorithm will only go up to 12 for apnea, can still go up to 20 for flow limitation and snore. It is, per the clinician guide, intended for mild to moderate apnea.
2) RERA is reported in all modes. Older, gender-ambiguous machines do not report RERA. I’ve heard that newer machines might, but don’t know the date code or firmware level that supposedly added it.

As already stated, there’s no downside to getting the for her. The list price is the same for both. Sale prices may not be though. I just bought a new “for her” for 637 USD, including “free” overnight shipping.

It will still go over 12 for OAs/hyponeas if there are snores or flow limitations happening also.....and most of the time there will be.
The way its worded it gives the impression that it won't do well for people who might need more than 12 cm pressure but that is simply not the case.

I have used the for Her mode...and I often have needed pressures upwards of 15 or so for my stubborn REM OSA... the for Her mode went there.
I have only seen one person try to use the for Her mode and it not do what was needed for OAs that needed 14 cm to keep the airway open. We can only assume that her OAs weren't accompanied by any FLs or snores....it's not impossible but it is sure not common to have a truckload of OAs without some sort of FL or snore happening.

It also insinuates that category of OSA is related to pressure needs and that is simply not the case either.
People can have "severe" with 60 AHI and need only 6 cm pressure to do the job.....and others can have "mild" with 12 AHI and need 18 cm to do the job. Severity of category has nothing to do with pressure needs.

[ragtopcircus]

Also, on the “for her” model, the Response can be set to Standard or Soft whether it is in the Auto or For Her mode. The documentation is unclear about whether that option is offered on the regular machine.

[Pugsy]

Also, on the “for her” model, the Response can be set to Standard or Soft whether it is in the Auto or For Her mode. The documentation is unclear about whether that option is offered on the regular machine.

Standard or Soft response was added after the first AirSense 10 AutoSet for Her machines were released. ResMed didn't make a big deal about it so we don't know exactly when but the earlier models didn't have this option. I know for a fact because my for Her model doesn't offer it. So I have never been able to really test it to see what it is like.

I think that it might also have been a similar situation with the regular AutoSets....added later and some may have it and some may not.
The reason I think some may have it is because I have seen regular AutoSet users thinking that the "soft" response will give them the for Her algorithm and it of course doesn't do that.