what kind of machines is better

wdql2006 · Post by **wdql2006** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 12:20 am

GREETINGS!EVERYONE!
I'm sufferred from OSAS,so I want to buy a CPAP or AUTO-CPAP.But I don't know what kind of these machines is better in the current market.
who can tell me what should I do?
Thanks a lot!

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 12:32 am

Have you had a sleep study?

Do you know what your prescribed pressure is?

An autopap can be set for a range of pressures, varying the pressure as needed.

An autopap can also be used as a "cpap", using just one straight pressure.

An autopap is both machines in one...it can be used as an autopap or it can be used as a cpap.

For that reason, I'd get an autopap.

A "CPAP" machine can be used only one way -- as a cpap.

wdql2006 · Post by **wdql2006** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 12:44 am

I have done a PSG check.and I know my prescribed pressure.I want to buy an auto one,is "RESMED S8" suitable for me or others?

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 1:58 am

I'd get the Remstar A-Flex machine, has the most options, displays sleep data on LCD, has optional software available for detailed reports.

Offers more exhale relief options in Auto modes where the S8's EPR doesn't function in the Auto mode.

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 8:50 am

Unless you have GOOD insurance coverage, the Respironics that SnoreDog mentioned is DEFINITELY your best option for an autoPAP.

WillSucceed · Post by **WillSucceed** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 11:09 am

What Snoredog and Slinky have both neglected to mention is that there is no guarantee that the Respironics machine, or any other autopap, will be right for your specific breathing issues.

The BEST machine for you will be the one that best treats YOUR particular breathing needs. For this reason, I'd encourage you to ignore the "get a Respironics, it is the best machine" advice and trial several different autopap machines from different manufacturers.

Bear in mind that the different manufacturers use different algorithyms -while all the manufacturers build good machines, you might find that one, or more, machines might not work for you. If you buy a machine based on the advice of others without having trialed the machine, you could end up owning a very expensive paperweight.

Having said this, there is good probability that any of the machines will work for you. But, and this is a big but, there is no guarantee of this AND the well-intentioned advice of Respironics owners should not be your deciding factor -actually trialing the machines, even if it means coughing up some money for the trial, should be the deciding factor.

OK Snoredog and Slinky, go for it.

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 11:37 am

WillSucceed wrote:What Snoredog and Slinky have both neglected to mention is that there is no guarantee that the Respironics machine, or any other autopap, will be right for your specific breathing issues.

The BEST machine for you will be the one that best treats YOUR particular breathing needs. For this reason, I'd encourage you to ignore the "get a Respironics, it is the best machine" advice and trial several different autopap machines from different manufacturers.

Bear in mind that the different manufacturers use different algorithyms -while all the manufacturers build good machines, you might find that one, or more, machines might not work for you. If you buy a machine based on the advice of others without having trialed the machine, you could end up owning a very expensive paperweight.

Having said this, there is good probability that any of the machines will work for you. But, and this is a big but, there is no guarantee of this AND the well-intentioned advice of Respironics owners should not be your deciding factor -actually trialing the machines, even if it means coughing up some money for the trial, should be the deciding factor.

OK Snoredog and Slinky, go for it.

but Will ... what about me?

While I agree with the main point of your post ...

WillSucceed wrote:If you buy a machine based on the advice of others without having trialed the machine, you could end up owning a very expensive paperweight.

... but I found this statement to be a bit extreme and far fetched. This is more like it ...

WillSucceed wrote:Having said this, there is good probability that any of the machines will work for you.

WillSucceed · Post by **WillSucceed** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 11:45 am

Dreamstalker... a thousand apologies!!! I should have included you. Forgive me, please.

If you buy a machine based on the advice of others without having trialed the machine, you could end up owning a very expensive paperweight.

I see nothing extreme or farfetched about this statement. I think it is absolutely accurate. If you don't trial an autopap before buying, you could end up with a very expensive paperweight. It really is just that simple. I'm not sure why you bothered to comment but, what-the-hell, to each his own.

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 12:03 pm

Well ... all APAPs are capable of providing data and all APAPs can be set to CPAP mode which makes them at least as good as data capable CPAPs ... hardly paperweight contenders.

But what the hey ... where would the world be without farfetched extremism in this day and age?

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 2:08 pm

I don't know how it works in Canada, Will, but in the US the opportunity to "try" one brand of xPAP, then switch it for another, and then switch that one for yet another and another and another (let's see: Resmed, Respironics, Puritan Bennett, Fisher & Paykel, DeVilBiss ..... did I leave any manufacture out ???) .... is darn nigh impossible. The local DMEs just are NOT that willing and cooperative. And the online DMEs don't want to switch once you've opened the box.

I happen to definitely prefer the Resmeds, altho I've had good therapy w/the Respironics, BUT the sad state of affairs is that one can purchase the Respironics xPAPs cheaper than the equivalent Resmed xPAPs if you don't have good insurance coverage. I haven't had the opportunity to try the Puritan Bennett GoodKnight 420E much as I would like to because my insurance isn't going to pay for it, I'm not giving up my Resmeds to try it, and I don't have the money to buy it out of pocket given that I bought my Resmed AutoSet Vanatage out of pocket.

So - in an ideal world we could each try an xPAP from every manufacturer before deciding on which to buy. In the real world, that is almost impossble to do so in the USA.

WillSucceed · Post by **WillSucceed** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 1:24 pm

So - in an ideal world we could each try an xPAP from every manufacturer before deciding on which to buy. In the real world, that is almost impossble to do so in the USA.

I think that it is really unfortunate that your suppliers will not let you trial machines. I have to say that I'm a bit surprised however... don't your suppliers rent machines? Surely not all rented machines then get purchased; there must be a way to rent some of the machines for a short period.

I realize that this might mean out of pocket expense -I coughed up cash out of pocket before I bit the bullet for a PB 420E... to me, this was money well spent because it helped me to learn that the Respironics, which I WANTED to buy, was not right for me.

It certainly seems as though the system that you folks have to navigate is more challenging than what Canadians have to contend with. I just think that doing whatever I can, even if it means spending some of my own money and annoying a supplier or two by nagging them to rent a machine, is money well spent and work well done if it helps me to get the best machine for me.

Well ... all APAPs are capable of providing data and all APAPs can be set to CPAP mode which makes them at least as good as data capable CPAPs ... hardly paperweight contenders.

But what the hey ... where would the world be without farfetched extremism in this day and age?

Dreamstalker, sure, an APAP will work as a CPAP and collect some data. If, however, one wants an APAP (as the person who initiated this thread says he does) for the purpose of APAP treatment, and finds that the APAP which he bought does not work well for him in APAP mode, he has got an expensive paperweight on his hands. If you think that this is "farfetched extremism" then I'd say that your stalking of dreams has been a huge success -you really are dreaming if you think that spending the coin on an APAP that doesn't give you good treatment in APAP mode is a good idea!!

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 4:20 pm

Will, except perhaps for those who live in a LARGE city or metropolitan area there just aren't that many local DMEs willing to keep a "loaner" (read used) xPAP) of each or multiple brands on hand to rent out. Heck, my local CPAP DME supplier didn't even have a humidifier of any type on hand to rent out w/the loaner autoPAP we rented on orders of my doctor!! Since I had a Resmed w/integrated humidifier (and can't do xPAP w/o one - tried, it was a disaster) my humidifer wasn't compatible w/the Respironics RemStar Auto which was the ONLY brand auto they had to rent out. They didn't even have a cheap passover humidifier to rent! The ONLY reason the rented RemStar Auto was not a bust was because a fellow PAPper loaned me his F&P HC 100 stand alone heated humidifier!!!!!

WillSucceed · Post by **WillSucceed** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 5:58 pm

Slinky... ouch! that is a bumpy ride. I hope that things improve for you folks outside of the big city.

KAZ · Post by **KAZ** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 6:15 am

Welcome wdql2006, first of all rested gal, SnoreDog,Slinky and DreamStalker know what they are talking about or they don't post. They have all helped me every step of the way. So, my post is not a recommendation for you, but a statement of what works for me. I was RX ed a Respironics BI Pap Plus with a fixed pressure of 20,no data. It did have Bi Flex which allowed me to get to sleep before the 20 hit me. Thanks to excellent advice from this board I bought a Respironics Auto Bi Pap(has data)out of pocket and returned my other machine to my provider. Turns out I only need a pressure of 14 90% of the time and the Auto will adjust up if needed. The Auto has been one of my best investments. Regards

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Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 8:28 am

so do split_city and SAG!

what kind of machines is better

what kind of machines is better

AUTO?