Help Getting New Machine

[irishpeacock]

I know there is a similar post going now, but I was looking for some personal advise. I have a REMstar plus w/ humidifier now, and have been having a lot of trouble sleeping on it. I'm out of the country for the next few years while I'm studying so I don't have a chance to talk to my doctor much. I really need to take charge of my own therapy or I wont get any better. I'd like something data-compatible, easily adjustable, auto, with either A-flex or EPR (does anyone know which is better/the difference?) as well as a straight CPAP option. Also something with the same/similar extra allergy filter that I have on my machine now. please help, I'm lost among the options, and in the mean time not getting any sleep.

[Claire]

I don't know about an extra filter for allergies, but the new Resmed Elite 8 II has most of the features you want. I don't have the II but the Elite 8. I like it very much and use the EPR feature all the time. I can veiw my daily results on the machine face and get weekly and monthly averages...and am happy with that. I haven't felt the need to have a software reader to read the card although some people here feel it's important for them.

Best of luck

[Slinky]

Since you already have a Respironics REMStar Plus you might be wise to get a Respironics REMStar Auto w/C-Flex so you don't have to go the extra expense of a new integrated humidifier as well and would only need to buy the autoPAP itself. Just keep in mind that the pre-M Series Auto and the M Series Auto humidiifers are not compatible. The money you save doing that could then be used to purchase the software and cable reader which would give you even more data than just the data available via the LCD screen and therefore be even more helpful in monitoring your nightly data.

On the other hand, if you intend to purchase entirely new, both autoPAP and humidifier, then my personal preference is for the Resmed S8 II AutoSet. It can't be beat for the amount of data EASILY available via the LCD screen and if you are really going to go whole hog the ResScan software and cable reader are available.

You don't say what country you are in but shipping by an online DME supplier out of the USA is EXTREMELY expensive and I understand many US online DME suppliers either won't or can't ship out of the country. IF you have family in the USA it could be shipped to and then they ship it to you via USPS I understand that can be considerably cheaper to do that way.

[packitin]

The Resmed has to be shipped from China, so expect to wait a long time.
At least I think it does, I had one ordered through a supplier and they said they'd call me when it comes.
And its been 2 weeks now. I'm wondering what's taking it so long.
Jay C. (sorry, there's two of us here)

[Slinky]

PackItIn, the delay is more likely the DME supplier's fault than the Resmed having to come from China. The Resmeds are built in Australia and their headquarters are in Poway, California.

My Resmed VPAP Auto (released in Jan 08), special ordered in Mar 08, arrived at my local DME supplier's and was delivered in 10 days, 9 days actually, had I been willing to stay home to receive it. And the special order was placed on a Friday.

[hobbs]

The Resmed has to be shipped from China, so expect to wait a long time.
At least I think it does, I had one ordered through a supplier and they said they'd call me when it comes.
And its been 2 weeks now. I'm wondering what's taking it so long.
Jay C. (sorry, there's two of us here)

??? Received mine (3) days after placing order.

[irishpeacock]

Price and Shipping are not concerns of mine right now. I need to find the right machine. Some have suggested the S8 Elite, but I believe that's not an APAP. I'm essentially trying to find a good APAP with easy-to-access and thorough data, so that I can begin to take charge of my own therapy ASAP.

I'm leaning towards a Respironics Auto w/ A-flex or a Resmed S8 Autoset II. Any opinions?

[packitin]

Just curious, where are you getting your Resmed Autoset?

[cflame1]

At your pressure... from what I've read posted on this board... I'd go with the AFLEX.

[Slinky]

None of the other manufacturers can touch the Resmeds for ease of data access via the LCD screen. The new Resmed S8 II AutoSet has EPR in both straight CPAP and autoPAP mode and the new EasyBreathe technology is smooth and truly easy breathing.

There's plenty of differences of opinion regarding the software of the Resmed, Respironics and Puritan Bennett autoPAPs. I've not had the good fortune to experience the PB Silverlining software. I found the Resmed ResScan software easy to install on first try and to use. I found the Respironics EncorePro software trickier to install (finally had to have my 'puter guru do the installation) and more difficult to use and understand than the Resmed ResScan software. The ONLY advantage to the Respironics EncorePro software I found was their Daily Events Per Hour chart. I WISH Resmed's ResScan would produce similar.

You are correct, the Resmed S8 Elite w/EPR and newer Resmed S8 II Elite w/EPA are "only" fully data capable as is the Respironics M Series Pro w/C-Flex.