Help choosing first CPAP machine?

[cybertech]

Hello its time to get my first machine and here is what the place in town I am dealing with has.
Right now I am on a 30 day trial with the Resmed s9 elite.
The government covers $780 of the cost and I will post beside each machine what I am required to cover.
Fisher & Paykel HC234 $260
Resmed S8 Elite $510
Resmed S9 Elite $560
And each machine comes with the Fisher & Paykel Flexifit 495 mask which I am basically forced to buy because it comes in "the package".
I also have the Swift FX that I have been using.

[drj130]

I would suggest the Resmed S9 Elite. Not only because it is the newest, but it also is, from my understanding, Fully Data capable. That will help with ensuring that your treatment is the best that you can get. Just my 2 cents.

David

[LSAT]

I personally love my F&P......But...It doesn't give any data. It's very quiet and there is NO RAINOUT. I also have a S8 Autoset II that I only use occasionally to check my data. (I find the F&P to be quieter than the S8) The F&P 234 can be purchased WITHOUT INSURANCE for under $500.

If you do use your insurance, it seems that the S9 is very popular among users.

[dtsm]

Hello its time to get my first machine and here is what the place in town I am dealing with has.

Two non-negotiable requirements:

1. apap rather than straight cpap
2. full data capability

Rest is bells and whistles but above insure you've got a machine that will let you manage your own therapy.

[cflame1]

I'm going to go with David on this...

go with the S9 Elite.

The F&P, it isn't fully data capable so if you have any problems you're back at the sleep lab or borrowing something from the DME. It's not worth it.

[Emilia]

Of your choices listed, I would go for the S9 Elite, but it is a cpap not an auto cpap. You can buy a fully data capable, Intellipap Auto Adjust w/Smartflex and humidifier together for $449.00 cash. So.... do the math, figure out which way is best for you.

[cybertech]

Why would I want to choose and auto cpap?

[Emilia]

Auto cpaps are highly versatile, they can be run in straight cpap mode or in auto mode. Even if one prefers to use a straight pressure in cpap mode, being able to move over to auto to do a home version of titration is beneficial if you are having poor results with the straight pressure. Being in auto, along with the software to read the data, would allow one to see the trends and pressure needed to catch events (apneas or hypopneas). On the other hand, having your machine in auto mode with a pressure range set at 2 below and 2 above your titrated pressure would allow you get a pressure to meet any events as needed. From the data, one could see if you are consistently maintaing or if it is hitting the ceiling pressure often enough that you might need to move it up a bit. Auto machines just provide more information, more versatility, and more therapeutic options.

[dtsm]

Why would I want to choose and auto cpap?

Time to do some homework; here's a start to help you out. Good luck!
our-collective-cpap-wisdom/reasons-APAP.html

[cybertech]

I think I may try some other suppliers to see what they have. Is there any other machines I should consider?

[cflame1]

this is rested gal's list of fully data capable machine's post

viewtopic.php?p=307168#p307168

[Fredman]

this is rested gal's list of fully data capable machine's post

viewtopic.php?p=307168#p307168

I have to second Rested Gal's thread. Check it out...solid information. I am buying my S9 tommorrow. It is my second machine. I have been using CPAP for 5 years now and my doctor has prescribed APAP as it has the flexibility to automatically adjust the air pressure to obstructive apneas. I won't touch Central Apneas because each brand of APAPs do or do not address centrals...anyways too technical for me.

If you don't understand terms like Obstructive Apneas or Central Apneas, you should do a bit more research. But Rested Gal's thread is a very good start. Good luck!

[flash2]

I started with devillbiss intellipap with smartflex and paid for the data module. after switching dme's i'm now with s9 autoset. Of the two, I preferred the intellipap. It was easier to empty the humidifier, easier with the data module for getting the data, slightly quieter. It was easier when camping on the battery. However, the s9 has the climateline hose and oh, i do love that feature. (majorily important when hubby keeps bedroom at 45)

You really have to decide which things are most important for you before you decide on a machine. Unfortunately, there is no one perfect machine for everyone yet.

[msradar65]

I personally like Resmed. I would go with S9 autoset if you could. That is the machine I have and I love it!!!

[trike-mike]

After significant trials, tribulations, and dollars in recent weeks as I am getting started with this.

I second everyone's advice to spring for, at minimum, APAP (which usually implies data gathering). If you don't go APAP at the minimum get data. Data is king.

I wish I woulda had done that first.