ResMed S8 Auto Set II VS S9 Auto Set

[Jackie999]

I had a question regarding the ResMed S8 Auto Set II vs the S9 Auto Set.

It took me a while to obtain a card reader and get the software working for my ResMed S8 Auto Set II. I am somewhat disappointed that I can only record detail info on Pressure, Leaks, Events and Usage hours. The S8 Auto Set II won't record info such as Flow, respiratory rate or Tidal volume. I also was thinking of purchasing an Oximeter in the near future.

So this brings me to my question. I would rather apply the money for a stand-alone O2 meter toward a new S9 Auto Set (which I believe is the Top of the line S9) and purchase the optional Oximeter that fits it. Would this be the smart way to go? I also want to monitor more than just those 4 charts that my S8 now records.

Am I making the right choice? Wish I knew that the S8 was limited in data recording before I purchased it. I sure can't afford another mistake. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Tks!

[Pugsy]

I would find out ahead of time how much the oximeter that goes with the S9 runs. Seems like it was very pricey. It has to a special one. Not just any oximeter will work.

Don't know what you paid for the S8 but if that other data is really important to you then maybe consider the S9 auto and one of those less expensive recording oximeters. You could even do the oximeter now and maybe get the S9 later.

[billbolton]

The S8 Auto Set II won't record info such as Flow, respiratory rate or Tidal volume.

Its your call, but unless you are having specific problems with your APAP treatment, those extra data items are unlikely to be particularly beneficial.

How is your APAP treatment going?

Cheers,

Bill

[Jackie999]

How is your APAP treatment going?

Cheers,

Bill

Actually my APAP treatment is going fairly well. Of course I do have good days and bad days but that can be expected. I am also currently selecting a better mask to help improve comfort and reduce my leak numbers.

I guess I am mostly jealous when I see all the extra information that comes out of a S9 vs my S8. The cost difference at the time of purchase would not have been much at all if I had just done more research before I made my purchase. It's no ones fault except my own. But then again it could have been worse and I could have purchased an Escape (which I think has even less data than my Auto Set II).

I really would like to see my breathing waveform and rate per minute. I think seeing that one waveform along with knowing my O2 levels would really give me a good idea at what is going on and what I can improve upon. The ResMed O2 optional accessory for the S9 seems to be hard to find, similar to the card reader for the S8. I am also looking at the CMS 50-F Wrist model Pulse Oximeter which appears to be a favorite among people with Apnea since my guess is the ResMed option for the S9 will be over the top in cost as Pugsy mentioned earlier.

Thank you for the replies!

[jdm2857]

The ResMed oximeter for the S9 is pretty pricey. ResMed uses a totally nonstandard jack for attaching the oximeter to the blower. That makes their special version of a Nonin oximeter the only one that can be used. And that allows ResMed to charge an exorbitant price.

Nice business practices from a medical device manufacturer, eh? (No, I'm not Canadian. )

If you search the forum you can find some pretty detailed threads from folks who tried to use non-ResMed oximeters with an S9.

The extra data is nice to have when trying to understand the behavior of an S9 AutoSet. I think that the S9 supplies snore data as well. I know that my S8's algorithm uses apneas (below a pressure of 10), flow limitations, and snores to determine pressure adjustments. Of those 3, only apneas are displayed by ResScan. And since my minimum pressure is 16, apneas are out of the equation. It's pretty frustrating to not have the data to help me understand the behavior of my machine.

[dtsm]

Until the S9 was launched last year, the S8 autoset II was ResMed's 'gold standard'. If you're just starting therapy, why not try the S8 for a few months, monitor your numbers and see how you actually feel before rushing off to purchase more toys.

[Jackie999]

why not try the S8 for a few months, monitor your numbers and see how you actually feel before rushing off to purchase more toys.

You make a Great point. I am new to the data card/ data recording models. The reason why I am looking at a more advance model with O2 level recording is because my theory (or belief) regarding the accepted principals are somewhat backward to the industry. Mind you, I am new at this so please don't laugh if I am in left field. Help me learn.

My Theory...
I feel the process is actually somewhat backward. By that I mean the industry has created an accepted Threshold valve of 10 seconds for an Apnea to be considered something that needs attention or concern. What if a person is "out of breath" after just holding his breath for 5 seconds and not 10? Then 5 seconds for THAT person really should be called a Apnea because a 5 second apnea will wake him from deep sleep. I am sure we all know people who can hold their breath for a VERY long time. I have known people who can swim under water 3 times longer than I can. Not everyone is the same. My guess is for those people, a 10 second Apnea time is really a walk in the park.
But for me, I can not hold my breath for very long.

My point is that everyone is different. The "Threshold time value" in seconds for an event needs to be based on each individual and not just be an accepted "good for everyone" value (which in this case ResMeds calls it 10 seconds). And one way we can determine what that time in seconds should be is from recording your O2 levels during an apnea. It (my view) should be imperative to know your O2% values FIRST before you can even can decide what your apnea threshold time should be.

I am really surprised everyone just seems to accept 10 seconds as the one size fits all number. This was the primary reason why I wanted to get a more advanced machine with an O2 meter. Knowing what MY apnea time length in seconds was, is the foundation for all other data.
Does this make any sense?

[dtsm]

I am really surprised everyone just seems to accept 10 seconds as the one size fits all number. This was the primary reason why I wanted to get a more advanced machine with an O2 meter. Knowing what MY apnea time length in seconds was, is the foundation for all other data.
Does this make any sense?

Are you interested as a patient or clinician?

As a lay person with very limited experience [just over 14 months] with the hose, the key issues in priority are:

1. how do you feel after therapy? some take a few months to feel the difference, others less time.
2. a simple oximeter measurement, say once a month to confirm saturation level line is steady and >95% is sufficient
3. if you were to visit your sleep center for follow-up, if you're AHI numbers below 10 and no other major issues, they would send you home with a note to visit same time next year.....

[BernieRay]

I wouldn't get hung up on the 10 second definition. It takes more than just a 10 second stoppage to score an apnea when sleep studies are performed. Since consumer xPAP devices are not capable of monitoring anything other than breathing (unless you can find and afford the oximetry module), the events, AI, and AHI are all estimates anyway in comparison to the more clinically accurate data collected and interpreted during a PSG. It's all too easy to expect more from our XPAP devices than they are capable of..

I do understand the point you're making, though. Maybe one day we'll have machines that can measure more data points and be customized to more closely fit individual needs. Until then, we have to work with what is available.

I'm just glad to have any data, though I shudder to think what it would have been like having it when I started CPAP. I'm fairly certain that I would have gotten lost in the forest, looking at one sickly tree rather than enjoying the more healthy forest. For 13 years I had no data to look at and I got effective therapy anyway. Ignorance truly was bliss. I try to keep that in mind these days, as how I'm feeling is a far better measure of my therapy than what the data shows. Last night was a perfect example. The data says it was a good night - negligible leaks, no events, almost no flow limitation. Yet, I woke up several times (didn't get up) during the night. And when I did get up, I didn't feel refreshed. But I've also had days where just the opposite occurred.

As long as the machine keeps me alive, job #1 is done. Job #2, improving my rest so that the long term consequences of untreated OSA are avoided or reduced, can't be measured in the short term with current xPAP consumer devices. I do enjoy looking at my daily data but, for the most part, I try to take it all with a grain of salt.

Note to self - no more burgers 2 hours before bedtime...

[Ltmedic66]

Jackie999,

I would not get too caught up on the 10 second thing in relation to your O2 sat. If you held your breath while on an O2 sat, you would find it takes far longer than 10 seconds to make any difference in your oxygen saturation. In fact, to get it below 90% you'd probably have to hold it for quite a long time, close to a minute.

[Jackie999]

Thank you for the replies and Great suggestions. At times I can get carried away with measuring instruments and what they can & can not tell me. I find myself trying to accelerate to a final destination too quickly in order to make up for lost time which can't be done.....Slowing down will also save me some Money!

The members here are awesome!. Tks