Can I tell if Autoset will help via data analysis?

[DaveCLT]

I've been using my S8 Elite for a couple of years now with great results, initially started with an S8 Escape but had issues with exhalation and switched to the Elite. I have been considering purchasing a Resmed S9 primarily for the noise reduction, but also for size (I travel quite a bit) and have been reading up on the value of the AutoSet features which are great for some and not used by others.

My question: Is there any value to looking at the data from my S8 Elite (not v2) to make the decision if an AutoSet will help me or not? I haven't personally downloaded it (have taken it in with me to my sleep doc for review) but have no concerns/issues doing it. Just not sure if there is any part of what's recorded that will help me determine if I should get an S9 Elite or S9 AutoSet.

I know from searching / researching other threads that some might say "just get the AutoSet unit, you can turn that feature off if you don't need it", but I'm not sure if I'm going to buy a new unit or a used one (paying out of pocket for this), and the S9 Elite's seem to be much more available used vs the AutoSet local to me.

Don't mind spending the extra money - especially if buying a new one - but would be nice to know if there is something specific that might be helpful for me before making the decision.

Thanks in advance!

[jaybee72]

After 4.5 years on an S8 Elite I now have 2 nights on an S9 autoset. I'm sold! I was titrated at 8 back when I started, and the last few weeks before the upgrade I was averaging about 6 AHI and my wife said I've been snoring. So, I set the auto for 7-11 and my last 2 nights have been 0.0 and 0.6 AHI. Looking at the data it stays most of the time around 8, but an event or a snore and it's been going up to just over 10.

Do you have any recent graphs? Where are your numbers running?

[DaveCLT]

No graphs, I've only recently started looking into that capability and I'm just learning the lingo /acronyms I've requested and received the info on clinical access instruction books for both my current machine and the S9, but haven't had a chance to look into them to even know what my current settings are.

[Pugsy]

Using the available data that is shown on the S8 Elite I don't know that you will see anything that will suggest if you might happen to benefit from an APAP over CPAP.
Using the software you might (stress might) see a pattern of events that might point to needing a wee bit more pressure...like a cluster that seems to occur in what might be REM sleep and the rest of the time nothing else is going on.

So if your AHI is consistently low and your leak is consistently low and you are feeling just fine and sleeping just fine....I don't know that anything on the reports or the machine's LCD screen will offer any insight into your question which appears "do I really need APAP?" "Do I really need to spend the extra money for APAP?"

Sounds like a "what if" is in your mind. What if I might do better on APAP? My crystal ball is broken at the moment we simply don't know. Heck, you might find the variations in pressure in auto mode horribly disruptive to your sleep...or you might love the fact that you could maybe use less pressure for part of the night and let the machine do the work if a higher pressure is needed for just part of the night.
The only way to know for sure if there is a need...is to use one and see the reports.
I can't think of anything that you can get off the LCD screen of the S8 which would offer concrete evidence that APAP would definitely be needed.

Sometimes forum members have S9 Autoset's for sale here at the forum. I don't recall one recently but you never know. Most recently there was an Elite offered I think for $350 (on page 2 of the forum) and another for $400 (on page one of the forum. I am pretty sure the person I got my S9 VPAP Auto from also has the S9 Autoset.. send me a private message if you want more information on that alternative and what she gets for them.