Newbie

[geeaygee]

Hi everyone

I was diagnosed with sleep apnea in Feb this year but didn't have a sleep test until the end of April. The first test was done in-home, I went to the specialist & was wired up but then came home to sleep. Must admit I did not get much sleep that night but apparently I got enough for them to say that I was having 70 Apnea + Hypopneas. That was without a CPAP machine.

I have been leasing a Fisher & Paykel Auto Icon & using a ResMed Mirage Quatro FF mask as I am a mouth breather. I have been relatively happy with this machine but as yet have not made a purchase. This week I am going to swap to a ResMed S9 Auto machine to see if I like it better.

Using the F & P machine my apneas dropped to less than 3. NB I am still getting a handle on what the measurements all mean.

I had another sleep test in September (using a ResMed CPAP machine) & was prescribed a pressure between 5 & 13.

My question is - does anyone have any thoughts/comments on the 2 APAP machines (F & P Auto Icon & ResMed S9 Auto) ? I am in Australia so have to purchase whichever one I decide on. I am drawn to the S9 as it has a 5 yr warrantly while the F & P only has 2. Admittedly the F & P is a little cheaper but for something I am going to be using for the rest of my life I want to make sure I get it right.

Does anyone else have suggestions for other machines? I would love to hear opinions.

Thanks
Gwenda

[Sheriff Buford]

I am not familiar with the Fisher & Paykel Auto, but the Resmed S9 Autoset is one of the best in the business (bitness'). If you decide on the S9, make sure it says on the machine S9 Autoset and not "Escape". The S9 Autoset will offer full data, so you can monitor your progress. The Escape model will not.

Sheriff

[TalonNYC]

I've been on an S9 since starting therapy a little over a year ago. First a CPAP model (fixed pressure) and then the S9 Auto.

I can't say there have been no problems at all, but those I've run into have been minor. The coupling on the CPAP unit I had was a bit loose, and as a result the ClimateLine hose had some issues staying attached. This did not effect the regular hose at all. That has not been an issue on the Auto, however. as the ClimateLine has been solid as a rock.

Also, I find I need to periodically "reboot" the machine by unplugging it and then plugging it back in. Otherwise, the data readout gets stuck after about 2 weeks and shows the same statistics for every night. Note: the memory card records the correct numbers, it's just the LCD readout on the machine itself that shows the same numbers for every night. Rebooting fixes it.

Other than those issues, I've found the S9 series to be very reliable, and the machines to be quiet and effective.

I have not used the F&P unit you mentioned, so I can't offer any review of it, but figured my experience with the S9 might assist you.

[jencat824]

Hi everyone

I was diagnosed with sleep apnea in Feb this year but didn't have a sleep test until the end of April. The first test was done in-home, I went to the specialist & was wired up but then came home to sleep. Must admit I did not get much sleep that night but apparently I got enough for them to say that I was having 70 Apnea + Hypopneas. That was without a CPAP machine.

I have been leasing a Fisher & Paykel Auto Icon & using a ResMed Mirage Quatro FF mask as I am a mouth breather. I have been relatively happy with this machine but as yet have not made a purchase. This week I am going to swap to a ResMed S9 Auto machine to see if I like it better.

Using the F & P machine my apneas dropped to less than 3. NB I am still getting a handle on what the measurements all mean.

I had another sleep test in September (using a ResMed CPAP machine) & was prescribed a pressure between 5 & 13.

My question is - does anyone have any thoughts/comments on the 2 APAP machines (F & P Auto Icon & ResMed S9 Auto) ? I am in Australia so have to purchase whichever one I decide on. I am drawn to the S9 as it has a 5 yr warrantly while the F & P only has 2. Admittedly the F & P is a little cheaper but for something I am going to be using for the rest of my life I want to make sure I get it right.

Does anyone else have suggestions for other machines? I would love to hear opinions.

Thanks
Gwenda

I am the owner of the F&P Icon Premo. My thoughts are - please don't buy this machine. In addition to the fact the warranty is not as long, its basically a pretty nightstand ornament. To get your data from it, you need to buy $89 of software. I bought the software and was very disappointed by the fact that the data is no where near as good as members of this forum with the S9 Autopap, or other machines the members here with good data abilities can recommend. I can only tell Apneas, AHI, Hyponeas and Leaks. No time asleep/awake, no other data. I tell all I can to TAKE THE ICON BACK. Its nothing but a hi-tech alarm clock with blower and humidifier. Not good treatment option now that I know you can refine your treatment much more efficively if you know your data and can share with with members here and your health care provider to get the best treatment available to you. I hope this helped you with your decision making.
Jen

[archangle]

The S9 AutoSet records airflow waveforms, and the ICON doesn't. In itself, that makes the decision a no-brainer in favor of the S9.

If you have problems with your treatment, you can get free software and see each and every breath all night long, and see what really happened when the machine tells you you had "an apnea". It's sort of like an EKG for breathing.

By the way, there is no S9 "Auto". The S9 AutoSet is a great machine, but there's an S9 Escape Auto, which records a lot less data. Avoid the Escape Auto and make sure a DME (CPAP seller) doesn't trick you about which one you're getting.