Respironics vs. Resmed

[chirurgeon]

Since I hadn't heard from the DME yet, I called my dr today. I asked what machine she prescribes. She said she liked Respironics because she can see the data down loaded. She did say I had a choice in the matter. I see a lot of people here have the S9 from Resmed. I know the S9 has the Easy breathe thing. Are there major differences in the two brands?

[Pugsy]

About once a week or so we get this question.
Minor pros and cons with either brand.
Most people haven't had a chance to actually use both brands to compare but will tell you that the one they use is "best".
I have used both brands and now that Respironics has the heated hose option to compare to the S9 and Climateline heated hose....to be honest it's a toss up. Most people will do well with either brand. There likely will be a few people who happen to do better with one brand over another but those people are the exception.
ResMed and Respironics have different algorithms...they go about things a little differently but the end result is both do a great job.

Do you happen to know your pressure needs yet?

Do you know about full data machines and compliance hours only bricks?
http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/
and have you ready what to know before you meet with your DME?
http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/what-y ... me-part-i/

If you end up wanting to go with ResMed...we can get you the software so you can provide reports to your doctor if you want.
We can also get you the Respironics software.

[JDS74]

My sleep doc supervises a ResMed equipped sleep center so that is what they tend to recommend.
That said, she really likes the reports coming out of the Respironics Encore software.

I suspect the differences are quite small and most folks won't tell the difference.

For ASV class machines, however, the Respironics has much finer control settings than I see in the ResMed ASV settings.
I have no opinion on whether this difference makes any difference in efficacy of treatment.
I suspect not.

[apw5746]

Bottom line, it's a matter of preference. Which do you like - Ford or Chevy?

[chirurgeon]

She said it was 13 psi, and she was recommending the Quattro Air, she thought that was the mask I tested with. But I'm pretty sure it was the Quattro FX because there was no band around the forehead. So I'm going to ask for the FX. My dr said the DME should call tomorrow. I also asked about the leg movement the tech mentioned during my first test night. She said there was no significant leg movement during my titration night. I know I was extremely restless the first night, I just couldn't settle. Thank goodness I brought my own pillows the 2nd night. I really want to get going with this so I can start feeling better.

And I have read both of those articles. Thanks for the links.

[HoseCrusher]

Let's keep our units correct...

13 psi is a very large pressure when it comes to our lungs. Perhaps 13 centimeters of water is closer to what is needed. 13 cm H2O is 0.18 psi.

[chirurgeon]

I know she said 13, so whatever is the standard for these numbers, I would guess that's what she meant.

[HerbM]

[If you are talking about a full data machine like the Resmed S9 Autoset or respironices equivalent]


I am a technically guy and just went through this decision recently.

They are both good.

I chose the Resmed and have neither seen or heard anything that makes me regret that decision.

The Resmed is as GOOD or BETTER.

With the Resmed you can use both SleepyHead and Rescan (and I really use both every day to get the BEST view of my data quickly), and the Rescan program is much better (from what others say) than the Respironics data program.

Even if you use SleepyHead (the free program) primarily it's nice to have the "manufacturer's program" to take to the doctor.

You likely will be happy with either, but less likely to have regrets if you go with the Resmed. (and I read a LOT of reviews and paid a lot of attention to the questions being asked and answered.)

[Pugsy]

SleepyHead works with the Respironics machines also.
Respironics software is called Encore with several versions even one specifically for patients to use....it offers separate wave form data that ResScan can't give without some added work.
The software....it's just like the machines...pros and cons to both.
ResScan isn't better than Encore though and I have used both...3 plus years with Respironics machine and coming on 2 years with Resmed machine.
They are different in how they present the data...ResScan lets you do some fiddling with the graphs...Encore doesn't.
Respironics machines flag some things that ResMed do not and flag snores and flow limitations in an easier to understand IMHO format.

I think it all depends on which way the software presents the data...some people like one way over the other.
Personal preference.
I started my therapy choosing the Respironics machine...simply because it's software and data gathered by the machine was more comprehensive than ResMed at the time.

There really isn't a "better"....there is "different".....
Like which is better....Steak or Lobster?

That said...with a pressure of 13...given what I know first hand how the exhale relief works with each brand machine.
Resmed's EPR with the up to 3 cm rather dramatic drop during exhale (when compared to the drop using Respironics Flex relief) might be a little bit more comfortable with the pressure of 13.
It might come in handy to have that available.
At the higher pressures I personally like the ResMed's way of doing it and the EPR option and the way it works.

So I would vote for the Resmed S9...AutoSet if you can swing it.

[robysue]

I wrote this post a while back when a newbie asked me the same thing: viewtopic/t94287/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=82 ... AP#p866535

[letsride]

I have used both brands. For some reason the Resmed product gave me a better nights sleep with a extremely low AIH.
I also found the Resmed humidifier seems to work better.

I like Fords car and Resmed machines.

Good luck!! with whatever you decide

[Wulfman...]

Throughout my life, I've owned both Ford and GM products.
I've had likes and dislikes about both. My newest vehicle is about 15 years old.

I use Respironics CPAP machines and ResMed masks.


Den

.

[air_force]

We can also get you the Respironics software.

Is this PC only or is there a mac version?

[chunkyfrog]

If power supply is an issue, the Philips-Respironics machine will run off 12 volt DC with a very inexpensive cable.
The ResMed S9"s are 24 volt systems, requiring proprietary converters and batteries, none of which are inexpensive.

[Pugsy]

Pugsy wrote:We can also get you the Respironics software.



Is this PC only or is there a mac version?

Respironics Encore versions (there are 3) are all Windows based software only.
They don't offer a Mac version.
SleepyHead does offer a Mac version for the PR S1 users.

If someone has a Mac and wants to use the Encore software they must have a Windows environment on the Mac...something like Boot Camp or Parallels.

Oh... Windows 8.0 and 8.1 users...we have further limitations with which Encore you can use.