ResMed versus Respironics

[tweeter829]

It seems that the majority of people here prefer the ResMed. Why is that? When I was diagnosed it was recommended that I get the Respironics Dreamstation, so that is what I have. If I remember correctly, the insurance company will pay for a machine every five years, so in less I am willing to buy a ResMed myself I will have to roll with this one for quite a while. I have no problems with it, but that could simply be because I don't know how much better off I would be with the ResMed.

[ragtopcircus]

I suspect that Respironics makes like easier for the doctors and respiratory techs. My sleep lab uses Respironics for diagnostic equipment, and they are ONLY set up for handing Respironics data. They do like Resmed masks, but really don’t know anything about Resmed machines

There’s an old saying in the computer industry: nobody ever got fired for choosing IBM (or Hewlett-Packard). It just means they are the devil you know, and they are a big player in the market. They may not be the best, but they certainly aren’t junk, and every doc and tech knows Respironics.

[ragtopcircus]

My fiancée was “given” Respironics. So was I. We are both getting better results with Resmed.

[palerider]

It seems that the majority of people here prefer the ResMed. Why is that?

Because they're built better, they come with a good travel bag, they hold more water, they provide more detailed data, they're quieter, and many more little reasons, but most importantly... for most people...

They simply work better, providing better sleep.

[Cruiser1234]

It seems that the majority of people here prefer the ResMed. Why is that?

Because they're built better, they come with a good travel bag, they hold more water, they provide more detailed data, they're quieter, and many more little reasons, but most importantly... for most people...

They simply work better, providing better sleep.

Don't forget - on the bilevel side, they also have a more natural breath pattern.

[palerider]

It seems that the majority of people here prefer the ResMed. Why is that?

Because they're built better, they come with a good travel bag, they hold more water, they provide more detailed data, they're quieter, and many more little reasons, but most importantly... for most people...

They simply work better, providing better sleep.

Don't forget - on the bilevel side, they also have a more natural breath pattern.

They offer that on their cpap/apap machines too.

[tweeter829]

I was surprised with the travel bag for the Dreamstation. For a machine that costs several hundred dollars I would have thought they would have thrown in a bag that offered more than minimal protection. I think I will get one of those hard plastic cases that comes with the foam inside that you cut to fit whatever you want. The machine itself is not noisy, all I hear is the air on the mask end. I like steady white noise when I am trying to go to sleep, but since it is APAP, the sound keeps rising and falling, which is distracting when trying to nod off. I turned the volume way up on the white noise machine, and that works. As for the ResMed giving better data, is that only with the apps for ResMed and Respironics, or is the data better with ResMed for Oscar also? I have not downloaded Oscar yet.

[palerider]

I was surprised with the travel bag for the Dreamstation. For a machine that costs several hundred dollars I would have thought they would have thrown in a bag that offered more than minimal protection.

Respironics prefers to *sell* a travel case, Resmed *includes* one.

. The machine itself is not noisy, all I hear is the air on the mask end.

Respironics typically have a quiet whine that varies with breathing (and pressure). Resmeds usually don't.

but since it is APAP, the sound keeps rising and falling, which is distracting when trying to nod off.

That has nothing at all to do with it being an APAP, it has to do with the fact that the machine (all modern machines do this) speed up when you inhale and slow down when you exhale, in order to maintain the desired pressure. It would do it in cpap mode too.

As for the ResMed giving better data, is that only with the apps for ResMed and Respironics, or is the data better with ResMed for Oscar also? I have not downloaded Oscar yet.

It doesn't matter what you use to read the data that the machine creates, so yes, it applies with Oscar too.

[Janknitz]

I've used both, but not the same generation. I haven't used a Dreamstation,so I can't honestly compare it to the ResMed Autoset I have now, but I had the older model Respironics called a System 1 auto and it was lousy in comparison to the ResMed Autoset.

The Respironics humidifier never seemed to warm the air, and crapped out about 3 years in--didn't work at all any more (a known manufacturer's defect that should have been fixed, but it was out of warranty). The vented air wasn't just annoying, it was ice cold, even when the humidifier worked. The unit had a light that came on when you turned the machine on and stayed on all night to show you the humidifier (that didn't work) setting (WTF???). It also beeped when you turned it on--great for the bed partner who goes to sleep before you do . It was noisy. The algorithm made you feel that you had to breathe in it's rhythm instead of your own natural breathing rhythm. That made it very hard to get used to. If you coughed while wearing the mask, the filter flew out . The efficacy data was only reported as a 7 or 30 day average on the monochrome screen so it was pretty unhelpful. It treated my apnea very well, but had so many annoyances I put up with for 6 years.

The ResMed is 1000% better. The humidifier works and actually warms the air. When you use it, there are no annoying lights that stay on. No beeps. It doesn't force you to breathe in its rhythm. It's very quiet, I have to strain to hear it at all. The filter has a cover so it won't pop out. There is useful data on the colored and easy to see screen. It treats my apnea as well or better than the PRS1 machine, with none of the hassles.

I no longer have DME coverage so I'm not stuck with what a DME wants to provide to me to better their profit margin. I won't be spending my own money on a Philips again, though I admit they had nowhere to go but up from that machine.

[Becca8104]

I started with Resmed and so don't know any better, but from what I hear on this forum, I am lucky my doctor chose to put me on APAP and not CPAP & asked my DME to provide the autoset. Besides liking the machine, I have discovered that Resmed Masks fit me better than Phillips respronics ones I've tried, but that could be just a fluke and everything to do with my head & face, nothing against Phillips masks. My brother uses the Dreamwear FF and he loves it, but it wasn't a good fit for me.

[jnk...]

ResMed versus Respironics

Put me down for ten bucks on ResMed, even with that 21-point spread.

[D.H.]

I would use the Respironics machine, at least until your compliance period ends. After that, you can get a ResMed and use it.

The one caveat is that if you're not compliant with the machine supplied by your DME, you might not be able to get supplies paid for by your insurance (especially supplies specific to your ResMed machine).

In any case, the Dream Station is a good machine and I'm happy with mine. It's certainly worth having as a spare on hand.

[gv280z]

Dreamstation Auto since new (all I've known), like it, quiet and easy to use. Nothing has really ever come up that I can think of for why I'd change. I count myself among the Lucky with my therapy.

[Bertha deBlues]

Dreamstation Auto since new (all I've known), like it, quiet and easy to use. Nothing has really ever come up that I can think of for why I'd change. I count myself among the Lucky with my therapy.

Same here with my DreamStation Auto. No beeping, comfortable airflow, so quiet you can hardly hear it. Also lucky with my therapy.

[suzeecat]

I went into this cpap life knowing nothing. When I went to my fitting appointment I think I was still in shock and denial that I had OSA, so I was just going along. The ResMed was given to me by the DME and that's what I use. I suspect, as Pugsy says, it's all about the $$. Although, that being said, the ResMed seems to be very high quality (but I have no means of comparison).