Getting a new machine! Which one should I get?

andy88488 · Post by **andy88488** » Thu Dec 27, 2007 10:12 am

Hi all,

I've finally bitten the bullet. I'm getting a new prescription from my Doctor, and I'm going to buy myself a new CPAP machine. I decided to buy it so that I would get exactly what I want, without having to spend weeks or months arm-wrestling my DME.

So here are my Questions:

1. Should I get an APAP? My doctor does not seem to be a believer in APAP. He expressed skepticism when I asked him about it. However, people here seem to have good experiences with them. And I know that I can always run the APAP in CPAP mode, so that seems like the best of both worlds.

2. Should I get another Resmed? I have the S8 Compact, and I have basically liked it. If I get another Resmed, I don't have to buy another Humidifier. On the other hand, Resmed seems to be trying to stamp out Direct Sellers like Cpap.com, so is there any downside to buying a Resmed from Cpap.com? Is there a downside through not going through a DME?

3. Are all brands capable of capturing the same data, or does one manufacturer do a better or worse job with capturing data? Do all manufacturers make their software available to end users? I thought that at one point Respironics wasn't selling their software to us.

I'd appreciate any insight, ideas, answers, questions, etc.

Thanks,

Andy

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Thu Dec 27, 2007 10:46 am

My suggestion would be the REMstar Auto w/A-Flex......regardless of what you've previously owned.

Den

andy88488 · Post by **andy88488** » Thu Dec 27, 2007 10:54 am

Wulfman wrote:My suggestion would be the REMstar Auto w/A-Flex......regardless of what you've previously owned.

Thank you for the advice. But why do you recommend this machine?

6PtStar · Post by **6PtStar** » Thu Dec 27, 2007 10:59 am

I agree with Wulfman completely. You do not have to run in auto it will do everything you ask of it. It will run Auto or straight CPAP. It will give you C-flex ot A-flex exhalation releif. Lets you try all things so you can find what works best for you

Of course Slinky will most likely be the next poster to tell you that Resmad Vantage is the only way to go.

Everyone has their own favorite. I think the data out of the Respronics machines (You do have to have the software) is superior to any of the others, especially if you have James Skinners Pro Analyzer. If you don't have the software maybe the LCD screen information on the Resmeds might be better than the others.

Jerry

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Thu Dec 27, 2007 11:07 am

Because it's THE best machine with the most bells and whistles on the market at the moment.

Auto w/A-Flex

"Flex" capabilities in Auto mode (ResMed Autos do NOT have EPR capabilities in Auto mode)

Software is more detailed in what is being reported.

All machines/manufacturers have their pluses and minuses, but my preferences are still with Respironics.

Den

RipVW · Post by **RipVW** » Thu Dec 27, 2007 12:48 pm

Ditto to what they said! This is the best machine, has every available feature.

DragonFire · Post by **DragonFire** » Thu Dec 27, 2007 1:17 pm

I am not sure what is the difference between A-Flex and C-Flex ....
Anyone?
I also own a S8 Advantage and recently a Respironics M series. I do fully agree on the increased confort of running in Auto mode with espiratory relief.
I do suffer from Aerophagy and running in Auto with exhale relief let me have the minimum possible pressure compatible with treatment for my apnea condition thus limiting the amout of air I ingest.

Hope it helps

RipVW · Post by **RipVW** » Thu Dec 27, 2007 1:28 pm

From Respironics:

A-Flex technology utilizes our patented Digital Auto-Trak™ Sensitivity to distinguish between exhalation and inhalation. During exhalation, A-Flex provides variable expiratory pressure relief that is the same as our clinically proven C-Flex™ technology. During inhalation, A-Flex also provides inspiratory comfort that varies with the patient's pressure level. The result is a pressure pattern that matches the patient's entire breathing cycle. Like C-Flex, there are three patient-selectable A-Flex settings to make therapy more personal.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Thu Dec 27, 2007 1:31 pm

DragonFire wrote:I am not sure what is the difference between A-Flex and C-Flex ....
Anyone?
I also own a S8 Advantage and recently a Respironics M series. I do fully agree on the increased confort of running in Auto mode with espiratory relief.
I do suffer from Aerophagy and running in Auto with exhale relief let me have the minimum possible pressure compatible with treatment for my apnea condition thus limiting the amout of air I ingest.

Hope it helps

Read all about it......

http://flexfamily.respironics.com/

Den

DragonFire · Post by **DragonFire** » Thu Dec 27, 2007 1:32 pm

Thanks.
I understand that A-flex and C-flex are the same on expiration phase. I still do not understand what the "inspiration confort" is.
May be some direct experience folk could provide some, but I do not want to hijack the thread.

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): C-FLEX

RipVW · Post by **RipVW** » Thu Dec 27, 2007 1:45 pm

Wulfman wrote: Read all about it......

http://flexfamily.respironics.com/

Den

Den,

What is the "enhanced Encore report" they show on this website? Never seen a report like that from my encorepro.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Thu Dec 27, 2007 1:53 pm

RipVW wrote:
Wulfman wrote: Read all about it......

http://flexfamily.respironics.com/

Den
Den,

What is the "enhanced Encore report" they show on this website? Never seen a report like that from my encorepro.

Me either. I've never used an M Series, let alone an A-Flex Auto, but that graph is apparently showing a large leak where you wouldn't expect to see one (no large leak spike).

Hmmmmm.....maybe THEY have never seen their own reports.....

Den

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Thu Dec 27, 2007 2:57 pm

Buying out of pocket, even I will suggest that the Respironics M Series Auto w/A-Flex is the way to go.

HOWEVER, if your doctor can be convinced to write the script very specifically, so that you can purchase locally via your insurance, then, yep, I would suggest the Resmed S8 AutoSet Vantage. As you say, you would save the price of the Humidaire 3i humidifier which should appease your insurance somewhat. Getting the software and cable reader which you do have to pay for out of your own pocket isn't all that difficult at a very reasonable price.

Getting the Respironics EncoreViewer software is no problem and there is the cheaper option of getting the cable reader from twofactors in HongKong to offset the higher price of the Encore Viewer software. The M Series integrated humidifier can be a PITA and I'd be inclined to get the F&P HC 150 stand alone heated humidifier in its stead.

UNTIL you can get software, as far as I'm concerned, the Resmeds have the advantage.

Pure economics as I see it to make this decision as both models will provide excellent therapy.

sleepycarol · Post by **sleepycarol** » Thu Dec 27, 2007 9:06 pm

I do not and have not used any of the Resmed machines.

I have an M series Remstar Autocpap with c-flex and really like it!! It provides the therapy I need and is very comfortable. I am on a pressure of 8 - 12 cmH2O.

I did purchase a Fisher and Paykel humidifier (I purchased the M series intergrated but wanted something a little better). I would suggest instead of the integrated humidifier you go with the Fisher and Paykel stand alone humidifier.

andy88488 · Post by **andy88488** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 9:56 am

Ok, the Respironics seems to be the People's Choice, and it seems like a nice machine. Last night, I realized that the reason I am having trouble getting to sleep was the effort involved in exhaling, that it seems to take me a while now to get used to it, so exhalation relief would be very nice.

Since I am unfamiliar with the Respironics, one question: are you able to change all the settings yourself? The Resmed machines are theoretically "locked off", so the user is not supposed to be able to charge the pressure. Since the lock is easy to defeat, it's not an issue, but it might have been if I hadn't found out how to get in there.

Andy

Mask	Humidifier

Additional Comments: Also respironics M series and resmed Vantage S8 with Humidaire