M BiPAP Auto v. VPAP Auto

[lktnkyguest]

Nath, I've had both and LOVE the ResMed. I went through 3 Respironics that wouldn't consistently record data, but if you're going to record it all in a spreadsheet by hand anyway, that's a moot point.
As Slinky says, the Respironics has all the extra cords, power brick and such, but the water chambers were a darn sight easier to clean than the ResMed.
All in all, though, the EPR on the VPAP is MUCH nicer than the Respironics. ResMed is quieter than the other. My preference? I LOVE my RESMED VPAP.

[Slinky]

Aw shucks, lktnkyguest, just drop a PoliDent Denture Cleanser tablet and some hottish water in the Humidaire 3i tank and forget it for a half hour or so, empty, rinse, empty, shake and set aside to finish drying. You DO use ONLY distilled water in it, right??

[lktnky]

I know, I know. I just like to get my hands in there and actually FEEL that it's squeaky clean. What can I say!

[nightjar]

Nath, I've had both and LOVE the ResMed. I went through 3 Respironics that wouldn't consistently record data, but if you're going to record it all in a spreadsheet by hand anyway, that's a moot point.
My preference? I LOVE my RESMED VPAP.

Hmmm. This muddies the waters, for sure. I've read more than one post about Respironics dropping data, but that's just on the SmartCard, right? Then again, the SmartCard hold more data than the LCD screen.

Anyway, I appreciate the posts and opinions, and I'll be considering all this while I'm figuring out just what to do. I know the machines approaches are different, and I know I did well with the Respironics equipment during my sleep study, but . . . well, we'll see!

nath

[dsm]

Nath, I've had both and LOVE the ResMed. I went through 3 Respironics that wouldn't consistently record data, but if you're going to record it all in a spreadsheet by hand anyway, that's a moot point.
My preference? I LOVE my RESMED VPAP.

Hmmm. This muddies the waters, for sure. I've read more than one post about Respironics dropping data, but that's just on the SmartCard, right? Then again, the SmartCard hold more data than the LCD screen.

Anyway, I appreciate the posts and opinions, and I'll be considering all this while I'm figuring out just what to do. I know the machines approaches are different, and I know I did well with the Respironics equipment during my sleep study, but . . . well, we'll see!

nath

The Resmed LCD screen is what you can see from the prior nights data but the Resmed VPAP stores 5 nights complete data interneally without any card. It holds (IIRC) 365 days compliance data in addition to the 5 nights detail. This data can be extracted onto a Resmed datacard (inserted at any time) or via a serial cable using a Resmed special USB cable. Slinky can confirm if I got this right

Cheers

DSM

[Slinky]

I don't remember what data you get off the Respironics LCD. But the Resmeds provide total averages for 1 week, 1 month, 6 months and 1 year via the LCD screen as well as the nightly data as mentioned. They just can NOT be beat for easy access to so much data via the LCD screen.

[jnk]

via a serial cable

I believe that, technically speaking, it was a null-modem cable in the ResMed S7 series.

For my S8, I use a USB cable that plugs into an optional adapter attached to the card-writer slot in the back of the machine. I get summary data (more than compliance) for 365 days, and 5 days of detailed data that way. I've never used the card and card reader.

[dsm]

via a serial cable

I believe that, technically speaking, it was a null-modem cable in the ResMed S7 series.

For my S8, I use a USB cable that plugs into an optional adapter attached to the card-writer slot in the back of the machine. I get summary data (more than compliance) for 365 days, and 5 days of detailed data that way. I've never used the card and card reader.

Thanks JNK - you are of course correct re null-modem cable

Cheers

DSM

[lktnky]

VPAP only retains 2 nights of detailed data - I confirmed this w/ResMed a few weeks ago. Seems with all the data it records, there isn't enough memory to keep detailed data for 5 nights in the machine. Still, I'd rather have the data be consistent for 2 nights than never knowing if I'll get any data at all.

[sparkinson]

I was recently titrated twice on a Respironics Omnilab in BiPAP mode, and have the new Resmed VPAP Auto 25.

Initially I found my breathing was fighting the Resmed and it was quite uncomfortable. It felt like it needed too much inhale pressure from me before it would start its inhale help, and the transition from inhale to exhale felt very poppy. The Omnilab (and I I don't know if the other Respironics machines have the same action) felt very smooth and responsive. With Slinky's help I have seen the Resmed clinical manual and tweaked the comfort settings, and it now feels almost as good as the Omnilab, but still a little poppy on the transition- like it drops the pressure off too quickly.

I found changing the trigger and cycle to High, and the Rise Time to 400ms helped things a lot. There isn't a fall time in S mode unfortunately, but it looks like there is something similar when its Auto mode. Considered trying Auto mode, but setting the range it had to operate in to essentially zero to see if accessing the other settings would help, but haven't gotten around to it yet.

Simon

[Slinky]

I am using the S8 ResLink w/my VPAP Auto which allows me to also use the Embla oximeter and sensor and collects and reports that data as well so I've forgotten how much nightly detailed data the VPAP Auto alone can report.

[nightjar]

I was recently titrated twice on a Respironics Omnilab in BiPAP mode, and have the new Resmed VPAP Auto 25.

Simon, my latest sleep study was done at Upland Hills in Dodgeville, and they have the Omnilab, too. They started me out in CPAP, then switched to BiPAP; I wound up at 14/11.

Out of curiosity, which sleep lab did you use? Did you get your VPAP Auto 25 in Madison? Which DME? (We're with Dean, and they deal exclusively with Home Health United, and they wanted to rent me a machine--wouldn't let me buy one. We're considering a switch to another HMO, and I'm curious how yours HMO--if you're with one--handles your sleep problems.)

Respironics really did some very innovative stuff in the Bilevel area. The airvalve that controls the direction of the air is a really clever bit of work but sadly now too expensive to put into current models other than the Bipap SV, Bipap Avaps & Bipap Synchrony (all specialist units).

DSM, do you think the previous generation of RemStars is built better than the M-series? I haven't heard many, if any, complaints about them; rather, folks seem not to like the M-series as much. Does the older RemStar BiPAP Auto Bi-flex have that spiffy air-valve, for instance?

I am using the S8 ResLink w/my VPAP Auto which allows me to also use the Embla oximeter and sensor and collects and reports that data as well so I've forgotten how much nightly detailed data the VPAP Auto alone can report.

Slinky, no wonder you don't remember what data is normally displayed on the ResMed! (My father-in-law has a Respironics Synchrony with O2, by the way, and he's nowhere near on top of things as you are!)

nath

[dsm]

Re the 'tank' style Respironics Bipaps - the Bipap Pro, Pro II, S/T & Auto all use the airvalve. The M series replaced that with a variable speed blower.

The 'tank' machines had 2 expensive bits to make up the air supply system - the blower motor-fan & the airvalve. The new M uses just a variable speed blower.
The early Ms tended to whine a bit as the speed changed. Resmed had the same problem in the S7 models when they introduced them.

The only other complaint I have heard re the newer Resp models has been the H/H leaking & the blue lights on the buttons.

Cheers

DSM

[nightjar]

Re the 'tank' style Respironics Bipaps - the Bipap Pro, Pro II, S/T & Auto all use the airvalve. The M series replaced that with a variable speed blower. [ . . . ] The 'tank' machines had 2 expensive bits to make up the air supply system - the blower motor-fan & the airvalve. The new M uses just a variable speed blower.

Thanks, DSM! I'd already begun leaning toward the older model the last day or two, and this pretty much settles it. Besides, it costs less! (I do like the way the M series looks, though--nice clean lines. . . .)

nath

[sparkinson]

Simon, my latest sleep study was done at Upland Hills in Dodgeville, and they have the Omnilab, too. They started me out in CPAP, then switched to BiPAP; I wound up at 14/11.

Out of curiosity, which sleep lab did you use? Did you get your VPAP Auto 25 in Madison? Which DME? (We're with Dean, and they deal exclusively with Home Health United, and they wanted to rent me a machine--wouldn't let me buy one. We're considering a switch to another HMO, and I'm curious how yours HMO--if you're with one--handles your sleep problems.)

It was at Wisconsin Sleep. It's a joint venture between UW and Meriter, and the lead doctor ran Meriter's sleep clinic for 15 years or so before Wisconsin Sleep started just a year ago.

I ended up using Sleep Equipment of Wisconsin for my DME, which is in Madison. The have an office actually in the sleep clinic- I must confess to being a little skeptical of the arrangement at first, but both the clinic and the DME have been great. My insurance is with Physicians Plus, organised through work, and they too haven't gotten in the way of anything. They pay 80%, and I checked in advance about limits- there weren't any. Generally Physicians Plus have been good for any treatment I have needed, and have never complained about tests or treatment doctors have wanted to run. I also had a choice of 3 local DMEs that they were happy to work with.

Let me know if you end up using or calling them.

Simon