1st time APAP user choosing between S8 and Respironics

Rastaman · Post by **Rastaman** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 7:42 am

rested gal wrote:
Rastaman wrote:RG likes her PB better than the Resmed and Respironics. I wonder how that happened?
Simple. It's the Silverlining software that PB machines use that made that happen. That software is my favorite.

I felt equally good after using any of the three major manufacturers' autopaps. My data results are different in some respects depending on which machine I use (even with same settings, same separate humidifier, same mask) but that's to be expected, imho. The important thing -- how rested I feel the next morning -- has been equally good with any of the three.

Each manufacturers' machines have had their own quirks that I had to tweak to suit me.

Far more important than the machine, imho... for most people it's the mask, the mask, the mask. The MASK is what we have to get comfortable enough to actually sleep with. And, of course, masks can need tweaking, too!

Have you used Activa? Just curious. You seem to be one of the few here that have tried more than 1 machine and by that I mean manufacturer. And you're one of the many that have tried more than one mask. And you're right, again! IMHO. The mask seems like a much more sensative part of the equation. I think I would do well with any of these machines (top 3 brands anyway, maybe more....) but it's the mask that really enforces compliance or not. If you have the wrong mask you just might give up. And I say use whatever works best for you. Apparently, you're not one of the C-flex faithful even though you may even like it on some level like I did. For me, it was there, but it wasn't make it or break it.

I am curious about the software you speak of. How is it different? Why do you like it so much? And on that note it's INTERESTING that you got different results from different machines with the SAME settings. In other words, different machines worked well but differently from each other.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 8:17 am

Rastaman you should try using the search function. For keyword put in silverlining and for author put in rested gal and click on posts instead of topics. You will see all the previous comments she has written on this subject.

Rastaman · Post by **Rastaman** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 8:24 am

Good plan Guest!

ufo13 · Post by **ufo13** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 9:14 am

Orange-man:

I have had BOTH the Remstar auto with c/flex and Resmed S8 Vantage! They are BOTH top of the line Excellent machines! I stopped using the Remstar after about 7 months when I had the opportunity to try the Resmed S8 vantage for a few nights and it gave me a little better treatment due to its different alogrithim, and I purchased one from CPAP-COM. In reference to the c/flex feature many people here LOVE it! I didn't because the pressure relief lasted only briefly before comming back to full pressure BEFORE I was ready to INHALE again (stacked forced breath) AND the swishing up and down cycle noise was driving me and my wife crazy! So I turned it OFF early on and did not use it anymore! I tried white noise in the background etc. but NO GO! When I switched to the Resmed S8 vantage I also tried the EPR in cpap mode just to see how it performed! It was a vast improvment IMO over c/flex in that the exhilation relief lasted the whole duration of the exhale before going back to full pressure-sort of like a bipap at a limited relief. However for ME it was still no good because the up and down noise ala c/flex was still present! I don't need exhilation relief as I was on fixed cpap at 18 cm H20 for about 10 yrs before I found out about the Remstar c/flex when it came out in an auto and got one! At the time just being able to lower my average pressure during the night was a gift in itself for ME, c/flex or NO c/flex! Then I got some info from a post by Wulfman (Den) who had found his titrated pressure was way OFF and found he could lower his pressure down to 10 or 12 from a titrated pressure of 18 I think because he had the software to monitor his treatment. So with Wulfman's advice I started testing the waters by tracking MY stats with encore and I also found I rarly ever went over 15 cm and most of the time around 14-BIG improvement for ME. So ever since I have been at a range of 13 to 18 and has given ME vastly more comfortable treatment! But as far as c/flex or epr for me it was a none issue when selecting a machine. But for some the noise doesn't bother them and the relief they get from c/flex or epr is more important to them! Just be aware even though the EPR is MORE effecient IMO it is ONLY possible in straight CPAP mode NOT in AUTO as I'm sure you are aware! Sorry for the LONG post but I tried to give as much info I could to help you decide! And YES the MASK is the MOST important piece of the equation IMO!

All the best,

Steve,
ufo13

Rastaman · Post by **Rastaman** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 9:30 am

See??? Now, I realize this is only one person's opinion but they've tried BOTH machines and even if he picked Remstar I would value UFO13's opinion more than someone who just tried one machine type and then tried to shout high and low about how much better it was than other machines. I'm sorry, I'm just logical like that.

I will admit I'm not surprised by your finding but I'll also add that it's probably that others have tried both machines and like the Remstar better. Me? I decided to do a test last night and try the EPR on straight CPAP mode. Gee, I found the same thing UFO13 found. The EPR was VASTLY superior to C-flex. It was actually noticeable on a medium to large level. Not just a mild level..... But does this mean that I'm joining into the fray and picking sides and all that jazz like some people do here on Cpaptalk.com?? Heck no! I'm going to continue to be a scientist about it all. One result with one machine with one mask is just that. One result. Another mask can give another result. Another machine with another mask can give yet another.

Software plays into this. Ask the ever helpful RG. And I appreciate her 'humble' opinions And there are many of you Remstar users I listen to also. I don't discount anyone. When Linda tells me she loves her Remstar Auto and Remstar is the one for her, I know she's having great success. And in a joking kind of way, I know she is for TEAM Respironics. Why not? She's had good sucess with her therapy.

But let's take someone who tries one of these machines and has everything fails miserably. That doesn't mean I'm going to start re-thinking MY personal results.

Thanks UFO13. You've been very very helpful in proving a point here. And you're not alone. I tried both the Remstar Plus and the S8 Autoset Vantage and I think both are great machines. If C-flex works for you, then go for it (you in general) and if EPR works better for you, then go for it.

But for those of you who think EPR is a marketing gimick, you're just being silly and only fooling yourself and a few people who get on this website who don't know any better. Listen to UFO13 and RG and various others who have tried both and tell you the truth about how it works. Many are just speculating.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 9:36 am

The best reason not to buy ResMed is:

viewtopic.php?t=10261

Rastaman · Post by **Rastaman** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 9:43 am

That's only internet prices. And it remains to be seen. Last I checked you can get these products online at the same price. If I was sold on just one brand, I'd buy up a bunch of them before prices went up. I get all my machines through my trusted DME. If I want something not in stock I just request it and they get it for me. I'm going to check online as to what they're billing my insurance.

Btw, I went in for my 1 month check-up and was supposed to have to decide to rent or buy and it turns out it's rent to buy and no other choices. I have no earthly idea what rent to buy means though. Get paid by the insurance for 1 year and then "I" own it? Isn't that the same as buying it? Or is that the way the evil DME's make more than the internet price? (I'm kidding ofcourse)

ufo13 · Post by **ufo13** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 9:46 am

Rastaman:

No Thanks needed - Just trying to help someone by telling it like it is IMO! I don't know about the "other-guests" but YOU always made perfect sense to ME!

Steve,
ufo13

Rastaman · Post by **Rastaman** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 10:07 am

Thank you for the compliment then. And please believe that I would hold your opinion just as high if you had opposite reviews. I'm not getting into all the mud-slinging here with all the people that that have tried only one machine and assume it's the best because 10 people told them they tried that same machine (only) and liked it too.

I hear things like EPR is a gimmick when it's superior to C-flex. The only draw back right now is it doesn't work in APAP mode but I'm not sure I would use it if it did anyway. I might. I might not. But lookout when and if Resmed offers it in APAP mode! Then what will the naysayers say? I'll tell you. They'll try and tell you why C-flex is better than EPR and that EPR is an imaginary effect that is a marketing gimmick at best

GoofyUT · Post by **GoofyUT** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 10:16 am

You're giving me a headache, fer chrissakes!

Rastaman · Post by **Rastaman** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 12:10 pm

And the thread stops.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 12:23 pm

GoofyUT wrote:STOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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You're giving me a headache, fer chrissakes!

Thanks GoofyUT!

I thought I was the only one.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 2:00 pm

I've noticed that many of you act like complete children about your Remstars. And if anyone disagrees with you then people lose it. I guess that's implying they ever had it to begin with.

Good posts Rasta.

Rastaman · Post by **Rastaman** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 2:06 pm

What? A guest being nice to me. Who are these guests?!?!?!!?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 2:20 pm

See Rasta sign in as a guest and compliment himself. .

1st time APAP user choosing between S8 and Respironics

Which machine?

STOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!