multiple CPAP machines?

CPAPSteve · Post by **CPAPSteve** » Fri Aug 10, 2018 5:24 pm

Reading up on various posts on the forum makes me draw the conclusion that many folks here have tried and even own multiple machines. I get that folks have aging machines that were replaced by insurance and their old machines are still working but what are the other reasons why some of the folks here own many machines? One that comes to mind is for one to try out the different algorithms of units and be able to compare units against one another. Would there ever be a situation where one would upgrade to a bi-pap or ASV machine on their own without consulting a RT or doctor?

For example I personally have a new ResMed Airsense 10 Autoset. I do sometimes wonder what a PR Dreamstation Auto would be like so I could logically see me one day going out to find a lightly used Dreamstation Auto just to see what using it feels like. That being said, I think some folks here have upgrade to machines like the Aircurve 10 ASV or a AirCurve 10 ST. Is it not somewhat hazardous to one's health to play with machines that were not meant to treat your specific respiratory condition? Seems like people buy and sell CPAP machines like they're trading up cars

bombayone · Post by **bombayone** » Fri Aug 10, 2018 5:33 pm

In my opinion you currently have the best. I have found that the Dream Station is not as quiet. BIPAP and ASV are usually only required in more complex apnea cases. I am sure that more knowledgeable forum members will provide more detailed guidance.

Fetou · Post by **Fetou** » Fri Aug 10, 2018 5:36 pm

CPAPSteve wrote: ↑
Fri Aug 10, 2018 5:24 pm
Reading up on various posts on the forum makes me draw the conclusion that many folks here have tried and even own multiple machines. I get that folks have aging machines that were replaced by insurance and their old machines are still working but what are the other reasons why some of the folks here own many machines? One that comes to mind is for one to try out the different algorithms of units and be able to compare units against one another. Would there ever be a situation where one would upgrade to a bi-pap or ASV machine on their own without consulting a RT or doctor?

For example I personally have a new ResMed Airsense 10 Autoset. I do sometimes wonder what a PR Dreamstation Auto would be like so I could logically see me one day going out to find a lightly used Dreamstation Auto just to see what using it feels like. That being said, I think some folks here have upgrade to machines like the Aircurve 10 ASV or a AirCurve 10 ST. Is it not somewhat hazardous to one's health to play with machines that were not meant to treat your specific respiratory condition? Seems like people buy and sell CPAP machines like they're trading up cars

I started with a DreamStation Auto and went to an AirCurve 10 VPAP Auto after about 12 nights. I've never seen a sleep doctor and I don't use insurance. No, it wasn't hazardous to my health. Risks were quite minimal, results have been great.

bombayone wrote: ↑
Fri Aug 10, 2018 5:33 pm
In my opinion you currently have the best. I have found that the Dream Station is not as quiet. BIPAP and ASV are usually only required in more complex apnea cases. I am sure that more knowledgeable forum members will provide more detailed guidance.

From my understanding, my machine will do nothing special to help central or complex apnea above and beyond an APAP. I bought it because my required IPAP is somewhat high and I prefer not to exhale through high pressure. It certainly isn't required for me, I'd do just fine on a regular APAP with 2-3cm of effective pressure support.

D.H. · Post by **D.H.** » Fri Aug 10, 2018 5:41 pm

The old one is just a spare! in fact, the spare is not the prior machine (-1) but the one before that (-2). The prior machine broke, and I had to use -2. Thus, I'm using 0 now, but -2 is the backup machine.

SewTired · Post by **SewTired** » Fri Aug 10, 2018 6:23 pm

I was fortunate enough to try out a Respironics while waiting for a replacement Resmed machine. That experience told me that the Respironics algorithm doesn't work for me. I suspect a goodly number of folks who just abandon cpap do so due to having an algorithm that makes them struggle. So I think it's great that some people buy the 'other' machine used and can try that stuff out.

I don't know the other machines, but be aware that the bilevel works just like a cpap/apap - it just has a wider range between the inhale/exhale. Someone who has lower oxygen levels, but haven't technically 'failed' cpap, might benefit from this. I seem to recall reading that someone with chronic aerophagia benefits from bilevel. I'm sure there are other reasons. The thing is - someone switching to these other machines isn't blindly doing so. They research it first and consider with their Sleepyhead data whether it's a good fit.

chunkyfrog · Post by **chunkyfrog** » Fri Aug 10, 2018 6:28 pm

Most of the people who experiment with multiple machines do so with all the information available.
When they share what they have learned, they are offering us more than anyone else has.
A community benefit of their geekdom. I celebrate/share their curiosity.

palerider · Post by **palerider** » Fri Aug 10, 2018 6:45 pm

CPAPSteve wrote: ↑
Fri Aug 10, 2018 5:24 pm
Reading up on various posts on the forum makes me draw the conclusion that many folks here have tried and even own multiple machines. I get that folks have aging machines that were replaced by insurance and their old machines are still working but what are the other reasons why some of the folks here own many machines? One that comes to mind is for one to try out the different algorithms of units and be able to compare units against one another. Would there ever be a situation where one would upgrade to a bi-pap or ASV machine on their own without consulting a RT or doctor?

If they wanted to... I'm on a bilevel machine (not a bipap "bipap" is a marketing term for respironics bilevel machines) because the price was right. Also, you are talking about bilevels and ASVs as if they're somehow inherently different. ASV is a type of bilevel machine, there are a number of different types of bilevel machines.

CPAPSteve wrote: ↑
Fri Aug 10, 2018 5:24 pm
For example I personally have a new ResMed Airsense 10 Autoset. I do sometimes wonder what a PR Dreamstation Auto would be like so I could logically see me one day going out to find a lightly used Dreamstation Auto just to see what using it feels like.

like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzCCgNLya_g

CPAPSteve wrote: ↑
Fri Aug 10, 2018 5:24 pm
That being said, I think some folks here have upgrade to machines like the Aircurve 10 ASV or a AirCurve 10 ST.

It's not right to think of it as an 'upgrade',

CPAPSteve wrote: ↑
Fri Aug 10, 2018 5:24 pm
Is it not somewhat hazardous to one's health to play with machines that were not meant to treat your specific respiratory condition?

No, it's not. Though one could hyperventilate oneself to dizzyness with stupid, very uncomfortable settings on a bilevel machine.

palerider · Post by **palerider** » Fri Aug 10, 2018 6:52 pm

Fetou wrote: ↑
Fri Aug 10, 2018 5:36 pm
From my understanding, my machine will do nothing special to help central or complex apnea above and beyond an APAP. I bought it because my required IPAP is somewhat high and I prefer not to exhale through high pressure. It certainly isn't required for me, I'd do just fine on a regular APAP with 2-3cm of effective pressure support.

CPAPs, APAPs, and ordinary bilevels do nothing at all to help central or complex apnea, you have to have a bilevel with a backup rate, (ST, ASV, (and technically, I suppose, *VAPS, though they're not normally recommended for that purpose).

The backup rate is what kicks in and forces a breath when the user doesn't take a breath on their own.

Pugsy · Post by **Pugsy** » Fri Aug 10, 2018 6:53 pm

Just because you may not technically need a feature available on one of those higher end machines doesn't mean it would be harmful to have that feature available and/or use that feature.

You know what the ASV machine does when someone doesn't have centrals but does have OSA??? Nothing other than treat the OSA just like an apap machine would treat it only maybe a little faster with the pressure responses.

CPAPSteve · Post by **CPAPSteve** » Fri Aug 10, 2018 7:44 pm

Great responses. I learn something new everyday! I will stick my machines for a few years before I hunt another machine down.

palerider · Post by **palerider** » Fri Aug 10, 2018 7:55 pm

Pugsy wrote: ↑
Fri Aug 10, 2018 6:53 pm
Just because you may not technically need a feature available on one of those higher end machines doesn't mean it would be harmful to have that feature available and/or use that feature.

You know what the ASV machine does when someone doesn't have centrals but does have OSA??? Nothing other than treat the OSA just like an apap machine would treat it only maybe a little faster with the pressure responses.

I had some long discussions with the sleep doctor that was hanging around here for a while... one of the things he said he'd been experimenting with ASV machines, with the idea of just recommending that or everybody, because, as far as he could tell, there wasn't anything anybody could do with an asv to hurt themselves, even if they tried (not counting dropping it on their foot, of course).

Okie bipap · Post by **Okie bipap** » Fri Aug 10, 2018 8:10 pm

My wife and I both use the same model machine. We currently own 4 of them. Two were purchased with our insurance and two were purchased from individuals. One had zero hours on it and the other had 106 hours on it. This gives us two spare machines in case of failure. If we were to be hit by a power surge and both machines quit, we have have machines available for use until they can be repaired or replaced. Now that we no longer have pets, we hope to start doing some traveling. We will use the spares machines for travel machines.

zoocrewphoto · Post by **zoocrewphoto** » Sat Aug 11, 2018 9:17 am

CPAPSteve wrote: ↑
Fri Aug 10, 2018 7:44 pm
Great responses. I learn something new everyday! I will stick my machines for a few years before I hunt another machine down.

IT's always good to jabe a backup machine. You never know when it might break, and it could take several days to get a new one.

My backup is a used S9 Autoset (same model as my main machine). I also use it as my travel machine. I used to take my main machine before I got the backup. Sometimes I would get home from a trip really tired, and I would relax to watch tv in bed and not take the time set up my machine. I would then fall asleep without the machine, sleep longer because I was tired, then get a headache because I was sleeping without my machine. Total fail. Now, I have a complete backup with extra mask, so I can come home and head to bed easily without having to set up my machine. It's ready for me.

multiple CPAP machines?

multiple CPAP machines?

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Additional Comments: Auto PAP; 13.5 cmH2O min - 20 cmH2O max