Update: ResMed S8 Compact to ResMed S8 AutoSet Vantage

Hello Everyone,

Awhile ago, I posted a slight rant:

viewtopic/t23790/ResMed-S8-AutoSet-Vant ... -info.html

I thought I'd update everyone on my thoughts so far:

First, it's nice to have data available to me. Without data, we're essentially shooting in the dark. I'm big on data, use it often in my work, and have been amazed at the struggle to allow the patient to have data in order to improve their treatment, and the difficulty getting many doctors to consider it an essential part of treatment. (My daughters call me an Excel Geek--you should see how I can manipulate data with that program).

My original CPAP machine was set at 10 based on my Sleep Study. I felt like that wasn't enough pressure, and still wasn't sleeping well or feeling rested. I told my wife that my gut feeling was that my pressure needed to be set higher--more like 12 or 13.

With the APAP, my pressures average 14. My sleep average has increased to 8 hours, my AHI averages 5, and I can see my mask leak rate.

The APAP has helped me discover that my mask was leaking horribly (which I suspected). It's a Comfort Classic, and I have to strap it very tight in order to reduce leaks. The problem is, that I'm both a back and a side sleeper--I rotate between the two, and create leaks when I roll.

So, now I'm on the hunt for a new mask (perhaps a Mirage Swift II Nasal Pillow System).

I've enjoyed the APAP better, slept longer, no longer pull off my mask when I sleep, and have also enjoyed the Auto-start feature of my machine.

All in all, it's been a good experience. Software would be nice, and I still may consider purchasing a Respironics in the future. It would be nice to be able to make a comparison.

Glad the Vantage is working for you. It's a great feeling when you finally get a therapy regimen that works for you!

You can get software and card reader for the Vantage here:
http://www.thecpapshop.com./product_pag ... ctCatID=17
I have not ordered from them, but others here on the forum have.

Congratulations! I, too, started out with a basic machine, but ended up upgrading myself to the Vantage. It's been very good to me so far.

Some people complain that the Swift II is not a great mask for side-sleeping. They have trouble routing the tubing when they are on the side the tubing is on. I had very little problem with that, and was able to sleep on either side with the Swift. It is also very comfortable for sleeping on my back. Once I tried a Breeze, though, and found out that I could return to sleeping on my stomach I switched to it. It took me about a month or more to get the adjustments right, but now I'm happily sleeping on either side, stomach and, with a bit of readjusting, on my back.

Good luck with your continued search for a good mask!

I'm a side sleeper, and I flip around a lot during the night. I'm also a pillow schruncher. I hated the Swift. It kept getting dislodged when I moved around alot.
I now use the Activa and it's much better for the type of sleeping I do. Sounds like you need to give another mask a try. Just for the heck of it!

Congrats on the upgrade! The Vantage is a good machine! You'll enjoy it thoroughly. I wouldn't trade mine for anything!