Which CPAP Auto to use>

Hi,

I am newly diagnosed OSA and will be picking my CPAP machine next Tuesday. I read alot of peoples posts who like the Respironics Auto CPAP with C-Flex so I asked the sleep lab if I could have that one. They said yes but they also really push the ResMed Auto. Anyone have any experience especially comparisons between these two?

Thanx,

Each model will supposedly work for most patients. Yet, either model will have a slim percentage of patients for whom the algorithm is not well suited. In that latter case, patients tend to either try another AutoPAP model or just run their AutoPAP at fixed pressure while still collecting and viewing overnight sleep data. Sometimes AutoPAP settings simply need to be "optimized" to better match a patient's sleep events and breathing patterns, however.

Both models feature a built-in or integrated humidifier, with the Spirit being the slightly larger model of those two. The latest Remstar Auto model features a C-Flex "expiratory pressure relief" mode which most patients like, but a few find difficult to use for a variety of reasons (C-Flex can be adjusted or turned off altogether, however).

The other highly popular model often discussed on this board is the 420e by Puritan Bennet (now Tyco) which has a much smaller foot print, and even a smaller price tag. There is also an integrated humidifier for the 420e model, soon to be released on the open market (any day now).

Does anyone know anything about this machine? I never hear anything about this brand on the forums. Is it an auto-pap or something else?

http://www.allergybegone.com/allergybeg ... utltn.html

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know anything about this machine? I never hear anything about this brand on the forums. Is it an auto-pap or something else?

http://www.allergybegone.com/allergybeg ... utltn.html

It's an AutoPAP of a slightly older generation. While this model does use a more sensitive pneumotach sensor, it also tends to react with a comparatively quick pressure rise-time that some patients find somewhat unsettling. Others seem to fare quite well with its more reactive (versus proactive) algorithm and quicker rise times.

Thanks for all the great information!

I use the remstar auto. it seems to always chooses to run more a the lower pressure, which doesn't produce a good quality of sleep. I have found it works better for me to set the low side as high as i can. My sleep test was 13 in 2k. the dr later tried the low at 8, which produced a sleep quality as if no cpap. I adjusted it upwardely till i found a comfortable setting, which rite now is 12.6, with the high setting of 17.

can anyone advise me of a better way?

Kenny

When I trialed the RemStar Auto I too found that it delivered lower pressure than did the ResMed Spirit AutoPap. The report from the ResStar showed that it delivered an average pressure of 9 whereas the ResMed delivered an average pressure of just over 10. I definetly felt better during the day after sleeping with the ResMed. I wish I had known about adjusting up the lower setting. Oh well, live and learn.

Humidifier on the RemStar is easy to use. Himidifier on the ResMed Spirit is a bit of a pain in the butt. It has several pieces and is a bit tedious to take apart, clean, put back together.