Airsense 10 vs DreamStation (or something else)??

I have just been diagnosed with moderate obstructive sleep apnea. I had 26 AHI (with many more incidents on my back). My lowest O2 level was 86% and my average was 93% (94 wake---and I am at 5500 ft). I have not had the sleep test to set the pressure, but the RT I saw for desenstization thought it would be something like 7-8. (It's scheduled for Jan 3).

I am researching this whole thing. I have very good insurance which is covering 100% of sleep tests so I think if I know how to ask-- I can get what I want. So I want all the bells and whistles.

So I am looking at a Airsense 10 or Dreamstation. I travel a LOT and want something that is in the 3-4 lb range (not ready to buy a dedicated travel machine). The Dreamstation looks more portable esp if separated from the humidifier (which I don't know if I would want to do). Also I've heard it is "less aggressive" in knocking up the pressure. Otoh, has only 1 review on cpap.com and not very many other reviews either. I think maybe a very new machine.

Maybe someone has another suggestion.

The Resmed Airsense 10 ( I have it) has an optional side cover. You can leave the humidifier off and use the cover. I got it to use when traveling. Although I found out, I prefer to use it with the humidifier. (And I travel alot). But it is an option to travel without taking the humidifier. The part is sold at http://www.directhomemedical.com. It is the only place I've seen it listed.

If you can get what you want ... I would ask the Dr. to write the script for a Aircurve 10 vauto or a Dream station Bipap... it will give you more options and a more comfortable therapy. Both can be set to cpap, or apap, or bipap modes

If your titration pressure is less than 10, there is no need for anything other than a straight CPAP, and there is no way your doctor will write a prescription for anything more than an auto cpap.

I really like my Airsense 10, but I hate the auto-cool-down. If I get up to go to the bathroom, and forget to set the warmup, I come back to cold air.

SleepyHead and ResScan work on the A10 machine, but not on the DreamStation. (yet). While you can monitor your readings to some extent with the Encore Pro software, SleepyHead or ResScan are MUCH better.

Yes, I seriously doubt I would be able to get a bipap machine. I have good insurance but I don't think it's that good. The RT during the Desensitization said that I was so small (5' 1" and 130 lbs plus or minus),it wouldn't take much pressure to keep my airway open. Also I could feel that setting of 7 which he used during this test was working fairly well-- of course, tmk, I didn't stop breathing either. But I will look at the Aircurve (all I need are MORE choices-- oh well, I asked.)

I'll take a look at the side cover option. I don't expect to not use a humidifier much (oh boy awkward sentence!). But might be handy. I don't know the Caribbean or something?

I suppose that eventually Sleepy head has the software, i get the idea it's a very new machine.

Also should I look at Airsense for Her (even though I am a "Him"-- luckily it comes in silver) due to my size?

jonny515 wrote:Also should I look at Airsense for Her (even though I am a "Him"-- luckily it comes in silver) due to my size?

If you don't pay any more, get the A10 AutoSet for her. It does everything the 4 him does, plus a little more. I wouldn't pay a lot more, but given the choice, yes, get 4 her.

I was just on you tube and looking at the Dreamstation and its a nice machine, A10 is also one nice machine and is a proven Cpap.
Either one will help you, sleepyhead software will eventually support Dreamstation.(Respironcis is a good brand just like Resmed)
Tough decision I would have to say, I like my A10 auto cpap and I have used Respironics in the past. Buy the one with all the options and most affordable because it's going to be your buddy for a long time in bed!

Both the Dreamstation and the Airsense 10 are highly rated. You will find a lot of very satisfied Airsense users on this forum. In terms of therapy provided you cannot go wrong with either one.

If it were up to me, I'd stay away from the Airsense 10 simply because it is more finicky about what kind of power is fed to it. Most cpapers, sooner or later, will explore the option of backup power to cover the eventuality that power sometimes goes out in the middle of the night. Also, if you ever want to use your cpap someplace where there is no power (e.g. camping), then you'll need battery power for it. The Dreamstation has the advantage here because it will run on any appropriately-sized 12 volt battery; the 12 volt power cord is available and it's relatively inexpensive. The Airsense has different power requirements and use of a battery pack is a more expensive (but not impossible) proposition.

If it's important to you, you also might want to take a look at the corporate policies of the two companies. Resmed has strange and strict rules about sales of it's products. For example, as a Canadian, it's of concern to me that due to Resmed corporate policy I cannot mail-order a Resmed machine from a USA company and have it shipped to my Canadian address; instead, I have to buy that machine at outrageous prices from a Canadian retailer. Witness also the recent thread in this forum about a bully-warning sent by Resmed to an Ebay reseller. These are examples of corporate policies that, where alternatives exist, make me want to spend my money elsewhere.

I know little about Philips Respironics' ethics and PR could be just as bad as Resmed. However, because little is posted here that would give me cause, I have to assume that PR is less ethically-challenged than Resmed.

Your mileage may vary ....

Hose_head that was a very helpful response (they all are but maybe particularly so). I do go camping, otoh, not sure I am going to be so happy with something weighing that much. (Even the llama isn't too happy with a lot of extra weight-- yes I did go llama treking. ) May have to get a travel CPAP for that. But for regular travel looks like either option works. I believe the Dreamstation looks a little more travel friendly. OTOH, I have been reading not so great reviews on the Dreamstation with what looks like "new kinks" that need to be worked out. I think I will get this in Jan or Feb, so I think the new problems will remain.

Respironics less ethically challenged? Oh boy this is a health care company. I'm assuming they're all corrupt. __

jonny515 wrote:Hose_head that was a very helpful response (they all are but maybe particularly so). I do go camping, otoh, not sure I am going to be so happy with something weighing that much. (Even the llama isn't too happy with a lot of extra weight-- yes I did go llama treking. ) May have to get a travel CPAP for that. But for regular travel looks like either option works. I believe the Dreamstation looks a little more travel friendly. OTOH, I have been reading not so great reviews on the Dreamstation with what looks like "new kinks" that need to be worked out. I think I will get this in Jan or Feb, so I think the new problems will remain.

Respironics less ethically challenged? Oh boy this is a health care company. I'm assuming they're all corrupt. __

It's not just travel that you should consider. When (and if) you get around to setting up some form of battery backup system for when the power goes out you will need to consider the power requirements of your cpap. The Respironics unit is the winner in this comparison with Resmed. The Dreamstation just needs to be plugged into the 12vdc power supply. The Airsense 10 can be powered by battery but you will need a special Resmed adapter to do so at additional cost.

On the other hand, IF you decide to buy an Airsense 10 as your everyday driver, then a later purchase of a dedicated travel cpap that will easily run on 12 vdc is a workable solution both for travel and as an emergency backup.

By the way, I will be buying a new apap sometime in the next 6 months to replace my current Philips-Respironics System One apap which is now over 5 years old. It's time for a replacement. I'm leaning towards the Dreamstation for the reasons stated previously. If it breaks, it can be replaced under warranty; in the interim, I do have a backup machine (in fact, I will have two of them!).

Again, good response. I think that a travel unit (unless they can be hooked up to the humidifier that comes with another machine would be unusable here because I live in the desert with humidity of sometimes single digits or low double digits. I have no idea how any of this works.

Hose_Head wrote: It's not just travel that you should consider. When (and if) you get around to setting up some form of battery backup system for when the power goes out you will need to consider the power requirements of your cpap. The Respironics unit is the winner in this comparison with Resmed. The Dreamstation just needs to be plugged into the 12vdc power supply. The Airsense 10 can be powered by battery but you will need a special Resmed adapter to do so at additional cost.

On the other hand, IF you decide to buy an Airsense 10 as your everyday driver, then a later purchase of a dedicated travel cpap that will easily run on 12 vdc is a workable solution both for travel and as an emergency backup.

Even with the DreamStation, you have to buy the special cables to run off of DC. The Respironics cables are cheaper, but don't forget you need a cigarette lighter adapter, which comes with the ResMed adapter.

Most of the online suppliers for the DreamStation DC cable seem to be "on preorder," or out of stock. Hopefully it will be available soon.

There's a difference in cost, but it's not THAT high, especially since you'll be using your machine for many years. The ResMed adapter also has some smarts that conditions the power and shuts off the power cleanly as the battery dies, preventing battery damage, or improper machine operation with low voltage. As for having to carry another thing with you, you really don't. It's not that much more to haul the ResMed converter/cable around than it is to haul around the DreamStation cable. The ResMed converter and cable is about 2 1/2 lbs. While that sounds bad, realize you'll need to be hauling around a 20-40 lb battery as well. Also, realize you have to buy the battery and the charger as well.

Yes, the Philips Respironics DC power situatuation seems better, but not as much as it seems at first blush. Figure the price, size, and weight of the total off-grid/backup power system for CPAP, including cables, batteries, and charger, and the choice is much less clear.

Hose_Head wrote:Both the Dreamstation and the Airsense 10 are highly rated. You will find a lot of very satisfied Airsense users on this forum. In terms of therapy provided you cannot go wrong with either one.

If it were up to me, I'd stay away from the Airsense 10 simply because it is more finicky about what kind of power is fed to it. Most cpapers, sooner or later, will explore the option of backup power to cover the eventuality that power sometimes goes out in the middle of the night. Also, if you ever want to use your cpap someplace where there is no power (e.g. camping), then you'll need battery power for it. The Dreamstation has the advantage here because it will run on any appropriately-sized 12 volt battery; the 12 volt power cord is available and it's relatively inexpensive. The Airsense has different power requirements and use of a battery pack is a more expensive (but not impossible) proposition.

If it's important to you, you also might want to take a look at the corporate policies of the two companies. Resmed has strange and strict rules about sales of it's products. For example, as a Canadian, it's of concern to me that due to Resmed corporate policy I cannot mail-order a Resmed machine from a USA company and have it shipped to my Canadian address; instead, I have to buy that machine at outrageous prices from a Canadian retailer. Witness also the recent thread in this forum about a bully-warning sent by Resmed to an Ebay reseller. These are examples of corporate policies that, where alternatives exist, make me want to spend my money elsewhere.

I know little about Philips Respironics' ethics and PR could be just as bad as Resmed. However, because little is posted here that would give me cause, I have to assume that PR is less ethically-challenged than Resmed.

Your mileage may vary ....

Times do change, I just bought a A10 resmed from a Canadian on line supplier at a very good price.( they based out of USA and you need a prescription to access them.)

I looked at all the power info on cpap.com. Interesting. Well does not sound like a reason to buy or not actually. I am kind of leaning against the Dreamstation, though I like the design better for traveling. It's a new machine and there are no doubt "new kinks". Actually only factor against. But it is an annoying fact of new anything.