ResMed or Remstar Auto CPAP

I too agree with Chuck. If you can, rent both a ResMed and Respironics auto to try each for yourself and see if there is a difference to base your selection on.

My DME pushed me hard to go for the ResMed CPAP and a few days later I found this forum and discovered I should have pressed for an auto. So at my follow up with the sleep doc I strongly requested an auto supporting my request with suggestions from the many fine members of this forum. Sleep doc agreed and I was so stoked ... that the brand did not matter to me. I have been doing quite well with my ResMed auto.

However, I never got to try the Respironics. Fortunately I have been able to save up to buy one and have ordered one so that: 1) I can see for myself which is actually better for ME; 2) to have a backup/travel machine; 3) to become a member of the fully xPAP initiated club with multiple machines and interfaces.

Anyway best of luck with your selection and PAPpy dreams!

I greatly appreciate your comments. I have finally made the decision. Next thursday, i have an appt with my dme to pick up my stuff. I am going to get:

Remstar auto m series with humidifier
ComfortFull 2 Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear

DME told me that insurance companies do not cover Encore pro software - that is a bummer. I would like to purchase the software and usb smart card reader.

Again, thank you all for helping me make this decision.

spartan wrote:DME told me that insurance companies do not cover Encore pro software - that is a bummer. I would like to purchase the software and usb smart card reader.

It's a VERY rare situation when the insurance pays for that.
Consider the fact that it's cheaper to monitor your therapy than to have to go back to the doctors and have more sleep studies to figure out how you're doing......that's when the software and reader becomes a good investment.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage-bundle ... undle.html

Best wishes,

Den

I used a Remstar Pro first and then a Resmed S8 vantage (auto). I don't know if many patients will notice big differences in the essential usage, more in the conveniences and annoying features. I bought a card reader and software for Remstar, but now that I have a Resmed I don't need it I can see my results every morning.
On the other hand, the Resmed needs its humidifier set to a very high setting to avoid getting dried out painful nasal passage. Some peoepl handle a louder but lower range noise, some prefer softer sound even if it is more high pitched. Those are very subjective concerns.
When I was first told I would be switched to a Resmed I was very concerned because apparently their exhalation pressure reduction doesn't function in auito mode only in fixed CPAP, while Respironics patented C-flex works in both. But in the end it doesn't bother me, maybe because I don't get very high pressure anyway.
I think the algorithms differ in calculating pressures needed, and therefore the difference is significant for people who have a wide range for autoPAP, less so for those who always are near their titrated pressure, but on all these things I could be wrong. The big problem is when you start out, you don't know what features will mean a lot to you, and which won't, and you don't know if your discomfort is the normal adaptation process or is because this model is not suitable for your personal needs.

In fact, the biggest difference between the ResMed algorithm and that in Respironics machiens is that ResMed autos have a very fast attack and a slow retreat of pressure increases, while Respironics' algorithm is more temperate (step-wise) in its increases, though it has somewhat more rapid return to baseline pressure.

In my case, I found that the S8 Vantage's aggressive attack would lead to arousals and awakenings that would disrupt my sleep architecture. I switched to a REMstar Auto and I IMMEDIATELY experienced a dramatic and lasting improvement. Others however, respond much more favorably to ResMed's algorithm which provides a prompt and aggressive response to flow-degradations it senses and thereby, pre-empts any obstructive events.These folks complain that Resprionics machines are too slow or "sluggish" in their response to adequately treat them.

I also find Respironics' EncorePro software to be much more useful than ResMed's AutoScan, thought hat advantage is negated by the comprehensive efficacy data that ResMed machiens deliver directly on its LCD screen with only the touch of a few keys and WITHOUT the need for software, card reader or computer, whether you are at home or TRAVELING.

In terms of human factors design and travel-friendliness, there is, in my mind, no question that ResMed S8 machiens are FAR superior to Respironics' offerings, including the new and problematic "M" series. And, from what I've observed here for the last 9 months, ResMed has a definite edge in terms of reliability too, though I will say that the classic "TANK" edition REMStar (which I own) has proven to be a well built, sturdy and reliable machine for me and many others here, though absolutely primitive in terms of human factors design.

For the fella who started this thread, congrautlations on your purchase decision and order, and I wish you only the best with your new M series. If you are struggling after you start using it, and have ruled out mask, leak and titration difficulties, consider a machine from a different manufacturer to determine whetehr you'd respond more favorably to a different treatment algorithm. They are, after all, THAT DIFFERENT.

Cheers!

Chuck

spartan, I think you've made a good choice of machine. Please check your "Private Messages" -- button at upper right of this page.

[quote="snoregirl"]Get the classic Remstar Auto and avoid the leaky humidifier. The classic auto is great.

Resmed has insisted that online vendors jack up their prices that are dictated by Resmed. Not popular here.

Resmed auto doesn't have exhale relief Remstar Auto does

Resmed won't sell patients its software so you can read your card at home, resprionics (Remstar) does.

My choice Respironics.

Amazing and great that your doc suggested auto

Buy, don't rent, especially with the new year and possibly a new annual insurance deducatble. Get the order in now and you probably have paid your deductable via your sleep studies. Unless that is you plan to max out your 2007 deductable due to other things. If insurance will cover it buy online and get reimbursed. If they don't cover that then buy from the DME.

Be careful that your copay and deductable doesn't come out to more than buying cash online Remstar classic auto online with heated humidifier $689.

Check out prices of masks and tubing online vs overpriced DME for next year if you don't plan to meet your deductable. Replacement stuff may be cheaper online cash.

Actually over half my post has nothing to do with one company vs the other.
Let me update that only two lines have my opinion on companies.

Some of the other half of the post mentions information about the machines that is quite factual and can be found many other places and some small portion I agree is my opinions about how the company chooses to treat its customers.

There was a post very recently that went into the pros and cons of informing newbies about the different policis of Resmed.

As I stated there, I will continue to (and not apoligize for) inform new Cpap'rs about policies inistututed by ResMed that I don't agree with. They can take that info and make their own decision. All I care about is that they consider the fact that they can't get software, that they can't get exhale relief in Auto, that replacement parts and masks will cost more if they choose to buy online due to price controlling..... If they are informed they can do what suits them whether they choose Respironics or Resmed.

As to my preference. That is what I was asked for and why. So I gave my opinion. I did the very same search this person is doing when I got into CPAP. I thought long and hard about the differences (this was pre price control) between the machines and I decided on Respironics with no bias about pricing at that point. In fact at the time I bought mine, the prices were very very similar.

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): respironics, resmed, CPAP, auto

It seems to me that ResMad was the one that started playing "politics" when they restricted international sales of their products and then forced the minimum Internet sales prices......all to protect their relationship with the Brick & Mortar DMEs.
If the UMFF mask I use wasn't a good product, I wouldn't be using it.....but for ME, it is. So, as a user of their product(s), I have no problem bashing their political moves and motives......and will continue to do so.

Den

Well I think that Spartan and most other readers in search of this information got a very good perspective of the two machines from politics ... to human factors ... to reliability ... to data monitoring … to APAP algorithms. At the end of the day however, the only way to really know which machine is "better" is for the OSA patient to try out each of them.

Maybe someday, sleep docs will “fully” educate OSA patients about their treatment options and include more thorough sleep lab titrations using all available PAP algorithms in order to optimize OSA treatment ... then politics, human factors, reliability, and data monitoring will just be icing on the cake.

I like the way my wife answered me when I was having difficulty getting my original (and broken) SoloLX replaced.

"Get what works for you. This is about your health. We will deal with whatever else happens as a result of your decision, but the most important consideration here is to get what you need."

Through all of my time here on cpaptalk.com it has become abundantly clear that we're all different. I may LOVE my mask and you may HATE it. Our faces are different. One of us may do well with the Respironics algorythm for exhalation relief. The other may do better with Resmed's. Our needs are different. Some may adamantly avoid Resmed, given their current business decisions, but someone else may NEED a product from Resmed because that's what WORKS for them. In that case I say, set politics aside and get what you NEED. You can continue your boycott of items that might be considered "wants", but "needs" come first.

This is, after all is said and done, a matter of health. YOURS!

And I am SO grateful to have found this place where we all share our thoughts, successes, and even failures. Even when a topic doesn't really affect us, or even when we flat out disagree,it helps us all to have this place and these discussions.

Yardbird,

I couldn't agree with you more on doing what is best for their health.

to quote myself, I believe I said to that effect....................

"If they are informed they can do what suits them whether they choose Respironics or Resmed."
................................................................................................

I probably could have added (or any other manufacturer of CPAP equipment), but the original poster only was comparing the two R's so I stuck with that.

I'd love it if the politics weren't an issue also but...

As a newbie to all this, I appreciate hearing about the political issues and am glad to be educated about them. I doubt that the vast majority of CPAPers are even aware of many of the nuances among machines and that many even know about CPAP vs APAP. My impression is that we're in the minority and probably don't constitute a large enough market share to shape policies but at least by using this site we can make more informed choices for ourselves and have SOME impact.

After my titration study I bumped into another patient who said he's been using CPAP since '92. He wasn't even aware that APAP exists, or how the DMEs work. I gave him the name of the website; hopefully he and others I've passed the link on to are getting better educated.

--Andy

Snoredog wrote:
The M series Auto actually has more features, the leaky humidifer tank is being fixed, I wouldn't let that deter me from getting the machine, probably has the best treatment algorithm on the market. The M series also has LCD reporting of AHI info (the classic doesn't).._________________



url=cpapedia.php?mode=view]CPAPopedia[/url] Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): AHI, auto

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): respironics, resmed, bipap, C-FLEX, AHI, auto

I just want to clarify here that the "M" series auto and the classic auto use the same exact algorhythm. I spoke with a respironics rep before trading in my Resmed for a Remstar. I have a BiPap auto, but I was told by respironics that both autos, BiPap and the C-Flex auto have the same algorhythms as their respective M series. Cindy

Linda3032 wrote: Just make sure your DME will stand by you if the M series humidifier leaks. And be sure to place your machine on a cookie sheet the first few nights just to protect your nightstand in case of leaks.

I've had my machine since January of this year and it just started leaking. It ruined my parquet table--a table that I've had for more than 20 years. Is this something these machines are prone to? Do I have to keep a cookie sheet under my machine forever?

Maria