Respironics Cost CPAP vs BiPAP

JohnBL · Post by **JohnBL** » Wed Aug 08, 2018 7:02 am

I am brand new on this whole story. My original report from the sleep technologist said that I may need to move to BiPAP in time.

I started using Philips Respironics REMstar Auto A-Flex with a System One 60 Series humidifier and an Amara View mask on 2nd August, 2018. Today, six nights later, after looking at the data on the SD card there are very strong suggestions that I should actually be on a BiPAP device.

Presumably the humidifier could be used with a Respironics BiPAP device and likewise the mask. Is there an large difference in the cost of the BiPAP device as opposed to the CPAP deivce? I have used all of my allowance with my insurer and would have to negotiate my way to the new scenario. I am still waiting on the Technologist and Physician to make their call on the situation. The supplier implies that the BiPAP device from Respironics is enormously expensive as compared to the CPAP device from Respironics. Their solution is to replace everything with a different brand. My concern is that the other brand at approximately 20% of the Respironics must be making a trade off somewhere. I appreciate that one pays a certain amount extra for leading brands but five times seems way over the top!

I live in South Afrtica.

Pugsy · Post by **Pugsy** » Wed Aug 08, 2018 7:28 am

Welcome to the forum.

Check out the prices at secondwindcpap.com for a Respironics PR System One 60 Series Bipap Auto....that would be model 760.
https://www.secondwindcpap.com/Used_CPAP.html
You could then use your existing humidifier with it. The 60 series humidifier will only work with a 60 series blower.
They have a gently used model 760 for $619.
I don't know what your supplier calls enormously expensive compared to cpap/apap but they don't have to be horribly expensive.
The comparable latest version in the Respironics model line to the model 760 would be the DreamStation BiPap Auto model DSX700xxx
The "Pro" of either is the fixed bilevel model...won't auto adjust.

The only brand bilevel that I would consider would be either Respironics or ResMed. They are the market leaders.

What about your current machine's reports leads you to believe that you need bilevel? Are you hitting the max of 20 a lot?

Fetou · Post by **Fetou** » Wed Aug 08, 2018 8:20 am

JohnBL wrote: ↑
Wed Aug 08, 2018 7:02 am
I am brand new on this whole story. My original report from the sleep technologist said that I may need to move to BiPAP in time.

I started using Philips Respironics REMstar Auto A-Flex with a System One 60 Series humidifier and an Amara View mask on 2nd August, 2018. Today, six nights later, after looking at the data on the SD card there are very strong suggestions that I should actually be on a BiPAP device.

Presumably the humidifier could be used with a Respironics BiPAP device and likewise the mask. Is there an large difference in the cost of the BiPAP device as opposed to the CPAP deivce? I have used all of my allowance with my insurer and would have to negotiate my way to the new scenario. I am still waiting on the Technologist and Physician to make their call on the situation. The supplier implies that the BiPAP device from Respironics is enormously expensive as compared to the CPAP device from Respironics. Their solution is to replace everything with a different brand. My concern is that the other brand at approximately 20% of the Respironics must be making a trade off somewhere. I appreciate that one pays a certain amount extra for leading brands but five times seems way over the top!

I live in South Afrtica.

Not sure what your insurance situation will result in, but if you are buying out of pocket, everything that I have read, and my experience hunting all over the web for the best prices on machines, your best bet would be to get a gently used ResMed S9 VPAP Auto. They can be had for $400 or less, and sometimes $300 or less. There is one on eBay right now with ~10k hours of use that isn't getting any traction at $200. Could try offering $200 flat and they would probably accept.

If you need any assistance getting access to an online item that won't ship to you, I am willing to cross-ship to South Africa at cost. I also don't mind a more experienced member that people trust like Pugsy holding the cash in escrow if that's any concern.

All of this assumes you actually do need/want a bi-level device. No way to know if the data actually suggests that you need one or what that reason would be, other than trusting your medical providers

JohnBL · Post by **JohnBL** » Wed Aug 08, 2018 10:05 am

The supplier's technician says that it looks like the case from the data downloaded from the SD card.
She will send the information to the sleep technologist who performed the polysomnograph to discuss with the physician.
The AHI for the six days has been 13.26; 19.83; 21.75; 17.58; 15.58; 17.14 the machine mode is APAP Min4 Max 20

Fetou · Post by **Fetou** » Wed Aug 08, 2018 10:09 am

JohnBL wrote: ↑
Wed Aug 08, 2018 10:05 am
The supplier's technician says that it looks like the case from the data downloaded from the SD card.
She will send the information to the sleep technologist who performed the polysomnograph to discuss with the physician.
The AHI for the six days has been 13.26; 19.83; 21.75; 17.58; 15.58; 17.14 the machine mode is APAP Min4 Max 20

Did you have a titration performed to determine your pressure setting? 4-20cm range is the default that the machine can do, and is not tailored to you at all. If your pressure requirements are much higher than 4cm, the device may not be able to increase pressure quickly enough to prevent the events from occurring. There's a good chance that a raise of the minimum pressure will dramatically lower your AHI without the need for a bi-level device.

Others with more experience can give you tailored advice if you are able to post screenshots of the data from your SD card using the free Sleepyhead software. There are tutorials in the sticky at the top of this forum on how to get the screenshot and post.

Pugsy · Post by **Pugsy** » Wed Aug 08, 2018 10:18 am

AHI doesn't tell us all that much except it's too high.
Need to know what it is composed of.

There is free available and easy to use software to see the details.

https://sleep.tnet.com/equipment

Get SleepyHead...it will work just fine with the System One machine.

zonker · Post by **zonker** » Wed Aug 08, 2018 11:28 am

welcome to the forum!

i have no sage advice to offer. i just wanted to compliment your sig!

good luck.

Respironics Cost CPAP vs BiPAP

Respironics Cost CPAP vs BiPAP

Re: Respironics Cost CPAP vs BiPAP

Re: Respironics Cost CPAP vs BiPAP

Re: Respironics Cost CPAP vs BiPAP

Re: Respironics Cost CPAP vs BiPAP

Re: Respironics Cost CPAP vs BiPAP

Re: Respironics Cost CPAP vs BiPAP