Page 6 of 7
Re: ResMed versus Respironics
Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2019 10:28 am
by beautifuldreamer
For me, I began my PAP journey with the Respironics System One, and I found it very difficult to fall back asleep when I woke, and then I would be awake most of the night. Once I switched to ResMed, I am able to stay asleep better and also fall back asleep more easily if I do wake up . . .
My understanding is that the algorithm on the Respironics, forces you to breathe with he machine, whereas the ResMed follows the patient's breathing pattern. Yes, I love that much better for me.
Although, I have a friend who had ResMed, but she much prefers the Respironics (albeit we were sharing a room recently to attend a training seminar out of the local area, and I could hear her snoring in the middle of the night, so the Respironics didn't appear to be working effectively for her)
Re: ResMed versus Respironics
Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2019 10:29 am
by Bertha deBlues
Brounmoney wrote: ↑Thu Nov 07, 2019 10:06 am
Bertha deBlues wrote: ↑Thu Nov 07, 2019 10:04 am
tweeter829 wrote: ↑Sun Nov 03, 2019 7:03 pm
It seems that the majority of people here prefer the ResMed. Why is that? When I was diagnosed it was recommended that I get the Respironics Dreamstation, so that is what I have. If I remember correctly, the insurance company will pay for a machine every five years, so in less I am willing to buy a ResMed myself I will have to roll with this one for quite a while. I have no problems with it, but that could simply be because I don't know how much better off I would be with the ResMed.
Back to the original question: why do the majority of people
here prefer the ResMed? Perhaps more ResMed users are active on this website and so you hear from them more often.
Do Doctors hand out more Resmed than Dreamstations these days? I feel like my only opinion was what my doctor gave me unless I want to go out of pocket.
Good question. When I was newly diagnosed, my doctor was very specific in what he prescribed: a DreamStation APAP. I looked for info and reviews for this machine, and everything was positive. I went with and I'm glad I did.
Re: ResMed versus Respironics
Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2019 10:45 am
by Brounmoney
Bertha deBlues wrote: ↑Thu Nov 07, 2019 10:29 am
Brounmoney wrote: ↑Thu Nov 07, 2019 10:06 am
Bertha deBlues wrote: ↑Thu Nov 07, 2019 10:04 am
tweeter829 wrote: ↑Sun Nov 03, 2019 7:03 pm
It seems that the majority of people here prefer the ResMed. Why is that? When I was diagnosed it was recommended that I get the Respironics Dreamstation, so that is what I have. If I remember correctly, the insurance company will pay for a machine every five years, so in less I am willing to buy a ResMed myself I will have to roll with this one for quite a while. I have no problems with it, but that could simply be because I don't know how much better off I would be with the ResMed.
Back to the original question: why do the majority of people
here prefer the ResMed? Perhaps more ResMed users are active on this website and so you hear from them more often.
Do Doctors hand out more Resmed than Dreamstations these days? I feel like my only opinion was what my doctor gave me unless I want to go out of pocket.
Good question. When I was newly diagnosed, my doctor was very specific in what he prescribed: a DreamStation APAP. I looked for info and reviews for this machine, and everything was positive. I went with and I'm glad I did.
Yeah I was given no choice, and was headed the DreamStation and told to be on my way. Seen great videos on how well it works. Then I come here looking for answers, and I think I am left with more questions. I can't get the Resmed to try, so I am left to wonder if I am just going to have to adjust to the DreamStation, or if its never going to get better. In some ways this forum has been helpful, but in others in brings more questions and opinions rather than facts. It's just so much information to run through, and not enough money to try all suggestions.
Re: ResMed versus Respironics
Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2019 11:23 am
by Pugsy
Respironics isn't a crap machine by any means.
It just goes about its job a little differently than other brands in the auto adjusting department.
Yes, it reports the data points a little differently and some people prefer one way over the other way....doesn't mean one way is necessarily "better". I happen to prefer the way Respironics flags snores and FLs over ResMed's graphs. Gives me something to very easily zoom in on if I want to.
People are going to prefer one brand over another...it's the way it is in life in everything we buy and some have some really strong opinions about their preferences.
Respironics has the same goals and end game as any other brand....they just take a different road to get there and some people prefer that road and some don't like that road.
I used a Respironics machine for many years before I got my first ResMed to try (and it was a loaner from a forum member) but I still own a Respironics System One machine. I wouldn't keep it around if it was a crap machine.
There is no reason to think that those of you using Respironics machines got a crap machine. It just goes about doing its job a little differently and for some people that way is maybe not the most optimal way but in most cases it can be optimized and do just as good of a job as ResMed. For some people they actually prefer the road that Respironics travels down to get to the end result....apnea prevention.
It is what it is folks and there's no reason to feel like you were short changed or get defensive about it. Most people will do well with either brand as long as the settings are optimized. A handful won't...chances are you are in the majority that are happy campers with your Respironics machines.
If you are really curious about the "other" brand....at some point in the future you might get a chance to buy the "other" brand as a used machine for maybe back up or travel. Sometimes screaming hot deals can be found....my step sister once found a S9 Autoset at a garage sale with humidifier and 200 hours on it for $40. Someone else found an S9 bilevel for less than 20 bucks at Goodwill.
If you stumble on a hot deal...buy it and give the "other" brand a try. Will at least scratch that old curiosity itch about how you might do with the other brand. Until then...be happy with what you have because it isn't a crap machine at all.
Re: ResMed versus Respironics
Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2019 11:25 am
by Bertha deBlues
Brounmoney wrote: ↑Thu Nov 07, 2019 10:45 am
Bertha deBlues wrote: ↑Thu Nov 07, 2019 10:29 am
Brounmoney wrote: ↑Thu Nov 07, 2019 10:06 am
Bertha deBlues wrote: ↑Thu Nov 07, 2019 10:04 am
tweeter829 wrote: ↑Sun Nov 03, 2019 7:03 pm
It seems that the majority of people here prefer the ResMed. Why is that? When I was diagnosed it was recommended that I get the Respironics Dreamstation, so that is what I have. If I remember correctly, the insurance company will pay for a machine every five years, so in less I am willing to buy a ResMed myself I will have to roll with this one for quite a while. I have no problems with it, but that could simply be because I don't know how much better off I would be with the ResMed.
Back to the original question: why do the majority of people
here prefer the ResMed? Perhaps more ResMed users are active on this website and so you hear from them more often.
Do Doctors hand out more Resmed than Dreamstations these days? I feel like my only opinion was what my doctor gave me unless I want to go out of pocket.
Good question. When I was newly diagnosed, my doctor was very specific in what he prescribed: a DreamStation APAP. I looked for info and reviews for this machine, and everything was positive. I went with and I'm glad I did.
Yeah I was given no choice, and was headed the DreamStation and told to be on my way. Seen great videos on how well it works. Then I come here looking for answers, and I think I am left with more questions. I can't get the Resmed to try, so I am left to wonder if I am just going to have to adjust to the DreamStation, or if its never going to get better. In some ways this forum has been helpful, but in others in brings more questions and opinions rather than facts. It's just so much information to run through, and not enough money to try all suggestions.
Agreed, it's a lot to digest all at once. It wasn't easy at first for me. I dealt with the usual issues (mask fit, mouth leaks, humidity settings). Things got much better once I found the mask that suits me best. Then I went on to fine tune the pressure settings. There are some very opinionated people here. I truly believe that there is no one size fits all solution, no one best machine, no one best mask. It would be so much easier if there were.
Re: ResMed versus Respironics
Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2019 11:32 am
by Brounmoney
Pugsy wrote: ↑Thu Nov 07, 2019 11:23 am
Respironics isn't a crap machine by any means.
It just goes about its job a little differently than other brands in the auto adjusting department.
Yes, it reports the data points a little differently and some people prefer one way over the other way....doesn't mean one way is necessarily "better". I happen to prefer the way Respironics flags snores and FLs over ResMed's graphs. Gives me something to very easily zoom in on if I want to.
People are going to prefer one brand over another...it's the way it is in life in everything we buy and some have some really strong opinions about their preferences.
Respironics has the same goals and end game as any other brand....they just take a different road to get there and some people prefer that road and some don't like that road.
I used a Respironics machine for many years before I got my first ResMed to try (and it was a loaner from a forum member) but I still own a Respironics System One machine. I wouldn't keep it around if it was a crap machine.
There is no reason to think that those of you using Respironics machines got a crap machine. It just goes about doing its job a little differently and for some people that way is maybe not the most optimal way but in most cases it can be optimized and do just as good of a job as ResMed. For some people they actually prefer the road that Respironics travels down to get to the end result....apnea prevention.
It is what it is folks and there's no reason to feel like you were short changed or get defensive about it. Most people will do well with either brand as long as the settings are optimized. A handful won't...chances are you are in the majority that are happy campers with your Respironics machines.
If you are really curious about the "other" brand....at some point in the future you might get a chance to buy the "other" brand as a used machine for maybe back up or travel. Sometimes screaming hot deals can be found....my step sister once found a S9 Autoset at a garage sale with humidifier and 200 hours on it for $40. Someone else found an S9 bilevel for less than 20 bucks at Goodwill.
If you stumble on a hot deal...buy it and give the "other" brand a try. Will at least scratch that old curiosity itch about how you might do with the other brand. Until then...be happy with what you have because it isn't a crap machine at all.
Thanks Pugsy! I was beginning to think I couldn't get good therapy because of my doctors choice to put me on the Dreamstation. From my experience, it seems well equipped, and is more of a fine tuning of the settings than the actual machine. I questioned that a bit after reading replies here. Thanks as always for the encouragement.
Re: ResMed versus Respironics
Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2019 11:38 am
by Brounmoney
Bertha deBlues wrote: ↑Thu Nov 07, 2019 11:25 am
Brounmoney wrote: ↑Thu Nov 07, 2019 10:45 am
Bertha deBlues wrote: ↑Thu Nov 07, 2019 10:29 am
Brounmoney wrote: ↑Thu Nov 07, 2019 10:06 am
Bertha deBlues wrote: ↑Thu Nov 07, 2019 10:04 am
Back to the original question: why do the majority of people
here prefer the ResMed? Perhaps more ResMed users are active on this website and so you hear from them more often.
Do Doctors hand out more Resmed than Dreamstations these days? I feel like my only opinion was what my doctor gave me unless I want to go out of pocket.
Good question. When I was newly diagnosed, my doctor was very specific in what he prescribed: a DreamStation APAP. I looked for info and reviews for this machine, and everything was positive. I went with and I'm glad I did.
Yeah I was given no choice, and was headed the DreamStation and told to be on my way. Seen great videos on how well it works. Then I come here looking for answers, and I think I am left with more questions. I can't get the Resmed to try, so I am left to wonder if I am just going to have to adjust to the DreamStation, or if its never going to get better. In some ways this forum has been helpful, but in others in brings more questions and opinions rather than facts. It's just so much information to run through, and not enough money to try all suggestions.
Agreed, it's a lot to digest all at once. It wasn't easy at first for me. I dealt with the usual issues (mask fit, mouth leaks, humidity settings). Things got much better once I found the mask that suits me best. Then I went on to fine tune the pressure settings. There are some very opinionated people here. I truly believe that there is no one size fits all solution, no one best machine, no one best mask. It would be so much easier if there were.
I am at the point of feeling like I have the right mask, got a head tube, and feel pretty good about the humidifier. I just can't seem to dial in the pressure to keep my mask on and not waking me up. The Doc put me on a set pressure of 13cm, but that wasnt working. I didn't sleep at all. I then did my own homework here, and decided to try the APAP starting with a min of 9 and max 13 (seeing at that was the prescribed pressure). I played around with it and upped it to 10 min, but from day one it looks like a cluster of pressure pulses get wake me up every time. Does this mean my settings are dialed in? The fact that the machine is checking to see what's going on and the flow must be off for it to do that. I want to scream from trying just about everything under the sun with no real results.
Re: ResMed versus Respironics
Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2019 11:47 am
by Bertha deBlues
Brounmoney wrote: ↑Thu Nov 07, 2019 11:38 am
I am at the point of feeling like I have the right mask, got a head tube, and feel pretty good about the humidifier. I just can't seem to dial in the pressure to keep my mask on and not waking me up. The Doc put me on a set pressure of 13cm, but that wasnt working. I didn't sleep at all. I then did my own homework here, and decided to try the APAP starting with a min of 9 and max 13 (seeing at that was the prescribed pressure). I played around with it and upped it to 10 min, but from day one it looks like a cluster of pressure pulses get wake me up every time. Does this mean my settings are dialed in? The fact that the machine is checking to see what's going on and the flow must be off for it to do that. I want to scream from trying just about everything under the sun with no real results.
When I finally learned that I could change the pressure settings myself, I went with a maximum setting higher than my doctor had prescribed. He had me at a fixed pressure of 6 and I often felt I was starved for air. When I changed to variable pressure of 6 to 11, it made a huge difference. I didn't often need 11, but my DreamStation was able to give me enough air when I needed it to sleep through the night. * Your mileage may vary *
Re: ResMed versus Respironics
Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2019 11:48 am
by Pugsy
Brounmoney wrote: ↑Thu Nov 07, 2019 11:38 am
I played around with it and upped it to 10 min, but from day one it looks like a cluster of pressure pulses get wake me up every time. Does this mean my settings are dialed in? The
No...has nothing to do with anything being dialed in and everything to do with the machine trying to figure out if the airway is closed or open. That's the sole purpose of the pressure pulses. If you are seeing a lot of them that means something is going on with the airway that the machine needs to figure out what it might be. They don't always result in a flag because whatever it senses is going on might dissipate...but it means something is going on.
If you want to dig deeper into these pressure points....do it in your therapy thread.
This thread isn't the place for it.
Re: ResMed versus Respironics
Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2019 11:57 am
by Brounmoney
Pugsy wrote: ↑Thu Nov 07, 2019 11:48 am
Brounmoney wrote: ↑Thu Nov 07, 2019 11:38 am
I played around with it and upped it to 10 min, but from day one it looks like a cluster of pressure pulses get wake me up every time. Does this mean my settings are dialed in? The
No...has nothing to do with anything being dialed in and everything to do with the machine trying to figure out if the airway is closed or open. That's the sole purpose of the pressure pulses. If you are seeing a lot of them that means something is going on with the airway that the machine needs to figure out what it might be. They don't always result in a flag because whatever it senses is going on might dissipate...but it means something is going on.
If you want to dig deeper into these pressure points....do it in your therapy thread.
This thread isn't the place for it.
Ok, havent gotten much there, but I will move along.
Re: ResMed versus Respironics
Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2019 9:51 pm
by sronsen
I've been a confirmed Resmed fan through 4 machines. I run up to 16 cm pressure w/o any in/ex relief and am very comfortable. I am never disturbed by the machines' response to events.. I tried a Respironics a generation ago and I couldn't tolerate the changing fan sound between inhale and exhale cycle, although I was assured that there was nothing wrong with the machine,. So, Resmed has been my prefered CPAP machine supplier - Until my recent and ongoing saga with Resmed's warrantee service, or lack thereof, which I describe in a separate thread. I've been trying to get other users to compare and comment on their warrantee claim experiences. Any experiences?
Re: ResMed versus Respironics
Posted: Sat Nov 09, 2019 3:33 pm
by GreenCan99
I'm sure there are technical differences here and there, but for me, the ResMed machines just looked better. Definitely a very superficial reason, but the Airsense 10 and the Dreamstation both seem to be excellent machines, I just don't lke the look of the Dreamstaton. I will say that ResMed masks seem to be better designed and higher quality. It's a small sample but I have the N30i and the Dreamwear masks and the N30i just seems to be designed better so it sits more comfortably, doesn't move around as much and is easier to get on and off as well as disconnect.
Re: ResMed versus Respironics
Posted: Sun Nov 10, 2019 12:08 am
by TropicalDiver
Context: I started therapy with an S9 Vauto. When it came time for a new machine, I agreed to try the equivalent model Dreamstation. A ended up switching to the AirCurve 10 Vauto. All were high quality machines.
I liked the look of the DS (over the AC). I liked the hose routing (over the AC). I liked the design of the humidity tank/chamber (over the AC). I loved the amount of humidity it could pump out (compared to the AC). Menus were a toss up and Sleepy Head supported both.
For me, the breathing patterns on the AC just felt more natural. That helped me sleep better. Perhaps that was because I was used to the S9 -- perhaps I just fit better with the AC than the DS algorithm.
All of that said, both are fine machines and my largest gains in therapy have come from improved mask choices (getting the comfort/fit/leak thing dialed in).
Re: ResMed versus Respironics
Posted: Sun Nov 10, 2019 4:17 pm
by dfbertsch
I think thst i went with Resperonucs Dreamstation mainly because it ran on 12 volts, used for car campjng.
Re: ResMed versus Respironics
Posted: Sun Nov 10, 2019 5:26 pm
by palerider
dfbertsch wrote: ↑Sun Nov 10, 2019 4:17 pm
I think thst i went with Resperonucs Dreamstation mainly because it ran on 12 volts, used for car campjng.
ALL modern machines run on 12 volts.... the only variable is what kind of cord you need to connect the cpap to the 12 volt supply.