Which CPAP to choose? Resmed or Respironics

Sorry, Slinky. Sometimes we forget that there is any "point" to threads.

Now would everyone please behave!

(Except you, Snoredog. We know you can't.)

Zoot wrote:what about the ResMed Vpap III ???

They are an older Bilevel & now being replaced by the newer S8 style Bilevels. Nice machine (but a bit of a whine when going from epap to ipap)

DSM

Zoot wrote:what about the ResMed Vpap III ???

LOL starting to look a little saggy there Zoot, I take it you haven't watched that froot-loop Dr. Ray on 90210??

He could fix that with his chest crowbar

jnk wrote:

dsm wrote: . . . actually see each breath taken . . .

dsm-

Wouldn't that require Reslink to see flow data?

jeff

Jeff,

I have the ResScan data in front of me from my Vantage (pre Series II model). When I view the detailed data I can select (to appear on the whole screen) any section of data from 5 mins to 24 hrs (naturally 8 or so hours of data will show only as on part of the time line when display is set for 24 hrs).

If I select 5 mins then 5 mins data is spread across my 1440 x 900 res screen, I can see (if I look in the pressure column) every individual breath & can clearly see the pressure curve shape for each individual breath (am running the machine in cpap mode with EPR=3 enabled). I can scroll the window along the entire night with just 5 mins data showing & in minute detail. I can also select a 10 min window. Every individual event is shown just above in the events row & also the type of event is shown a square dot is a hypop & an apnea (apart from being obvious as a flat line in pressure row) shows as a red line above the apnea with a number indicating how long it ran for. If you look you can see a few flow lims as well.

The only thing Reslink adds is the flattening & snore index data, but what is shown is as detailed as I have ever seen off any cpap machine. Weather anyone really needs this intricate level of granularity is open to debate but, if you do want it it is there. When looking at what was happing to Bev with her Bipap Auto SV, I would have loved to have had this level of granular detail as it tells a much clearer story than the compacted bars in the Encore Pro reports. Perhaps Slinky or someone else can post a 5 min window on a Vpap Auto data ?.

Cheers

DSM

#2 - this data is so granular you can play 'spot the individual flow lim' or 'spot the individual hypopnea' & for the obvious apneas, it adds the red bar showing just how long user (me) didn't breathe for - actually a bit scary to see how often these things loom

If you look at the events, you can see from the pressure that when an apnea is scored the EPR reverts to max pressure (an excellent feature of EPR) and also if you look at each breath the pressure looks just like a bilevel (in my case ranging between 10.6 & 13.8 ). It makes the cpap like a simple bilevel but with the added feature (that bilevels don't have) being that if an apnea is detected epap (EPR) gets suspended.
(PS Jeff I know I am preaching to the converted in your case but am thinking a lot of our other folk should find this level of detail very very informative).


5 MIN RESSCAN WINDOW


10 MIN RESscan WINDOW

dsm,

Very helpful. But I'm still confused. It looks to me like you are getting actual flow data in your "pressure" window. That's what I don't get with my VPAP Auto in VAuto mode. It only gives me a line through the exact middle of ipap and epap pressure that the machine is putting out. Breaths aren't reflected no matter what resolution I use. I guess I'll have to try my machine in straight bilevel mode ("Spontaneous") or straight CPAP mode to see if I get data in those modes that I am not getting in VAuto mode.

Thanks,

jeff

LOL how in the world are those SPIKES in pressure comfortable??? WOW. That Resmed unit is much different than the smooth Auto that the A-Flex unit delivers. Those spikes look more like mountains than waves! lol

Guest wrote:LOL how in the world are those SPIKES in pressure comfortable??? WOW. That Resmed unit is much different than the smooth Auto that the A-Flex unit delivers. Those spikes look more like mountains than waves! lol

And I thought that I was confused!

uykucu wrote: I was wondering if you can help me decide which device I should choose.
Uykucu

Uykucu, just for another reference,
I use Respironics M Series Auto.
It has provided outstanding therapy for 4mths.
The HH tank does not leak.
The software was easy to install and is easy to use.
I format my card once a week and have never lost any data.
It is easy to change the settings.
I like the blue lights, because they guide me in the dark,
they also live in my night stand when sleeping.
I love the BRICK, because it is so misunderstood.


....the bottom line is really this,
get a system and get your therapy going.

Hi everybody,
Looks like both are good machines from your input. I called the DME and ask to try them both. Also I found out I can rent for 2 months so I am planning to try them both if I can. The interesting thing is she said she is only going to let me try 2 masks!!!
I said the only reason I am going to the office is so I can try different masks since I had a really bad experience with the masks on my titration. She said they have about 20 masks and there is no way she can show me those...
I took a big breath and with all my charm I said "of course I don't want to try them all, but I want to find the best one for me, I hope we don't have to spend time to do so".
I am hoping I can find a good one fairly quickly as it looks like she is going to give me hard time. I am going there in 2 hours, I'll let you know as soon as I am back. I saw CPAP machine all night on my dream last night...I am scared...

Hi echo, merhaba!

Uykucu

Make sure you try the masks at full pressure lying down.

Your insurance may give you a list of DMEs to choose from, so you may not be locked into this one if they won't let you try masks. See if there is an exchange policy if you try one for a few weeks and can't get it to work for you long term.

My preference is to try masks of the same brand as the machine first. But that's just me.

If you get a full-face mask, you won't have to worry about mouth leaks.

I really like nasal pillows because of how small and light they are. But they, like a nasal mask, require most to do something to prevent jaw-drop AND mouth leak (lip flutters).

Renting a machine can be expensive if you are copaying. Make sure you know what the TOTAL out-of-pocket is for you, if there is any.

Guest wrote:LOL how in the world are those SPIKES in pressure comfortable??? WOW. That Resmed unit is much different than the smooth Auto that the A-Flex unit delivers. Those spikes look more like mountains than waves! lol

Hmmmm

Can you show a report from your machine that goes to that level of granularity ? - & if not how in the world can you tell what your pressure peaks & troughs look like ? (you can't can you )

DSM

Oooh oooh Hosehead fight!!!!

Zoot wrote:

Oooh oooh Hosehead fight!!!!

Anyone have a "BRICK" to toss?

Paul56 wrote:

Zoot wrote:

Oooh oooh Hosehead fight!!!!

Anyone have a "BRICK" to toss?

No contest. No need for violence.

Hi everyone,
I came back from the DME. I am glad I tried both machines. I actually couldn't breath right with Resmed. I don't understand why but I felt much comfortable with Respironics. Even though Respironics was making more noise than Resmed, breathing was the decision point. I got Respironics Auto/A Flex M Series.
I got ComfortLite2 for the mask.
I have lots to read and planning to try it tonight.
My only question is there was a odor with Respironics. I asked her several times, she said it was a new machine. Have your heard anything about odor? There was no odor with Resmed and I tried them both with same mask.

Wish me luck. I am sure I will need to ask more questions in the following days ))))