Trying to get Resmed AutoSet II *New Title*

I just did my CPAP titration 4 days ago 7/3/09 and see the doctor to get CPAP prescription 7/21. Thought though in the meantime that I'd do a little research and see which machine and mask I thought I'd like. I'm leaning towards the Resmed S8 Elite II with the Swift lt mask. In reading reviews it appears that the Resmed is quieter (read that Respironic M Auto is loud above 10cm and I titrated to a 12 or 13 from what sleep study tech told me), read that the back lights on the Respironic "lights up the room", and the EPR works better than the C-flex.

As far as the mask goes. I thought the nasal pillows were very comfortable during the sleep study. I was very apprehensive about doing the titration, but was not bad at all and I slept very well. So I'm going to go with the nasal pillows and I like the look of the 360 degree hose rotation so I can try the hose up or down and see which is more comfortable.

Anyway, I wanted to see what you were using, what some pros and cons were. If anyone has used both which you prefer. Should I look at a straight CPAP or should I get an Auto?

Looking forward to getting your input.

brians34 wrote: . . . EPR works better than the C-flex. . . .

I'm not sure about that. I think some prefer one over the other, some like them both, some don't like either one. I understand that they feel different from each other, so it just depends on what you prefer.

brians34 wrote: . . . Should I look at a straight CPAP or should I get an Auto? . . .

Doesn't hurt to consider an auto, since all autos can be run in either auto mode or straight cpap mode, as I understand it.

jeff

brians34 wrote:...Should I look at a straight CPAP or should I get an Auto?...

Been on CPAP for nearly 2 years and now having some challenges. Sleep doc loaned me an APAP and oximeter to gather 5 night's of data. I just turned in the APAP and miss it already! I loved it. For me, breathing was more like 'normal' without the tensing of muscles in lower ribcage that I've been doing with CPAP...must say that tensing could be because my pressure seems to be too high (lost 50#s). With leaks and events, it's a challenge to sort it all out. But the more natural breathing pattern for me was wonderful -- you might not have the same experience.

Will they let you demo an APAP for a bit and then switch it to CPAP to demo that mode? That'd be ideal.

the only way to understand how your treatment is working is DATA!!!
the only way to spot a trend to either better or worse is DATA!!!

Make sure you get a fully data capable (not just compliance data) machine.

Fred

brians34,

I just switched from a Resperonics to a Res-Med and I will never go back. The old machine didn't have c-flex and was loud. My S8II elite is so quiet and with the EPR I am having my best sleep in the years. I also tried the Swift nasal pillows and didn't like the design. On the two sides where the pillows attach to the headset there were air leaks that I had to fix by taping the plugs. This happened in two straight masks so when it was time for a new one my DME suggested the Opus 360 nasal pillows. What a difference!!!!!!! I do not feel any leaks and it is soo comfortable! Of course each person is different so you may want to try both or maybe another one until you find the right one.Good luck and keep us posted.

Sleepy Taz wrote:On the two sides where the pillows attach to the headset

Was that the newer Swift LT, or the old Swift II?

Muse-Inc wrote:Will they let you demo an APAP for a bit and then switch it to CPAP to demo that mode? That'd be ideal.

I don't know if they'll allow me to demo the auto or not. The medical equipment place I went to said that my insurance will not cover an auto unless medically necessary and that they are mainly prescribed for extreme high pressure (again my pressure will be 12 or 13). It's what she said, I don't know. She also told me that using the nasal pillows because it will be blowing the air directly in my nose, that my nose will get sore and I'd probably need to keep a moisturizing gel in my nose like KY to keep it moist. Very strange sounding to me, but thought I'd tell what she told me and see what everyone here might have to say.

Try Ayr instead of KY... Ayr is aloe, and I've found it in most drug stores and some supermarkets.

Many people here use Lansinoh cream. It's a highly purified lanolin sold for breast-feeding mothers. You can find it with baby products.

Since it's not water-based, it doesn't dry out, and it washers off easily with soap and water.

brians34 wrote:

Muse-Inc wrote:Will they let you demo an APAP for a bit and then switch it to CPAP to demo that mode? That'd be ideal.

I don't know if they'll allow me to demo the auto or not. The medical equipment place I went to said that my insurance will not cover an auto unless medically necessary and that they are mainly prescribed for extreme high pressure (again my pressure will be 12 or 13). It's what she said, I don't know. She also told me that using the nasal pillows because it will be blowing the air directly in my nose, that my nose will get sore and I'd probably need to keep a moisturizing gel in my nose like KY to keep it moist. Very strange sounding to me, but thought I'd tell what she told me and see what everyone here might have to say.

The DME is already lying to you. A BiPAP is the machine prescribed for extremely high pressure. Not an APAP. You need justification for a BiPAP (which your doctor would provide if needed) but insurance treats CPAP and APAP the same. Your DME doesn't want you to have an APAP because THEY get less money for it. Insurance pays them the same whether it is APAP or CPAP so they want to give you the cheapest machine they can get which would be a non data capable CPAP. Don't fall for it. Get your doctor to write a prescription for the exact machine you want, whether the Resmed or the Respironics.

I always say get the APAP. Any APAP can be changed to CPAP mode but not vice versa. Who knows what will be most comfortable for you? Better to get the most versatile machine to begin with.

I never needed any kind of moisturizer but have started to use the Lansinoh because it is slightly sticky and reduces leaks. The Ayr Gel is too runny and increased my leaking when I tried it. The KY would also be too runny. Slightly sticky is better.

brians34 wrote:...Auto...they are mainly prescribed for extreme high pressure (again my pressure will be 12 or 13). It's what she said, I don't know...

She lies! My sleep doc is leaning that way for me and my current pressure which might be too high is only 11!

brians34 wrote:She also told me that using the nasal pillows because it will be blowing the air directly in my nose, that my nose will get sore and I'd probably need to keep a moisturizing gel in my nose like KY to keep it moist....

Again, she's telling tales. I have used pillows for nearly 2 yrs without a single bit of irritation like that. My nose was runny for about 20 mins each morning (big deal, I was in the shower) the first few wks. I use a humidifier and that takes care of any dryness in airways.

BeanMeScot wrote:The DME is already lying to you. A BiPAP is the machine prescribed for extremely high pressure. Not an APAP. You need justification for a BiPAP (which your doctor would provide if needed) but insurance treats CPAP and APAP the same. Your DME doesn't want you to have an APAP because THEY get less money for it. Insurance pays them the same whether it is APAP or CPAP so they want to give you the cheapest machine they can get which would be a non data capable CPAP. Don't fall for it. Get your doctor to write a prescription for the exact machine you want, whether the Resmed or the Respironics.

I always say get the APAP. Any APAP can be changed to CPAP mode but not vice versa. Who knows what will be most comfortable for you? Better to get the most versatile machine to begin with.

I never needed any kind of moisturizer but have started to use the Lansinoh because it is slightly sticky and reduces leaks. The Ayr Gel is too runny and increased my leaking when I tried it. The KY would also be too runny. Slightly sticky is better.

I am so glad I found this forum. Thanks for all the great responses. Thanks for clearing that up about the APAP great to know. Using the Lansinoh, would I just put that around the external part of my nose where the pillows would touch or am I supposed to put it inside also?

I think I'm leaning more towards the Resmed with Swift lt and may find another DME to work with. I've got until the 21st to make up my mind so I'll continue reading to be sure. I am going to go with the APAP though for the reason that was mentioned about it can convert to CPAP and being able to decide which is more comfortable for me to use. I like the versatility of the Swift lt being able to use the hose up or down and I am a bit claustrophobic anyway and think the nasal pillow will be the least confining.

I just got off the phone with another DME that also stated that in order to get an APAP that I'd need a "Letter of Medical Necessity" from my doctor for the insurance company to approve the APAP. I told them that I knew they needed one for a BiPaP but didn't realize that they needed it for APAP. They insisted that I need that letter. I've sent an email to my insurance provider asking them and I'm waiting for a reply. I'd really like to get started on my therapy and doctor is on vacation until the 20th of this month. My appointment is on the 21st. Called another DME (prior to reading this great forum and seeing responses to my post) that is contracted with Respironics and she stated that they provide the patient with the APAP and I asked if I could get a straight CPAP cheaper and she told me it would actually be more expensive with the straight CPAP ( ). So how can one provide APAP without "Letter of Medical Necessity" and not the others? So now I'm just in a little state of medical limbo waiting for insurance to respond and wondering if I should just go ahead and get the Respironics APAP so I can start my therapy instead of waiting another 2 weeks to see the doctor.

brians34 wrote:I just got off the phone with another DME that also stated that in order to get an APAP that I'd need a "Letter of Medical Necessity" from my doctor for the insurance company to approve the APAP. I told them that I knew they needed one for a BiPaP but didn't realize that they needed it for APAP. They insisted that I need that letter. I've sent an email to my insurance provider asking them and I'm waiting for a reply. I'd really like to get started on my therapy and doctor is on vacation until the 20th of this month. My appointment is on the 21st. Called another DME (prior to reading this great forum and seeing responses to my post) that is contracted with Respironics and she stated that they provide the patient with the APAP and I asked if I could get a straight CPAP cheaper and she told me it would actually be more expensive with the straight CPAP ( ). So how can one provide APAP without "Letter of Medical Necessity" and not the others? So now I'm just in a little state of medical limbo waiting for insurance to respond and wondering if I should just go ahead and get the Respironics APAP so I can start my therapy instead of waiting another 2 weeks to see the doctor.

The rules don't change between the DME and insurance carrier from one DME to the next.
The insurance carrier has their rules, and the DME is supposed to follow those. Just make sure your doc writes the specific machine you want on the scrip. Keep in mind that the APAP is the S8 Autoset II. The Elite is a BiPap. If you've been telling them the Elite, they're probably thinking "BiPAP" when you say APAP, thinking you have your terminology mixed up.

ricochetv1 wrote: The Elite is a BiPap. If you've been telling them the Elite, they're probably thinking "BiPAP" when you say APAP, thinking you have your terminology mixed up.

Nope. The S8 Elite and Elite II are fully-data-capable CPAPs. As you said, the S8 AutoSet II ( and Autoset Vantage) are APAPs.