Data - ResMed vs. Respironics

I've really been interested in the data we all covet. Are there readers who have had both brands, ResMed & Respironics and the related software, who have a preference due to what kind of data you get? A whole other question for those that might be in the situation of deciding on a machine would be performance issues like how does the machine handle exhalation. I know there's lot's of variables I haven't addressed. The data asked of CPAP being different than APAP or BiPAP, etc... Take the discussion wher you will, if you will please!!

Thanks.
Kelvin

kwikwater wrote:I've really been interested in the data we all covet. Are there readers who have had both brands, ResMed & Respironics and the related software, who have a preference due to what kind of data you get? A whole other question for those that might be in the situation of deciding on a machine would be performance issues like how does the machine handle exhalation. I know there's lot's of variables I haven't addressed. The data asked of CPAP being different than APAP or BiPAP, etc... Take the discussion wher you will, if you will please!!

Thanks.
Kelvin

Some of those questions had relatively clear-cut answers for many of us a few months ago. But now the two big companies have come out with new machines with new claims and new software, so the waters are muddied a bit right now. Read all the threads on the latest ResMed and Respironics machines and watch it all develop.

For the most part, Respironics helps the start of exhalation but doesn't keep overall pressure lower during exhalation. It does that in order not to have too much effect on the efficacy of the therapy. ResMed's version, EPR, lowers the pressure during most of the exhalation. It means overall pressure may need to be raised for some in comparison to their titrated pressure in order to have the best therapy. Preferences differ on which is most comfortable.

The data from home machines is not the same as data from a sleep study. The home machines give you data for the purpose of trending. You take the data you get and you see if changes in comfort settings or the pressure itself improves or worsens the data in conjunction with your judgments of how you feel. It appears that the data from all full-data machines can be used effectively that way. The rest is a matter of preference and convenience for the most part.

That is my take, anyway.

jeff

Go by how you feel. Rent a machine for a month if that's what it takes to get a chance to run a trial. The best software in the world is worthless if the machine doesn't give you good therapy. And the way different machines go about giving you therapy is different.

O.