How to choose the CPAP machine? help!help!help!

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
boshi
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How to choose the CPAP machine? help!help!help!

Post by boshi » Sat May 15, 2010 9:29 am

I had a Devilbiss 9054D,But it is wrony.The repair of the machine will cost a lot of money.So I want to buy a CPAP machine again.
The saleswoman introduces many machine for Resmed S9 , Resmed S8 and Devilbiss DV54
Which is better?
How to choose the CPAP machine?

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Slinky
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Re: How to choose the CPAP machine? help!help!help!

Post by Slinky » Sat May 15, 2010 11:18 am

Resmed S8s, S8 IIs and S9s are a series of PAP models. I'm not familiar w/the DeVilbiss models and which is which.

With the Resmeds you do NOT want any w/Compact or Escape in the model name. They are compliance data capable only. You will want an Elite or an AutoSet model name in any of the Resmed series. They will all be fully data capable.

The Resmed S9 series was just introduced in early 2010 in the USA. The S8 II series was introduced in 2008 and the S8 series introduced in 2006. I'm a great fan of the S8 fully data capable PAPs. I've not had the opportunity to use an S8 II but am sure I would be very happy w/a fully data capable one. The new S9s I'm not so sure about and not so enamoured of but I've not had the opportunity to use one either. I only know what I've read about them, literature and posts from users.

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oscar98
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Re: How to choose the CPAP machine? help!help!help!

Post by oscar98 » Sat May 15, 2010 11:50 am

I'm using an S9 and love it. It's so quiet I don't even know it's there, the data it keeps is very nice and fairly easy to understand, and the pressure feels gentler then what the S8 did. It's made adjusting to cpap a lot easier.

Just my 2 cents.

DreamOn
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Re: How to choose the CPAP machine? help!help!help!

Post by DreamOn » Sat May 15, 2010 11:58 am

Slinky and Oscar gave you very good information, boshi. I'm not familiar with the Devilbiss machines myself. As Slinky said, avoid ResMed models with the name Compact or Escape. If you want a regular CPAP machine that has a set pressure, then either the S8 Elite II or S9 Elite would be good. If you prefer an APAP machine, which can either be used as a set-pressure CPAP machine or set to run within a range of pressure (which allows the machine to respond to changing pressure needs), then an S8 AutoSet II or S9 AutoSet would be a good choice. The APAP machines do have more flexibility, so if you can get one of those that would be great.

You may want to look at this list of machines, which shows the fully-data-capable machines in blue type, and the machines to avoid in red type: viewtopic.php?p=307168#p307168.

There are a few differences between the S8 and S9 ResMed machines. The algorithm is different with each. The S8 machines have been out for a while, and are considered very reliable. The S9 machines have only been out for a few months. There have been some reports of possible humidifier problems, but this doesn't appear to be widespread and may sometimes be due to misunderstanding about how the humidifier works. Some users report that the thinner-walled S9 SlimLine and ClimateLine hoses tend to tear near the rubber cuff. Again, I'm not sure if this is a widespread problem, as the machines haven't been out all that long. The S9 machines have the ability to report both central and obstructive apneas. The S8 machines can only report "apnea," without specifying which type. The S9 machine can be used with special ClimateLine tubing, which is a heated hose with a sensor near the mask end that can provide "rainout" (excess condensation inside the tubing) protection. The S8 machines don't have that feature. Some have reported that the S9 machine's air feels gentler than the S8. Both machines are very quiet, with the S9 a bit quieter. The S9 machine is slightly more expensive than the S8 if purchased at an online retailer or local DME supplier, although if your insurance is covering it they may be the same price to you because the same billing code is used for all CPAP and APAP machines.

I think you'd do well with either the S8 or S9 machine. Maybe someone here can tell you about the Devilbiss machine. It's not nearly as popular, so few here use that one.

brazospearl
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Re: How to choose the CPAP machine? help!help!help!

Post by brazospearl » Sat May 15, 2010 5:06 pm

Welcome to the forum! I agree with Dream On said. I use the S8 Autoset, and it has been problem free and is so quiet you can't tell it's on. Do your research, decide what you want, and don't let the supplier talk you into anything else.

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Slinky
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Re: How to choose the CPAP machine? help!help!help!

Post by Slinky » Sat May 15, 2010 5:29 pm

Philips Respironics is the leading PAP manufacturer, followed by Resmed. Between these two manufacturers they've captured 80% of the PAP market.

DeVilbiss, Fisher & Paykel have just recently introduced fully data capable models, altho both have been producing PAP devices for quite some time. Puritain Bennet has been around quite some time to, their auto PAP data capability and software has always been greatly appreciated by those who use them. Their new fully data capable models carry the Sandman series name.

_________________
Mask: Quattro™ FX Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: PR SystemOne BPAP Auto w/Bi-Flex & Humidifier - EncorePro 2.2 Software - Contec CMS-50D+ Oximeter - Respironics EverFlo Q Concentrator
Women are Angels. And when someone breaks our wings, we simply continue to fly.....on a broomstick. We are flexible like that.
My computer says I need to upgrade my brain to be compatible with its new software.

el_zorro
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Re: How to choose the CPAP machine? help!help!help!

Post by el_zorro » Sat May 15, 2010 11:45 pm

The other one to consider is the Respironics System One Remstar Auto. This one is comparable to the S9 Auto but not quite as sleak and doesnt have the heated hose feature. The menu system isnt a slick as the S9 either. It does have a very good System One humidifier and there is customer software out now. The full software is available to DMEs or doctors only and it is full featured and works well.

Devilbiss makes a decent machine too, with the Intellipap auto. It does have decent user software. There are some folks here that dont like the auto algorithm and it doesnt have EPR.