Cpap Machine: Could have done better?

Blackjackcat wrote:I logged in and entered my info, thanks for the help. I am a long ways from getting comfortable with the cpap. At times I feel like it will never work for me but this forum should help a bunch.

Welcome, blackjackcat! This is definitely the place to be if you are still adjusting. This forum is excellent at helping others to become more comfortable. You'll notice that a lot of us are still struggling to adjust, but hang in there, and ask as many questions as you want! The best advice I got early on was to make sure my subject line was detailed, so that it will attract people with the knowledge to help. (Such as a subject that says "Need help reading Encore reports"--once you get the software, as opposed to a subject that just says "help")

You had asked what the difference is between a cpap and a bipap is...the simple answer is that a cpap delivers a constant pressure while a bi-level (bipap) will deliver one set pressure when you inhale, and a lower, set pressure when you exhale. Both types of machines can be "auto" machines, in which the "set" pressure is allowed to move as needed, within a specific range, bsically. BiPAP is actually the brand name for Respironic's bi-level machine. ResMed's version is a VPAP. Most people will do fine with a cpap or an auto cpap machine. But for some people, they need the added assistance of a bi-level. (And some need even further assistance, but I won't go there, since you are probably going to be just fine with cpap.)

Yeah, I am sure I am going to be asking a lot of questions when I get that software. Thanks for the tips and the warm welcome.

I would not look for a Resmed S10 any time soon. The S9 has not been out that long. It was introduced several months AFTER PR came out w/their SystemOne, somewhere between 6 and 9 months after. The S9 was a drastic change in design from the S8.

Have had my current CPAP for 7 years & 1 month.

Insurance will replace after 5 years, so I am already past due - but time constraints won't let me deal with a new purchase until at least the early summer. Not a problem, since I am not having any problems with my Respironics.

My intent is to get the S9 AutoSet. I want a lot more data than my current Respironics supplies (which reports only hours used).

Looks like the S9 AutoSet & the entire S9 Series came out about March 2010 - so it will soon be 1 year old.

I would hate to get the S9 AutoSet only to find out that a new S10 AutoSet would be available only a few months later.

If you truly have the Pro 2 rather than just the Pro, the Pro 2 is fully data capable and you just haven't been aware of that.

On the other hand, Resmed has excelled in the easy access to and amount of data available via the LCD screen. But both the Resmed S9 AutoSet and the Respironics pre-M Series Pro 2 provide considerably more information via their respective software; ResScan and EncorePro.

The S9 was quite a drastic re-design from the S8s and S7s so I wouldn't be any too hopeful that an S10 will be available in 2012. The S9 was very late in "coming out" as compared to the PR SystemOne.

Thanks for detailed response. It says "auto" above the LED so its sounds like it is a good model and it does have a data card. I will have to get the software so I can view the info. I wish I would have checked on this forum sooner, it would have made the transistion to this a bit easier(it has been rough, but I have learned a lot in the few weeks I have been on here, searching posts) Curious, I am new to sleep apnea, what is the difference between BiPAP and a CPAP machine?

vsharma72
Difference in cpaph and bipap, is explained further up in this same thread, also at the top there is a search function as well

Slinky said: If you truly have the Pro 2 rather than just the Pro, the Pro 2 is fully data capable and you just haven't been aware of that

I have just the Pro & it only keeps track of the hours used & nothing else.

Reason the Pro 2 shows up in my profile is because that is the closest they would let me get to what I actually had.
No option to show the Pro (without the 2) in my profile. Remember, my CPAP is 7 years old.

Just wondering if anybody has heard any more current rumblings as to when the ResMed S10 AutoSet might come out.

I am currently thinking of replacing my 7 1/2 year old CPAP with a ResMed S9 AutoSet, but would not like to do that just to find out that the S10 would be out soon.

Blackjackcat wrote:I am a long ways from getting comfortable with the cpap. At times I feel like it will never work for me but this forum should help a bunch.

Blackjackcat, hang in there. Imho, THE critical part of the cpap equation is the mask. Get the mask right, and the other stuff falls into place. Broadly speaking, any cpap, even the most basic, is capable of providing good therapy. With the exception of the algorithms that drive the auto adjusting feature of apaps, the differences between cpaps are minor. The bells and whistles make one machine more desirable than another to someone, but they rarely affect the therapy delivered.

You have a good machine. If you continue to have problems, you might consider looking into different masks. Good luck!