Resmed S8 Autoset II or PR System One Auto with Autoflex

Hi Everyone,
I have been using a Resmed S8 Autoset II for the past 2 1/2 years. While traveling it quit on me. I have gone over 2 weeks without an APAP and have the brain fog, anxiety, and exhaustion going on again. I got home and contacted my DME. My machine is no longer under manufacturer warranty but they will give me another Resmed S8 Autoset II for use. Their policy is to warranty the machines for 5 years due to insurance billing limitations. I sure like this policy. However, they are sending for the S8 and have given me a loaner machine- PR Remstar System One Auto with Autoflex. This loaner machine was manufacturer 9/28/2011. There is 560 blowers hours on it. The RT said that if I liked this loaner better than the Resmed S8 Autoset II, I could keep it. It was up to me.

My question is trying to figure out which is the better machine for me. I have noticed that my eyes are NOT significantly puffy with the Remstar. I have had chronic swollen eyes with the Resmed. Also, I DO NOT wake up during the night with mask leaks under high pressure. I am using my usual Quattro mask. I am still experiencing afternoon sleepiness and exhaustion after being back on autopap for 3 days but the brain fog is getting better. I am researching and trying to understand how a machine can make a difference in puffy eyes and less night awakenings. Any ideas? Any information with advice about these two different machines would be helpful to me.

Thanks for any help.
Kalico

The S8 machines are older technology and no longer manufactured. The S9 Autoset is the latest technology model in the ResMed brand.

The PR S1 Auto is the latest technology model in the Respironics line of APAP machines.
It uses a SD card for data gathering. You can use SleepyHead (information in my signature) to see all the data it gathers. No need for the special card reader that is needed for the S8 machines. At the most all you will need is a cheap generic card reader/adapter for your computer if it doesn't have a SD slot. If you have a SD slot...nothing else is need for you to use the software.

Both brands of the new technology machines gather more data than the older technology machines. If this is important to you that is a definite plus for the PR S1 machine.
I wouldn't let 560 hours stop me from being happy with the PR S1.

The algorithms between the 2 brands are different.. If you are feeling better with less problems with the PR S1 machine...by all means keep it. It is an excellent machine and it is possible that you just happen to do better with the Respironics algorithm.

Thanks for the quick reply. My computer does NOT have the SD card slot and I would have to buy an adapter. Not a problem, but I must say that I do miss being able to access data on the APAP screen like my old autoset II. I am thinking that I may buy the SD card reader and see how that works with the Sleepyhead software. Then I will be a little more educated making the decision on the PR System One Auto and the data capabilities. I had refined my pressures setting on my autoset II but have forgotten what they exactly were. So, on the PR S1 Auto it is just set 5-15cm. It is not an exact comparison of function between the two different machines because of the different settings but it is the best that I can do for now. I may change up the pressure settings on the PR S1 Remstar Auto tonight and see how it goes. I may also ask for an extra week with the PR S1 loaner to try it out a little longer. I like the idea of having the latest technology in the PR line and also like the system one humidification. It is superior to the S8 Autoset humidifier function.

I need to do more research on the algorithm issue between the two. In my old sleep test I had 25 events per hour with mostly hypopneas and I did see that PR algoithm does not aggressively address hypopneas like Resmed reportedly does. If anyone has any information or insight on the pros/cons of the different algorithms, I would be appreciative.

Thanks again.'
Kalico

Get the card reader/adapter. Look at the software reports. Adjust minimum pressure if the AHI is not to your liking. When adjusted properly the PR S1 will deal with the hyponeas just as well as the ResMed machine. I have used both machines but I have always been mainly a full obstructive event type of person and not many hyponeas.
Both algorithmms depend on the usual precursors to events (flow limitations or snores) to be present with either the hyponeas or the obstructive apneas before they respond.

Hi Pugsy,
Thanks so much for the information and suggestions. It is very much appreciated.

I did buy the SD card Reader and downloaded the APAP data using sleepyhead. I was impressed with everything that is available in the data realm. I have some learning to do on interpreting it all. However, I can see how useful it will be.

I am still perplexed how this PR S1 Auto causes LESS eyelid swelling for me. My AHI was 1.2 over 5 days and the leak rate was somewhere around 52 with one large spike at 4:00am. I can only surmise that I am having less leaks with my Quattro FF due to possible lower pressures with this PR algorithm. Am I off track.

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Kalico

Kalicokity wrote:I am still perplexed how this PR S1 Auto causes LESS eyelid swelling for me. My AHI was 1.2 over 5 days and the leak rate was somewhere around 52 with one large spike at 4:00am. I can only surmise that I am having less leaks with my Quattro FF due to possible lower pressures with this PR algorithm. Am I off track.

Probably as good of a reason as any...the lower pressures.
This is something that really isn't all that common. I get some facial puffiness at times but it is more related to having my face into the pillow. Fluid pools a bit. Straps constrict things a bit.
So several minor things converge to give me some puffiness. Doesn't happen all the time because I don't sleep the same way every night.

Less leaks because of less pressure...for that will happen. More pressure equals greater difficulty in maintaining seal. Less variations in pressure means less chance for mask to leak.