yet another Resmed vs Respironics question

[Fedman]

Let me start by saying that I am aware of the general consensus of our members with respect to the general feelings of Resmed vs Resperonics.  I am a DreamStation user and have been for several years.  It's time for an upgrade which will be covered by insurance.  So here's my quandary.

The DreamStation works for me.  And very well.  For the past year, my average AHI is 0.31 (compared to my sleep study score of 26.)  And I feel great.  I am a believer in "if it ain't broke, don't fix it.)

On the other hand, I read nothing but great things about the Auto Set.  So I'm really interested in hearing from anyone who has switched from one machine to another and how that transition went.

I would appreciate any thoughts.  I'm probably over thinking this and should just stick to what works!

[FifthAvenue]

You are doing great with your present machine.  Why change to a ResMed with a different algorithm?

[zzz1]

I'm a new auto CPAP user since January.  I used a Dreamstation for about 30 days before switching to the Resmed Airset Auto 10.  Unlike you, I never achieved a decent AHI with the Dreamstation.  With the Resmed at the same settings and with the same mask my AHI is usually under two and not infrequently under 1.0.  

One reason I switched from the Dreamstation is that my breathing began to get out of synch with the machine and the way it tries to time respirations.  Resmed actually follows your breathing so that was a big plus for me.

I didn't have any problems with the transition, but as a new user it was all new to me.

[same2you]

I recently had my initial trial with a ResMed, then ended up switching to a Dreamstation because cellular reception is not great in my bedroom and I was able to add a WiFi adapter to the Dreamstation (but not the ResMed).  When I switched over to the Dreamstation, I saw no noticeable difference in my AHI.  I found the Dreamstation to be slightly louder than the ResMed was, but I also found it to be smoother for some reason.  Honestly, when I wake up on most mornings, I really have to think if it's even on...  I'm not sure if it's the combination of the Bleep mask and the machine, or if it's just the machine... but on most days, unless I put my had in front of the exhalation port of the mask, I would swear that the machine was not even running (but it is indeed pumping out my prescribed 10-16).

When the trial was complete, and I purchased my permanent machine from a supplier (who is not one the board's list), I was able to buy the DreamStation Expert which has a new P-Flex setting (I still cannot find much info on it).  I see that Supplier #32 on the list also sells the 501 model too.  I'm sure that there are other tweaks to it, but I'm always of the mindset to purchase the newest model of most of life's purchases to ensure that it stays current for a longer period of time.

If you are interested in trying the ResMed to see the difference, then I would ask your vendor about a trial for a couple of weeks on each model to see which one your prefer.  It''s not a small investment on your part, and since Insurance doesn't refresh for 5 years (I assume it's the same timing as mine), then you want to be sure of the one that you select.

[OpalRose]

It’s looks like the DreamStation Expert CAX501H12 is available only in Canada.

The is an Auto Adjusting machine with an additional Pressure Relief Mode called P-Flex.  

Here is a brief excerpt from Supplier #32.

“So why is the P-Flex better than all the other pressure relief functions on the market?
Normal pressure relief functions lower its PAP pressure down to a certain level when expiration is detected. Whereas, the P-Flex is so intelligent that it detects the onset of inspiration as well as expiration so it could deliver the right amount of pressure relief when the patient needs it. Meaning that the P-Flex would create a more smoothing breathing pattern than the traditional pressure relief function. In addition, the P-Flex pressure can dip lower than 3cmH2O of pressure unlike other fixed pressure relief settings currently on the market.”

As usual though, Phillips Respironics doesn’t go into detail if the P-Flex function works differently than
A-Flex or C-Flex.  Hopefully, it’s an improvement.

[Fedman]

Reading your various responses, the answer is obvious.  Stick with the devil I know.  It works.  Simple.  Thanks!

[Sleeprider]

As an advocate for the opposing view, I started therapy with a Respironics M-Series Auto and moved to the System One 60 series Auto CPAP. I then managed to buy a Philips Respironics 60 Series BiPAP Auto 760. All of the Respiroinics machines allowed me to have between 0.2 and 2.0 AHI. My results are exactly the same on my current Resmed Aircurve 10 Vauto, however the Resmed was the most comfortable, and the one I stuck with.

I have thousands of posts on here promoting Resmed over Philips, not because my personal experience is poor with Philips, but because a disproportionate number of members have difficulty with it with persistent indications of flow limitation, inverse inspiration/expiration time, unresolved hypopnea and snores and poor breath timing sync. I don't know why many people that show problems with the Philips do better with the Resmed, it is just true, most of the time. For individuals that succeed with the Philips Respironics machines, I don't advocate a change. The best candidates for Philips are those with plain obstructive sleep apnea, good respiratory flow characteristics and a lack of anomalous breathing (flow limitation, long expiration, flow fluctuations in inhale or exhale etc.). My personal preference for Resmed is that I enjoy the bilevel delivery of pressure. A few extra bonus points for a much better travel case, smaller form-factor, more responsive auto-on and auto-off, quieter operation, and the use of FOT instead of pulse for apnea differentiation. I do find the pulse much more noticeable. YMMV.