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Which machine to choose - Printable Version

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Which machine to choose - Sueveebee - 03-14-2016

Hi everyone I've been approved by my hospital (Alfred, Melb, Aust) for a subsidised machine, there are three I can choose from & I am hoping you can help me decide. I am on a pressure of 17 if that comes into account, the three available are:
Fisher Paykel Icon Premo with thermostat

Phillips Respironics New Gen Remstar Pro & heated tubing humidifier

Resmed AIRsense 10 elite (fixed pressure)- climate contro

Thanks for any replies -Sue


RE: Which machine to choose - DeepBreathing - 03-14-2016

G'day Sue, welcome to Apnea Board.

All the machines are pretty good, though Philips Respironics and Resmed have the bulk of the market between them. All the machines are fixed pressure and have efficacy reporting, which means you'll be able to monitor your therapy using appropriate software (which you can get for free from this forum). I believe the Philips and Resmed have more detailed reporting than the F&P.

Your pressure of 17 is pretty high and you might find it's a bit uncomfortable till you get used to it. Really, for that pressure you should be getting an auto machine (eg Resmed Airsense Autoset) which will run at a lower pressure until you experience an apnea or precursor event and will then ramp the pressure up as much as necessary. I understand this might not be possible with a subsidised machine, but I'd strongly suggest you try to get an auto if at all possible.

Of the three machines listed, I'd probably lean towards the Resmed, with the Philips second and the F&P third. To some extent it's like asking "Falcon or Commodore?" - both good machines, very similar in function. The Philips is a bit ugly, if that makes a difference. Smile


RE: Which machine to choose - Sueveebee - 03-14-2016

Thank you for the welcome & the info, much appreciated. I will ask about the auto & if it's possible if I could pay the difference. I am leaning towards the Resmed & yes it does look nicer

RE: Which machine to choose - cate1898 - 03-14-2016

I have a ResMed A10 Elite and knowing hind sight is 20/20, I'd choose a PR machine. I'm tired of spending 10 minutes many nights re-seating my humidifier on the A10 due to loud 'whining' sound.

RE: Which machine to choose - trish6hundred - 03-14-2016

Hi Sueveebee,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
Here is a very helpful guide to which machine to buy and which ones to avoid: http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php?title=Archangle:Machine_Choices .
Hang in there for more responses to your post and much success to you as you start your CPAP journey.

RE: Which machine to choose - zonk - 03-15-2016

(03-14-2016, 08:12 AM)Sueveebee Wrote: Thank you for the welcome & the info, much appreciated. I will ask about the auto & if it's possible if I could pay the difference. I am leaning towards the Resmed & yes it does look nicer
The Icon is yesterday machine and F&P haven't catch-up yet with PR and ResMed. At pressure 17, an auto machine is preferable as you might not needing 17 all night or even never hit 17 at all, never know until tried
If you really need 17 for most of the night, then bilevel machine is the way to go as the machine provide two pressures, for inhale and exhale. ResMed A10 have pressure relief (EPR) feature, provide pressure relief somewhat but not as precise or high enough as bilevel pressure support. You'll need to start treatment asap, you can use whatever the hospital provide (paying the difference for an auto is good idea) and take it from there. Good luck



RE: Which machine to choose - OMyMyOHellYes - 03-15-2016

(03-14-2016, 08:50 AM)cate1898 Wrote: I have a ResMed A10 Elite and knowing hind sight is 20/20, I'd choose a PR machine. I'm tired of spending 10 minutes many nights re-seating my humidifier on the A10 due to loud 'whining' sound.

Once upon a time I was a Resmed fanboy too. Note that I switched to the Respironics line. Would love it if I could afford a new Respironics System One Auto 560 while they're still available - especially at their clearance price. That should get me another five years down the road before having to reconsider a new machine- or out to 2025 in that my current one has only 13 months on it.

Resmed machines LOOK sexy, but having used both, I'd take the Respironics over them almost any day.

OMMOHY

RE: Which machine to choose - Sueveebee - 03-16-2016

Thanks for your replies & knowledge! I haven't been able to find answers even from the sleep techs so I really am Appreciative - it looks as if I'll have to take the fixed Resmed for now as funds just wont cover the alternative & paying the extra wasn't an option
cate 1898 I didn't see your reply before I faxed off the authority - hopefully noise won't be a problem - I'm on pain meds that zonks me out so may not matter to me only my husband

RE: Which machine to choose - zonk - 03-16-2016

(03-14-2016, 08:50 AM)cate1898 Wrote: I have a ResMed A10 Elite and knowing hind sight is 20/20, I'd choose a PR machine. I'm tired of spending 10 minutes many nights re-seating my humidifier on the A10 due to loud 'whining' sound.
Hi Cate
Last week, my A10 started to make this whining sound, changed the water tank and the heated hose and the noise ceased immediately. Not sure, whether the water tank or the hose did the trick but they're getting old, could do with a change

RE: Which machine to choose - archangle - 03-16-2016

(03-14-2016, 12:28 AM)Sueveebee Wrote: Phillips Respironics New Gen Remstar Pro & heated tubing humidifier

I don't know what "New Gen" means. There's no such model unless they have a different set of names in Oz, or they've released a new model. Maybe "New Gen" is slang for the latest model and means the DreamStation models.

It might also be the Philips Dorma model, which I would avoid.

The AirSense 10 Elite is a good machine, and a safe bet. Be sure they don't try to trick you with the "AirSense 10 CPAP" model. The Elite will say AirSense 10 Elite on the front panel over on the bottom right near the water tank.

There have been some reports of AirSense 10 machines with noisy seals on the humidifiers and reports on a fix, so maybe it's fixed now.

Edit - The thread was here. The poster used the term humidifier "bin," which I presume means the water tank.