AirSense 10 Autoset and Elite

[Benzi]

Hi

I'm considering upgrading my Resmed S9 to an S10. I see that there are 2 models: Autoset and Elite. The Elite seems to have a constant pressure, unlike what I currently have on the S9. Am I right in assuming that the S10 that I need is the Autoset? (Who would need the Elite?)

Thanks!

[StevesSp]

The CPAP machines are essentially 'budget' devices. The Elite will provide effective therapy for those on a budget, certainly better than nothing and perfectly fine for folks with simpler requirements and 'stable' apnea, but an APAP machine has more capability and flexibility. I would recommend anybody who can afford the extra cost to buy an APAP.

In my own experience, an APAP machine means less aerophagia and the auto ranging feature accommodates changes in my pressure requirement, such as fluctuations in my weight or those nights when I have imbibed a little fermented fruit juice.

[Benzi]

Thanks Steve - but I'm getting confused about the terminology... When you say APAP, are you referring to the Autoset? If so, it seems strange that the Elite (with constant pressure) costs more than the Autoset.
What am I missing here?

[SevereApnea]

Hi Benzi, 

from the Resmed website:

There are three main types of positive airway pressure therapy:
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
Automatic positive airway pressure (APAP)
Bilevel, or variable positive airway pressure (VPAP)

The APAP class of machine adjusts pressures depending on your needs, which I think is what you are after.

If you chose a Resmed machine you can opt for the 
Airsense 10 Autoset, or the 
Airsense 10 Autoset For Her.

Most here on the forum would recommend the For Her variety.

Pricing can be vendor specific. 
Here in OZ the Elite is priced at 1,299
the Airsense 10 Autoset is 1,799 and the
Airsense 10 Autoset For her is also 1,799.

Once you decide which you need you can shop around.
others here on the forum will be able to advise about the best way to go about choosing what you need and where best to buy it.

Hope this helps!

[OpalRose]

Thanks Steve - but I'm getting confused about the terminology... When you say APAP, are you referring to the Autoset? If so, it seems strange that the Elite (with constant pressure) costs more than the Autoset.
What am I missing here?

The Elite (continuous positive airway pressure) should never cost more than an AutoSet (APAP).

The machine you want is the AirSense 10 AutoSet or AutoSet for Her. The "For Her" has an extra mode geared toward women but many men use it too.

The Elite (straight pressure machine) has one mode. You can only set it to straight pressure.
The AutoSet (variable pressure machines) can be set to Auto or straight pressure mode.

These two machines are paid by insurance at exactly the same reimbursement to a DME/supplier, so why settle for the Elite compared to the AutoSet.

[Benzi]

Thanks! My insurance won't pay but I'm still looking for the best machine.

[Sleeprider]

Benzi, you might want to reach out to Supplier #2 and get a quote on a Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset and shipping. They sell the machine for $539 USD, and of course there will be shipping charges (likely about $100 USD) and possible customs fees to send to Israel. That may still turn out to be a lower price than you can get from a local supplier.

[mesenteria]

Thanks! My insurance won't pay but I'm still looking for the best machine.

The 'best' machine is the one that meets your needs.  However, it might not meet your needs in six months or a year if you gain weight, develop other conditions, or continue on whatever path has led you to require PAP treatment of a sort.  So, it is often, not always, but often...a good idea to get what you can afford and that has some considerable flexibility of response built into it.  That tends to be the more capable ($$) machines.

The Elite is what I use.  It suffices, and my needs have not changed, even though I have lost 11kg of weight in the past year.  When I had my sleep labs, the first determined that I was in trouble.  The second, a month later, showed that fixed PAP, CPAP actually, solved my particular case, and so a simple CPAP was prescribed by the specialist.  I still use a fixed range of pressures, which the Elite model delivers.

You may need something more complex or varied to solve your case, and to keep solving it as you age over the next year or four.  We don't know, but a proper diagnosis will help, or a machine that has variable delivery function can be adjusted as you go to optimize your therapy.  That's what we do here...we offer advice and coaching if people are struggling and don't seem to be able to find relief or a suitable type of machine.

[Benzi]

Thanks! My insurance won't pay but I'm still looking for the best machine.

The 'best' machine is the one that meets your needs.  However, it might not meet your needs in six months or a year if you gain weight, develop other conditions, or continue on whatever path has led you to require PAP treatment of a sort.  So, it is often, not always, but often...a good idea to get what you can afford and that has some considerable flexibility of response built into it.  That tends to be the more capable ($$) machines.

The Elite is what I use.  It suffices, and my needs have not changed, even though I have lost 11kg of weight in the past year.  When I had my sleep labs, the first determined that I was in trouble.  The second, a month later, showed that fixed PAP, CPAP actually, solved my particular case, and so a simple CPAP was prescribed by the specialist.  I still use a fixed range of pressures, which the Elite model delivers.

You may need something more complex or varied to solve your case, and to keep solving it as you age over the next year or four.  We don't know, but a proper diagnosis will help, or a machine that has variable delivery function can be adjusted as you go to optimize your therapy.  That's what we do here...we offer advice and coaching if people are struggling and don't seem to be able to find relief or a suitable type of machine.

Hi Mesenteria

Thanks for all the info. My background: I've been using CPAP for almost a year and a half. AHI was below 5 - which is not considered apnea in my part of the woods (I know that the situation is different in some other places). It was a life-changer for me; for the first time in years I was able to get through the work day without 6-8 espressos.
Then around a year ago my sleep quality tanked, AHI went to 12-14, and I was getting up exhausted. Most of the apneas were CAs. The "sleep doctor" prescribed a pill to help me sleep - "when people get CAs after a period with CPAP, we treat them the same way as OAs" or something similar. The pills worked like a charm for a few months, then stopped working. When I talked to my GP, she said I shouldn't be taking them for a long time, that I should get off them (the "sleep doctor" had not said anything about short-term use). So I had a couple of weeks of pure hell, waking up every hour. I felt like shooting the doctor who got me hooked on the pills. Now things are somewhat better, I'm in the process of researching what natural aids I should use so I don't wake up 2-3 times each night. Last night was a good one - AHI of 1.7 and I'm less tired. In general the apneas that I get are CAs, my OAs are zero or close to it.
If there is a machine that will improve my sleep quality better than what the S9 does, I'll buy it. My insurance subsidized the S9 that I bought a year and a half ago, and they only do that once in 5 years. So if I decide to buy a different machine now, it will be at my expense. Which is why I've been asking all these questions, to choose the best machine for me. It seems that the S10 Autoset For Her might do the trick.
(Incidentally, I see that you and I are using the same range of pressures - 5-8.)

Thanks again!

[StevesSp]

Have you had a sleep study or are you self-diagnosed? To be honest, I wonder if you should be using CPAP at all.