(11-06-2014, 06:13 PM)oberland56 Wrote: Before I spend a large sum (£650+) on an Resmed autoset machine, could anyone reassure me that buying an Autoset machine will benefit me in a noticable way, is there anyone on the forum that has gone from CPAP to a varible pressure type machine and believes they have done the right thing?
Hi Oberland56,
Welcome to the forum!
Technically, I have not migrated from CPAP to Auto, but after analyzing my results for some time now, I can certainly say the following:
1. I have a problem with Aerophagia (air swallowing). This problem becomes worse the higher the pressure goes. So it is of benefit for me to lower the average treatment pressure as much as possible.
2. As pressures increase, leaks become more difficult to control, and more likely to disturb sleep when they do occur. So it is of benefit for me to lower the average treatment pressure as much as possible.
3. Since my machine is an Autoset, my average pressure is much lower that it would be using any fixed-pressure machine.
As long as I avoid sleeping on my back, I can usually keep the average pressure down in the 10 - 11 range. It is not uncommon for my maximum pressure to be below 13, and often it is only that high for brief moments. If I do roll onto my back, the pressure needed may shoot up into the 18 - 20 range (rarely happens now), and still may not be enough to counter all the apneas. If I were forced to choose a single fixed pressure, it would have to be up around 17 or 18.
How do I know all this? Because the S9 Autoset is a fully data-capable machine, that delivers detailed therapy data moment-by-moment all night long. I use the free, open-source program SleepyHead to examine that data, to monitor and adjust my therapy as needed.
Your S9 Escape does not deliver any data but time used, commonly referred to as "compliance data", as this is what insurance companies use to determine whether or not they will pay. On this forum, such machines are often referred to as "bricks".
If I were starting over again to choose a machine, I would have 2 requirements above all others:
1) The machine must deliver full therapy data. Without that data, you are flying blind, trying to assess your therapy with questions like "How do you feel?".
2) The machine must be auto-adjusting for pressure. Any autoset-type machine can be set to operate at a fixed pressure if that is what works best for someone. So it is like having 2 machines in one. Often, an Autoset-type machine is used to assess what pressure to recommend for a particular patient. Having your own auto machine means you can repeat that test at any time.
Pressure needs change: you gain some weight, or lose some weight, your allergies kick up a fuss, you get a cold, etc. An APAP can adjust for any of these changes. No single-pressure machine can do that. And you'll never know if there is a problem or not if the machine is a brick.
Here is a link to an article about choosing a machine:
http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php...ne_Choices
I hope this helps you decide what you want to do.
