Hello gjsmithjd,
Thank you for your question.
There appear to be a number of excellent resources on sleep apnea and
CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machines on the Internet,
but finding unbiased comparisons is a chore. I have uncovered the
following resources for you by searching [cpap machine +review OR
compare OR comparison] :
Sleepnet.com has several threads of discussion on this topic. Do read
the entire threads:
http://www.sleepnet.com/apnea76/messages/570.html
Need site for different cpap machines
Q: "I am looking for a page that will tell me about the different
features of different machines, expense, maintenance, etc. H has been
diagnosed and we want to be armed with info about what our options are
before his next appt. Any help would be appreciated as I don't know
where to start."
A: "Unfortunately there is no such site at this time.
I have personally found the Resmed autoset T the be the best all
around cpap (with the resmed humidaire heated humidifer). It is
considered to be the cadillac of cpaps at this time. I don't know why
being effectively treated for apnea is somehow related to cadillacs
but anyway."
And another thread here provides some information on comparing
devices:
http://www.sleepnet.com/apnea20/messages/791.html
"I have just spent much of the last week researching all CPAP machines
as I have just been dignosed with severe OSA. I urge you to search
this and the back forums for specific info. However, I will provide a
summary of what I found.
There are 4 "auto" machines on the market.
The "AutoAdjust LT" Mfr. by DeVilbiss (also called the "Horison
AutoAdust LT").
The "Auto Set T" Mfr by ResMed.
The "Cloud Nine" whom I do not recall the Mfr.
The "Virtuoso" Mfr by Healthdyne / Respironics.
The "Auto Set T" and the "AutoAdjust LT" work by charting your breath
curve and adusting the pressure up when the curve changes as a result
of a throat obstruction (apnea). Both machines have gotten a lot of
good reviews from people who have gotten the computer software and
connector cable which allows you to fine tune the detection mode to
you. The "Auto Set T" is not currently approved for use with a
humidifier. The "AutoAdjust LT" is although you may need the H & P
humidifier to allow the "snore" detect to work properely (see my
previous msg).
The "Virtuoso" works by detecting your snore vibrations and is
approved for a specific humidifier. However, a lot of problems have
been reported. Apparently, it works just fine if you have the "right"
kind of snore; the wrong kind, or no snore at all, and major set
pressure problems occure.
I do not remember finding much info on the "Cloud Nine".
Again, there are more postings on this thread.
A page on what appears to be a new product appears here and may offer
some insight for you:
http://www.cpappro.com/basics/
"Confused about buying CPAP machines?
I can help you make the right choice!
So here you are searching the internet, looking for answers on all the
sites that promote a confusing assortment of cpap machines, cpap
humidifiers ... and especially those awful looking "Silence of The
Lamb" cpap masks with those atrocious straps and headgear that they
claim will be perfect for you in spite of the fact that you could
hardly stand them during your sleep study!
Several years ago because of my severe snoring, I also was diagnosed
as suffering from severe sleep apnea. Not being a doctor or
respiratory therapist, I knew absolutely nothing about this sleep
disorder and had to learn the hard way. I endured a lot of pain, spent
a fortune on every so-called "miracle" mask that was hyped and
eventually stopped with this nightly torture ... and just said the
heck with it!
However, based on my own awful experiences with cpap and cpap masks, I
invented, what without a doubt, is the most revolutionary, most
comfortable device for myself and other sleep apnea patients, CPAP
PRO! It is the only cpap interface with absolutely no annoying straps
or headgear!..."
The CPAP Supply Company offers a page of Frequently Asked Questions:
http://www.cpap-supply.com/faq.asp
Here's a list of issues about which many of our users may have
questions.
And this page describes and reviews a book called "Phantoms of the
Night":
http://www.healthyresources.com/sleep/apnea/phantom/book/reviews.html
Reviews of Phantom of the Night
The handbook for patients written by a sleep disorders expert and a
patient.
Johnson, T. Scott and Jerry Halberstadt, Foreword by William C.
Dement, M.D., Chairman of the National Commission on Sleep Disorders
Research, Introduction by Colin E. Sullivan, M.D. Phantom of the
Night: Overcome sleep apnea syndrome and snoring—win your hidden
struggle to breathe, sleep, and live, Cambridge & Onset MA: New
Technology Publishing, Inc., 1996. ISBN: 1-882431-02-2 $29.95
Readers praise Phantom of the Night
"I just wanted to share some aspects of my CPAP experience...One of
the best decisions I made regarding my CPAP experience was to purchase
a copy of Phantom of the Night ...with medical authority and great
detail, I learned from the book what to expect in terms of the
substantial time and effort required in adjustment for CPAP usage.
Further, I read about the safety and minimal risks involved with CPAP
usage, giving me a sense of security which neither my doctor or the
respiratory therapist could give me. Obviously, I highly recommend the
book.---Mason WongFrom the online support and discussion group,
alt.support.sleep-disorder, 30 Apr 1996; quoted with permission."
cpapcompare.com
http://www.cpapcompare.com/CPAP.html
Here you will find descriptions of many popular models, prices and
links to their manufacturers pages. It appears to be a valuable
resource.
The Irish Sleep Apnea Trust page -
http://www.isat.ie/f_a_q_'_s.htm#Which%20CPAP%20machine%20is%20the%20best?
"Which CPAP machine is the best?
There are several different manufacturers of CPAP machines, each with
different models. They all perform the same function; the major
differences are in price, weight, and options. Some are "bare bones"
while some have many options including such things as voltage
converters (handy for people who travel to foreign countries) and even
remote controls! In particular some machines make less noise than
others. Our Web Site at http://www.isat.ie/ contains a full list of
suppliers with contact details, or we can be emailed at Info@Isat.ie
."
Unfortunately their product advice page is under construction:
http://www.isat.ie/products.htm
I then checked over at Google Groups to see what threads I could find
discussing CPAP machines. here you will find questions, answers and
opinions from users of these devices:
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&threadm=robndeb-2504971412410001%40cnc096073.concentric.net&rnum=1&prev=/groups%3Fq%3DCPAP%2Bmachines%2B%252Breview%2BOR%2Bcomparison%2BOR%2Bcompare%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26selm%3Drobndeb-2504971412410001%2540cnc096073.concentric.net%26rnum%3D1
Does anyone have information of the differences (plusses or Minuses)
of Healthdyne Tranquility and Quest models?
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&threadm=845497932.22738.1%40polson.demon.co.uk&rnum=4&prev=/groups%3Fq%3DCPAP%2Bmachines%2B%252Breview%2BOR%2Bcomparison%2BOR%2Bcompare%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26selm%3D845497932.22738.1%2540polson.demon.co.uk%26rnum%3D4
New advances in CPAP machines?
"After renting a CPAP machine for a month, I think I am going to
purchase a Sullivan Elite. I tried the REMstar and it was a fine
machine, but I understand the Sullivan is a little easier for travel.
Does anyone know if there are any machines coming out in the near
future that will have new features? I sure hate to buy one today and
find that a "New" machine is coming out in the next few months. I
could continue to rent as insurance is good about paying for rental."
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&threadm=4cr47f%24qfa%40newsbf02.news.aol.com&rnum=5&prev=/groups%3Fq%3DCPAP%2Bmachines%2B%252Breview%2BOR%2Bcomparison%2BOR%2Bcompare%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26selm%3D4cr47f%2524qfa%2540newsbf02.news.aol.com%26rnum%3D5
Advice on CPAP (etc.) Machines
"What do we look for in a machine? Does noise level vary from machine
to machine? What about efficacy? Fit? Any special features we
should insist on? Do bottom of the line units work as well as top of
the line? Is there a direct correlation between price and value? (We
apparently pay a good chunk of this money ourselves; it's not supplied
free. And we don't have extra insurance for this.)"
This thread has 22 responses.
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&threadm=863945703.1345.0.nnrp-1.c2de30ef%40news.demon.co.uk&rnum=7&prev=/groups%3Fq%3DCPAP%2Bmachines%2B%252Breview%2BOR%2Bcomparison%2BOR%2Bcompare%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26selm%3D863945703.1345.0.nnrp-1.c2de30ef%2540news.demon.co.uk%26rnum%3D7
Best CPAP/BiPAP machines?
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&threadm=6q7vt5%2467f%241%40nnrp1.dejanews.com&rnum=14&prev=/groups%3Fq%3DCPAP%2Bmachines%2B%252Breview%2BOR%2Bcomparison%2BOR%2Bcompare%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26selm%3D6q7vt5%252467f%25241%2540nnrp1.dejanews.com%26rnum%3D14
Smart CPAP
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&threadm=32f16c31.137884503%40news.rmi.net&rnum=15&prev=/groups%3Fq%3DCPAP%2Bmachines%2B%252Breview%2BOR%2Bcomparison%2BOR%2Bcompare%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26selm%3D32f16c31.137884503%2540news.rmi.net%26rnum%3D15
Buying a CPAP
"...I am looking for some way to compare the features of
the various unit available so I can make the best
choice for ME. I seem to remember mention in this
group, in which I lurk regularly, about a CPAP web
site. If this is true I'd sure like to know the URL.
If not, I'd like to know if any manufacturers are on
the3 web, and if a list of the various machines out
there exists.
Also, if anyone has opinions on reliasbility
I'd appreciat those. My two machines have lasted a
total of 14 years., which isn't that good in my opinion.
Heck, one of my cars is almost 30 and still running well.
My stereo is pushing 40. The CPAP was 7!"
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&threadm=zLau2.5116%24VY4.3516684%40news2.mco&rnum=17&prev=/groups%3Fq%3DCPAP%2Bmachines%2B%252Breview%2BOR%2Bcomparison%2BOR%2Bcompare%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26selm%3DzLau2.5116%2524VY4.3516684%2540news2.mco%26rnum%3D17
CPAP on the way!
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&threadm=G8LW5.166659%24UO.624043%40news22.bellglobal.com&rnum=26&prev=/groups%3Fq%3DCPAP%2Bmachines%2B%252Breview%2BOR%2Bcomparison%2BOR%2Bcompare%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26selm%3DG8LW5.166659%2524UO.624043%2540news22.bellglobal.com%26rnum%3D26
Consumer Report -CPAP ?
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&threadm=39FA2877.DA54EB06%40tcinternet.net&rnum=33&prev=/groups%3Fq%3DCPAP%2Bmachines%2B%252Breview%2BOR%2Bcomparison%2BOR%2Bcompare%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26selm%3D39FA2877.DA54EB06%2540tcinternet.net%26rnum%3D33
Choice of machine
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&threadm=380a5cdf.32357816%40news.microdsi.net&rnum=44&prev=/groups%3Fq%3DCPAP%2Bmachines%2B%252Breview%2BOR%2Bcomparison%2BOR%2Bcompare%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26selm%3D380a5cdf.32357816%2540news.microdsi.net%26rnum%3D44
Autopap Comparison Study
This points to a study of devices at:
http://www.journalsleep.org/531.pdf
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&threadm=DwEA77.6I9.0.sheppard%40torfree.net&rnum=49&prev=/groups%3Fq%3DCPAP%2Bmachines%2B%252Breview%2BOR%2Bcomparison%2BOR%2Bcompare%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26selm%3DDwEA77.6I9.0.sheppard%2540torfree.net%26rnum%3D49
CPAP suppliers on the Web
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&threadm=371a8314.113472385%40news&rnum=64&prev=/groups%3Fq%3DCPAP%2Bmachines%2B%252Breview%2BOR%2Bcomparison%2BOR%2Bcompare%26start%3D50%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26selm%3D371a8314.113472385%2540news%26rnum%3D64
Automatic CPAP's
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&threadm=867028840.24752%40dejanews.com&rnum=65&prev=/groups%3Fq%3DCPAP%2Bmachines%2B%252Breview%2BOR%2Bcomparison%2BOR%2Bcompare%26start%3D50%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26selm%3D867028840.24752%2540dejanews.com%26rnum%3D65
COMPARISON OF POSITIVE PRESSURE DEVICES USED TO TREAT SLEEP APNEA
http://groups.google.com/groups?q=CPAP+machines+%2Breview+OR+comparison+OR+compare&start=50&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&selm=332abae1.52848233%40library.airnews.net&rnum=75
COMPARISON OF BRANDS OF BILEVEL DEVICES USED TO TREAT SLEEP APNEA: A
NONPROFESSIONAL ESSAY
There also appear to be many medical pages available that descibe
conditions and treatment, and although you asked for equipment reviews
and comparisons, I thought a link to at least one of these pages would
be in order:
http://www.emedicine.com/ent/topic721.htm
Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea, CPAP
Last Updated: May 20, 2002
Nasal continuous positive airway pressure
When none of the above therapies are appropriate or helpful, nasal
continuous positive airway pressure (n-CPAP) is the next treatment
option for most patients with SDB. Patients who are unlikely to
benefit from n-CPAP include those with such severe nasal obstruction
that n-CPAP cannot be used, patients with such extreme claustrophobia
that they cannot tolerate a nasal mask, and patients in whom n-CPAP
does not reliably eliminate apneas, hypopneas, and snoring.
There is a good deal of information on this page.
Other resources:
http://dir.yahoo.com/Business_and_Economy/Shopping_and_Services/Health/Diseases_and_Conditions/Sleep_Disorders/
Yahoo! Commercial Directory
Shopping > Diseases and Conditions > Sleep Disorders
This page is a directory of manufacturers and resources for sleep
disorders and related products.
I trust my research will help you evaluate machines. If a link above
should fail to work or anything require further explanation, please do
post a Request for Clarification and I will be pleased to assist
further.
Regards,
-=clouseau=- |
