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by LordOmlette 992 days ago
I had a 10 year old CPAP machine, Respironics SystemOne. I kept telling myself that I needed a new one and I should go and get a new one, but I never did because this one was plodding along "fine". Looks like I dodged a bullet by not getting an updated one, because they probably would've given me one of those Dreamstations!

Did a sleep apnea test last year, it came back negative, which was weird because I can't sleep right without a CPAP.

I redid the test a few months ago, which also came back negative, so I asked to look at the full results, not just the summary. The analysis said I didn't have sleep apnea because I was ONLY WAKING UP 10 TIMES AN HOUR.

I insisted on a new machine, they gave me a ResMed AirSense 11 (autopap) and I've been sleeping like a baby for the last 2 weeks. The technology has improved so much:

* No more SD card!

* Results show up in the phone app in < 24 hours. (Machine modem -> cell network -> provider -> app instead of machine -> app, which I think explains the delay)

* The device detects when you've put the mask on and turns itself on automatically.

* The masks themselves are so much better, so easy to put on and remove.

* The app shows if air is leaking so no more endless fiddling with the mask to ensure a good fit.

This is one of those cases where it really does feel like we're living in the future.

6 comments

> * Results show up in the phone app in < 24 hours. (Machine modem -> cell network -> provider -> app instead of machine -> app, which I think explains the delay)

This seems like a huge downside. What data is being collected? Who else gets access to this data? What will these third parties use it for? How is it secured?

A doctor can use a portal to see if it’s working and if further patient instructions are needed or to adjust airflow pressure.
Some insurance companies will take CPAPs away if they're not being worn for x hours/night at least y nights per month
How much is a CPAP without insurance? Could you buy your own to get around this? Or is it some sort of prescription only situation.

Edit: I don't mean buying one without a sleep study etc. But if my doctor were to prescribe one that needed to tell my insurance my sleeping patterns or get taken back, could I just pay full price for a model I'd actually own?

It's about $1000. I bought a second one (without insurance) so I have one while traveling and insurance only covers a single device / person.
If insurance companies are accessing this data are they selling it too?

I doubt they're selling the records directly, but if they use that data to learn things about you (your hours awake/asleep for example) they could sell that.

> * Results show up in the phone app in < 24 hours. (Machine modem -> cell network -> provider -> app instead of machine -> app, which I think explains the delay)

Unfortunately it doesn't work in Europe :(. I have a second CPAP (airsense) and I can't complete the app syncing/registration because I am not registered with any provider in the US.

edit: I looked at the airsense 11, not the same model so maybe that changed but I doubt it.

edit 2: data can be extracted though, either with official resmed Windows application or third party (see replies).

It's not their app, but you might be able to use OSCAR (derived from SleepyHead). See their supported machines list at https://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php?title=OSCAR_suppor...

https://gitlab.com/pholy/OSCAR-code

You can use OSCAR to read the data off of your SD card instead, which is less convenient admittedly.
If you're using Android, check if your Play Store account isn't set to USA, because the US and EU app binaries are separated and geo-locked.

Had to set up second account to download the EU version of the app.

I think that may be because the US requires a prescription in order to obtain a CPAP device, and ResMed is an American company.
The Wikipedia page lists the company as headquartered in San Diego, California. It relocated there in 1990.
Sure, they probably enjoy closer ties to the US health care industry this way. https://careers.resmed.com/what-we-do/locations/ is a page listing offices including Atlanta, Halifax, India and China.
Haha, that explains why all those youtube review are from Australian people. I never connected the dots.
D'oh! Looks like there's still room for improvement :-/
By far the best advance in the ResMed Autoset machines is how good the Auto part does. I don't know about your old Respironics device but I do know in the bad old days getting a CPAP set up was an arduous process of trial and error figuring out what static pressure would work best. The auto machines just detect when you're having trouble breathing and increase the pressure a bit. Works amazingly well.

BTW your AutoSet 11 should support an SD Card still where you can get a lot more data than ResMed's webapp will show you. OSCAR or SleepHQ can interpret the data.

You have Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome instead of Sleep Apnea now. That it didn't show up on your sleep studies means they didn't score it properly. It means your body is ("correctly") waking up out of airway collapse before any oxygen desaturation can occur, which regrettably destroys sleep quality as bad or often worse than apnea does. This is particularly common in women, younger peopoe in general, and non-obese individuals.
I have an Airsense 11. It is an amazing device. Been using it (and the 10 before getting the 11 beginning of this year) for 2 years. Huge improvement to my sleep.
I was just diagnosed this year and I was provided the Airsense 10. Is the 11 really that much better?
Nope. I haven't really noticed a difference in sleep quality. I had an issue with my 10, which is why it was replaced. In fact, I think the 11 is slightly louder. The filter on the back is smaller and harder to get to. I like the 10 a little better.
I find it a bit annoying that you have to have this prescribed for a doctor in the United States. Even Europe doesn't seem to mind.