CPAP product reviews and other helpful tips for CPAP users!

If you're shopping for a CPAP machine, this blog post is a great place to start. Treating your Sleep Apnea can significantly improve your quality of sleep because life is too short to be tired all the time. To avoid unnecessary stress and buyer's remorse, follow these 5 suggestions to help make your CPAP shopping experience an educated and positive one.  

1. See A Doctor

Before you shell out a bunch of money, make sure you actually need a CPAP machine.  See your physician get a proper diagnosis. Your diagnosis will likely involve a sleep test and based on those results, your doctor will write you a proper CPAP prescription. The prescription will identify:

• What type of Sleep Apnea you have (eg. Obstructive Sleep Apnea or Central Sleep Apnea).
• The CPAP pressure or pressure range you require (prescribed in cmH20).
• What type of CPAP machine is required to treat your Apnea (CPAP, APAP, BiPAP, VPAP etc).

2. Do Your Research

Read and learn as much as you can about Sleep Apnea; the types of treatments available, what type of funding is available from your healthcare system, private insurance policies and how to qualify for them.  Identify popular CPAP brands and the newest CPAP models available. Research different styles and sizes of masks and read up-to-date product reviews on the products you are interested in. Make a list to help you narrow down your search. Arming yourself with knowledge about CPAP helps make informed treatment and buying decisions.

3. Visit Your Local CPAP Vendor

Whether you decide to purchase your CPAP machine in-store or online, visit your local CPAP vendor and browse through displays of various machine and mask selection. Take advantage of the ability to physically see, touch and test features of the potential products you are buying. Ask questions and utilize sales associates for their expertise. Ask for a demonstration to check for the noise level of a machine or to try on a CPAP mask to make sure the fit is right for you.

4. Do A CPAP Trial

Most CPAP vendors offer a 2-4 week trial period, allowing you to rent a CPAP machine and try out the therapy in your own home (for a nominal fee). This trial is tremendously helpful because it allows you to learn how the therapy works, how the equipment functions and what features the best help you adapt to your therapy. You will also quickly learn if a mask is fitting right -- you may switch a few times until you find a suitable face mask that is comfortable for you. At the end of the trial period, you'll have a better idea of purchasing a particular CPAP machine is right for you.

5. Set A Budget

In Canada, CPAP machines often range from $500 - $3000.  The more you are willing to pay the wider range of options: machines, masks, accessories, warranty and aftercare service provided by your CPAP vendor.  But paying more for some bells and whistles doesn't always get you better treatment.  Setting a reasonable budget helps narrow down must-haves and accessories you can forgo.

TIP: Opt for a good quality CPAP main unit with good reviews and take a pass on the travel battery until you have more experience with your starter package.  

Follow our 5 suggestions when you're ready to make a CPAP purchase and you'll have a stress-free buying experience.

If you read our previous blog on the AirMini™ then welcome to part 2 of that discussion!  For those of you who didn't: in a nutshell, we highlighted the AirMini™ travel-specific unit and listed some of the accessories and add-ons we found to be the most impressive. The goal is to help savvy customers like yourself customized a travel unit to best fit your adventurous needs.

Next up on the list, (also the last) quickly became a bestseller in the travel category - the Dreamstation Go Auto CPAP. Continue reading to learn more on which accessories are worth buying and which ones to pass on.  

Dreamstation Go

A relatively new release, the Dreamstation Go by Philips Respironics made its way onto the Canadian market (and into our hearts), spring of 2018. It was designed to be a direct competitor to the beloved and highly buzzed about AirMini™. The Dreamstation Go is a small, sleek and compact, but don't be fooled by appearances:  it weighs more than it looks.

Notable differences between the Dreamstation Go and the AirMini™ - the Dreamstation Go has a touch screen, full compatibility with all CPAP masks and compatibility to various heated and standard tubing!

Sounds good so far doesn’t it? Let’s move on to it’s accessories.

Heat/Moisture Exchanger (HME) Filter

As mentioned in our look at the AirMini™, travel units do not come with built in humidification chambers. Travel units use a waterless technology in the form of dry filters or tablets that provide moisture and heat. But Respironics does not make a waterless solution exclusive to the Dreamstation Go.  You can get a third party heat/moisture exchanger.  The HME filter accessory from the Z1™ Auto travel CPAP by HDM works pretty well on the Dreamstation.  Those filters are  certified for 7 full days of use.

Small or Medium Travel Kit

Personally, I am at the mercy of any attractively designed case or bag.  Philips Respironics has travel cases for the Dreamstation.  The smallest (below, on the left) is sturdy, stylish and rugged enough, but it is big enough to fit only the Dreamstation unit itself.  

               

There's a medium size case (above, centre) that's more robust and can store both the main unit and the optional battery (which we'll talk about next). Both Small and Medium Travel Kits have a zipper closure and come with a separate washable canvas bag (top, right) to house your mask and tubing.   

Dreamstation Go Overnight Battery

One of the core features of the Dreamstation Go is it’s exclusive overnight battery. Weighing in at 1.53lbs, it’s designed to match the look of the Dreamstation Go. First, remove the panel on the unit to reveal the battery port.  The overnight battery connects seamlessly to the unit, giving you about 13 hours of uninterrupted therapy (at 10cmH20 pressure) on a 4-to-5 hour charge.  

                    

Medistrom™ Pilot-12 Lite Battery & Backup Power Supply

Although Philips Respironics makes a cordless backup and overnight battery exclusively for the Dreamstation Go, there are other options. Choice One Medical released the Medistrom™ Pilot-12 Lite as an alternative portable battery for the Dreamstation Go (also compatible with other CPAP brands and devices). A 3-hour charge with the Dreamstation AC Adapter can power up to 2 nights of therapy (on average pressure of 10 cmH20) with humidification and heated tubing disabled if using with main units.  

There you have it, that’s a wrap on the Dreamstation Go. Completely in love? We know, we are too. We hope you enjoyed our informal “part one” and “part two” ongoing discussion of the tech- filled travel CPAPs and all their accessories.

The take home message? Regardless of which travel CPAP you invest in, both machines offer consistent and reliable therapy. It truly comes down to personal preferences in brands, look, compatibility and accessories. Now leaving your CPAP therapy at home is a thing of the past.

When it comes to choosing the right CPAP machine for yourself, you might be wondering if there is more than a cosmetic difference between the ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet and ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet “For Her” model. While their algorithms are similar, the ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet For Her is optimized in small ways to help women sleep better.

 

The Basics

Both machines have auto mode, and the CPAP fixed pressure mode as well. 

The ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet For Her comes with a white colour faceplate with flower faceplate while the ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet is a shiny black faceplate. If the white face plate with flowers bothers you on the For Her model, ResMed also gives you the option of buying a replacement silver or shiny black faceplate. 

We have had very positive feedback from our customers about how comfortable, quiet, and easy it is to travel with both the ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet and ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet for Her.

All CPAP masks, whether it is the ResMed P10 or ResMed P10 for Her, the N20 nasal masks or the F20 full face masks are all fully compatible with both units. Even all masks of other manufacturers are all compatible as well. Both the heated hose, ClimatlineAir, or non-heated hose such as the ResMed slimline tubing will fit on both CPAP machines.

Both AutoSet machines also come with data capabilities to fully record detailed sleep quality reports. These reports can be viewed and generated through ResMed AirView, or by download from the SD card.

 

Why The ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet For Her is ideal for women

The For Her model of ResMed’s popular CPAP machine has a more sensitive flow algorithm that picks up Hypopneas/flow limitation better than the standard model. Often females have more Hypopneas and flow limitation than Males due to menopause or any hormonal imbalances.

ResMed’s pioneering women-specific algorithm used in the AirSense 10 AutoSet for Her works by increasing sensitivity to flow limitation and optimizing the response to these events. By responding to each flow-limited breath, the algorithm helps to provide comfortable therapy for women and does not let the pressure increase dramatically during the detection of these hypopneas/flow-limitation events.

This device is not just for women, however; any patients with sensitive airways or suffering from Asthma, COPD, or Emphysema would also benefit from using the ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet for Her algorithm.

 

The Importance Of Properly Maintaining Your CPAP Machine

Routine check-ups, cleaning, filter changes, and adjustments of your CPAP range of pressures are a vital and key component to sleeping better on CPAP machine. Remember it is important to bring your CPAP machine every 6 months for a check-up. 

Like with all medical devices, it is important to make sure that the motor is delivering the right pressures. The motor function can be checked easily by your CPAP vendor or home health care provider with a pressure manometer.

Even with Auto CPAPs, it is extremely important that your CPAP pressure range constantly gets adjusted to match any weight, gain/loss and overall breathing condition changes. 

Shop for both the ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet and ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet For Her on CPAPMachines.ca today. We offer the lowest prices on CPAP Machines in Canada and free shipping across the country.

Written by Simon Ho RRT, Registered Respiratory Therapist