Dreamstation vs. Dreamstation Go

[cindy74]

Can the "Dreamstation Go" be used every day as a "Permanent" Machine at home or would you recommend using the DreamStation as the Permanent machine at home?

Suggestions from experienced users will be very helpful.

Thank you.

[Okie bipap]

I would not recommend any of the travel type machines for primary use unless your treatment is well under control and has been for an extended period. These machines offer no data other than usage. Personally, I would not want any machine that does not have full data capability even now when my treatment is going very well (6 month average AHI is less than 0.5).

[cindy74]

I would not recommend any of the travel type machines for primary use unless your treatment is well under control and has been for an extended period. These machines offer no data other than usage. Personally, I would not want any machine that does not have full data capability even now when my treatment is going very well (6 month average AHI is less than 0.5).

My current AHI is 40 and I need to start my treatment immediately. Seeing the Dreamstation Go website it says they provide good data thru their apps. I am not sure if the travel type machines are strong enough to be used as a permanent machine for everyday usage. Also what should be the average AHI level?

[Pugsy]

If you are using insurance to buy the machine I don't think travel machines are covered...at least that is my understanding.

It has some data via the website but it isn't enough IMHO for someone just starting out on therapy. The regular full time machines that are full data have a lot more data.
Also if you need added moisture to the air (and most people will need at least a little and some need a lot) the DreamStation Go doesn't have a heated humidity option yet I don't think.

As far as treated AHI...the medical community in the US uses AHI of 5 as being okay/acceptable but most of us here on the forum like to see it lower than that if at all possible and some people can tell a big difference between AHI of say 4.0 and 2.0.

AHI of 5 is the cut off line for being diagnostic or not.
Your AHI of 40 puts you in the severe category if you didn't already know that.
http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/sle ... ng-results

[cindy74]

If you are using insurance to buy the machine I don't think travel machines are covered...at least that is my understanding.

It has some data via the website but it isn't enough IMHO for someone just starting out on therapy. The regular full time machines that are full data have a lot more data.
Also if you need added moisture to the air (and most people will need at least a little and some need a lot) the DreamStation Go doesn't have a heated humidity option yet I don't think.

As far as treated AHI...the medical community in the US uses AHI of 5 as being okay/acceptable but most of us here on the forum like to see it lower than that if at all possible and some people can tell a big difference between AHI of say 4.0 and 2.0.

AHI of 5 is the cut off line for being diagnostic or not.
Your AHI of 40 puts you in the severe category if you didn't already know that.
http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/sle ... ng-results

Thank you very much for this feedback, appreciate it. Yes will start the treatment immediately. This forum is great for beginners like me. Difficult to get answers from the doctors for every question. Those that are active and reply to questions - a big Thank you to you all. You are making a big difference in someone's life far away.

[cindy74]

1) The only option here in my city in India is the "Philips DreamStation Auto CPAP Machine" from an authorized dealer. Is this machine the best? Looking to buy "the best" machine.

2) I feel buying locally from a dealer might be better vs. online due to local support, warranty, service etc.

3) Should I get the humidifier?

4) Which mask is most comfortable?

5) Anything else I should keep in mind while deciding/buying the machine? This is my first machine and I am absolutely new to this entire Sleep Apnea / CPAP thing. The doctor has just diagnosed me with Severe Sleep Apnea.

Suggestions please?

Thank you.

[Cardsfan]

Hi- I have a Dreamstation GO with battery for my travel machine. I would not recommend it for every night use because it does not have a humidifier. It does report AHI on the machine's display screen. It is supposed to have a humidifier available some time in the future. I got it because of the battery for an overseas flight. Worked great for that purpose.

[cindy74]

Hi- I have a Dreamstation GO with battery for my travel machine. I would not recommend it for every night use because it does not have a humidifier. It does report AHI on the machine's display screen. It is supposed to have a humidifier available some time in the future. I got it because of the battery for an overseas flight. Worked great for that purpose.

Very helpful. Will I need the humidifier as I live in Kolkata, India and the weather is pretty warm thru out the year except for two months in winter?

[Pugsy]

The Phillips DreamStation Auto CPAP machine is a good machine choice.
Full data...easy to obtain and use software so you can monitor your therapy results.
https://sleep.tnet.com/equipment
SleepyHead is easy, free and will work with that machine.
See this thread for some examples of what you can see.
viewtopic/t158560/How-to-post-images-for-review.html

I would suggest getting the humidifier unless you live in an area where the humidity is normally really high anyway. Like the rain forest or right on the coast.
Google "cpap rhinitis"...that's what happens if the nasal mucosa get dried out...not pleasant.

Mask choice is very personal an individual....one man's treasure can be another man's trash.

Can you normally breathe through your nose just fine during the day and night or do you have chronic nasal congestion issues that you can't clear up enough to totally breathe through your nose.

If your nose is clear the majority of the time...I usually tell newbies to start with one of the nasal pillow masks.
Very little on the face and head...easier to get a seal and keep it and in general less "stuff" on the face means more comfort. Look at the mask I am using in my profile. Very comfy and essentially silent in terms of vent noise and your bed partner won't get a blast of cold air in their face in the middle of the night.

Now if you have a lot of nasal issues and you just have to mouth breathe...Look at the Respironics DreamWear Full Face mask...I have tried it myself and it's probably the most comfortable of all the full face masks I have tried.

I can tell you what I like...and someone else can tell you what they like but the end result is you will just have to try a mask to know how well you like it or not.
I can give you a starting point to look at but I have no way of knowing if you like what I like.

[Pugsy]

The humidifier is more for adding moisture to the air than warming the air itself.
We use a heated hose for the air warming....like in the winter.

Unless the relative humidity where you live is consistently in the upper 70s% or more...get the heated humidifier.
Where I live it's usually 50 % or so and I need LOTS of added moisture to keep my nasal mucosa happy.
You may or may not need a lot but I am betting you will need at least a little. Most people do.

[cindy74]

Loving these replies. I feel so glad I found this forum. You all are GREAT !! I already feel better just knowing there is a way out. Thank you.

[CapnLoki]

Very helpful. Will I need the humidifier as I live in Kolkata, India and the weather is pretty warm thru out the year except for two months in winter?

Actually when its hot, if its also humid, you probably don't need a humidifier. I just checked the wunderground.com forecast for the next 10 days in Kolkata and the Dew Point is 76 to 80 F (24 to 27 C) which means the Relative Humidity will stay above 75% at night. Much of the world would consider that downright soggy! You might have a dry season there, but right now I'd be quite happy with no humidifier. (Actually if I could I'd have the air conditioner running full time and probably would need the humidifier!)

[cindy74]

Thank you everyone. Loving this forum.

[Cardsfan]

Last night the power went out and I had to use the Dreamstation GO with battery. And it made me think of these posts. The Dreamstation GO is much more noisy than my Resmed Airsense 10. Even my husband said it makes more noise than my Resmed.

[cindy74]

Based on valuable suggestions here, today I purchased the DreamStation Auto machine and ready to use this starting tonight. Glad I did not go with DreamStation Go.

Thank you everyone.