Intus! CPAP Machines?

[Sparticus]

I know that Intus sell some machines but how do they stand-up to the big Resmed machines? There seems to be a them and us mentality going on here? Why dont Intus sell Resmed in the uk? and also if Intus is uk based why are our hospitals using an american machine and not going with other makes? (Call me nieve) Another point I would like to make is why are the machines so expensive? It cant be because of the parts so I guess its because it's medical. As I have only used a resmed machine I cant begin to know what the others are like and if I do go it alone I would like to know, who's best? Value for money? Most gadgets that are usefull and not come with a built in toaster I guess there is only one other option open to me and thats to create a poll of machines, so have your say and tell me, whats best?

[James @ Intus]

ResMed are the only ones selling ResMed as unlike most of the other manufacturers, they have a good setup and reach themselves. That's why ResMed don't seek or want resellers. Of course, it also helps to keep their profits up:

http://www.google.co.uk/finance?client=ob&q=NYSE:RMD

So whilst we'd love to stock ResMed, and have been in touch with them many times, it's just masks for now.

UK hospitals do use many machines, not just ResMed or Respironics. DeVilbiss have got their machines in there in recent years as their machines are superior in terms of reliability. F&P's machines are also in the NHS.

If you think the machine's are expensive, talk to an Irish, German or Greek OSA sufferer. Your UK machine is 80% cheaper than there. usually the UK is considered the rip-off nation. Not so with CPAP. Yes, sometimes the States lists them cheaper but the market is obviously huge (no pun) there so that is easily explained.

If you worry ResMed is the only good brand then that would be a wrong impression. ResMed and Philips Respironics are almost equally as big and we are official/authorised resellers of the latter's full range of CPAP equipment. But as is often the case in many industries, the underdogs are worth looking at as sometimes the big biys had it too easy too long. DeVilbiss SleepCube is on all accounts an excellent choice, possibly our most popular range as it offers excellent value for money. The innovative data reporting makes it hassle free too and if you look at problem rates, DeVilbiss is the clear winner, including ResMed in the list based on feedback from clinics etc.

What's best is for you to decide. What do you need in a machine? Travel, data, exhalation relief, ramp, humidification, MP3 player? It all depends. And given that most machines last a good 5-7 years, they work out cheaper per day than most things lying around your house. So really, they're not that expensive, especially given what they do for you.

If you've blown £500-1000 on a 50" plasma TV recently (as many have) consider this... What is going to make more of a positive impact on your life? A £500-600 Auto-CPAP kit or that TV? Do your family and friends prefer that guy on the sofa watching whatever or that now-active and alife looking guy who has experienced a rebirth following CPAP therapy?

It all depends how you look at it. And certainly, there is CPAP beyond ResMed. If you choose from ResMed, Philips Respironics, DeVilbiss and Fisher & Paykel, you can hardly go wrong. They are all big, established brands with good UK based facilities. Pick any other brand and you will be less sure of spares, servicing, warranty etc. though they may still be good machines.

[symmit]

If you've blown £500-1000 on a 50" plasma TV recently (as many have) consider this... What is going to make more of a positive impact on your life? A £500-600 Auto-CPAP kit or that TV? Do your family and friends prefer that guy on the sofa watching whatever or that now-active and alife looking guy who has experienced a rebirth following CPAP therapy?

Interesting you should say that, I'm an earn and spend kind of person, I have a level of buffer that I'm happy to have in the bank and beyond that I'll blow money on stuff like TVs and computers, or coffee machines...

I consider my APAP (which with masks, sleep tests and stuff has cost under £1000) a very worthwhile investment, I'm self employed and paid on an hourly rate, my life had got to the point where I could only work 3-4 hours a day, now I'm back to 8-10 hr days. In the last two weeks I've probably paid back the APAP already.

As an absolute reference though, I have a £600 coffee machine, I spend £1000 on my work laptop every couple of years, I just had the torque converter replaced on my car (£1500). And if you can't afford it and can wait the NHS will supply CPAP for pretty much free. For goodness sake I put nearly £100 in the fuel tank of my car yesterday (had it been completely empty it would have been over £100)


Stuff is very expensive but technology (and APAP is technology) gets cheaper every year - competition will help too. When the chinese get hold of the APAP / CPAP market by storm then Resmed/Respironics will have to come to market with less expensive options, after all I bet a lot of their machine's components are made in China already (I know my "German" Hoffrichter is only assembled and tested in Germany).

Next big contract may see me splashing money on a spare APAP - I'm sure the Resmart is a good option there, plus with me travelling a lot I'd rather leave the expensive one at home!

I think we had a little discussing before didn't we - a Resmart with humidifier and a mask is now about 600 quid. How much was a similar APAP kit a couple of years ago out of interest?

My first plasma TV was 42 inch, standard def and £1400. I replaced it this year with a THX certified 50 inch hi-def for half that.

[Sparticus]

Ouch!

I feel like Ive been slapped for being bad.

Well that was an eye openner, thanks james for that info, it has answered quite a few questions I had and there was alot there that I didnt know. You was way off on the price of my telly though Im not one for just settling for a machine and settling down I want to know the guts of the problem so I want to see my data but a more pressing problem is do I dump my clinic and go it alone? Which ever way I go I will be seeking advise from you guys before I buy, Thanks

[Fredxx]

I'm in the same self-employed position as Symmit.

For me, it is cheaper for me to go to eu-pap.co.uk and buy a mask online than to take the time off to go ad collect one for free from the hospital. On top of that, I travel a lot, so I have my NHS machine set up permanently at home, and have bought a second one which travels with me. I've actually just ordered the humidifier for the travel one too, as well as 2 hose lifts! (one for home and one for travel). Had to get the new hose lift after leaving half of one in a hotel room!

Having the second machine is also a nice backup instead of having problems if one breaks down.

I know I am in a lucky position to be able to afford to buy my own gear, and even more so to have 2 sets, but the peace of mind in having the backup, and the fact I get sleep every night is worth more to me than a 50" Plasma tv, and I am glad to say it is worth more to my partner too!