Can an Apnea Event Turn Off My Machine?

I'm struggling with constant leaks on my Ultra Mirage FF and the last few nights have awakened 4-6 times because my machine has shut off. I don't know if this is result of leaks or if I'm having apnea episodes (I don't have a data capable machine). I've only had the mask a couple of weeks and have tried the Macks silicone but the mask still leaks when my face relaxes. The prospect of this being the result of apnea episodes really concerns me...is it possible for an event to turn my machine off? (I've only been on CPAP for a little over 2 months and still have much to learn). Thanks for your help

Thank you for comments and help. I've turned off the "auto on/off" feature and have come to the conclusion the Ultra Mirage is not the FF for me. Am returning to the journey of researching and determining just which FF might work better - the proverbial quest for the needle in the haystack.

Again my thanks.

I don't know much about that machine you have, but when mine had this setting called "Auto off" turned on, it would turn itself off at night sometimes. If you could check to see if your machine has that and if it is turned on, turning it off might stop that. Otherwise something is probably wrong with the machine. My machine also had a problem where it was turning on and off by itself. I eventually took it back to the DME who sent it to Respironics to be repaired. I think they switched out the power supply, it hasn't done it since I got it back a month or so ago.

My first ResMed AutoSet II would shut off and restart all night long. I took it back after a week and it was replaced with another unit. The DME thought I was nuts. In fact, I saw the tech several weeks later and she says she's been running it without a problem. I wondered to myself if she was running it in the shop or if someone actually used it with a mask. Truthfully, I don't much care since the new machine is working just fine.

I'd wonder if she was using it with a different power supply. I had a heck of a time getting the DME to take back the power supply on mine when I brought the machine in. It wouldn't take much work for them to read in the clinician's manual the number one thing on the list for that symptom : bad power supply! The manual also says the machine will reset itself in the night sometimes, but I got the idea that that is infrequent and doesn't last as long as what my machine was doing! I have seen a very short break in the therapy line every now and then too, I assume that is the machine resetting itself. Why it needs to do that is beyond me!

anotherRandy wrote:My first ResMed AutoSet II would shut off and restart all night long. I took it back after a week and it was replaced with another unit. The DME thought I was nuts. In fact, I saw the tech several weeks later and she says she's been running it without a problem. I wondered to myself if she was running it in the shop or if someone actually used it with a mask. Truthfully, I don't much care since the new machine is working just fine.

First off make sure either by yourself or your clinician that the auto off is not turned on. I had the same problem and my clinician thought I had that turned on somehow. After that was verified as being off the machine was replaced. I got a factury refurbed unit with a different style power supply. The auto off is designed to turn the machine off if you take your mask of but if you get a really big leak it can also turn the machine off. An episode should not cause the machine to turn off, the machine is designed to correct events not run until one and shut down. Talk to you clinician or DME about the machine setting or repairs.

Keep us posted.

Good luck

Gerry

I have the same machine no problem at all with mine

nobody wrote:I'd wonder if she was using it with a different power supply.

The ResMed does not have the separate power supply in the power cord like the Respironics, it appears to be built into the machine...just a cord from the machine to the wall.

bjdare wrote:I'm struggling with constant leaks on my Ultra Mirage FF and the last few nights have awakened 4-6 times because my machine has shut off. I don't know if this is result of leaks or if I'm having apnea episodes (I don't have a data capable machine). I've only had the mask a couple of weeks and have tried the Macks silicone but the mask still leaks when my face relaxes. The prospect of this being the result of apnea episodes really concerns me...is it possible for an event to turn my machine off? (I've only been on CPAP for a little over 2 months and still have much to learn). Thanks for your help.

Large leaks will cause the "Auto OFF" feature to turn the machine off after a 1 minute cuz that is what it's supposed to do. There is NO way the machine should shut off when you have an apnea - NO WAY.

You should check that setting yourself, if you still have problems contact your DME right away to check the machine for proper operation.

If you haven't yet found the instructions on how to get into the clinician menu - post back here and someone can post a link for you.

Gumby's right. It won't shut off from an apnea. It's either on auto shut off or it needs to be replaced. If you are having that many problems with your mask, Respironics has a 30 day warranty that will allow you to bring in the mask and get it replaced with another from their line. Some masks I have heard now have a 45 day guaruntee, but I was told from the rep that it was 30.

bjdare wrote:I'm struggling with constant leaks on my Ultra Mirage FF and the last few nights have awakened 4-6 times because my machine has shut off. I don't know if this is result of leaks or if I'm having apnea episodes (I don't have a data capable machine). I've only had the mask a couple of weeks and have tried the Macks silicone but the mask still leaks when my face relaxes. The prospect of this being the result of apnea episodes really concerns me...is it possible for an event to turn my machine off? (I've only been on CPAP for a little over 2 months and still have much to learn). Thanks for your help.

I am pretty sure that AUTOOFF feature can be activated & deactivated in the clin menu ? - any users of this machine who can confirm this ?

Good luck.

DSM

bjdare wrote:I'm struggling with constant leaks on my Ultra Mirage FF and the last few nights have awakened 4-6 times because my machine has shut off. I don't know if this is result of leaks or if I'm having apnea episodes (I don't have a data capable machine). I've only had the mask a couple of weeks and have tried the Macks silicone but the mask still leaks when my face relaxes. The prospect of this being the result of apnea episodes really concerns me...is it possible for an event to turn my machine off? (I've only been on CPAP for a little over 2 months and still have much to learn). Thanks for your help.

Many machines have an Auto Off setting, as posted above. What this means is that if the machine can't keep your prescribed pressure up with the leaks, it turns off. You should be able to turn Auto Off off (sorry, that sounds strange, huh?). Some machines can also be set to alarm in this instance. If this is happening, you probably have the wrong mask. Demand your doc figure out a better one for you to try. Also, you may want your medical supplier (if it's not your doc) to run diagnostics on the machine.

I find it somewhat appalling that they would send you home with a machine and not explain such a feature to you.

Your machine is meant to prevent apneas, not give up when you have one, so don't worry that it's your apneas, it's 1000 times more likely simply to be your mask or straps.