CPAP machine not calibrated?

Hello,

My machine flew off the table the other night and fell about four feet and landed upside down on carpet. Since the fall, I'm getting pressure, but it feels like a reduced pressure (wake up abruptly gasping for air as soon as I fall asleep).

I'm getting the indicator that there are no leaks (green happy face). Took to my local CPAP shop, and she hooked up the manometer to the device and it read 8.8 / 8.9 even though the unit was set for 12. Shouldn't the manometer read around 12 as well? My suspicions were confirmed when I took it back home and raised my base pressure from 12 to 15'ish and it seems to function as before.

I don't think I should just assume its 3" w.c. off and would like it repaired. I've had it more than 2 years, so it's no longer covered under warranty.

Should the manometer read '12' if the machine is set to 12? (no ramp - it just goes straight to 12)... and any suggestions on repairs?

thnx!
-Xy

Yes, it should read about 12 cmH2O when you pressure setting is also 12 cmH2O.
Check you owner's manual for the allowable variance for your machine.

Mine has the following accuracy specifications.

Pressure accuracy
Pressure Increments: 4.0 to 25.0 cm H2O (in 0.5 cm H2O increments)
Pressure Stability:
.....Static .......Dynamic < 10 cm H2o Dynamic ≥ 10.0 to 25 cm H2o
± 0.5 cm H2O..... ≤ 0.5 cm H2O .............≤ 1.0 cm H2O

So at a static pressure, it should give an actual pressure of between 11.5 an 12.5 cmH2O when set to a straight 12 cmH2oO pressure. Your is likely similar.

Since your machine measured outside of the 'normal' variance, repair is in order because you cannot know the nature of the malfunction and whether or not it is stabile now.

Hello,

thank you for your quick reply. Much appreciated. Gathered up the CPAP 'warez' in hopes I was taking it to someone that knew more about it than I did. She wasn't going to even test the pressure -- After putting her thumb over the air outlet, she said "it seems to be functioning properly"... I asked her to put the manometer on to check pressure, but when she said 8.8 / 8.9 was normal, I didn't have enough knowledge of the equipment to question it.

You've been very helpful, thnx.. anyone that u recommend for repairs? Bought my unit in 2011, so not up for another (thru insurance) for a while yet. Saw some replacements online in the $900 range (refurbished?) ... My CPAP store said they would rent me a unit while mine was in for repairs at a rate of $350 per month.

I'm in San Jose, CA by the way.. if u know anywhere out here that does repairs within 40-50mi, that would suit me better than online repair shop.

thnx,
-Xy

Yes, of course, it should be repaired or replaced. Problem is you need to go thru a DME to get it repaired. Perhaps it would be best not to tell them it fell.

If it is not functioning properly the insurance will normally repair or replace it regardless of age. I would contact your insurance for advice on how to proceed and which DME to use.

If there was water in the humidifier when it fell, the water may have damaged something inside

Hey check out craig's list in Cal. found this one and price is right...
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/ap ... 77642.html,
Lot of good deals out there just have to be careful, I just bought one in my home town off craig's list, it only had 700 hours, heck of a deal. good luck with getting yours repaired.

What brand and model machine do you use?
Depending on which brand and model you might find it cheaper to just buy a used unit either Craigslist or maybe secondwindcpap.com.
Also wouldn't hurt to check with your insurance...there may be some sort of provision for replacement when a machine is damaged to the point it costs more to repair it than it is worth. If you don't ask the answer is always "no".
Between diagnostic fees to figure out what is wrong and fix it fees...you are probably looking at $200 minimum to fix the machine. All depends on what is wrong and just what model machine you are using...as in is it a plain cpap machine or one of the high end pricey specialty machines?