problem with my old machine after getting it checked.

[vancity]

Hello, I recently went to an ENT Dr. Asking about the possibility of surgery for OSA . In BC , Canada you can only get covered for surgery if your OSA is Severe. Years ago mine was diagnosed as Moderate. He suggested that I get a Level 3, overnight study done (without using the machine) to find out how bad my OSA is. He referred me to a nearby Cpap supply company to pick up the device, take home and use for the overnight study. When calling the Cpap supplier, they told me to bring my machine in for a cleaning and check. I have a 2009 Remstar Auto, series M. Yes an old machine but it still seemed to be working OK. I showed up to pick up the level 3 test hardware and the receptionist took my machine to the person who was to clean and check it. After 10 minutes I was called into her office. I sat down and the first thing she said was " your machine is not working properly, you cant use it, you need a new machine". I asked how much are new machines? She said $2400. - 2,700.
She had the machine apart (humidifier taken apart ) and showed me an air flow device that had a reading of 26. She said my pressure should be set at 9 ( yes should be 9). She fumbled around connecting the hose to my machine to show me and at first it displayed 9.2, then she fumbled with the hose again and the reading went to 26.1. Very strange. I told her I couldn't afford $2400+ for a new machine and she just put the humidifier back on and that was about it. I took it home and noticed a difference in pressure from the previous night.

My questions are :
Can someone tamper with the blower or settings
to cause it to be that inaccurate?
I mean from a pressure of 9 to 26?? I thought the machine I had only went from 4-20?
I realize it's an old machine but until she stuck her hands in it , it seemed to be working ok.
Now I have a machine that doesn't seem to work and I can't really use, and can't afford more than $1000 for a new machine.

is there any way to fix what she did under the " secret menu"

Please help. Thanks.

In the Vancouver area all of the Cpap suppliers have unreal pricing for machines. Is there any reliable online vendors that will ship to Canada? The online pricing is half of what they quote.

[BlackSpinner]

https://www.clinicalsleep.com/

Is where I order from.
Our host can't ship resmed or resperonics to Canada (manufacturers restrictions)

There are also people who sell on the board. Look up the member Grayghost or STLMark. (But don't forget about the exchange rate) Send them a pm.

[Pugsy]

Is there any reliable online vendors that will ship to Canada?

I am assuming you mean online vendor in the US that will/can ship to Canada....if so, check out secondwindcpap.com. They can/will ship to Canada. Reliable and offer gently used low hour machines and new open box zero hour machines. You can compare their prices to Canadian online vendors.

About the person fiddling with your current machine...I have no idea what they did to mess it up.
You can check the pressure yourself with a homemade (or you can get a store bought) manometer to see what it is actually blowing.

[vancity]

Is there any reliable online vendors that will ship to Canada?

I am assuming you mean online vendor in the US that will/can ship to Canada....if so, check out secondwindcpap.com. They can/will ship to Canada. Reliable and offer gently used low hour machines and new open box zero hour machines. You can compare their prices to Canadian online vendors.

About the person fiddling with your current machine...I have no idea what they did to mess it up.
You can check the pressure yourself with a homemade (or you can get a store bought) manometer to see what it is actually blowing.

Thanks Pugsy as always. Where would I buy a "manometer"? I'm assuming that was the device she showed me with the ridiculous 26 pressure reading. I know I should get a new machine soon, but it burns me a little that someone would seem to sabotage and trick someone into buying a new, overpriced machine from them. Are Second wind reliable?

[Pugsy]

Yes...secondwindcpap.com is a reliable online seller. I know people from all over the world...multiple countries...who have bought from them and were totally satisfied. I personally have only purchased a humidifier from them but I have chatted with them about other stuff and they seem to be really nice. Haven't heard anything bad about them and even when a guy in Australia bought the wrong machine (his fault) the owners bent over backwards to get him the correct machine and get the swap made smoothly and quickly.

Store bought manometers can usually be found online.
cpap.com has/had a couple but you can also do a quicky DIY manometer. I can't seem to find them at the moment but I will look a little deeper...around $50 if I remember correctly.
Somewhere in the archives of this forum it was discussed how to make a DIY manometer. You might try searching the archives for "homemade manometer" or if someone happens to read this and can explain it they will post here. I have read it in the past but don't remember the particular details but it sounded relatively simple.

Give me a little bit and I will see what I can find.

[Pugsy]

Homemade manometer...see comments from forum member tomjax.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=4506&p=37259&hilit= ... ter#p37259

Still trying to find the ones that cpap.com used to have available.

[Pugsy]

cpap.com manometer search finally worked

https://www.cpap.com/productSearch.php#::::manometer:

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/fisher ... amber.html

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/guage- ... ssure.html

[vancity]

Thanks for the info. I guess I will just try to find a new one for a reasonable price. Any suggestions on a new machine? I need an auto with pressure relief, humidifier, easy to get into the Secret tech menus etc. And data storage more advanced than my 7 year old man series. Suggestions are very much needed as I am far behind what the current machines can do and offer

[Pugsy]

If you want to stay with the Respironics brand then I would look at the latest DreamStation APAP
(links to products at cpap.com provided for informational purposes to show models and features. Cpap.com can't ship Respironics or ResMed products outside the US but these links will get you started on understanding models)

DreamStation Auto CPAP
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/pr-dre ... chine.html

or still quite decent and data collection is the same...the prior model PR System One 60 Series Auto cpap..model 560...and usually not quite so expensive.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/pr-sys ... chine.html

Or if you want to change brands to ResMed

the latest
AirSense 10 AutoSet
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... idair.html

or the prior model S9 Autoset
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... chine.html

Since you are used to the Respironics algorithm and way of doing things...might be worth staying with something that is familiar to you. ResMed machines are quite nice but they do have a different algorithm and while I think most people would be okay with "different" there are some people who do better with "familiar" because it feels like what they are used to.

I have used both brands and each has its own minor pros and cons but none are real deal breakers or deal makers. For people using pressures in the teens...I personally think ResMed's EPR exhale relief is potentially a little more comfortable because it offers a little more reduction during exhale but it's a very slight difference.
Again..ResMed goes about the exhale reduction a little differently.

If cost/out of pocket expense is a major factor....I would go with the PR S1 model 560 machine.
In terms of how it goes about its job they didn't change that part of things with the new DreamStation line and the 560 is normally discounted price wise now since it is a slightly older model.

[vancity]

Thanks Pugsy, I have no insurance so I am paying for it from money I don't really have or can afford, but I have no choice. Again I have no idea what she did to my old machine, but something changed after that no doubt about it. I guess I need a new machine. Will check your links. Thanks from Vancouver, Canada

Still wonder how an old machine can pump a pressure of 26?? I'm sure it was rated 4-20 pressure range?? You'd think a 7 yo machine wouldn't be able to go that high and do the opposite, any thoughts? Have you seen this before?

[BlackSpinner]

On Clinicalsleep.com a PR S1 561 is $895 cdn then you need a hose and humidifier. They don't charge for shipping in Canada and they are actually in Vancouver area.
ETA: humidifier $250

You need to register and sign in to get prices. If you then call you might get a better price (manufacturers play Big Brother)

[Pugsy]

Still wonder how an old machine can pump a pressure of 26?? I'm sure it was rated 4-20 pressure range?? You'd think a 7 yo machine wouldn't be able to go that high and do the opposite, any thoughts? Have you seen this before?

Have not seen that before but the blowers can go whacko and blow more than they are supposed to.
But I have my doubts that the tech broke the machine...I would suspect more that she/he didn't know what they were doing and thus the results were faulty. Unless there is a gasket or seal loose somewhere....beats me what could have happened.

If it were me I would try the DIY manometer thing and see what you are getting in terms of pressure in your own home. It's going to get you real close....and then decide how urgent it is to get another machine.

As to why it "feels" differently now...again, I have no idea unless there is a gasket or seal knocked loose somewhere. If all the seals and gaskets aren't properly in place the machine won't blow correctly. Those silicone seals/gaskets on the old machines can get dried out and perhaps her/his fiddling with things broke or cracked one.
If you had the older Legacy series Respironics machine I have a couple of old gaskets/seals you could just have to try but I don't have any for the M series machine.

[vancity]

If you want to stay with the Respironics brand then I would look at the latest DreamStation APAP
(links to products at cpap.com provided for informational purposes to show models and features. Cpap.com can't ship Respironics or ResMed products outside the US but these links will get you started on understanding models)

DreamStation Auto CPAP
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/pr-dre ... chine.html

or still quite decent and data collection is the same...the prior model PR System One 60 Series Auto cpap..model 560...and usually not quite so expensive.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/pr-sys ... chine.html

Or if you want to change brands to ResMed

the latest
AirSense 10 AutoSet
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... idair.html

or the prior model S9 Autoset
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... chine.html

Since you are used to the Respironics algorithm and way of doing things...might be worth staying with something that is familiar to you. ResMed machines are quite nice but they do have a different algorithm and while I think most people would be okay with "different" there are some people who do better with "familiar" because it feels like what they are used to.

I have used both brands and each has its own minor pros and cons but none are real deal breakers or deal makers. For people using pressures in the teens...I personally think ResMed's EPR exhale relief is potentially a little more comfortable because it offers a little more reduction during exhale but it's a very slight difference.
Again..ResMed goes about the exhale reduction a little differently.

If cost/out of pocket expense is a major factor....I would go with the PR S1 model 560 machine.
In terms of how it goes about its job they didn't change that part of things with the new DreamStation line and the 560 is normally discounted price wise now since it is a slightly older model.

if I buy online they usually only set the Rx pressure. Are all the machines you mentioned accessible by myself by unplugging then holding a couple buttons to get into the hidden menu? I need to be able to adjust by myself when needed.

[BlackSpinner]

if I buy online they usually only set the Rx pressure. Are all the machines you mentioned accessible by myself by unplugging then holding a couple buttons to get into the hidden menu? I need to be able to adjust by myself when needed.

They come with the REAL manual (clinicians manual) old VCRs were harder to program then these cpap machines. If you have problems people here can help you.

[Wulfman...]

Hello, I recently went to an ENT Dr. Asking about the possibility of surgery for OSA . In BC , Canada you can only get covered for surgery if your OSA is Severe. Years ago mine was diagnosed as Moderate. He suggested that I get a Level 3, overnight study done (without using the machine) to find out how bad my OSA is. He referred me to a nearby Cpap supply company to pick up the device, take home and use for the overnight study. When calling the Cpap supplier, they told me to bring my machine in for a cleaning and check. I have a 2009 Remstar Auto, series M. Yes an old machine but it still seemed to be working OK. I showed up to pick up the level 3 test hardware and the receptionist took my machine to the person who was to clean and check it. After 10 minutes I was called into her office. I sat down and the first thing she said was " your machine is not working properly, you cant use it, you need a new machine". I asked how much are new machines? She said $2400. - 2,700.
She had the machine apart (humidifier taken apart ) and showed me an air flow device that had a reading of 26. She said my pressure should be set at 9 ( yes should be 9). She fumbled around connecting the hose to my machine to show me and at first it displayed 9.2, then she fumbled with the hose again and the reading went to 26.1. Very strange. I told her I couldn't afford $2400+ for a new machine and she just put the humidifier back on and that was about it. I took it home and noticed a difference in pressure from the previous night.

My questions are :
Can someone tamper with the blower or settings
to cause it to be that inaccurate?
I mean from a pressure of 9 to 26?? I thought the machine I had only went from 4-20?
I realize it's an old machine but until she stuck her hands in it , it seemed to be working ok.
Now I have a machine that doesn't seem to work and I can't really use, and can't afford more than $1000 for a new machine.

is there any way to fix what she did under the " secret menu"

Please help. Thanks.

In the Vancouver area all of the Cpap suppliers have unreal pricing for machines. Is there any reliable online vendors that will ship to Canada? The online pricing is half of what they quote.

No CPAP machine should be able to go over the pressure of 20 cm. UNLESS there's something broken inside (can happen, as I've had one that had a broken hose nipple which was connected to the airflow regulator......which I fixed myself).

As was stated, a simple "homemade manometer" can verify if what you're being told is accurate.

But, the following is the text version of how to get into the machine setup.

Den

.



Menu for M Series Auto

1. Hold down the <- -> buttons while plugging in the power on the back, wait for 2 beeps, release buttons.
2. Press the + key. <- -> buttons move to next field, -/+ keys decrement/increment
3. Check the following field(s):

-Therapy Mode = (CPAP/Auto)

-Auto:Max = (default=20.0cm)

-Auto:Min = (default=4.0cm)

-C-Flex Setting = 2 (options are off, 1, 2 or 3)

-AutoRamp Time = (options are 05 to 45 min)

-AutoRamp Pressure = cm (4cm->AutoMin)

-Mask Alert Feature = On (On/Off)

-Auto Off Feature = Off (On/off)

-Split Night Time = Off (off, 120, 180, 240)

-Show AHI/Leak Feature = On (On/Off)

Press On/Off button to exit.




==========Resetting LCD Display Data====================

To reset LCD Therapy data (does NOT erase any data from SmartCard):

1. Hold down the (<-) (->) buttons while plugging in the power on the back,
wait for 2 beeps or 5 seconds, release buttons.
2. Press the (->) key and navigate to Therapy screen.
3. Press and HOLD down the (-) minus key for 5 seconds and/or until therapy data is reset to Zero.
4. Press the (->) key to scroll back to main menu, press (+) key to enter Setup or
On/Off button to exit.


.