Turning off apap

[Hurricane]

I'm using Apap, with oxygen line also in t connecter coming out of machine. My question is when having to get a drink of water, or go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, is whether to turn apap off or not, I usually leave it on, being afraid if I shut it off, my oxygen machine is in other room, and I ran the tubing thru the wall, to not have to hear the noise of it, will still be pushing out oxygen into the apap. I was told by the dme to always turn off the oxygen first, then the apap, or when starting to put apap on first then start oxygen, wouldn't this foul the info up that the apap is recording like leakage, etc. I don't use oxygen in the day time,just at night cause at the sleep study they said I wasn't getting enough oxygen while sleeping, odd part is levels are fine during day activities. So question is to shut it off when getting out of bed for a brief visit to the bathroom.

[Snoredog]

I would shut the machine Off, as for the oxygen you might see if they have a in-line valve you can put on the line to shut it off next to the machine as well.

if you leave the machine running, it will skew your results and show up as a large leak, if you leave it running your oxygen will still be running also (i.e. no difference).

[Hurricane]

My oxygen unit is not a tank, its a resperonics machine that creates oxygen, so a shut off valve at the apap would not work, the machine would be still trying to push oxygen, I feel like tratment has really improved my well being, maybe I will just have to live with false readings, the more important thing is getting better sleep.

[Offerocker]

The in-line valve is an adapter that goes ON your apap machine. It is meant to BLOCK oxygen flow back into that device.

I'm sory that I don't know the exact name of it. But it isn't the "T" or "Y" adapter that they put on top of the humidifier to introduce the oxygen.

I finally got the correct device, and now I don't need to worry about oxygen from the concentrator backing up into my apap, and can leave on the concentrator until after I turn off the apap.

Hope this helps (some?).

[rested gal]

So question is to shut it off when getting out of bed for a brief visit to the bathroom.

Since I prefer to just look at my individual night's data and don't pay any attention to long term trends, I'd know why there was a "Large Leak" mentioned on the data. The remainder of the graph leak line would tell me what I wanted to see.

So... if it were me, I'd keep it simple. I'd just leave the APAP machine and O2 running if I got up for a bathroom trip.

With the non-M REMstar Auto, the heated humidifier will automatically turn off when you turn the machine off. But the humidifier doesn't turn on automatically with the non-M REMstar. You'd have to remember to turn the humidifier on again when you came back. I'd just leave everything "on". Simpler.

[Offerocker]

<snip> I'd just leave everything "on". Simpler.

RG: I'd still need to disconnect the mask, else I'd never get it back on!!! Hard to fight all of that air blowing on me,

I'd still recommend getting the O2blocker fitting for the xpap, "just in case" - don't want to damage the unit.

[rested gal]

<snip> I'd just leave everything "on". Simpler.

RG: I'd still need to disconnect the mask, else I'd never get it back on!!! Hard to fight all of that air blowing on me,

LOL...you're right. Plus, don't wanna drag everything along to the bathroom!

[Hurricane]

Offerocker, will look for a bypass valve of some sort for the oxygen, or like Rested Gal said keep it simple and leave it on as I have been doing, bottom line feeling good.

[Offerocker]

Offerocker, will look for a bypass valve of some sort for the oxygen, or like Rested Gal said keep it simple and leave it on as I have been doing, bottom line feeling good.

"Bottom line" is what it's all about!! So glad you're doing so well; congrats!

[Goofproof]

The problem comes from the fact, all valves aren't created equal. You need a valve that only allows flow from the machine. Some valves aren't valves, but are just taps to allow you to hook up a line. (They used one in the OR to hook mine up.)

At the house mine had a check valve built into it. You can shut off the XPAP and not worry, as when the flow stops the check valve seals the XPAP off and lets the O2 vent to the room air.

One of these valves should come from the people you get your concentrator from. If you get one of these check valves, just turn tha XPAP off and take care of business. The valve should be no cost from the people supplying the equiptment. Jim


Also when you use one of these correct valves you can't get the XPAP to self start by breathing, as the hose is vented from the machine. You will have to hit ON.

[Offerocker]

The problem comes from the fact, all valves aren't created equal. You need a valve that only allows flow from the machine. Some valves aren't valves, but are just taps to allow you to hook up a line. (They used one in the OR to hook mine up.)

At the house mine had a check valve built into it. You can shut off the XPAP and not worry, as when the flow stops the check valve seals the XPAP off and lets the O2 vent to the room air.

THANKS AGAIN, GOOFPROOF! I couldn't remember the correct term for that peice, which I now have, thanks to your information.

One of these valves should come from the people you get your concentrator from. If you get one of these check valves, just turn tha XPAP off and take care of business. The valve should be no cost from the people supplying the equiptment. Jim

You were fortunate! Mine didn't, and they charged me for one - but wasn't expensive, although I resented it because they 'should have' provided it with the oxygen concentrator.

[Hurricane]

Hey Goofproof, will call my dme and get one of those valves to redirect the oxygen flow, sure beats me looking for one, I know I use to have tropical fish and had a similar diverter valve that was made of brass, wwhich would redirect the flow, but will still have dme supply it. Thankyou

[Offerocker]

Hurricane, here's the info from my "Respironics PRESSURE VALVE" paperwork:item#/Component: 302418
It's made of plastic.
...just in case you want to 'help' the supplier along, if necessary

[Hurricane]

Offerocker, thanks rather have the plastic valve, not sure if I tried using brass or any metalic valve if it would be safe, as far as health issues, will for sure request plastic valve, I never got the manual for it he just opened it up and showed me how to use it, he is okay though, and seems ok to work with.
Ed

[clarenceh9]

I just turn off the apap and leave the oxygen on, as the concentrator machine BEEPS loudly when you first turn it on.

Is this not ok?