APAP malfunctions when I move from Los Angeles to Denver

pcisuser · Post by **pcisuser** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 12:36 pm

Hi,

I have a Resperonic REMSTAR Auto Series M. I have had it for almost a year. So far it has been doing fine. It always auto detects and turn on or turn off the air blower properly upon putting on or removing the mask.

Lately, it does sense the auto-on correctly but the auto-off part is less sensitive, that is, I may have to turn it off myself in the morning.

new problem I have:

(1)I am on a 4 day trip to Denver and Aspen. Last nite, at Denver (elevation about 1 mile above sea level. I came from Los Angeles at sea level), the CPAP machine turns on automatically all the time. I tried to disconnect the power cord and power reset it several times but that did not resolve the problem.

(2) It appears the Auto CPAP is not functioning properly. That is, instead of lowering the pressure when I exhale, the machine appears to pump air at constant pressure as if it does not sense my breath. I think the "breath sensor" is malfunction...

I packed the machine in my lugguage (i.e. not carry on), I wonder if the Breath Sensing circuitry was damaged through radiation...??

Could someone let me know if this is a normal symptom when moving a machine to higher elevation (particularly in this case the AUTO Cpap feature). If so, is there some thing I can adjust? That is, how to get to the hidden configuration menu to adjust it.

Someone has once posted here on how to get to the Vendor configuration mode (hidden from CPAP users), could you point me to such link or post info on how to do it.

I greatly appreciate your time and help here.

Again, thanks a lot in advance.

sleepycarol · Post by **sleepycarol** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 12:54 pm

Check to see if the c-flex is still set. Could be that in the moving the c-flex button was hit and turned off or turned down that feature.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 1:04 pm

As far as the "Auto off" function.....just turn it OFF.....it SHOULD be OFF.
It screws up the leak data in the machine when you take the mask off before shutting it off.

Den

Here's the setup instructions:

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 = _ (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.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 1:09 pm

Does this machine have altitude compensation?

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 1:13 pm

Anonymous wrote:Does this machine have altitude compensation?

Absolutely! It automatically adjusts. The lower-end machines have manual settings.

Den

krousseau · Post by **krousseau** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 1:20 pm

Den,

Could there be something malfunctioning in the altitude adjustment mechanism or is it a bulletproof mechanism?

Kay

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 1:25 pm

krousseau wrote:Den,

Could there be something malfunctioning in the altitude adjustment mechanism or is it a bulletproof mechanism?

Kay

I'm sure there's always that possibility. There ain't NOTHING in these machines that's "bulletproof"........except for us end users to be able to get in to change the clock times.....

Den

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 3:35 pm

It's more likely a not waterproof problem. Moisture is a bad thing. Jim

pcisuser · Post by **pcisuser** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 3:08 am

Hi all,

I sincerely am grateful to all your reply so far. For some reason, the unit no onger turn on by itself like last night.

I did check the Cflex and it's set to 3 as before.

Anyways, the unit no longer turns on by itself after pluggin the power. However, the unit no longer auto detects properly to turn on/off when the mask is used/removed. Wolfman suggested that I should set the mask-off auto-detect to OFF mode and I have done that. However, for verification purpose, even though if I set the auto-detect mode to on, the unit would still not turn on or off automatically when the mask is used/removed. I just don't know what has caused it. Please note that this function worked properly in the past.

One additional question I have: I've found that the "-" button is used to set FOSO which is paged as 1/30, 2/30, 3/30.... and each page has an option of 4 numbers: 1 2 3 4. Could someone help explaining what this FOSO feature is for and how to set them properly.

Again, I appreciate very much your time and assistance in this matter. I realize most of you have always been there for so many years and are still so actively available to help people like me. For this, I have my salut to all of you: Sleepycarol, Krousseau, Wolfman, Goofproof...

Thank you all.

paloa · Post by **paloa** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 5:44 am

FOSQ (Functional Outcomes of Sleepiness Questionnaire)

http://www.sleep-pros.net/fosq_test.htm

"FOSQ is a clinically validated questionnaire that can be used to measure the effect that Sleep Apnea has had on your life and can also be used to demonstrate the change in your quality of life since you've been using positive pressure therapy. The device records your answers, which are available for review by your physician or home healthcare provider."
http://www.talkaboutsleep.com/third_tie ... pro_ph.htm

Unless you doctor has ordered you I suggest you ignore it. No proper settings just self reported data.

momadams · Post by **momadams** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 8:03 am

"That is, instead of lowering the pressure when I exhale, the machine appears to pump air at constant pressure "

This may not apply, but for what it's worth, I notice that when I travel to sea level, the sensation of pressure is much less.

Shari

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 9:09 am

Let us know how things are when you get back to LA. Or, maybe it was damaged in transit. Should always be a separate carry-on
for safety reasons.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 11:24 am

I couldn't find if you stated what mask you're using, but that CAN make a difference.....and maybe the altitude is a factor in that, too. I'm at 5800'+ elevation and there are nights when mine will take right off and other times it's a little stubborn. Switching to my Quattro mask seems to make it extremely sensitive and sometimes will start before I'm "ready" for it to.

The altitude difference may also make a perceptual difference in your exhale relief, too. The air IS thinner up here.

Den

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 12:09 pm

You need to go to the top of the page and fill in your profile, it text not icon form. That lets everyone see what you use, not all masks do well on auto start. Auto start requires the machine to be able to tell when you are breathing, some mask venting can prevent that. Jim

pcisuser · Post by **pcisuser** » Thu Feb 21, 2008 2:15 pm

Oh, just after one day of use after detecting the problem (see my first post in this series), I got a message from the machine display "SERVICÊ REQUIRED" with warning beeping sound.

That is.

The warning is very clear. However, say if you are having a 2008 Toyota and it the dash board displays something like that, it just means "bring the car in for 5000 mile routine service" (i.e. not really a problem). In this case, could someone shed some light into what this message could have meant.

My insurance paid for this machine in full just a little more than a year ago. I still have the same insurance and same coverage. I wonder if the insurance will pay for the repair or not... Just a little confused as what I can do.

Appreciate your help very much so far. This community has been very friendly and helpful.

Regards,

Paul

Humidifier

Additional Comments: Aussie Heated hose, EncorePro, EPA, SPO Medical PulseOx 7500

Humidifier

Additional Comments: Pressure 16 cm H2O at altitude 6550ft