Running machine to blow out tube... compliance check:

Fscott · Post by **Fscott** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 3:05 am

Question for the ppl that know (someone always does )

Will running my machine (Remstar M-Series Pro CPAP) for up to 30-40 mins alter my "compliance check" in a negative way? I run it to dry out the tube after washing and tend to walk away, sometimes forgetting.

I think I read that the machine only records a sleep session as running over 2 hours, but I figure it might interpret running the machine with no resistance as someone trying to "pad" their hours.

I'm not THAT worried about it. I've taken control of my own therapy, sleep Dr.'s seem to want to book as many 2 minute appointments as possible, and I don't dig Dr.'s trying to "work" the system (especially with a $2500 deductible).

My one month's usage "follow up" pretty much consisted of them telling me I should try for more regular sleep hours, they didn't even check my machine (which they told me to bring). 2 mins, tops. Then they booked me another "follow up" for two weeks, which I am going to cancel. My AHI is good, I am tolerating treatment soooo much better than I expected. I don't need to be milked like that.

Sorry for the rant. As glad as I am to have found my diagnosis, there seems to be a culture of 'office visit milking' with sleep docs that really incenses me. Don't get me started on the DME's

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Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 5:52 am

If you're leaving your card in the machine when you're using it as a blow dryer, it's going to FUBAR your data. It will also add hours to your machine AND, in my opinion, washing and drying a hose is REALLY unnecessary.

Den

GumbyCT · Post by **GumbyCT** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 6:38 am

Wulfman wrote: It will also add hours to your machine AND, in my opinion, washing and drying a hose is REALLY unnecessary.

How true. Hang it to dry if you feel compelled to wash it. If you also feel compelled to blow dry it - ever think about just taking the card out?

roster · Post by **roster** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 9:29 am

Washing the hose is more likely to introduce a foreign substance that you don't want in your hose than just leaving it alone.

feeling_better · Post by **feeling_better** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 12:32 pm

Fscott,

If the card remains inside, my M-series Auto Aflex (yours is Pro) clearly shows 'blower hours' and does affect only one item in the daily detailed data display. The maximum leak will be the flow during the open run. Also it does not combine the blower only period with the nightly session if you start it after about 2 hours of night session. Not sure the needed wait period. It is easier to take the card out, but at least one night out of the 7 weeks, I had forgotten to put it back in

Most knowledgeable docs will distinguish the blower hours from your nightly sessions.

Of course, opinions vary widely on the need for washing, drying, life of the machine, etc. I expect you would reduce the life of your machine by approximately the number of drying hours you do, but I have no idea about the expected life of the machine. A well designed machine of this type should last for many years, but who knows. It will also most likely depend on the pressure at which you need to run. I have not seen any stats by models on life expectancy; and ost people seems to replace them after about 2+ years, just to try the new features of the newer available machines, and I understand many insurance covers after about that period.

Personally, I think drying is a good practice to keep the hose clean. I do not wash it that often. But a dry hose most of the day time, considerably reduces the possibility of mold or other growth, especially if you use distilled water in the humidifier, empty the humidifier in the morning, and use good filters in the input of your machine. Of course, this would dry out your humidifier as well, a good thing.

ffarmer · Post by **ffarmer** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 1:04 pm

Wulfman wrote: in my opinion, washing and drying a hose is REALLY unnecessary.

I can give you another reason to wash your hose occasionally! I didn't wash mine for the first year, then after reading some posts here, thought maybe I should. Lo and behold, I found my cat had been playing with it and there were three tiny holes. I discovered this when the hose was filled with water and there were three tiny sreams of water gushing out! (I now keep the hose in a drawer when I'm not using it.)

danw61 · Post by **danw61** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 2:33 pm

I wash the hose just a few times a year. As long as you use distilled water I think more than that is unnecessary.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 3:24 pm

danw61 wrote:I wash the hose just a few times a year. As long as you use distilled water I think more than that is unnecessary.

Why distilled water? I was just told to use bottled water. Is distilled better?

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 3:39 pm

Anonymous wrote:
danw61 wrote:I wash the hose just a few times a year. As long as you use distilled water I think more than that is unnecessary.
Why distilled water? I was just told to use bottled water. Is distilled better?

If you read the manual that came with your humidifier, it specifies that ONLY distilled water should be used. It's "purer".

Den

danw61 · Post by **danw61** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 3:41 pm

Over time, tap water or bottled water will leave hard water deposits (mineral deposits) in your heated humidifier chamber. Tap water & bottled drinking water have minerals. Distilled water has no desolved minerals. I'm suprised your DME didn't tell you to use distilled. A large majority of the people on this forum use distilled water. Also, distilled water is more likely to be germ & mold free.

feeling_better · Post by **feeling_better** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 3:45 pm

Perhaps Wulfman and danw61 are talking about water for different uses? One for the daily use as the humidifying water (distilled recommended), the other for washing the tubes, etc. (clean water is all that is needed.) IMO.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 4:02 pm

If one uses distilled water in the humidifier tanks, there should be little need to clean the equipment because "stuff" would have a difficult time growing in distilled water. Every few months, I just empty out the remainder of water and rinse with hot tap water and refill. I realize the manuals say "daily", but I have had no problems with my regimen for three years and have no plans to change.

With regard to my previous post about the manuals......

Page 10 under "Caution" in the middle of the page in this link:

http://global.respironics.com/UserGuide ... difier.pdf

Page 5 item #1in the next one:

http://global.respironics.com/UserGuide ... difier.pdf

Den

danw61 · Post by **danw61** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 4:35 pm

Sorry if I wasn't clear, I use distilled water in the humidifier tank during use as Den says. I clean the hose & humidifier chamber a few times a year with warm tap water & a little baby shampoo (rinse well). I don't open the humidifier chamber because of the m-series problems with the seal. On the unlikely event that you see anything other than a clean tank & hose you can wash with a mixture of vinegar & tap water (rinse well), but that shouldn't be necessary.