ResMed Problems

[BonnieG]

Hi, I'm kindda new here. I am having issues with my machine...The pressure is 12/16. This machine will almost stop blowing air then it will almost blow my mask off for no apparent reason. This is the second machine that has done this. The first one Lindcare picked up & left me a "loaner" machine. After about a month I called & asked about my original machine. I was told that the ResMed told them to give me another machine so I kept the "loaner". I'm not at all sure if this second machine was new or just one of their used "loaners". First, have any of you had this problem? Second, if they bring me another machine, how can I be sure it isn't an old "loaner"? By the way the original machine was purchased 11/08. Thanks for your help!

[Pendragon]

Hi, just have to go into the usage menu/info, and you can see the total hours the machine has on it. This is not resettable, well... maybe Resmed can if they recondition it, but highly unlikely that they would. No-one else will be able to do it.
If you're concerned about that stuff, go into the machine info and note the serial and PCB #'s, they cannot be changed either and are the actual ID of the machine.
Hope this helps.

[BonnieG]

Hi, just have to go into the usage menu/info, and you can see the total hours the machine has on it. This is not resettable, well... maybe Resmed can if they recondition it, but highly unlikely that they would. No-one else will be able to do it.
If you're concerned about that stuff, go into the machine info and note the serial and PCB #'s, they cannot be changed either and are the actual ID of the machine.
Hope this helps.

Thank you for your response & advice. I have never tried to get into the menu because I was afraid I'd really mess it up I guess I will try it tomorrow! Again...thanks!

[Slinky]

BonnieG, just exactly which Resmed model xPAP do you have? The avatar you picked is for the Resmed S8 Compact which can NOT have two pressure settings. You indicate your pressure settings are 12 and 16 which would infer that you either have an APAP (auto PAP) or a VPAP (bi-level). We could give you more and better advice if we knew just exactly which device you are using. The model name should be right on the top of your xPAP.

[dsm]

BonnieG, just exactly which Resmed model xPAP do you have? The avatar you picked is for the Resmed S8 Compact which can NOT have two pressure settings. You indicate your pressure settings are 12 and 16 which would infer that you either have an APAP (auto PAP) or a VPAP (bi-level). We could give you more and better advice if we knew just exactly which device you are using. The model name should be right on the top of your xPAP.

Slinky, Do you get the feeling we are into a period of new members joining up and throwing bricks at one brand or another ???
often with very vague or on the other hand very well know issues (blue lights, LT mask, blower failure etc).

I am more than surprised at the attacks on Coviden, Resmed & Respironics. I gotta say it all smells to me !. But I was never one to
hold back on what I am seeing vs remaining 'politically correct' & pretending it isn't happening

DSM

[billbolton]

This is the second machine that has done this.

That seems to establish a strong prima facie case that it has something to do with the way you are using your machine, which is........

Cheers,

Bill

[BonnieG]

BonnieG, just exactly which Resmed model xPAP do you have? The avatar you picked is for the Resmed S8 Compact which can NOT have two pressure settings. You indicate your pressure settings are 12 and 16 which would infer that you either have an APAP (auto PAP) or a VPAP (bi-level). We could give you more and better advice if we knew just exactly which device you are using. The model name should be right on the top of your xPAP.

Slinky, The top of my machine says VPAP-S. Thanks for your response.

[Slinky]

Ahhh! THAT helps A LOT! I'm not experienced w/the VPAP-S but believe it is the new S8 II style w/the EasyBreathe technology.

Be aware that there are those of us using the VPAP Auto and the VPAP Auto 25 who are having problems such as you mention in Spontaneous mode - but NOT in Auto mode. I'm sure it has to do w/the various comfort options available on these new S8 II bi-levels and that the local DME supplier RTs who set up our devices don't know how to properly set them. The comfort settings, such as Pressure Support do NOT work the same as the Respironics bi-levels and the local DME supplier RTs seem inclined to only read and use the Quick Setup Guides instead of reading the Clinicians Manual. Plus the Clinicians Manual for the VPAP Auto 25, VPAP-S and VPAP-ST are not as detailed as the Clinicians Manual for the VPAP Auto. In addition, the sleep doctors usually haven't a clue about the options on these xPAP devices and write the scripts only specifying pressure settings and type of xPAP (CPAP, bi-level, etc.) and so provide no guidance to the local DME supplier RTs who do NOT have the legal authority to make many changes from the limited scripts they receive from the doctors. Its a real catch-all situation that leaves the patients the ones to suffer the consequences. The local DME supplier RTs haven't a whole lot of choice except to use the Default settings which obviously are NOT adequate for some of us.

If you PM me I will discuss this further w/you and offer you some suggestions that may be worthwhile.

[Slinky]

Slinky, Do you get the feeling we are into a period of new members joining up and throwing bricks at one brand or another ???
often with very vague or on the other hand very well know issues (blue lights, LT mask, blower failure etc).

I am more than surprised at the attacks on Coviden, Resmed & Respironics. I gotta say it all smells to me !. But I was never one to
hold back on what I am seeing vs remaining 'politically correct' & pretending it isn't happening

DSM

Yes, there do seem to be quite a few new members having problems. But heck, dsm, THAT is the main reason MOST of us end up in these apnea support forums. They join, they read the problems others w/their model or brand xPAP are having and assume it is due to poorly made, defective devices.

Frankly, I place the blame squarely on the shoulders of the sleep doctors who haven't kept up w/the technology of these newer model xPAPs (or are stuck in their ways and have ego problems) AND the local DME suppliers and their RRTs who don't bother to look beyond the Quick Setup Guides and/or to work w/their clients to educate, assist, support and advise their clients, much less to provide adequate mask fittings or a lenient mask policy.

I realize the sleep doctors can't really be expected to keep up on all the "comfort options" of every xPAP on the market - BUT - there is no excuse for them not getting off their high horse, fat a**es and learn the options on the more sophisticated devices they are prescribing so that their patients receive the therapy they need and is intended for them. These sleep doctors are so darn quick to "protect their turf" and then just blow off their responsiblities and the "incidentals" on the "peon" RTs, local DME suppliers, etc.

[dsm]

Slinky,

Good thoughts, tks. I guess it is very fair to say that new models seem to be falling off the production line faster than even we can keep up with.

I guess we are in another rapid change period.

DSM

[Slinky]

Well, I am playing w/the Ti Max and Ti Minimum right now for a few nights - until I either get a good night's sleep in Spontaneous mode - or NEED to get some decent sleep and switch back to nice, smooth, easy pressure transition in Auto mode. Last I knew every body else is satisfied to just stay in Auto mode.

It is interesting to note that regardless of the Ti Max and Ti Min settings the LCD screen shows a Ti Max/Ti Min "ratio" that changes irregardless of the actual Ti Max and Ti Min setting. Its usually 1:1.6 or 1:1.7 early in the night but by morning it is usally 1:1.3 or 1:1.4 pretty much the way my Respiratory and Pulse Rates drop thru the night. Even when the Ti Min was set at 1.0 (the Default) there were times the LCD screen showed it to be at 0.8 (and, no, darn it, I don't remember the Ti Max/Ti Min ratio when it was at 0.8 0). Its hard to remember everything when you are half asleep in the middle of the night and barely awake.

I do fault Resmed tho in that the Clinicians Manual for the VPAP Auto 25, VPAP-S and VPAP-ST are NOT any where as comprehensive and detailed as the VPAP Auto's Clinicians Manual and am grateful that it was the January 2008 VPAP Auto w/the comprehensive, detailed Clinicians Manual instead of the July 2008 VPAP Auto 25 I was fortunate to be provided with. UNLESS, perhaps, Resmed is providing both manuals w/the VPAP Auto 25, VPAP-S and VPAP-ST (the 25, S and ST all received the same, limited Clinicians Manual).

[Slinky]

OOOPS! COLOR ME RED-FACED! I just checked the Resmed VPAP 25 Clinicians Manual - and that manual is only for the VPAP 25 and VPAP-ST! It is NOT the manual for the VPAP-S which is an entirely DIFFERENT bi-level. Its a newbie, and an S8 II series. Still, the same complaint/problem w/it and the fact that it is an S8 II bi-level ..... makes me wonder - IS it a lack of knowledge and experience issue as I've thought all along - OR - is it a Resmed S8 II series bi-level problem????

The Resmed VPAP S's Users Guide is the manual I was thinking of that was for all 3 devices. So much for MY memory! Snort!

http://www.resmed.com/us/products/vpap_ ... c=patients

And now - with a REALLY RED-FACE I ask if ANYONE has the Resmed VPAP Auto 25 Clinicians Manual in pdf format would you PLEASE PM me so I can give you my e-mail addy if you would be so kind as to send it to me.

Slinky - slinking off into the nether world to go eat worms in utter embarrassment.

[Muse-Inc]

Slinky - slinking off into the nether world to go eat worms in utter embarrassment.

Must be something in the air...I had several biggish boo-boos today...well, last 'night'

[Slinky]

In a conversation w/some sleep professionals last night I found out that the local RRTs "can" help us w/adjusting the "comfort options" w/o sleep doctor's script. It is only the Pressure Settings that are scripted by the doctor that they can not legally change w/o an order from the doctor. THIS makes a BIG difference for those of us w/these new VPAPs from Resmed - and possibly Respironics too. So actually the LESS the doctor includes in the script other than IPAP and EPAP, the better as far as bi-level settings go. On the other hand if you have an RRT who doesn't know or understand beans .... These "comfort settings" can't cause any harm other than making therapy more or less comfortable for us.

Tuning a machine is not changing the prescribed pressure therefore it is not looked down upon. That does not make a bit of sense as this fine tuning is way more complicated than simply treating obstructive sleep apnea. At least in my experience so far w/COPD and OSA.

And, actually, this does make sense. Heck, most of the "powers that be" even allow that we patients just might be intelligent enough to change our EPR/Flex and Ramp settings!!!!