Desperately seeking humidifier tank for M Series in Bay Area

[lmorchard]

So, it's sad that this is my first posting here, though I've been lurking for years:

I'm on a business trip from Livonia, MI to Sunnyvale, CA—and for some reason I left the humidifier tank for my REMstar Auto M Series sitting on the bathroom counter back home. And, the way this thing is designed, it doesn't work at all without either the tank or a plastic plate to cover the fitting to the humidifier when separated.

That was Sunday night when I discovered that. It's now Tuesday, and I'm on night 3 without CPAP. I'm here until this coming Sunday. This is nasty, because I've had CPAP for about 5 years and have only missed doing 6-8 hours a night probably 3 times—and once was thanks to the great big blackout in the east a few years ago. I'm dedicated to this thing, and my apnea is pretty severe. Feeling like the living dead here.

I've called DME providers around here, tried getting my doctor's office back home into the loop, but I've gotten nowhere so far. No one wants to sell a tank to me or even tell me if they have one in stock without a prescription, and my doctor won't just fax to a random DME for some reason. They want to contact them all themselves it seems, and are taking their time about it.

I don't even care about insurance for this, I'll pay out of pocket for either a new tank or the plastic cover for the back. I even thought about asking my wife to overnight the thing to me, but that seems gratuitous and I'd hate myself if it got lost or damaged en route.

So... Anyone have any advice? Pretty frustrated to feel so bad for want of a piece of plastic. Thanks!

(edit) In fact, here's the plastic cover I would need: https://www.cpap.com/productpage/Respir ... -Port.html

And, here's the chamber: https://www.cpap.com/productpage/Respir ... amber.html

I'd jump to ordering a new one from cpap.com, but I doubt it would get here in time to do much good, which is why I hope just picking it up locally would have worked. Ugh.

[Gerryk]

Last I knew you didn't need a prescription for the humidifier chamber. I would try and locate a different DMS or find an online retailer that is near you.

Best of luck.

Gerry

[carbonman]

All you need is the adapter that fits on the back of the cpap
when not integrated w/the HH.
See if a local DME will loan/sell you that.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/Respir ... -Port.html

Good luck!

[roster]

Get cpap.com to send you the adapter next-day delivery. You will get it on Thursday for less than $25 total cost. If the choice is between three nights without CPAP and three nights with (- $25), I would chose three nights with (-$25).

Good luck.

[lmorchard]

Yeah, that they're asking for a prescription even though I specifically mention that the water chamber is all I need, is frustrating. Oddly enough, I thought I'd find something local faster than getting something online shipped. I'm going to keep poking around for something local, but finally just put in an order for a new chamber from cpap.com with overnight shipping. At least then I'll have a new chamber, since I think my old one was due for a replacement.

Thanks for the replies - I'm hoping my next post around here is something less desperate

And this'll teach me to triple check my bags before I leave next time.

[Gerryk]

Keep a copy of your script and letter from your doc with your machine. You have a right to have a copy of that script and if your doc won't give you a copy, go find a different doc because the one you have only cares about his bottom line. Money!

[lmorchard]

Ugh. So I ordered the humidifier chamber from cpap.com and... it's back-ordered and out of stock. Trying for the plastic adapter instead.

[BlackSpinner]

Maybe time for duct tape and chewing gum?

[lmorchard]

Maybe time for duct tape and chewing gum?

Oh, believe me, I tried summoning the spirit of MacGyver as hard as I could. I had a bit of plastic tubing that I managed to use to get the air flow into my mask hose, but it turns out there's a flow sensor that needs feedback or else the machine blows at full blast with no backoffs for exhales. Felt like my nose was going to balloon out and pop.

[sunrunnerdave]

[GumbyCT]

Unfortunately the use of that adapter is pi$$ poor design.

For newbies and others who wonder why you should get a copy of your script or why you should have it when you travel - this is why. I think (I know) I would reconsider any doc who is not "compliant" to my needs during a situation such as this.

Another reason to use a backup machine when traveling.

Good Luck and do keep us posted.

ps. I tried a 1/2 piece of pvc in the exit port but I couldn't make it fit. The pvc does fit inside the hose nicely tho.

[Sleeprider]

I'm in Folsom about 90 miles away and could loan you the adapter that lets you separate your unit and maintain pressure. How can we work this out?

[lmorchard]

Unfortunately the use of that adapter is pi$$ poor design.

I'd certainly agree there. In fact I think "wtf is this pi$$ poor design" were pretty close to the first words out of my mouth Sunday night before bed. My backup machine at home is a REMstar Pro 2, and it had no need for any loose adapter piece when separated from the humidifier. Maybe I should start travelling with that one.

For newbies and others who wonder why you should get a copy of your script or why you should have it when you travel - this is why. I think (I know) I would reconsider any doc who is not "compliant" to my needs during a situation such as this.

Feel free to bookmark this post and parade it around if anyone needs a reminder, I won't mind I think I might have my prescription in a folder in a cabinet at home, but I think it's going in the CPAP carrying bag pocket from here on out.

Good Luck and do keep us posted.

Though the water chamber was back-ordered, I did manage to get an order reported as shipped on one of the adapters. So, hopefully I get that tomorrow and at least have 3 out of 7 days with CPAP while I'm away from home.

ps. I tried a 1/2 piece of pvc in the exit port but I couldn't make it fit. The pvc does fit inside the hose nicely tho.

Yeah, I did manage to get air going to the mask with a rolled up bit of plastic I had, but there's a tiny little hole in the gasket surrounding the main exit port that is apparently a flow sensor. If no air gets back into that, it just blows at full force all the time. Ugh.

[lmorchard]

I'm in Folsom about 90 miles away and could loan you the adapter that lets you separate your unit and maintain pressure. How can we work this out?

I think I *might* be set, if this order from CPAP.com gets to me tomorrow. Thanks for the offer, though. If they fall through, I may come crawling back to you though.

[lmorchard]

So, I finally got the part I need:



http://www.flickr.com/photos/deusx/tags/cpapfail/

But now, I want to stay in my hotel room and go to bed until tomorrow. Need to go back to work, though