My Respironics died during the night...

[el_zorro]

Intesting news here. Last night my PR Pro S1 shut itself off for the first time during the night. It shut off and beeped once. I thought the power had gone out momentarily. But now that I hear this is a common thing to happen with these machines I will make sure to bring it in if it continues to have this problem. The machine is exacly 1 year old. I wonder if the replacement machines have this problem fixed. Has anyone asked a DME or Respironics whether the problem is fixed in the replacement machines ?

[ugogirl]

I never had a problem with it shutting down before this. I've only been on CPAP since August. On Monday I will have it checked, even though it's working again. I'll be leaving for 3 months in Florida after New Year's Eve and I don't want to have problems down there. I will ask them what to do if I have a problem then.

[Hose_Head]

I never had a problem with it shutting down before this. I've only been on CPAP since August. On Monday I will have it checked, even though it's working again. I'll be leaving for 3 months in Florida after New Year's Eve and I don't want to have problems down there. I will ask them what to do if I have a problem then.

It might be a good time to buy a backup machine, too! Eventually, you will want one, anyway. So why not get it now?

[cpapernewbie]

My M series died last year in the middle of a 3 month trip. Beeping is one of the sign and sudden stop - no air. After 1 week this CPAP was gone forever. I hope yours stay until you are back home. Please make sure to contact the DME first thing Monday morning (hope they are open)

[Cindy Lou Who]

I hope your machine is still working! One suggestion if it fails: try sleeping on your side. Use a tennis ball (or something like that) secured to your sleep shirt (a rubber band works great) between your shoulder blades. That will help keep you off your back. Apnea events often happen when one is sleeping on their back. I used the tennis ball for the time between diagnosis and getting my equipment. It gave my husband, and me, much needed relief from my very loud snoring.
Best wishes and good luck...hope your machine hangs in there until you get a replacement!
Cindy

[Cindy Lou Who]

ugogirl,
Here's another angle: If you have a 'brick' converting power from AC to DC your converter could've failed. You can test with a multi-voltage tester. It's also possible that there is a break in the power wires leading to your machine. If you pack up your machine by wrapping the wires around the power brick that can lead to failure of the wires. You can test that too. If they disconnect from the brick, test them separately. But if you keep getting a service warning on your machine the power brick and wires could be just fine.
I hope Respironics gets this figured out and fixed pronto!
Good Luck!!!!!
Cindy

[Hose_Head]

ugogirl,
Here's another angle: If you have a 'brick' converting power from AC to DC your converter could've failed. You can test with a multi-voltage tester. It's also possible that there is a break in the power wires leading to your machine. If you pack up your machine by wrapping the wires around the power brick that can lead to failure of the wires. You can test that too. If they disconnect from the brick, test them separately. But if you keep getting a service warning on your machine the power brick and wires could be just fine.
I hope Respironics gets this figured out and fixed pronto!
Good Luck!!!!!
Cindy

As an interesting twist on this thought, when my PRS1 failed, it would still work perfectly when powered on 12 volts dc. I thought this meant that the problem was with the power transformer, but when it was checked out by the techs, it proved to be OK. PR replaced the entire kit and kaboodle!

[ugogirl]

OK...so I'm home now and called the DME this morning. They're closed today because of the snowstorm yesterday. I have to call in the morning to see if they'll be open!!! I asked what the procedure is if my machine needs to be repaired. They check the machine; if it's a simple fix, they do it. Otherwise it goes back to Respironics to be repaired. In the meantime, no one is worried that I'm off therapy. (The machine went off again on Christmas Eve.) I slept on the sofa with my head elevated last night. My husband wasn't feeling well and I figured he wouldn't get any rest if I snored .

Also, I'm supposed to be leaving for three months in FL next week!

MY QUESTION NOW IS... HOW EASY IS IT TO CHANGE MY DME? DO I HAVE TO USE THE ONE MY DR CHOSE?

Thanks, Madelyn

[cflame1]

talk to your insurance... find out which DME's are on their list.

Question though... are you still renting? If so, you setup getting a new machine from another DME... when it's arranged you return the current machine to the current DME (until it gets returned you/your insurance will still be paying for it!).

[ugogirl]

talk to your insurance... find out which DME's are on their list.

Question though... are you still renting? If so, you setup getting a new machine from another DME... when it's arranged you return the current machine to the current DME (until it gets returned you/your insurance will still be paying for it!).

I guess I'm still renting. I've had the machine since August, which is 5 months. Doesn't Medicare pay for 13 months until I own it? The warranty is 2 years. This machine was brand new... why would it have problems so soon? I see alot of people having trouble with this model on the forum. Seems like it's a common problem. I'm very careful with the equipment and it's never been handled roughly.

I should call the DME my friend uses. She hears from them quite often and they follow the replacement schedule whereas I never hear from mine.

[Hose_Head]

OK...so I'm home now and called the DME this morning. They're closed today because of the snowstorm yesterday. I have to call in the morning to see if they'll be open!!! I asked what the procedure is if my machine needs to be repaired. They check the machine; if it's a simple fix, they do it. Otherwise it goes back to Respironics to be repaired. In the meantime, no one is worried that I'm off therapy. (The machine went off again on Christmas Eve.) I slept on the sofa with my head elevated last night. My husband wasn't feeling well and I figured he wouldn't get any rest if I snored .

Also, I'm supposed to be leaving for three months in FL next week!

MY QUESTION NOW IS... HOW EASY IS IT TO CHANGE MY DME? DO I HAVE TO USE THE ONE MY DR CHOSE?

Thanks, Madelyn

Of course, they won't be worried if you are off therapy. After all, it's not their health that's at risk! Maybe they would have a different attitude if they were the one's losing sleep because of a lack of a working cpap.

When you take your machine to them, insist on getting a loaner. Remind your DME that they will be liable if you have a car accident while driving without benefit of cpap therapy. Your insurance might even pay for a rental until your machine is repaired under warrantee.

Like I wrote before, this would be a good time to get a backup machine. You can use it until your current machine is repaired, and you'll have a working backup cpap after this is all a distant memory. Check out craig's list, etc. Or even order a new machine from an online supplier! (you can have it delivered to your Fla address, if necessary).

Best of luck!

[ugogirl]

You're right Hosehead, it's good to have a backup. If I still wasn't getting credit card bills from Christmas, I'd order one tomorrow It is something to work on in the near future. I'll check Craig's List; I just don't know about using one that someone else has used. maybe it's just me...

I'll let you know what the DME says tomorrow.

Madelyn

[cpapkid]

The DME should replace it with a brand new one as it is under warranty. It is easy to get water in the unit, depsite the "dry box" technology.

[ugogirl]

The DME should replace it with a brand new one as it is under warranty. It is easy to get water in the unit, depsite the "dry box" technology.

And they did! I was pleasantly surprised at how nice I was treated today. She couldn't do enough for me. Got a brand new machine and humidifier. One thing I did ask her about was the new Quattro mask that was mentioned on this forum. She never heard about it! But she will check into it for me.

[kteague]

Don't ya just love a happy ending!