I think my machine is Defective, provider does not.

Stiina · Post by **Stiina** » Sun Aug 10, 2014 9:13 pm

4 of 14 days, I have woken up with the machine shooting so much air that I cannot exhale! I start feeling like I'm suffocating and finally rip my mask off. I was told by the provider RT that it was exactly what is supposed to happen, I'm just not used to it. I could not get the RT to understand that I literally could not exhale and when I opened my mouth the air started shooting out of my oral nasal passages and just started cranking even more air. So how is suffocating you supposed to be helping you? She said I was fighting it, but I wasn't, I was not able to get a breath. I asked for the raw data and they agreed to, but sent me analyzed results from the unit. It did show on 2 days that the airflow was on a steep ramp up and ended around 14 cm (I presume that's when I ripped off the mask). I'm more tired than ever and starting to become afraid of the machine. I called the Doctor and his nurse said to talk with the provider. I did late on Friday and I swear the machine acted differently that night--like they did see a problem, wiped the end result and made a programming change possibly. It did it again last night and I got smart, I moved the mask to my forehead until it calmed down (mine is just over the nose) and then replaced it and went back to sleep. I was so exhausted, I then overslept this morning.

Just an FYI, I play a musical instrument, a flute, so my lungs can push some air. So when I can't exhale because there is so much pressure against my lungs, I have to wonder...

Has anyone else experienced this?

HoseCrusher · Post by **HoseCrusher** » Sun Aug 10, 2014 9:24 pm

Some machines will chase events by increasing the pressure. So to start with, what machine are you using?

Lazer1234 · Post by **Lazer1234** » Sun Aug 10, 2014 9:26 pm

Oh, yea!!!

Julie · Post by **Julie** » Sun Aug 10, 2014 9:28 pm

The most popular machines have a feature called either C-flex or EPR, and you can set those to 1,2,3, etc. to make exhaling easier... lots of people have trouble at times so look into setting that up if you have it.

JDS74 · Post by **JDS74** » Sun Aug 10, 2014 9:39 pm

Yes. My first machine had a fault that resulted in the firmware detecting snoring continually.
The result was a very rapid increase in pressure to the max of 25 cm H2O.

I eventually demanded the DME send the machine to Respironics who replaced it with a new one.
They gave the same line of BS you report.
This was in the warranty period.

If you have an auto machine, setting a lower maximum pressure might help. For example if your machine is set to 6/25,
Changing it to 6/12 might be helpful if your IPAP pressure normally never gets higher than 8 cm H2O.

If you are new to CPAP therapy there are some helpful things to do:

1. Get a copy of your sleep study and your sleep titration study. They have interesting information that will help in understanding your own therapy

2. Get a copy of your prescription for your own records. It will be necessary if you choose to change DME's or order online

3. Post your equipment. There is a link on how to do this in my signature block below. Please select TEXT as a display choice as many CPAP machines and masks appear similar but are significantly different

4. If you need to post images of your reports, there is a link in my signature block on how to post using PhotoBucket.com

5. If you are using or want to know about Adaptive Servo Ventilator (ASV) machines, be sure to include ASV in the subject line

6. While the LCD display is somewhat useful, it is better to use one of the reporting software programs to get detailed information on your therapy. The two available for Respironics machines are: Encore (Basic or Pro) and SleepyHead.

archangle · Post by **archangle** » Sun Aug 10, 2014 9:54 pm

Welcome to the board.

Please enter your equipment into your profile, and we may be able to help you better. We need to know what machine you have.

There are some links in my signature line to help you figure out how to enter this information.

Stiina · Post by **Stiina** » Thu Aug 14, 2014 6:59 am

I have a Respironics REMstar A Flex with humidifier and SleepMapper. What part of that should I include in my signature? From the beginning my flex has been set to 3. I have a feeling that my machine is doing that ramp to 25 cm but Doc has it programmed for 15 max and 5 min with ramp at flat 5. Does that help with my question? Btw, it hasn't happened yet that I know for sure. I did wake up yesterday having ripped it off lol.

Stiina · Post by **Stiina** » Thu Aug 14, 2014 7:01 am

I also have a Resironics Wisp mask (nose only)

JDS74 · Post by **JDS74** » Thu Aug 14, 2014 7:14 am

Stiina wrote:I have a Respironics REMstar A Flex with humidifier and SleepMapper. What part of that should I include in my signature? From the beginning my flex has been set to 3. I have a feeling that my machine is doing that ramp to 25 cm but Doc has it programmed for 15 max and 5 min with ramp at flat 5. Does that help with my question? Btw, it hasn't happened yet that I know for sure. I did wake up yesterday having ripped it off lol.

Enter your machine, your mask, and your humidifier.
Follow the link in my signature block for instructions on how to do it.

You should get either SleepyHead or Encore to generate your own reports. They will provide more detailed information that will be helpful. With either of these, you will be able to see the actual pressure levels attained by your machine. That will allow you to see if the set upper limit of 15 cm H2O is being reached or exceeded and if not, what upper level is being achieved. If the machine is set for a max and that number is exceeded, then take a copy of the report and the machine back to the DME for repairs or replacement.

Have you gotten your copy of your sleep studies yet?
How about your copy of your prescription?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Aug 14, 2014 8:37 am

Stiina wrote:Just an FYI, I play a musical instrument, a flute, so my lungs can push some air. So when I can't exhale because there is so much pressure against my lungs, I have to wonder...

The flute is at a pressure of 0cm and doesn't blow back so that is why it feels different.

It does take time to get used to the pressure, maybe you can get the DME to limit the pressures so you can grow used to it.

zoocrewphoto · Post by **zoocrewphoto** » Thu Aug 14, 2014 10:03 am

Stiina wrote:I have a Respironics REMstar A Flex with humidifier and SleepMapper. What part of that should I include in my signature? From the beginning my flex has been set to 3. I have a feeling that my machine is doing that ramp to 25 cm but Doc has it programmed for 15 max and 5 min with ramp at flat 5. Does that help with my question? Btw, it hasn't happened yet that I know for sure. I did wake up yesterday having ripped it off lol.

Ramp isn't flat as the whole point is to gently go from a low pressure to your starting pressure. If your starting pressure is 15, set for 5 minutes starting at 5, then the machine will spend 5 minutes going from 5 to 15.

You are going to need to check the settings on your machine and see what they are actually set for. You set the ramp to take longer so that it goes up more slowly. Also, is it getting to 25? If so, it must be a bipap machine as regular cpap and apap machines only go to 20. Is it set at a range to go 15-25 as needed? Or do you believe it was set to go higher than the doctor prescribed?

This is why you will need to see what it is actually programmed for. And then we can help with adjustments.

archangle · Post by **archangle** » Thu Aug 14, 2014 10:45 am

Stiina wrote:I have a Respironics REMstar A Flex with humidifier and SleepMapper. What part of that should I include in my signature? From the beginning my flex has been set to 3. I have a feeling that my machine is doing that ramp to 25 cm but Doc has it programmed for 15 max and 5 min with ramp at flat 5. Does that help with my question? Btw, it hasn't happened yet that I know for sure. I did wake up yesterday having ripped it off lol.

That is listed as PR System One REMstar 60 Series Auto CPAP or something like that. Does it say "REMstar Auto with AFlex" or something similar next to the display?

Stiina · Post by **Stiina** » Thu Aug 14, 2014 11:18 am

It is programmed as I said, the ramp goes from 5 to 5 (my range is 5 to 15, 5 is my start pressure and 15 is my max.). I know what the ramp intent is, but that is how they programmed it and I cannot change it, those parts are locked. I asked for data for the first 2 weeks and I got analyzed data, so I can't tell you what the exact number was on the times it show the steep uphill climb when I couldn't exhale. My concern is that the machine exceeded the 15 max programmed and went to the machine max. I don't know what the capability (max air) of the machine is, but I do know that electronics can become defective even after the manufacturer calibrates it. I have spent most of my career with electronics as a Quality Engineer, so I have a very good idea on the many things that can go wrong. To say it can't, is off base, I just don't know how much the machine can push out at its max.

PS the comment from guest on the flute is not relevant, I have to exhale with a great deal of pressure to make the sounds on my flute. My intent was for people to realize that I can blow air out pretty hard, so hard that when I couldn't exhale because of the pressure the machine was exerting, it was a significant pressure! BTW, you do get pressure resistance when playing a flute, quite a bit, more so the higher the note.

I have to go for now, maybe I can answer the other questions later.

palerider · Post by **palerider** » Thu Aug 14, 2014 12:08 pm

Stiina wrote:I know what the ramp intent is, but that is how they programmed it and I cannot change it, those parts are locked.

no, they're not, there are no machines on the market that you cannot, with a couple of simple button presses, get into the settings menu and change *all* available settings.

depending on what machine you have, you can also pull your data and graph immense amounts of info with your computer and a freely available software program.

so, what machine do you have? look on the back, or bottom, for a REF number and tell us what it is.

chunkyfrog · Post by **chunkyfrog** » Thu Aug 14, 2014 12:18 pm

Can you read the specific model numbers/name off the permanent plate on the back or bottom of the machine?
--with empty or removed tank, or course!
You need to access the "provider's" menu (which is different for each machine).
"they" would like you to think you can't do this, mostly because they are insecure about their jobs.
It's a silly hang-up they have, --one hang-up we cannot afford to humor.

I think my machine is Defective, provider does not.

I think my machine is Defective, provider does not.

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