How can I tell if my machine is cracked inside.

[purple]

With a pressure of thirteen I try to inhale. The machine whines as it starts pushing more air. To me it feels like I could pull air into my lungs faster without the mask on.

The only test DME will perform is to put a manometer on the outside of the machine. So yes, the machine apparently senses pressure the same as the manometer and tries to keep up.

Obviously I am guessing that it has a leak which only manifests as slowing down the rate which the machine increases pressure according to my need. In what other ways would this issue manifest itself that I could prove?

[dalemeyer]

Take it apart and check the blower body for cracks. Have you dropped it? I have a M series bipap auto and have taken it apart, but I doubt that yours has cracked as the housing is the blower body and is quite robust.

[Alshain]

The only test DME will perform is to put a manometer on the outside of the machine. So yes, the machine apparently senses pressure the same as the manometer and tries to keep up.

I'm confused by this statement. The manometer measures the output pressure. If there were a leak in the machine, the output pressure would be lower and the manometer would indicate a problem. The manometer does not have an active component, it does not put out it's own pressure so there is nothing for your machine to 'sense', though it does offer resistance but there is a difference (putting your hand over the end of the tubing offers resistance).

[archangle]

First, turn off flex while you're testing.

Take the hose off the mask, and plug the end. Do you hear air leaks in the machine?

If you think the machine is putting out pressure, but can't keep up with your breathing, that would indicate some sort of obstruction or blower defect, not a leak.

Put your hand over the vent holes of your mask. See if the airflow drops when you are struggling to inhale.

While you're struggling to breathe in, lift up the edge of your mask a little and see if air gushes out. Compare the amount of air that gushes out when you're not breathing in or out. You're looking for a pressure drop when you inhale.

Were you hooked up to the machine when he used the manometer on it? If not, your DME is a fool or a fraud.

There are ways to make your own manometer, but whatever manometer you use, you need to make or get a T adapter so you can hook up the manometer to your CPAP machine while you're breathing through it.

This would be all you need.

Be sure your filters are clean. Just for a test, take them out and see if you have any breathing problems. Put them back when you're through testing.

By the way, your mask has an anti-asphyxia vent, so even if your machine can't keep up, you'll still be able to inhale once you suck the mask down to zero pressure.

[Goofproof]

You can intake air faster than the machine can supply, it's not meant to replace healthy lungs. When you are sleeping,(what the machine is made for) you don't breath as forcefully as when you are awake. The machine is supposed to provide the air you need at rest, not when trying to out breath it. Set up correctly, to the pressure you need to treat your sleep apnea, it's probably fine unless it was beaten badly. Jim

The fan will change pitch as it works, effort on the motor changes as more air is needed.

[purple]

Thank you for your replies. I will think of these and see what I feel is consistent with the issue and I think will give me useful information. Perhaps I was not as clear in writing the situation. My machine is very noisy. DME expert said they had customers with similar model machines that were much louder, but that does not reassure me at all. Have I dropped my machine? Who here has knocked their machine off the table at least once.

If one follows my guess as to why a crack would cause the issue I describe. The machine senses pressure as well as a manometer would, it will pump air to match what it is set to. so the a straight reading of a manometer would look OK. Leak rate increases as pressure increases. If machine has crack in the chamber or some kind of leak, then when I inhale, the rate the machine responds will lag more based upon not just the strength of my lungs, but the algorithm which is written that presumes that it is not leaking inside.

As I take the hose off the mask. It is my subjective feeling that I can inhale better if I am not wearing the mask, although I am no danger of suffocating.

Take it apart. Uh. It is my understanding that the part I feel might be cracked is completely covered by a noise insulator. Plus. Cracks in plastic are not always visible to the eye. I do not think I would take it apart unless I already had the money in my bank account to buy a new machine. While DME says they will replace a machine broken by accident, they might get really nasty if they knew I had taken it apart. For one thing, they might feel they would make more money if they can then con me into paying them full price upfront for a new machine (That is over 1300). Even if I tell them I can get it cheaper online, they will try to say they will not set it or send their RT out. I can simply change to a different DME, as a new DME would not expect to black mail a new client who already had a machine, without regard where I bought it. There is no guarantee that I can see anything if I take it apart. Or something might get broken if I open it.

It is clear that the therapy is not working as well as it used to. Perhaps since 14 months ago when I dragged it off the end table and worried water might have ruined it.

[nanwilson]

Purble
You can buy an M series at cpapauction.com for a couple of hundred bucks, and you can set the pressure yourself or we can help you. I have an M series and I also have the clinicians menu and have set the pressure several times. Yes, the m series is noisey, I also have an F&P 604 which is much quieter than my m series.

[BlackSpinner]

If one follows my guess as to why a crack would cause the issue I describe. The machine senses pressure as well as a manometer would, it will pump air to match what it is set to. so the a straight reading of a manometer would look OK. Leak rate increases as pressure increases. If machine has crack in the chamber or some kind of leak, then when I inhale, the rate the machine responds will lag more based upon not just the strength of my lungs, but the algorithm which is written that presumes that it is not leaking inside.

As I take the hose off the mask. It is my subjective feeling that I can inhale better if I am not wearing the mask, although I am no danger of suffocating.

That is purely subjective. In the morning I can't even feel the pressure, only by poking the mask to I know it is actually pushing air.

Even if I tell them I can get it cheaper online, they will try to say they will not set it or send their RT out.

You get a manual when you buy online. Anyone can set up their machine to the correct pressure, it is not rocket science. If DME employees can manage it ANY patient who doesn't have dementia and can read english, can do it.

It is clear that the therapy is not working as well as it used to. Perhaps since 14 months ago when I dragged it off the end table and worried water might have ruined it.

Then maybe you need to see your sleep doctor. Things do change, people age, people get sick, people lose or gain weight and then your therapy needs change.

[DaveMunson]

Sheesh. If you take the mask off the end of the hose and with the machine running, cover the end of the hose. Lots of air leaking at the machine or nothing?