How does a CPAP Machine Fail? Long time user question.

[graciel]

I've been using a CPAP machine for a good five years. Most of the time I have no problems, but every so often I've had episodes of the machine stopping at night. When it first happened, probably three years ago, I thought it was the machine and switched machines, but I've had the occasional problem with this second unit, as well. It never happened often, and when it did, it would do so a few times over a period of three weeks or so. My assumption was it was me somehow with shallow breathing that was causing the machine to shut off. The last time it happened was probably last fall.

Come to last night, it happened at least a dozen times. The machine is a Remstar M series, and my old machine (which I just hooked up again) is a Remstar Pro2.
At this point, I'm pretty sure it's the machine to have it happen that much all of a sudden. As I said, this machine is most of five years old, although it has shared duty with the second machine during that time period.

I'll add that when I did fast hard puffs into the mask, the machine restarted each time, so it wasn't a case of being unplugged, or losing power from the wall. Also, I'm sure I was only half asleep for some episodes, but there weew times when I was dreaming about not breathing, so it did happen when I was deeply asleep for sure.

And after one episode, I swear the machine sounded a little different, as if it was in a low gear for 15 seconds and then picked up to normal speed. Which sounds like it could have been the fan getting low voltage for a bit, but I noticed it that one time, and I wasn't fully awake when it happened.

It's one of those things where you're not sure if you are imaging things or not.

My question is, for those long time users, how does a machine fail? Does this sound like a unit letting go, or is it more likely that somehow it is me?

[zoocrewphoto]

It sounds like your machine is set to turn on and off by you breathing into the mask. I suspect that somehow you are having long events and it is losing the ability to tell when you are there are not, and thus turning off. If you disable that function and go to using the button, the problem may clear up.

[Julie]

Dumb question maybe, but have you asked the DME to look at it?

[robysue]

It sounds like your machine is set to turn on and off by you breathing into the mask. I suspect that somehow you are having long events and it is losing the ability to tell when you are there are not, and thus turning off. If you disable that function and go to using the button, the problem may clear up.

graciel is asking about an M-series Resprionics machine and an even older Remstar Pro2 machine.

The clinical manual for the M-series says nothing about Auto ON/OFF, so I would assume there is no such feature on this machine. Likewise, I doubt the even older Remstar Pro2 has an Auto ON/OFF option.

graciel, I think you need to contact the DME. It sounds as though the machine may simply be failing. It also sounds like you would be due for a replacement machine under your insurance if you wanted to get one.

[Pugsy]

graciel is asking about an M-series Resprionics machine and an even older Remstar Pro2 machine
The clinical manual for the M-series says nothing about Auto ON/OFF, so I would assume there is no such feature on this machine. Likewise, I doubt the even older Remstar Pro2 has an Auto ON/OFF option.

The M series does indeed have the Auto Off feature in the clinical menu setup area. I have a M Series machine that I just went to the clinical menu to see since it has been so long since I used one. I didn't see Auto On choice though.
I am not sure about the slightly older Legacy Pro but I believe it has it also. Den has mentioned it if I remember correctly.

So one can go in the clinical menu and see if that choice is set to On or Off...set it to off...and if it still shuts off on its own then a trip to the DME is likely going to be needed or if no insurance and thus no DME involved...consideration for just buying another machine. It would most likely cost more to fix it than it is worth.
If it is already set to Auto Off being Off...there's something wrong with the machine for sure because it shouldn't be turning itself off even if it doesn't sense any breathing like with a big leak.

[graciel]

Julie, No, I haven't called the DME yet. I thought I would try my old machine and see how that went tonight. If I had the same thing happen then I would know it was me. Was figuring on calling tomorrow depending on how it went tonight.

Zoocrew, I've considered that, but I don't believe I could go 45 seconds (timing to shut off) with shallow breathing because of air hunger. Although maybe when I sleep it's different than when I'm awake. And I'm not sure at this point how to switch it off on my machine. I've had things set up this way for the entire length of time I've been on CPAP, and don't know where the instructions are. (I know, not how I should treat things like this).

Thanks for your replies!

[graciel]

robysue, yes, I'm kind of counting on a new machine if there's a problem here. My "anniversary" is the first week of June so I am certain that at five years I should be eligible for a new one. I'm not really sure that it might be six years this June, even.

Pugsy, Auto Off is definitely on because it shuts off 45 seconds or so after I take the mask off if I get up in the night, or get up in the morning.

I'll see how I do tonight and go from there. You folks are great. If it turns out it's the machine I'll be back with questions about what's the best machine to get now. I haven't kept up with newer models.

[Pugsy]

It's easy to turn Auto Off...Off.
Just have to go to the clinical setup menu.
Respironics REMstar M Series (CPAP or BiPAP): Unplug the power cord from the back of the CPAP machine, then hold down both the left and right arrow keys while simultaneously plugging in the power supply. Once the device beeps twice, release the buttons. After you hear the two beeps, you'll see the word setup in the lower right corner of the LCD screen. When you select setup you'll be in the clinician's mode where you can adjust every feature of the CPAP machine, including the pressure setting.

This quick setup guide will tell you how. The "how to get to" secret code is the same with all M series machines.
This one is for the Pro model..If you have a different model your menu choices might have something else but they all include Auto Off.
http://www.apneaboard.com/manuals51/REM ... 0Guide.pdf

The only other thing I can think of is a big leak...as in really big so that the machine doesn't sense your breathing. Easy to spot if you happen to be using the software and your machine is a model that gathers data.
Similar to what happens when you take the mask off and in 45 seconds the machine will shut off. If the leak is big enough the machine might think you are no longer attached.

[graciel]

Pugsy, thanks so much for putting that information in for me. I wasn't thinking leak, so I'll also check into that. Got out a new hose to put on tonight and will make sure things are nice and tight. My sister was visiting this weekend (she also uses a CPAP, although at much lower pressure, I'm in the hurricane range) and she has mask strap marks on her face several hours after she gets up. I never wear mine that tight (and don't want to) but perhaps I've been too lax. It's something else for me to look into. I really appreciate it.

[graciel]

I had no problems overnight with the old machine. In fact, it was quite nice because it's much quieter, and it doesn't have the awful blue lights that I have to fold a pair of socks over to block out, and the hose doesn't exit out the back where it's a PITA to deal with. Why they thought the M series was an upgrade is beyond me! Anyway, I'll play around with the M machine a bit more and then find out what I do with it next. I believe my first stop will be a call to my health insurance company and then a call to my doctor.

Thanks SO MUCH for all the help with this!

Jennifer