System One low pressure

[thasatelliteguy]

I have a system one that is fairly new. It has less than 150 hrs on it. I hadn't used it in a while (I know, bad me) and the drawer had gotten separated from the rest of the unit, so when I started using it again, I used only the main unit at first. I noticed it a little then, I think, but the pressure seems low. When I got the water hooked back up, it is REALLY low. There doesn't seem to be a leak. I will try it tonight without the humidifier. Before, I had an AHI in single digits. (Anything below 10 and I do a lil dance) Now, it's been around 20. Last night, with the humidifier, it was 60. It used to blow so strong that I really had a hard time getting the mask to seal, but now, it's NOTICABLY less. I even raised the pressure last night from 20 to 21, and I know I'm not getting anywhere near that. I am puzzled that the machine doesn't notice though. It doesn't register any leakage. Is there a sensor that could be a problem, or dirty from humidifier water buildup or something? Any ideas?

[robysue]

In order to help you we need to know exactly which System One you have (there are at least 6-8 commonly used System One models) and we need to know your pressure setting or settings. We also need to know if you are using the ramp feature.

To find out the exact model number: Take the humidifier tank out and turn the unit upside down. There is a tag on the blower unit (not the humidifier unit) that has a model number. The 3-digit number in the middle of the model number is what is important. It will most likely be one of the following numbers:

250, 260, 450, 460, 550, 560, 650, 660, 750, or 760

The "0" might be a "1" in all the above numbers.

[thasatelliteguy]

660P pressure was @ 15/20. Now it's 15.5/21. But those minute adjustments never moved me from 20 to 60 b4. I just wanted to see if it would change much. Man I'm gonna be bummed if something serious is wrong with it, as I can't afford to replace it right this second

[palerider]

sounds like you don't have the humidifier hooked up right and have a leak.

load the data from it into sleepyhead and post last nights here.

[ChicagoGranny]

sounds like you don't have the humidifier hooked up right and have a leak.

+1

Or clogged air filter?

[robysue]

I second the ideas that the problem might be a clogged filter and/or a poorly connected humidifier.

How long has it been since the gray filter was washed and the paper filter changed? If you can't remember, then start by washing the reusable gray filter and replacing the white filter. (Or you could just skip using the white filter.)

Then carefully take the humidifier off the blower unit and then put them back together. If you no longer have the instructions on how to do this, ask and someone can point you to where you can get them on-line.

If you continue to have problems, take the machine back to the DME you got it from (if possible) or another DME (if necessary) and ask them to check out the pressure the machine is delivering. If the pressure checks out, you know the machine is not the problem. NOTE: The original DME should be willing to check your machine for free if you bring it in during business hours. If you are forced to use a different DME, you should ask about what their policy is up front.

If the pressure checks out fine and you continue to have problems with a way too high AHI, then it really is time to call the sleep doc and let him/her know what's going on. Posting some data here from SleepyHead will allow us the chance to make some patient-based suggestions of things to try, but if the AHI has taken a huge leap upward, fixing the problem may be beyond our expertise.

[robysue]

I second the ideas that the problem might be a clogged filter and/or a poorly connected humidifier.

How long has it been since the gray filter was washed and the paper filter changed? If you can't remember, then start by washing the reusable gray filter and replacing the white filter. (Or you could just skip using the white filter.)

Then carefully take the humidifier off the blower unit and then put them back together. If you no longer have the instructions on how to do this, ask and someone can point you to where you can get them on-line.

If you continue to have problems, take the machine back to the DME you got it from (if possible) or another DME (if necessary) and ask them to check out the pressure the machine is delivering. If the pressure checks out, you know the machine is not the problem. NOTE: The original DME should be willing to check your machine for free if you bring it in during business hours. If you are forced to use a different DME, you should ask about what their policy is up front.

If the pressure checks out fine and you continue to have problems with a way too high AHI, then it really is time to call the sleep doc and let him/her know what's going on. Posting some data here from SleepyHead will allow us the chance to make some patient-based suggestions of things to try, but if the AHI has taken a huge leap upward, fixing the problem may be beyond our expertise.