HELP!!! My machine's gone crazy!!! HELP!!!

[Chikorita]

I just put my mask on to go to sleep and my machine is doing something it's never done before.

Once the air starts its doing this thing where it all of a sudden increases the pressure really quickly and then reduces every two or three seconds. I have no idea what caused it or how to fix it.

If anyone knows what's going on I'd really appreciate done help.
My machine details are in my profile/signature.
Hoping someone can help me soon as it's getting late in Australia and I'm really tired.

Thanks in advance.

[grayghost4]

disconnect the power cord and reconnect it ... that will reset the computer inside ... might help.

[Chikorita]

No, that didn't help.

I've forgotten what EPR is. It's set at 3. But I haven't changed any settings since last night. I cleaned the mask and put it back on. That's all I've done.

[grayghost4]

that is what EPR does
Same hose ? ... same mask setting in machine PILLOW...

[Chikorita]

EPR makes air blast like that?

[Chikorita]

I removed the water from humidifier and it seems to have stopped.

Took EPR down to 1. It's on a 15 min ramp I think.

Also changed the filter which was pretty gross.
Can a dirty filter cause this problem?


I think I'll be able to sleep tonight but will need to look into my settings to work out why this happened.
Will post again in the morning.

I really love my machine so when it was going crazy I panicked. Will let you know how I go in the morning.

[grayghost4]

expiratory-pressure-relief ... drops pressure when you exhale

[JDS74]

EPR changes the pressure between inhale and exhale by reducing the inhale pressure by the EPR amount.
For example if your inhale pressure (some time during the night) is 10 cmH2O and EPR = 3, then the exhale pressure would be 7 cmH2O.

The report of every 2-3 seconds might correspond to a breathing rate of 20 times per minute (as an example, mine averages 16 times each minute when I am asleep or about 4 seconds per breath cycle.)

Your turning the EPR to 1 would make it less likely that you would notice the problem.
I don't think having a dirty filter and/or having water in the humidifier would be related.

[Chikorita]

You're right. Those things haven't fixed it. I had the mask on for about ten minutes with no problem and then it randomly started again. The sudden pressure increase almost pops my ears and the nasal pillows fill up with air. It's awful. Feeling distressed now that I won't be able to fix it.

[Chikorita]

This isn't a reduction in pressure it's a sudden increase in pressure. So I don't think it's related to EPR.

[Chikorita]

Just counted 27 breaths between 'blasts' of air. It seems to be random. I haven't slept without CPAP since I got my machine but I think I'll have to tonight.

[JDS74]

Time to call the DME to see if they can diagnose the problem and give you a loaner until it is fixed.
Or, if your machine is out of warranty, then try ACCBIO.

Their web page is http://acbio.com/.


You can contact them directly.
Accurate Biomed Services Inc.
100 North 17th Street Bethany, MO 64424
(888) 327-7483

[Sheriff Buford]

Disconnect the humidifier and see how the machine runs without the humidifier.

Sheriff

[Gasper62]

Switch it to operate in straight CPAP mode and see if that maybe stops the surging. I suggest you start a search for a backup machine, too. Good luck

[Chikorita]

Arrghhh...seriously...my machine might be broken?!?!? Crisis!!!

I'll try disconnecting humidifier but I'm really hoping it's not broken.