Kate's Therapy

[Jas_williams]

Is the air flow supposed to pulse? I have just put on my Bleep mask, and the machine is doing that low pressure thing it does after you turn it off, and the air flow is coming out in little spurts - if I put my finger in the end of the tube where the mask joins on, it goes "puff, puff, puff, puff" rather than having a smooth continuous flow.

If I join it to my mask, the vent does the same pulse thing on the exhale.

We have had users complain of strange pressure stuff if the filter is blocked or using a hypoallergenic one, may try changing the filter, but you machine could have issues

[katestyles]

Not supposed to pulse....or at least I never had that happen.
Now the vented air will increase and decrease the amount of flow depending on inhale and exhale and if EPR is being used....but that pretty obvious that it pertains to my own inhale and exhale.
The air flow from the machine doesn't fluctuate.

I am really thinking that this machine is bad.

[katestyles]

I read your complete thread tonight and Pugsy alluded to the oxygen saturation. I had been asking myself the whole time I read your thread, What if any is the de-saturation levels you have experienced......and have you had any Oximetry tests (sp02) since your original sleep studies? It may or may not have something to do with your inability to wake up easily.

I have not done any oximetry for years - and I don't remember my de-sats being anything outrageous in my original sleep test.

Sounds like you are working hard to make it work, good luck.

Thanks.

[katestyles]

My Bleep arrived on Friday, and I had a couple of nights to use it before my sleep test on Sunday night.

I now know I AM a mouth breather, and that is a source of my leaks. That was really useful to know before my sleep test, as I simply asked to use a chin strap.

A friend wished me luck with my sleep test, and told me she hoped I would pass it. That sent me in with a completely changed attitude - Funny stuff this psychology!

I actually slept! Now I just want the nice lady to tuck me in and adjust the settings for me every night.

I called the DME on Monday afternoon and have an appointment for them to "evaluate" my flaky machine tomorrow.

Tonight will be spent seeing if I can replicate all the faults!

[katestyles]

I took my APAP to the DME today, to tell them about the strange things it has been doing.

The nice lady told me she needed to do a series of tests, but first she needed to write down what settings I had it on. I told her it was fine, I had a record and could put them back. That got a raised eyebrow.

First she checked the pressure with a manometer, and told me there was a leak in the hose. She got me a new hose, and hooked it up.

I then showed her the "pulsing" that was happening. She told me that it is normal for the machine to pulse like that when the hose is blowing after it is switched off. It is to help with drying out the machine and the hose.

I told her that it happened at night when I was using the machine too - she said it might be OK now the hose isn't leaking, and started to pack it all up.

So then I asked about the machine cutting out and failing to record the sessions correctly.

She went away to check with someone - came back and switched my unit for a new one!!

[palerider]

I took my APAP to the DME today, to tell them about the strange things it has been doing.

The nice lady told me she needed to do a series of tests, but first she needed to write down what settings I had it on. I told her it was fine, I had a record and could put them back. That got a raised eyebrow.

First she checked the pressure with a manometer, and told me there was a leak in the hose. She got me a new hose, and hooked it up.

I then showed her the "pulsing" that was happening. She told me that it is normal for the machine to pulse like that when the hose is blowing after it is switched off. It is to help with drying out the machine and the hose.

I told her that it happened at night when I was using the machine too - she said it might be OK now the hose isn't leaking, and started to pack it all up.

So then I asked about the machine cutting out and failing to record the sessions correctly.

She went away to check with someone - came back and switched my unit for a new one!!

Well then

Also, quit chewing on your hose!

[katestyles]

Also, quit chewing on your hose!

Grinding?

[zonker]

She went away to check with someone - came back and switched my unit for a new one!!

okay, then! but please do come back and let us know if your new machine is better or not.

[palerider]

She went away to check with someone - came back and switched my unit for a new one!!

okay, then! but please do come back and let us know if your new machine is better or not.

Did katestyles imply she was leaving???

[LOUDSNORER]

It helps if you actually ask a question, instead of just walking in, slapping down a couple pictures and saying "well?"

You sir really are special.

[katestyles]

She went away to check with someone - came back and switched my unit for a new one!!

okay, then! but please do come back and let us know if your new machine is better or not.

Did katestyles imply she was leaving???

Nope - still here.

Now I can get on with fixing my pressures.

screenshot-20190314-172721.png (147.96 KiB) Viewed 6491 times

Somehow I stupidly set the min pressure to 11 last night. I will change that back to 15 ish.

Just got the unofficial results of my sleep test; recommending 16cm straight CPAP with the rider that they did not see any supine REM sleep, so "APAP with close clinical follow up can be considered."

Finally got to grips with the bleep mask - look at that leak graph! So proud!

[Pugsy]

Finally got to grips with the bleep mask - look at that leak graph! So proud!

Good job. I knew you could do it.

[Dreaming1]

katestyles - Wow, 16 is a high pressure. That's tough to handle with no leak. Are you using a chinstrap or tape like djams to keep the leak that low?

[katestyles]

katestyles - Wow, 16 is a high pressure. That's tough to handle with no leak. Are you using a chinstrap or tape like djams to keep the leak that low?

Yes, I am using a chinstrap. However, the mouth leak has never really been as much of an issue as having 16 cms of pressure through a mask. THe bleep mask is the first one that has stayed where I put it.

[Dreaming1]

Have you liked it as much as everyone else? It was game changing for me. I got a neighbor to order it yesterday after I showed it to him. He's stoked about getting it.