My Philips Dreamstation broke following a power outage this morning. Need help.

[Pugsy]

If you cannot get any humidifier settings at all when the machine has power to it (but not blowing air) then it sounds like there is something wrong with either the humidifier connection to the blower unit or the humidifier unit itself.
If the machine doesn't/can't see the humidifier then it can't show you the options.

I would check however it is you have to plug in the machine to the blower unit and make sure it is a solid connection.

Otherwise I am out of ideas. I have zero experience with that brand/model machine. Sorry.
Sounds like it is maybe some sort of electrical problem with the humidifier. If you can take it somewhere and try it with another DreamStation you could at least check to see if the humidifier works or not.

[jcrocketman]

So I found a Reddit post from someone that experienced a similar issue with a Dreamstation. Unfortunately there was no solution noted. The individual noted that the humidification settings just disappeared.

https://www.reddit.com/r/CPAP/comments/ ... _settings/

I can tell you that whether my humidifier is connected, or not, the humidifier settings are still in the menu, therefore I don’t think your issue is dependent on whether the humidifier is working or not. It sounds like a software or firmware issue with the Cpap to me. Maybe an authorized service center can update or reflash the software.

[SleepGeek]

He sold it because he was moving overseas and didn't need it anymore. Wouldn't I just be able to get it checked by my technicians at the respiratory place?

Why wouldn't he need it overseas? Seems like there is more to it than that.

I think that is why he sold it.
You would have to ask your technicians if they will check it for you.

Keep in mind they normally send things out for repair.

Do let us know what the outcome is.

Meanwhile use it in passover mode. You will get some moisture, at least.

[Dog Slobber]

Factory Reset the machine.

DreamStations, don't have an explicit factory reset, but you can force another a reset another way.

• Ensure all data is saved and imported to OSCAR
• Ensure you know all your therapy settings, you will need to re-enter them
• Set a PIN:
  • Enter Provider mode
  • Set Pin set to something easy to remember (1111)
  • Now Pin will be required to enter Provider mode
  • Exit provider mode
• Go back into Provider mode
• You will now be required to enter the PIN
• Enter it *incorrectly* 8 times
• After the 8th time you will be prompted to reset all data, reset all data.
• You will now need to re-enter all configuration items

Hopefully the humidifier settings will be back

[SleepGeek]

Factory Reset the machine.

DreamStations, don't have an explicit factory reset, but you can force another a reset another way.

• Ensure all data is saved and imported to OSCAR
• Ensure you know all your therapy settings, you will need to re-enter them
• Set a PIN:
  • Enter Provider mode
  • Set Pin set to something easy to remember (1111)
  • Now Pin will be required to enter Provider mode
  • Exit provider mode
• Go back into Provider mode
• You will now be required to enter the PIN
• Enter it *incorrectly* 8 times
• After the 8th time you will be prompted to reset all data, reset all data.
• You will now need to re-enter all configuration items

Hopefully the humidifier settings will be back

If the suggested reset doesn't work I think its safe to assume there is a hardware problem.
These older units were famous for getting water in the electronics when/if they were mishandled.

[Grumpy48]

If you don't get this resolved before you get your Dream Station that's in repair back, when you do get it, try the humidifier from your that one on the one you bought. Kinda wondering if the heater plate may be open or if there is a heat sensor (thermistor?) that needs to be recognized for the menu to show(?).

I think I might be tempted to try some contact cleaner on the connection plugs. DeOxit is my preferred and recommended choice.

[Pugsy]

Do you still have the old machine what won't blow and its humidifier???
If it's the exact same machine the humidifier on the old machine should work with the new machine.
Have you tried it?

[PJT]

He sold it because he was moving overseas and didn't need it anymore. Wouldn't I just be able to get it checked by my technicians at the respiratory place?

Why wouldn't he need it overseas? Seems like there is more to it than that.

I think that is why he sold it.
You would have to ask your technicians if they will check it for you.

He told me he had another one back home which is why he sold this one. I've contacted him to ask what's up with the humidifier.

I've been using it without the humidifier, it's not super terrible although wake up with my throat claggy and dry sometimes.

I'm worried about using the Dreamstation in general because I've been using one since 2016 and there was that whole issue last year with the recall due to cancer risk. I really don't want to catch cancer but even now that I got this replaced I still don't have any alternatives. I am on AISH, which finances new CPAPs, but only after I've completed a level one sleep study at a hospital and I haven't done that yet because I needed this right away and had to pay for it with my own money.

Factory Reset the machine.

DreamStations, don't have an explicit factory reset, but you can force another a reset another way.

• Ensure all data is saved and imported to OSCAR
• Ensure you know all your therapy settings, you will need to re-enter them
• Set a PIN:
  • Enter Provider mode
  • Set Pin set to something easy to remember (1111)
  • Now Pin will be required to enter Provider mode
  • Exit provider mode
• Go back into Provider mode
• You will now be required to enter the PIN
• Enter it *incorrectly* 8 times
• After the 8th time you will be prompted to reset all data, reset all data.
• You will now need to re-enter all configuration items

Hopefully the humidifier settings will be back

Thank you, I'll try this. But what is OSCAR? If it is a microSD I don't think it has one presently.

[PJT]

Spoke with a technician today.

She says that they'll have a brand new dreamstation 2 for me next week that is free from the problem that caused the recall so that's good.

But also she says that she cannot help me with my replacement cpap as it is a liability for them. She also told me that it's dangerous to sleep with the settings too low or too high as I could damage my lungs.

I recalibrated this emergency CPAP to my prescribed settings as I remember them (11.0 min and max with C-Flex on) and while im sleeping I dont feel anything wrong. Breathing feels right and okay with my current settings. Would I be able to tell if I was damaging my lungs? People use secondhand CPAP without issues all the time, right?

[Pugsy]

People use secondhand CPAP without issues all the time, right?

Right. I have never bought a brand new machine. All mine have been gently used.

Would I be able to tell if I was damaging my lungs?

Don't know but if you are using the same settings (or close) as you were using then there shouldn't be a problem.
Certainly no more of a problem than using a machine that had been recalled but not yet replaced might cause.

[icipher]

we have Craigslist in Canada but sale of recalled items are prohibited.

Don't buy another DreamStation....don't buy another Respironics machine....buy a ResMed machine.

What is the model number of your machine??? Look on the bottom of the blower for the model number.
Once we know exactly which model you are using then we can advise which ResMed model to look for.

What would I do? I have a back up machine in the closet but if I didn't have one then I would be shopping my local craigslist.

Curious as to why you recommend the Resmed over Respironics?

I have a dreamstation and am coming up on the 5 year mark for replacement. I've been wondering if I should check out the Resmed ASV or just get another Dreamstation.

[Pugsy]

quote=icipher post_id=1415262 time=1657215957 user_id=68720]
Curious as to why you recommend the Resmed over Respironics?

I have a dreamstation and am coming up on the 5 year mark for replacement. I've been wondering if I should check out the Resmed ASV or just get another Dreamstation.

Hmmmm.....
Have you not heard about the recall because of the foam?

Besides...right now there there are no DreamStation 2 ASV models to be had. Respironics is still trying to cover their asses with DreamStation 2 models just for cpap/apap users.
They aren't making ANY bilevel DreamStations 2 models yet or at least I haven't heard of any.

And then there is this fact which would be a deal breaker for me even if the foam wasn't trying to kill me.
How would you feel about not even being able to change the humidity setting or hose air temp????

viewtopic/t184531/OSCAR-140-Released--June-17-2022.html

Philips Respironics and the DreamStation 2

This time Philips Respironics threw us a curve ball.

Coinciding with a recall for nearly every consumer machine they have built in the last large number of years, Philips released the DreamStation 2, which is unaffected by recall. The recall was of "All Affected Devices Manufactured Before 26 April 2021, All Device Serial Numbers." Philips Respironics has encrypted the data on the DreamStation 2 so that they can control and monetize that data by making it accessible, for a fee, to their providers only and only with their proprietary system Care-Orchestrator. With considerable effort, the OSCAR team has been able to decrypt the data so that OSCAR can show you the data from your machine.

The changes made by Philips in the DreamStation 2 are harmful to patient empowerment, making it more difficult for you to manage your own sleep apnea therapy.

So far the OSCAR Team has found three major changes made by Philips in the DreamStation 2 devices:

The data on the SD card IS Encrypted purportedly to limit access to the data to clinical personnel ONLY and NOT the end-users, the people who have Sleep Apnea. As of June 2022, OSCAR can read this data.
There are two levels of the DreamStation 2. First are the "Advanced" models. These are much more "user friendly" than the "NON-ADVANCED" models. The NON-ADVANCED models can easily be identified via their two-toned cases with blue bottoms. These "NON-ADVANCED" models truly limit what you can adjust.
The tube temperature of some DreamStation 2 "NON-ADVANCED" models CANNOT be changed by the end-user. Why? When asked, a Phillips representative stated, "We are taking away more settings from the user in order to have the 'clinicians' take care of that". To our current knowledge the DreamStation 2 CPAP and DreamStation 2 Auto CPAP (NON-ADVANCED models) do not have a Providers Menu. Changes to most CPAP settings can only be set via Care Orchestrator Essence, which is not available to the CPAP user.

The above changes are at best disturbing. For end users, the "official" read access to CPAP data is via DreamMapper, which has Summary data and Compliance info only. Detailed data is available only through Care Orchestrator Essence, which is available ONLY for clinical personnel.

Item #1 speaks for itself. All detailed data is encrypted and as such is not available to the end-user from Phillips Respironics. (As noted above, OSCAR can currently access this information).

Item #3 outright says that Philips is taking away access to even basic humidification from the end-users.

Risks:
This is a big one. This trend within Philips Respironics to make all new devices so that ONLY clinical personnel will have access to your medical data is growing.

Philips Respironics has chosen to make some new devices so that ONLY clinical personnel will be able to change settings on the CPAP with access solely through Care Orchestrator, eliminating the Provider Menu. That appears to have been done on the DreamStation 2 (NOT ADVANCED) devices.

[icipher]

quote=icipher post_id=1415262 time=1657215957 user_id=68720]
Curious as to why you recommend the Resmed over Respironics?

I have a dreamstation and am coming up on the 5 year mark for replacement. I've been wondering if I should check out the Resmed ASV or just get another Dreamstation.

Hmmmm.....
Have you not heard about the recall because of the foam?

Besides...right now there there are no DreamStation 2 ASV models to be had. Respironics is still trying to cover their asses with DreamStation 2 models just for cpap/apap users.
They aren't making ANY bilevel DreamStations 2 models yet or at least I haven't heard of any.

And then there is this fact which would be a deal breaker for me even if the foam wasn't trying to kill me.
How would you feel about not even being able to change the humidity setting or hose air temp????

viewtopic/t184531/OSCAR-140-Released--June-17-2022.html

Hi Pugsy,

I got my replacement dreamstation ASV. I still have periodic issues where I wake up out of breath despite no leaks, which has me interested in trying another device. I am curious to experience the algorithm on the Resmed. Seems like it's due time for Resmed to release the Aircurve 11. I'll wait and see when that is officially announced.

[D.H.]

Alright, I still need some help here.

I notice that the Humidifier doesn't turn on. When I go into the clinician settings I don't see any options for humidifier. I have a non-heated hose plugged in but I don't know how to turn on the humidifier.

Try the humidifier from the old one.

Also, try the old machine with the new power supply. I'm not convinced that it's really the machine.

[PJT]

Alright, I still need some help here.

I notice that the Humidifier doesn't turn on. When I go into the clinician settings I don't see any options for humidifier. I have a non-heated hose plugged in but I don't know how to turn on the humidifier.

Try the humidifier from the old one.

Also, try the old machine with the new power supply. I'm not convinced that it's really the machine.

I don't have the old machine. It's at my service provider's. I wasn't able to go today and I have to pick up my DS2 in the afternoon on Monday.

In any case I notice that at my current settings (11.0 air, 11.0 minimum, c-flex on) and I keep waking up because I'm swallowing air. I suffer from anxiety and IBS/GERD, so I'm not sure how much of it is my pre-existing condition vs. how much is my CPAP. I set it to the previous air pressure settings I remember, which may or may not have been up to 12? I'm worried that my pressure settings wil cause me health problems or blow out my lung or something, but I am keeping it close to what I remember, that can't actually happen to me unless it's an extreme case, right?