Machine turns on by itself?

[PocketDragonFriend]

I've only had my machine for a week. (REMStarPlus M Series w/ C-flex and humidifier, hybrid mask) Sometimes it seems to go on without any assistance.

For example, I used the machine fine Thursday night. Shut it off Friday morning and went off to work. No problems. In and out of my bedroom all evening and I never heard it go on. Still fine.

However, as I'm starting to put my mask on, the machine kicks on full force. I'm no where near the buttons. Does it somehow know that I'm getting ready to use it? Doesn't seem possible. I've gotten to the point of unplugging the hose before starting to put my mask on so if it starts, it's not blowing the mask off.

Anyone else experienced this or have any ideas why it occurs?

[jules]

There is an "auto on" feature where you start breathing with the mask on, the machine senses it and turns itself on.

It isn't haunted.

Some masks it works better with than others.

[bryansong]

I have the respronics M-series APAP with A-Flex and it has the auto start also. I really like that feature. I hope it isn't really causing you a problem because I think I've read that you can't disable it. I could be mistaken though.

Bryansong

[6PtStar]

No, you can't disable it. It is a safety feature. If you get a loss in power while you are asleep it will restart as soon as power comes back on. A short power burp won't cause a problem.


Jerry

[PocketDragonFriend]

So I guess I'll stick to unhooking the hose while putting my mask on.

Thanks for the quick replies.

Crystal

[GumbyCT]

So I guess I'll stick to unhooking the hose while putting my mask on.
Thanks for the quick replies.
Crystal

OK Why?
It makes things easy.

[PocketDragonFriend]

Why disconnect the hose first? The pressure is way to high for me to stand yet. I know I'm spending more time on the ramp up than I do at the prescribed level now.

I suppose I'll get used to it eventually. Right now, when the ramp gets up to about 16.5, the mask starts to leak and it wakes me up. So I hit the ramp again. So I get another 25 minutes of sleep, before the ramp hits that 16.5 again. Repeat until I take the bloody mask off for a while.

It's only been a week. Depending how the next few weeks go, I may see if I can get the doc to lower the prescribed pressure to 16. Seems to me it would be better to get more time at 16 (before the leaks) than spending most of my time ramping up and never getting time at the current prescribed 18.

[jsmythe]

[quote="PocketDragonFriend"]Why disconnect the hose first? The pressure is way to high for me to stand yet. I know I'm spending more time on the ramp up than I do at the prescribed level now.

I suppose I'll get used to it eventually. Right now, when the ramp gets up to about 16.5, the mask starts to leak and it wakes me up. So I hit the ramp again. So I get another 25 minutes of sleep, before the ramp hits that 16.5 again. Repeat until I take the bloody mask off for a while.

It's only been a week. Depending how the next few weeks go, I may see if I can get the doc to lower the prescribed pressure to 16. Seems to me it would be better to get more time at 16 (before the leaks) than spending most of my time ramping up and never getting time at the current prescribed 18.

[sleepycarol]

PocketDragonFriend Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2008 11:54 pm Post subject: Machine turns on by itself?

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I've only had my machine for a week. (REMStarPlus M Series w/ C-flex and humidifier, hybrid mask) Sometimes it seems to go on without any assistance.

Have you thought about upgrading your machine to a data capable machine? With your high of pressure I would want data to back up my therapy. I know there a few members that have had their pressures titrated wrong and were not getting effective therapy.

Of course if money is an issue I can understand going with the model that is affordable. But if you have insurance the cost should be about the same whether a barebones machine or one that is data capable.

[thimarine]

Pocket-D, I have the same machine as you. The auto on feature works more readily with full face masks (at least in my experience) than nasal pillows (which I now use). However, I find it a very useful feature in that the machine turns on when I get everything situated and start to breathe. When I was using the Comfort Full II, my machine would seem to come on when my face got near the mask. Perfectly normal.

[OutaSync]

I agree with Jsmythe. The Hybrid mask always blew out just before 16. I now use the Activa, which is somewhat better, but certainly not perfect. Two things that I think will help you.

1. Explain the situation to your Dr. and have him/her prescribe an Auto CPAP for you. I can set mine for 12-20 and most of the night it sits around 12 or 13 and only goes up to 16 or 17 when needed.

2. Hold your breath while yuo put you mask on. As soon as you breathe, the machine will kick in. After awhile you will learn to get your mask hooked up quickly and appreciate that you dont' have to lean over to turn the machine on.

[Kharris]

Wow, I haven't been here in a long time. we have a internet monitor now
and most non work related sites are not available.
Dragon..my pressure is at 16, stay with it...wear it as long as you can.
take a break and put it back on.
I have been 4 months on cpap, and have gotten to the point that the ramp
is no longer needed. I strap up, and turn it on. I still have the c-flex on the hightest setting but that will probably never change. I did start using a larger
size mask, that seemed to soften the inflow of air and that helped too.
Do Not Stop trying.
Everyone here knows it not natural to sleep with a hunk of plastic on your face. It's a commitment to do something good for yourself.

[PocketDragonFriend]

It hasn't even been 2 weeks yet so I have no intention of giving up so soon.

I haven't had a meeting with my doctor since my sleep study. Guess I'll have tons of questions for him next week.

I really like the hybrid mask. I like the idea of being able to pop out those nasal pillows in a hurry if I feel like I can't breathe. (I know I'm getting plenty of "air" but that doesn't mean I can breathe. )

So far I seem to be wearing the mask for about 3 hours then off for 2 then on for 3. A little more each time.

[TossinNTurnin]

No, you can't disable it. It is a safety feature. If you get a loss in power while you are asleep it will restart as soon as power comes back on. A short power burp won't cause a problem.


Jerry

Yup, found that out last night. Electricity went out for about 15 seconds, machine started blowing again the moment it came back on.

And I like the auto on feature. I put on the mask and lay down. Although, it comes back at full force. It doesn't "re-ramp".

[TossinNTurnin]

Why disconnect the hose first? The pressure is way to high for me to stand yet. I know I'm spending more time on the ramp up than I do at the prescribed level now.

I suppose I'll get used to it eventually. Right now, when the ramp gets up to about 16.5, the mask starts to leak and it wakes me up. So I hit the ramp again. So I get another 25 minutes of sleep, before the ramp hits that 16.5 again. Repeat until I take the bloody mask off for a while.

It's only been a week. Depending how the next few weeks go, I may see if I can get the doc to lower the prescribed pressure to 16. Seems to me it would be better to get more time at 16 (before the leaks) than spending most of my time ramping up and never getting time at the current prescribed 18.

you spend more time in ramp? The therapy won't work for you until you reach your prescribed pressure. That was the point of the titration study, to find the pressure that resolves most if not all of your apnea events.

I don't know what mask your using, but it should be one that's good at handling the higher pressures. Some are better than others. You made need to try a few different masks to find something more comfortable/effective.

My DME allowed me 3 weeks to make sure the mask worked for me. I tried two types before I settled on one. Some people go through more than that. So, you should check on how much time you have to find the right mask... if at all. By the time you want to switch, you may have run out of time.

Nasal pillow masks are notoriously problematic with higher pressures such as yours. You can "like it" if you want, but if it leaks at higher pressures you won't get the therapy you need.

BTW... where does your ramping start? If your pulling the nostrils away because you feel you can't breathe it'l likely the ramping starting pressure is too low. Why so many of them set it at 4 is beyond me. Most people feel like they're suffocating with that number.