CPAP goes on and off

user from Singapore · Post by **user from Singapore** » Mon May 07, 2012 3:36 pm

Dear All,

First thanks for this forum, lots of interesting information.

I just did a search in the forum without any result, then browsed through the first 6 pages but could not find any post relating the problem I have... So I hope someone can help.
I have been using a PR System One Remstar Auto BiPAP with Bi-Flex for the last 8 months or so, it has been working great.
However a few weeks back I woke up as the machine was going on and off. I called the doctor and he said it might be due to some connection issues.
The problem disappeared but tonight it is really BAD. So here I an in front of the computer while I should be sound asleep

Has anybody any idea of what could happen? I have tried to check the power supply, cleaned the connector but it does not help.
The machine will off by itself then I wake up as there is no air. Once I breathe again, it will on as it should. But will off again and again...

I hope someone can help!!!

Best regards

Mat

Gerryk · Post by **Gerryk** » Mon May 07, 2012 4:05 pm

Contact the DME you got the machine from. It could be the power supply or a problem with the machine. If the machine got wet that has been known to cause that problem in the past.

greatunclebill · Post by **greatunclebill** » Mon May 07, 2012 4:07 pm

could be you have auto off and auto on turned on. when you put the mask on and breathe the machine starts. when you take the mask off, after a period of time the machine shuts off. is this the way it is? if so, you may be having big leaks while sleeping so the machine thinks you have taken the mask off and be turning itself off. then when you breathe after it goes off it starts again. also depending on the mask, the auto on is not so quick to come on. with some masks it comes on as soon as i breathe. with another mask it don't come on automatically and i have to push the button to start it. if you have auto off turned on, turn it off and see if it helps.

NightMonkey · Post by **NightMonkey** » Mon May 07, 2012 4:08 pm

First thing to check:

The machine has "Auto On" and "Auto Off" features. These should be set as follows:

"Auto On" - Set to "On"

"Auto Off" - Set to "Off"

Check that your settings are correct. See page 8 of this manual - http://respironicsremstars.respironics. ... Manual.pdf

user from Singapore · Post by **user from Singapore** » Mon May 07, 2012 4:17 pm

Hello Gerryk, Greatunclebill and NightMonkey

Thanks for the quick replies. A few comments...

Just to let you know, here in Singapore the market for such devices seems well under control and as a result the price offered was 3 to 4 times (no kidding) the one I could get online.
So I had purchased online, and the local supplier does not seem so interested to help.
I know, my mistake...

As for the auto on and off, I had suspected this before but it does not seem to be the problem (I just read the manual). There are no leaks and I do not take the mask off. The machine just goes off by itself, then on again since I am breathing. It can happen every 2 or 3 minutes or I can get 1 hour sleep. Very frustrating...

Just to make things clear, I did no change any settings or even unplug the machine for the last few weeks

Still trying to figure out what can happen. I suspect the problem is related to power supply (very humid climate here).

sol · Post by **sol** » Mon May 07, 2012 4:31 pm

user from Singapore wrote: Just to make things clear, I did no change any settings or even unplug the machine for the last few weeks

Try to unplug the machine, wait few minutes and plug it back, just like computers rebooting sometimes helps

The Choker · Post by **The Choker** » Mon May 07, 2012 5:08 pm

The machine just goes off by itself

OK, since the settings are correct and you checked all the connections, the next thing to check is the wife.

How is the relationship? Do you have large life insurance with wife as beneficiary?

user from Singapore · Post by **user from Singapore** » Mon May 07, 2012 5:35 pm

Sol: thanks for the suggestion. Sorry to say it did not help.

The Choker: you managed to make me smile even after that bad night of (almost) no sleep
The wife is not happy as well... she did not enjoy at all that I kept waking up, the constant beep and the lights going on and off did not help...

I will try to find local help today. I wonder how I was able to manage before I got that machine...

Gerryk · Post by **Gerryk** » Mon May 07, 2012 6:10 pm

The problem could be from the humidifier. It would be worth a try using the machine without the humidifier. I had a power supply go bad that did just what you said.

By the way do you get any error codes?

user from Singapore · Post by **user from Singapore** » Mon May 07, 2012 6:16 pm

Hello again Gerry

I just went through your posts and see you had surgery. Hats off for daring to do so, I know someone who did it and said it did not help....

Yes I agree with you, power supply seems to be the cause. As for humidifier, I never used it. The climate here is hot and humid, and even if i use air con at night, I guess there is enough moisture in the air. I never wake up with dry or sore throat or similar problems.

The only message I get is that the machine is accessing to the SD card when it restarts. I thought maybe the card could be full, so tried without it. No changes.

Thanks for the support!

Mat

Gerryk · Post by **Gerryk** » Mon May 07, 2012 6:28 pm

The humidity could be the cause of the problem. If you are able to check the connection for the power supply on the machine. With the humidity your talking about I have a feeling it could possibly have some corrosion on it, if not the power supply itself is bad.

Best of luck to you

Gerry

GumbyCT · Post by **GumbyCT** » Mon May 07, 2012 6:40 pm

user from Singapore wrote:she did not enjoy at all that I kept waking up, the constant beep and the lights going on and off did not help...

How many beeps? You say no message on the LCD, can you describe these beeps?

user from Singapore wrote:There are no leaks and I do not take the mask off.

How have you determined this?

Also it is difficult to help someone when you don't know what they are using.
Such as...
Machine make & model
Mask make & model
Pressure or pressure range
Other settings?

Check where the machine is plugged into the wall. You do know that power interruptions such as surges or sags will cause the machine to behave exactly as you described? Can you use a battery to rule this out?

user from Singapore · Post by **user from Singapore** » Mon May 07, 2012 6:59 pm

Gerry,

I think we are indeed on the right track. Thanks for the support.

GumbyCT,

Thanks for the input. I think the 3 of us come to the same conclusion. Something must be loose / rusty in the connections somewhere. I am right now using the machine from another power supply and it seems OK. Still testing...

And trying to answer to your questions:

- How many beeps? You say no message on the LCD, can you describe these beeps?

It just beeps when it restarts as it would do when you wear the mask. Normal beep

- No leaks: well... I don't feel any leak or hear anything. I did not evaluate further.

Specs:
Machine make & model: Respironics PR System One REMstar Auto CPAP
Mask make & model: Respironics GoLife for Men Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Pressure or pressure range: 4 cm H2O (the original setting that was confirmed by the doctor)

It seems the cause of the problem has been identified... thanks for your input.

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Mon May 07, 2012 7:09 pm

The early PR S1s were known to have a this problem w/stopping and starting or just stopping on their own during the night and Philips has honored the warranty and replaced those w/the problem. It hasn't been any one model, it has been random (so far as "we" can tell) models. Since your local providers aren't interested in helping w/the warranty situation I would suggest contacting Philips and let Philips make the arrangements w/some provider to return it under warranty.

And, UserFromSingapore, I suggest that you register and fill out your equipment in text in your profile so that we don't have to keep asking which device and equipment you are using. Is it the PR S1 BPAP, CPAP, BPAP Auto ???? Which?

user from Singapore · Post by **user from Singapore** » Mon May 07, 2012 7:21 pm

Thanks Slinky. I think the problem is solved!
Strange though that the power supply became unstable. This machine seems quite sensitive!

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