I'm still around - and how not to pack a cpap

derek · Post by **derek** » Mon May 01, 2006 12:03 pm

Hi everybody,
I've been noticeably absent since December because of pressure of work. I was working well over 100 hours/week, and something had to give - and it did: my health. I was totally run down and got quite ill. I just got out of hospital, and am recuperating at home after surgery. Anyway, I'm getting stronger everyday.

But here's the reason for posting. I was first admitted to an in-patient unit at work, and was using my cpap (Respironics Auto with C-Flex) there. On the third night, things took a definite turn for the worse and I was bundled into an ambulance and whisked off to a major hospital. The cpap and all my things were left in the room. I had a nasal tube inserted to drain the stomach and could not use the cpap after that. When my wife went to get my things from the in-patient unit she found that the nurses had simply put the cpap in a plastic bag without emptying the humidifier! The bag and the cpap were full of water.

When I got out of the hospital with the nasal tube removed, I tried to use the cpap, but naturally it was gonzo! Since it was out of warranty I took it apart and water was everywhere: in the fan and motor, in the pressure and flow sensing tubes and the circuit board was afloat. I did my best to clean things up by using my compressor to blow the water out of the motor, and took everything apart and let it air dry for two days. Still no-go; I still get the dreaded E-80 error message.

So this morning I emailed the Chief of Medicine at our Medical Dept., telling him what had happened. Within two hours I had a phone call from the Head Nurse telling me to go ahead and purchase a new unit, and they will reimburse me for it. I couldn't ask for a better response than that! I just ordered a new unit from cpap.com

So the moral of the story is that even professional nursing staff do not understand enough to empty a humidifier before packing a cpap unit. I really think that it is a design flaw to allow water to flow back from the humidifier to the guts of the machine.

ufo13 · Post by **ufo13** » Mon May 01, 2006 12:29 pm

Derek:

Glad you are doing better, and welcome home, to one of the nicest guys on this forum! I hope you continue your speedy recovery! What machine did you get this time? Let us know how you are progressing!

All the best to you,

Steve,
ufo13

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Mon May 01, 2006 1:20 pm

Derek,

GOOD GRIEF!!!
I figured there was another reason for your absence.....like you were out sailing or taking some time off or something.....not trying to kill yourself with work.

Anyway, it's good to hear that you're back.....but a heckuva way to get a new machine.

Best wishes,

Den

unclebob · Post by **unclebob** » Mon May 01, 2006 5:21 pm

Hi derek,

Very happy you are back - and in better health!

If I were you I wouldn't be too hard on the nurses who packed up your APAP water and all. Actually, it's probably your own fault. They were just doing their jobs and in fact, went the extra mile. This was no doubt due to their medical training and strong desire to save and protect lives.

The fact is, they should be commended! You, on the other hand should get a severe tongue lashing. Just be sure the SPCA doesn't find out about this or you could be the one in "hot water". Versus your pets I mean.

The last time we all had a glimpse of your heated humidifier you had your two pet fish merrily swimming around in there. Now how can you blame the nurses for making every attempt to make them feel at home in your absence?

Good to have you back!

Bob F

Yoga · Post by **Yoga** » Mon May 01, 2006 9:56 pm

Derek,

Sorry to hear of your health problems.

What a bummer to have your cpap machine submerged but glad it worked out in the end.

Why not email your story to Respironics. Perhaps it would result in a better humifier so this does not happen to someone else.

NightHawkeye · Post by **NightHawkeye** » Tue May 02, 2006 5:12 am

Be sure to give DSM your old unit too. Water damaged units are specialty with him. .

Regards,
Bill

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Tue May 02, 2006 6:10 am

Tēnā koe Tēnā koe - Kia ora,

Sorry to hear you had such a bad spell but good that you are on the good side of it all.

Glad some good came out of the xpap misshap - it sounds like water got in through both the external openings and the air outlet.

Most parts seem to be able to handle a bit of water except the bearings in the motor

Anyway, welcome back & the best of health to you.

E noho rā, ma te Atua koe e tiaki.

Doug

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Tue May 02, 2006 11:27 am

Hi Derek,
It's great to hear from you again - too bad the those were the circumstances, but I hope you'll be yourself again soon.

Take good care of yourself!

O.

Titrator · Post by **Titrator** » Tue May 02, 2006 1:03 pm

Derek,

Welcome back! I am glad you are feeling better and could share your story.

You have contributed an incredible amount of yourself to helping others.

We all appreciate you.

Regards,

Ted

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Wed May 03, 2006 7:01 am

Hi Derek,

So sorry to hear what a rough time you've gone through, but happy to hear you're on back on the mend. Very interesting post about what happened to your machine. Glad the hospital is springing for a new one.

Please take care. We missed you very much!

Laura

suefox51 · Post by **suefox51** » Wed May 03, 2006 7:16 am

Derek:
Welcome back - your posts have been very information to this relatively newbee to cpap!
Interesting to know that cpaps cannot swim - I don't think they indicate that in the literature.
Keep getting better.

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Wed May 03, 2006 7:46 am

Derek,

Glad to hear things are improving for you. May you continue to have a speedy recovery and feel better with each passing day.

I was just thinking of you the other night when I posted the instructions you sent me way back last summer on how to install the Encore Pro and card reader on a thread here. At that time, I thought to myself that you must be doing great, keeping too busy and that's why you haven't been on the site lately. Who knew???

Best of luck to you and speedy recovery. And enjoy that new machine!!! But next time, try to think of a less extreme way to get one, huh???

I'm still around - and how not to pack a cpap

I'm still around - and how not to pack a cpap

Hi Derek!