Broken CPAP

[PatrickMason]

Hi folks! It's the middle of the night and my CPAP is broken! Fantastic, right?

It's a Philips Respironics REMstar. I've had it for about 3 years. For the past 4 months or so, I have had to give it some time to kick in - it starts with little gaps of breath, and after some of this (i.e., not working), the display reads "Service required". At that point, I pull out the electrical plug, and then plug it back in. In the past I've had to do this several times before it kicks in. However, the length of this malfunction has increased. Tonight, I've been trying to get it to kick on for six hours. It's absolute torture. I don't know when I will sleep next.

My insurance has switched since I got this machine. My insurer requires a current prescription. I will not be able to see my doctor until Feb. 17. The people at my doctor's office are extremely unhelpful, and can offer no solution. My new insurance does not work with the old DME provider.

So ...

1) Is there any fix to the machine that might help?

2) I'm in the Cincinnati area. Does anyone know where I could get a loaner machine until this is resolved. Are there any other options?

Any help would be greatly appreciated; I'm quite desperate.

Thank you,
Patrick

[AV Junkie]

Did a quick search on Craigslist in your area and there are some expensive machines there but did find a good price on a low hour machine.

https://cincinnati.craigslist.org/hab/4781575156.html

might be worth a shot for a temp machine and a backup.

Good luck!

[herefishy]

I've used an Escape for several years part time and it has been rock solid. Just doesn't produce reports. This sounds like the answer for you.

[englandsf]

S9s are cheapish right now as folks upgrade to the new A10.

And it's always worthwhile to have 2 machines.

[PatrickMason]

Thanks folks!

I've written to that craiglist poster.

What's an "Escape"?

Still struggling to put together a plan to have a CPAP in the next 12 hours. Wanna avoid the stroke and all.

[herefishy]

It's an s9, I think, just like an Autoset except no data except on display.

[ChicagoGranny]

Still struggling to put together a plan to have a CPAP in the next 12 hours. Wanna avoid the stroke and all.

My smallish, local DME told me in an emergency they would lend me a machine at no charge. Not all will do this.

For the past 4 months or so, I have had to give it some time to kick in - it starts with little gaps of breath, and after some of this (i.e., not working), the display reads "Service required"

I assume you know you caused the current crisis? Sorry, no one else was asking.

[palerider]

Hi folks! It's the middle of the night and my CPAP is broken! Fantastic, right?

It's a Philips Respironics REMstar.

it would possibly help if you'd tell us what kind of machine it is.

all philres machines are called remstar. so that's kinda like saying it's a "ford ford".

look on the bottom (take out the water tank first) of the blower and tell us what the REF number is.

2) get a less useless doctor.
3) most anybody can write you a rx, if you can talk 'em into it, even a dentist.
4) craigslist never asks

[Wulfman...]

Hi folks! It's the middle of the night and my CPAP is broken! Fantastic, right?

It's a Philips Respironics REMstar. I've had it for about 3 years. For the past 4 months or so, I have had to give it some time to kick in - it starts with little gaps of breath, and after some of this (i.e., not working), the display reads "Service required". At that point, I pull out the electrical plug, and then plug it back in. In the past I've had to do this several times before it kicks in. However, the length of this malfunction has increased. Tonight, I've been trying to get it to kick on for six hours. It's absolute torture. I don't know when I will sleep next.

My insurance has switched since I got this machine. My insurer requires a current prescription. I will not be able to see my doctor until Feb. 17. The people at my doctor's office are extremely unhelpful, and can offer no solution. My new insurance does not work with the old DME provider.

So ...

1) Is there any fix to the machine that might help?

2) I'm in the Cincinnati area. Does anyone know where I could get a loaner machine until this is resolved. Are there any other options?

Any help would be greatly appreciated; I'm quite desperate.

Thank you,
Patrick

Please define "broken". The "Service Required" is a pretty common message displayed on those machines. Contact your DME and see if they can reset it. Are you cleaning/replacing the air intake filters?

You should have had a copy (or the original document) of your prescription from the beginning.

Also, you could contact http://www.acbio.com to see if they can assist you if your DME cannot. They're also a member of this forum and use the forum name "Accurate".
I'd suggest contacting your "old" DME first, since they were the ones who sold it to you.

Your predicament is one of the reasons we have or recommend having backup machines. If you had one, you wouldn't be wringing your hands now.


Den

.

[chunkyfrog]

Secondwindcpap.com is another resource for a machine.
You might be able to use a copy of your current prescription.
They don't always have expiration dates.

[Wulfman...]

From the Provider manual.

Alert
Service Required

Audible Indicator
• • • •

Visual Indicator
◊◊ ◊◊
Screen displays “Service required”, indicating that service is required.

Device Action
The device enters the “Safe state” in which the device power remains on, but the airflow is disabled.

Possible Cause
Device failure.

Patient Action
Press either the wheel or ramp button to silence the alert. Remove the power supply cord from the device to remove power.
Plug the cord back into the device’s power inlet to restore power. If the alert continues to occur, contact your home care provider.


Den

.

[sleep_quest]

I have a Philips Respironics System One 560P for sale and I will ship overnight. PM me if you are interested.

[rtrtrt]

Try replacing the power cord including the brick.

[archangle]

Take out the water tank. Disassemble everything else you can and put it back together.

Try it without the humidifier. The humidifier detaches from the blower unit. There's a little slider on the bottom of the humidifier part.

You might get some relief sleeping on your side, on your stomach, in a recliner, or partially sitting up on a couch or chair.

Read the links in my signature line for information on what CPAP machines are good and how to avoid being screwed by the DME (CPAP seller).

Craigslist can be a useful source, but you will see a lot of ridiculously high prices and you may have to wait for a good deal. Of course, you might get a broken machine.

If you have a copy of your prescription or can get one, you can buy a new machine online and might be cheaper than buying locally even with insurance, especially if the doc wants a new $leep $tudy.

And shame on you, Respironics for not listing the error code instead of just "service required."