Problem with PR S1 Auto

Anyone here encounter a problem with the PRS1, where the machine kind of "pulses" irregularly?

Normally, this machine has been very good but recently it started to put out uneven air pressure, which is quite irritating. Data's not showing anything odd on EncorePro. I have also tested this just sitting up fully awake, breathing normally.
I switched over to straight cpap to see if maybe the auto isn't working right, but it still does it in cpap mode.
Machine is 9 months old and has never done this previously, although I had one previously with the same problem, which showed up after about the same length of use.

Insurance company says I'm eligible for a new machine, any brand, which at this point sounds appealing, but here's the kicker...the DME won't give me a Resmed (any type) without a doctors prescription! That sounds almost illegal!

But anyway, my main concern for now is seeing if anyone else had this kind of problem with the PR-S1 Auto?

Are you now perhaps becoming sensitive to the pressure pulses? Those random puffs to check patency of the airway?

I have same machine and while I know that the pressure pulses occur (red squares on the reports) they haven't bothered me any.

Vader:

Do you see the little red dots indicating the pressure pulses in the Encore Pro graphs for the times you notice them? Those are the machine trying to discriminate between OSA and CSA events and are normal to the process.

if not, it sounds like the machine is occasionally trying to see if a loss of flow is obstructive or not at a time when it is not actually sensing a loss of flow. This behaviour is interfering with your treatment and you should make that clear to the DME.

If the machine is still within warranty, take it back to the DME for repair or replacement. They should give you a loaner machine of exactly the same type and set to the same parameters.

If you have been doing any titrating of your pressures, it would be a good idea to return the machine to the original Rx specs so you don't get into any extra hassles with the DME.

Make a copy of all the files on the SD card so you can reload them later. After you do that, format the SD card and then put it back into the machine so all the current files will be recorded for presssure and events.

Pugsy wrote:Are you now perhaps becoming sensitive to the pressure pulses? Those random puffs to check patency of the airway?

Thanks for replying, Pugsy
I do know that the algorithm "puffs" are different on the PR S1 than on my Old Remstar Auto that's shown in my profile, but I wonder what could cause me to become more "sensitive" to PR S1 Now?
I've used it for 18 months without incident.(except one previous incident and machine was replaced) I've never been aware of this, not even just reading in bed with my mask on...
it seems that if it truly is possible to become sensitive, I'd be better off to just use my old remstar auto, or consider the S9 Auto set.

Vader wrote: but I wonder what could cause me to become more "sensitive" to PR S1 Now?

That part I don't have any answer to even if it is the pressure pulses you are sensing. Right now we don't know for a fact that they are the culprits. I have a strong suspicion but we don't know for sure.

How about changing AFlex to see if the rhythm change will hide the pulses? It's a stretch but worth a shot.

Yeah, I know that you have used this machine for a long time and for it to just now start bugging you is indeed weird.
Doesn't make normal sense. It should have bugged you from the beginning. I assume you have already done the usual..change filters, wash foam filter?

Can you use the machine for about 30 minutes to see if you feel the pulses that bug you and then look at the waveform to see if the red dots are showing?

JDS74 wrote:Vader:

Do you see the little red dots indicating the pressure pulses in the Encore Pro graphs for the times you notice them? Those are the machine trying to discriminate between OSA and CSA events and are normal to the process.

if not, it sounds like the machine is occasionally trying to see if a loss of flow is obstructive or not at a time when it is not actually sensing a loss of flow. This behaviour is interfering with your treatment and you should make that clear to the DME.

If the machine is still within warranty, take it back to the DME for repair or replacement. They should give you a loaner machine of exactly the same type and set to the same parameters.

If you have been doing any titrating of your pressures, it would be a good idea to return the machine to the original Rx specs so you don't get into any extra hassles with the DME.

Make a copy of all the files on the SD card so you can reload them later. After you do that, format the SD card and then put it back into the machine so all the current files will be recorded for presssure and events.

Thanks for the reply, JDS74
Boy, one thing I've learned over the past 6-7 years of cpap therapy, and that's to "cover my tracks" in the DME's office. I still chuckle at the looks of shock and horror when they ask, "how do you know how to change your pressure?" "only we can do that" I'll reset the machine back to Auto 4-20cm
I'm going to switch it out for sure, but seeing I'm due for a new machine, I may just consider a different machine as well.

Pugsy wrote:

Vader wrote: but I wonder what could cause me to become more "sensitive" to PR S1 Now?

That part I don't have any answer to even if it is the pressure pulses you are sensing. Right now we don't know for a fact that they are the culprits. I have a strong suspicion but we don't know for sure.

How about changing AFlex to see if the rhythm change will hide the pulses? It's a stretch but worth a shot.

Yeah, I know that you have used this machine for a long time and for it to just now start bugging you is indeed weird.
Doesn't make normal sense. It should have bugged you from the beginning. I assume you have already done the usual..change filters, wash foam filter?

Can you use the machine for about 30 minutes to see if you feel the pulses that bug you and then look at the waveform to see if the red dots are showing?

I don't use Aflex. I don't like it and have it disabled.

I did change both filters too.

Perhaps later today I will run the machine for 30 mins., as you suggested, and see if the red dots are showing.

Vader wrote:Perhaps later today I will run the machine for 30 mins., as you suggested, and see if the red dots are showing.

That's about all I can think of to try. Even then it might just confirm that is what it is that is bugging you. Won't tell you how to fix it.
If you are thinking different machine remember ResMed S9 uses the FOT pulse thingy and some people can sense it also.