ResMed S9 user having issues--seeking your experiences

moccasin wrote:I started using a ResMed S9 Autoset after 3 months' success with the Respironics Remstar Plus. Had to switch to the ResMed when I changed insurance. (not fun) From the first night I used the S9, I experienced pulsing continuously on inhalation and often on exhalation, too. I returned one machine and the replacement S9 did the same thing. My doc was not familiar with the machine, so asked the medical supply to give me a different type machine to try. I was given an Elite II and have had no pulsing pressure. I am feeling more rested, too. That constant pulsation must be fairly rare. I have posted on a couple boards seeking answers and have found only a few references to what I experienced. What was even more odd was that after taking off the mask, my breathing would continue to "pulse" as it did with the mask on. By the way, the pulsation usually occurred or was noticeable when I awoke in the night or in the morning and the pressure was full-on at 8.0.

Sorry to hear that. It's too bad you didn't get the comparable PRS1, but it sounds like it's working for you.

Uncle_Bob wrote: But your own equipment profile says you have an Autoset

That's because I duked it out with the DME and eventually got the Autoset in October. I think the changes I made to my profile took effect retrospectively.

Hi squid13,

After using my s9 with nasal pillows for about 4 months, my AHI was less than 5 per hour, but I was still exhausted during the day. I had a second sleep study and my sleep doc told me that I was mouth breathing. This surprised me a lot, as I have a bite guard due to my habit of clenching/grinding my teeth. The doc told me that my lips were still being blown open by the air, even with my jaw shut, and so the therapy air was flowing out of my mouth rather than splinting my throat open. The machine still registered me as having good air flow, so it did not register the apneas/hypopneas as such.

I didn't tolerate a full face or hypbrid mask, and chin straps didn't help my lips stay shut. So I started taping my lips shut. Whala...the exhaustion went away. Perhaps your therapy air is escaping, unknown to you, from your mouth. I haven't used another machine, so can't advise there.

~Happy Sleeper

My present S9 Autoset is my second S9 Autoset. The first unit made strange noises after the unit pressures settled out, most of the time, after about 30 minutes. The noise occurs as I exhale, sounding like a flapper valve opening, relieving pressure. At times, when on my side and I assume the pressure is at its lowest, the wail is present throughout the entire exhalation, instead of at the end, as it does most of the time. I only hear the noise when I wake up for some reason. I think the noise is waking me up, but can't swear to this. I shut the unit off momentarily, restart it and the noise goes away. I wake up and hear it about 2 to 3 times a night. I spent considerable time with the DME trying to produce the noise on the first machine and it would never make it in their presence. It was was replaced under warranty. This one makes the identical noise. I e-mailed ResMed asking about the noise, describing the conditions, giving the serial numbers. Their website stated they would respond within 24 hours. It's been two weeks and I think they will never respond. I am beginning to think this may be a large problem for their new design and they've decided to ignore the problem rather than get into a wholesale replacement program. If there are any ResMed reps monitoring this site, how about addressing the issue like a good corporate citizen? Other than this constant flapper noise during exhalation (once it starts), the machine works great. My AHI is .3. However, this noise is irritating and is definitely a deal breaker for me. I have bought five ResMed machines over the years. I am now thinking this may be the last one. It is clearly a condition of design. I wonder how many S9s have been replaced under warranty. At the very least, it seems they could answer the question even though they choose not to solve the noise problem. By the way, both of these S9s pulse when not inhaling or exhaling or holding my breath.

Lizistired wrote:

moccasin wrote:I started using a ResMed S9 Autoset after 3 months' success with the Respironics Remstar Plus. Had to switch to the ResMed when I changed insurance. (not fun) From the first night I used the S9, I experienced pulsing continuously on inhalation and often on exhalation, too. I returned one machine and the replacement S9 did the same thing. My doc was not familiar with the machine, so asked the medical supply to give me a different type machine to try. I was given an Elite II and have had no pulsing pressure. I am feeling more rested, too. That constant pulsation must be fairly rare. I have posted on a couple boards seeking answers and have found only a few references to what I experienced. What was even more odd was that after taking off the mask, my breathing would continue to "pulse" as it did with the mask on. By the way, the pulsation usually occurred or was noticeable when I awoke in the night or in the morning and the pressure was full-on at 8.0.

Sorry to hear that. It's too bad you didn't get the comparable PRS1, but it sounds like it's working for you.

Yes, it would have been interesting to see that comparison. We've been fortunate to be able to purchase both the S9 Autoset and PRSystemOneAuto after using the original M Series Auto for 2yrs, which wasn't giving my husband good therapy anymore. We used the S9 for about 3months with good success after some adjustments. We've now been using the PR S1 for a month and although the data is about the same on both machines, he sleeps better and seems more rested on the PR. So it might just be that Respironic's algorthim is better for him than Resmed. After New Year's we're going to go back to the S9 for a month to compare.