Quick question then off to work

Do any of you ever take your machine in to get calibrated? My doctor suggested once a year.

Sorry one more: Have you noticed with time that the pressure does not feel the same as when new? Could it be that I am just used to it now?

Just wondering because when I first started I felt like I was getting more air flow and when I tried to talk with the CPAP on I sounded funny. Now I have no issue with talking maybe I just learned how to do it.

Thanks

"Calibrating" is a process (i.e., in the case of PR machines) that involves special instruments and software.

What your guy is suggesting is to have the pressure "checked" to see if it is "close".

And frequently, the machine is more accurate than the device they are using to check it with.

sleepwiggler wrote:Do any of you ever take your machine in to get calibrated? My doctor suggested once a year.

No

sleepwiggler wrote:Sorry one more: Have you noticed with time that the pressure does not feel the same as when new? Could it be that I am just used to it now?

Very likely

sleepwiggler wrote:Just wondering because when I first started I felt like I was getting more air flow and when I tried to talk with the CPAP on I sounded funny. Now I have no issue with talking maybe I just learned how to do it.

Probably

I made my own manometer.

I have two identical machines. One is used at home, the other for travel & vacation. I hope I would notice the difference if one got wonky.

My DME's version of checking to see if the machine was generating the correct pressures (on doctor's request) was to stick his finger in - yep! It's blowing air Sheesh, who knew?

According to Sleepyhead, mine actually does tend to use less pressure overall than when I started. However, it's toward the lower end of the same range, i.e., within the prescription parameters. I couldn't talk through the air blowing at me when I started either. Now I can. I think we do get used to it, and it feels more natural.

Easy manometer:
Use your UNHEATED hose. Tape a centimeter ruler to the hose, with zero at the end
and the rest of the ruler "upwind". With your blower on, submerge the end of the hose
vertically in a clear container of clean water. Note where the water level is on the ruler
when the bubbles just barely come out. The ruler reading should match the display/set pressure.

sleepwiggler wrote:Do any of you ever take your machine in to get calibrated? My doctor suggested once a year.

Sorry one more: Have you noticed with time that the pressure does not feel the same as when new? Could it be that I am just used to it now?

Just wondering because when I first started I felt like I was getting more air flow and when I tried to talk with the CPAP on I sounded funny. Now I have no issue with talking maybe I just learned how to do it.

Thanks

When you are starting CPAP therapy the pressure feels really strong, but after you use it for a while your body gets used to the feeling and you will hardly notice the pressure. I think it would be very unusual for a CPAP to need calibration.

I suppose you could query the Error Code History, but if the thing is working, then it's like what real difference does it make.

Thanks for all the replies. I just wondered if anybody did it.