Resmed S9 broken and out of warranty! What now?

Wulfman... wrote:

DeeCPAP wrote:

Wulfman... wrote:Contact http://www.acbio.com

They do certified repair for Philips/Respironics and ResMed (and other) equipment.
They're also a long-time member of this forum under the name "Accurate".
viewtopic/t117938/memberlist.php?mode=v ... ile&u=1002
Den

.

Thanks! I see one of the locations is in Florida. Is it the company or the forum user who
fixes the machines. Have any idea of the price if it's just a problem with the data collection?

I have no ideas about costs. You'd have to contact them for information.
A number of forum members have had them work on their machines and have been quite happy with their work.
I haven't had them do any work for me, but I did buy some parts from them to fix one of my machines back in 2010.
Den
.

I know this question is way out there -- but it really doesn't make sense that the "hours used" is the only
broken part. Is there a computer chip in a CPAP machine that may go awry? That could be expensive.

BTW, after I wrote the previous paragraph, I found this. It may be useful to someone:

http://hackaday.com/2014/08/21/hacking- ... p-machine/

Uncle_Bob wrote:Please check the date/time on your machine ....

http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.ph ... _the_clock

Lean how to change options on your machine including ramp ...

http://osahelp.com/clinician-manuals/S9 ... al-eng.pdf

Thanks! I fixed the timer (it was an hour off) and turned the ramp off (and turning it off will help lots! Much appreciated!

DeeCPAP wrote: What can I do now other than not buy a Resmed again because it's not trustworthy? Oh, and
my DME hasn't contacted me since I last emailed him about 2 months ago for a minor
issue. .

Resmeds are excellent machines, but machines eventually fail. Unfortunately, it looks like yours failed earlier than the 15,000 hours estimated for the life of the machine. You could get it fixed or buy a used one from Craigslist (that's why long time members stress having a backup). If your area doesn't have much availability, look at a surrounding area. I think Devilbliss is the only one that has a longer warranty (5 years). Resmed and Respironics, which have the top-of-the-line machines are 2 years.

If someone doesn't respond to your email in a week, they obviously didn't get it to the right person. That is when you use the phone.

DeeCPAP wrote: What can I do now other than not buy a Resmed again because it's not trustworthy? Oh, and
my DME hasn't contacted me since I last emailed him about 2 months ago for a minor
issue.

Thanks.

What I would do is bring this cpap into the DME for repair. The DME should provide you a loaner while this one is out for estimate or repair. This can get you a replacement earlier than you expected if the cost of repair is too much. If this DME does not act on your behalf to your satisfaction do keep that in mind when you order your next cpap. Keeping fingers crossed they will act fairly and quickly.

As already mentioned you should also check craigslist (in the Health & Beauty section) for a backup used or new cpap. You should just be well versed on the model you want and the price new and know how to check the hours of use on that model. Just try to make sure it is the same model you want for your next cpap. That makes it easy not only for supplies but when operating the same make/model you won't have to go searching for instructions.

SewTired wrote:

DeeCPAP wrote: What can I do now other than not buy a Resmed again because it's not trustworthy? Oh, and
my DME hasn't contacted me since I last emailed him about 2 months ago for a minor
issue. .

Resmeds are excellent machines, but machines eventually fail. Unfortunately, it looks like yours failed earlier than the 15,000 hours estimated for the life of the machine. You could get it fixed or buy a used one from Craigslist (that's why long time members stress having a backup). If your area doesn't have much availability, look at a surrounding area. I think Devilbliss is the only one that has a longer warranty (5 years). Resmed and Respironics, which have the top-of-the-line machines are 2 years.

If someone doesn't respond to your email in a week, they obviously didn't get it to the right person. That is when you use the phone.

Thanks, Sew. I emailed ResMed yesterday and got a reply today (Sunday!). I gave them my info (in a one sentence summary)
and got a reply they'll be contacting me soon. I feel MUCH better about ResMed and hope they can solve the problem soon. I've only used about 8,000 hours. Is the warranty still good? If it is, I was given the wrong info.

LSAT wrote:Earlier today RogerSC suggested that you re-boot your machine...Did you do that? It was suggested that you download Sleepyhead...Did you do that?

As I mentioned in a previous message, I did reboot the ResMed. Thanks!

I was wondering if you (or anyone here) knows what the numbers are on the bottom of each row on the Sleepyhead software.
I have this version (below). If there's a newer version, do I have to uninstall the first one? Thanks.

SleepyHead v0.9.8-1 (testing)
Build Date: Oct 3 2014 17:17:35
Revision: 4595153 (master branch)

P.S. Just want to thank everyone now just in case I didn't reply with a separate message of thanks. Didn't want to clog the forum.

I'm only guessing, but I think it's just a warning and the machine is still functioning as it was. At least I hope this is how it works.

ajack wrote:I'm only guessing, but I think it's just a warning and the machine is still functioning as it was. At least I hope this is how it works.

There were other problems I didn't notice until I looked at the overview on SleepyHead where there were big blocks of data missing. I wanted my pulmonologist to read it, but the tech did. I tried to see the pulmonologist afterwards, but I'd been with the tech for a long time because the secretary didn't print out the email I sent her (for the second time). The tech didn't understand why there were big blocks of time missing in the data. I'd post the image now on Imur, but I doubt it'd help -- it's too confusing.

Anyhow, it took a long time and then I sat in the doctors little waiting room for so long my neuropathy became so painful (I'd forgotten a jacket) I had to leave. I asked the secretary to have the doc call me. She said he would. I said today or Friday would be fine. I said I'd email him with a few questions. I didn't hear from him. That's when the machine started calculating use of time incrementally which throws off the AHI, etc. If I live through this ordeal, which I will, it'll feel like I've been through combat. It ain't easy as many know.

At least now I turned the ramp off thanks to a wonderful person on this thread (a tech must have fiddled with it and changed it without telling me -- no wonder I felt like I was struggling when I'd first put on the CPAP on, but there were other unresolved problems as well. Things seem to be getting cleared up thanks to the help of this board filled with absolute angels and maybe if Resmed calls on Monday things will go even faster.

Alas, so many of our problems are caused by the ineptitude of others.
A non-aggressive way to respond to this might be to send a letter to the individual's boss,
detailing what was done wrong, along with a HELPFUL suggestion for additional training of the help.

chunkyfrog wrote:Alas, so many of our problems are caused by the ineptitude of others.
A non-aggressive way to respond to this might be to send a letter to the individual's boss,
detailing what was done wrong, along with a HELPFUL suggestion for additional training of the help.

Thanks. I was told by one of the nurses who does the ordering that there are no good DME's in the area --
not exactly lots of optimism. lol

DeeCPAP wrote:

chunkyfrog wrote:Alas, so many of our problems are caused by the ineptitude of others.
A non-aggressive way to respond to this might be to send a letter to the individual's boss,
detailing what was done wrong, along with a HELPFUL suggestion for additional training of the help.

Thanks. I was told by one of the nurses who does the ordering that there are no good DME's in the area --
not exactly lots of optimism. lol

If you wouldn't be so secretive and mention the area, you might get some help from members.

DeeCPAP wrote:My machine stopped working properly. I'm due a new one in August according to medicare rules.
Instead of showing how many hours slept each time I use it, it's adding up the hours over the few
days. It's reading 23.5 hours slept "last night". The AHI is based on the hours slept so now the
AHI is off. I'm *assuming* the pressure and the other things work properly.

What can I do now other than not buy a Resmed again because it's not trustworthy? Oh, and
my DME hasn't contacted me since I last emailed him about 2 months ago for a minor
issue.

Thanks.

Not sure what you mean by Medicare rules. Medicare no longer has a set time for replacement. If the machine is broken and cannot be repaired or the expense of repair is too great as determined by Medicare it will be replaced. Not just because the machine is 5 years old. Also make sure you use a Medicare approved DME

mike1953 wrote: Also make sure you use a Medicare approved DME

YES SIR

mike1953 wrote:

DeeCPAP wrote:My machine stopped working properly. I'm due a new one in August according to medicare rules.
Instead of showing how many hours slept each time I use it, it's adding up the hours over the few
days. It's reading 23.5 hours slept "last night". The AHI is based on the hours slept so now the
AHI is off. I'm *assuming* the pressure and the other things work properly.

What can I do now other than not buy a Resmed again because it's not trustworthy? Oh, and
my DME hasn't contacted me since I last emailed him about 2 months ago for a minor
issue.

Thanks.

Not sure what you mean by Medicare rules. Medicare no longer has a set time for replacement. If the machine is broken and cannot be repaired or the expense of repair is too great as determined by Medicare it will be replaced. Not just because the machine is 5 years old. Also make sure you use a Medicare approved DME

Thank you. I just called Medicare. They said every five years it can be replaced. I can get a new one at the end of August. If it's broken a DME that has a medicare contract will repair it. I also contacted ResMed via email and they have my information. This weekend, I was told someone would contact me, so I'm hoping they're quick.

Guest wrote:

DeeCPAP wrote: What can I do now other than not buy a Resmed again because it's not trustworthy? Oh, and
my DME hasn't contacted me since I last emailed him about 2 months ago for a minor
issue.

Thanks.

What I would do is bring this cpap into the DME for repair. The DME should provide you a loaner while this one is out for estimate or repair. This can get you a replacement earlier than you expected if the cost of repair is too much. If this DME does not act on your behalf to your satisfaction do keep that in mind when you order your next cpap. Keeping fingers crossed they will act fairly and quickly.

As already mentioned you should also check craigslist (in the Health & Beauty section) for a backup used or new cpap. You should just be well versed on the model you want and the price new and know how to check the hours of use on that model. Just try to make sure it is the same model you want for your next cpap. That makes it easy not only for supplies but when operating the same make/model you won't have to go searching for instructions.

I have nothing to add.