Another CPAP Believer

Hello Everyone, I wanted to thank everyone for their posts as I have learned alot about the experience.

I did an at home sleep test a couple months ago and was diagnosed with sleep apnea and rated as a moderate problem. CPAP therapy was recommended and I was given a loaner machine for a one month trial. It took a few weeks to get used to sleeping with it, but after that I noticed an enormous improvement and was able to sleep through the night.

Yesterday I returned the loaner and got my own machine. The clinic I was dealing with seems to only represent respirtronics which I didn't mind because I had pretty much made up my mind to go with one of their m-series machines anyway. I had read mixed reviews about the humidifier, some people didn't have any problems at all and quite a few people had leakage problems. I was very impressed with the machine, it was quiet, the c-flex option was extremely comfortable. I was hoping that I would be one of the ones that didn't have problems with the humidifier leaking but knowing there was an issue, I removed the water canister and lifted the machine and the table was damp so I knew it leaked lastnight. I honestly cannot tell where it had leaked because nothing seemed to be wet.

Does anyone know what the real problem is and whether or not there is a fix to it coming shortly? It seems to only be affecting some of the machines, so what is different about the ones that don't leak?

I was a little disappointed with the clinic's technician, apparently this is the model they are now selling to all their clients and when asked if their were any known problems, the response was "No these machines are perfectly fine". How could I know about the potential problem with the humidifier and not him?

The other thing that was a little disturbing about the technician was that when asked if the patient menu had the AIH information available, he pretended not to know what I was talking about. Anyway I knew how to access the admin menu to turn that feature on, so I did that when I got home so that's no big deal. I was already convinced that either he was an idiot or just doing what he was instructed to do.

The clinic I went to ofcourse does not sell the software or the card readers, I think they want to rely on you going in every so often to have them check on it. I know these things are available for purchase online here but was only wondering if someone could tell me what I needed to buy and where I needed to buy it.

Anyway thanks alot everyone for all the great posts and information available here. Other than the leaky humidifier and the idiots at the clinic, the CPAP experience has so far been a good one.

It amazes me that there are still leaking M series machines after all the reports here on cpaptalk.com. Respironics know about this problem, and I am sure all the DME's know about it, yet machines are still being sold with the leaking chambers. I too do not understand where mine is leaking...when I pull out the chamber every morning, the chamber itself seems to be completely dry, just as you experienced, yet there is a puddle of water on the nitestand, which is now ruined.

I have been sent a supposedly tested non-leaking chamber from cpap.com, and am awaiting it's arrival. Will see how it does. I had expressed concern on what the leak was doing to the inside of the machine, circuit board, motor etc. and was told that Respironcis made it so that if there was a leak, it had a way to go that bypassed the electronics etc.

Perhaps cpap.com can sell you the Encore Pro software and card reader...I would contact them.

I would ask the DME to give me a new machine that doesn't leak. The insurance won't pay for a leaking machine. The more machines that are returned to Respironics, the more they will pay attention. I have a cookie sheet under my non leaking machine just to make sure. I started when all the leaking started.
Good luck and hope you get a non leaker......

Thanks John and Curt, I feel that having the software is a must and don't understand why the medical people seem to think that people aren't capable of figuring some of this stuff out. I ended up ordering the software and card reader from cpap.com so hopefully it will come soon and hopefully it won't have any trouble getting across the border (I'm in Canada).

But if anyone has any clue what the problem is and if there is something I can do about it for the weekend. As I won't be able to get a replacement until Monday.

Thanks again