Something wrong with machine

I'm a new user and am approaching two months using the Philips DreamStation with a nasal pillow. I recently went up from 6-8 pressure and was doing fine. The past couple days I've been unable to sleep with it as it doesn't seem to be putting out air properly and I feel like I'm suffocating and not getting enough oxygen. I had no problem with this previously, and have mostly adjusted to it and I'm usually able to sleep with it on all night.

I thought it was possible it started after I did a full clean where I may have made a part loose, but I checked everything and I'm unable to see anything wrong. I don't think I feel any air leaking from the hose. The mask is fine as now I make sure the inner part isn't flipped out from cleaning where it blocks air. I don't think the filter is clogged. The machine also seems to be running much louder. I ran it without the humidifier connected and still had the same problem. Something else I noticed is I feel air coming out of the outer vents on the mask and then after a while no air. (Although air is still flowing through the hose). I believe this is where CO2 comes out which is possibly why I feel like I'm suffocating? What would cause this? It seems like it could be an easy fix that I'm missing, but I have no idea what else to look for as this is all still pretty new to me.

It's normal that originally the air felt very strong and after a few weeks you get used to it and can hardly feel it. If you pull the mask away from your face while the machine is running you will feel the force of the pressure. Make sure that your mask vents are not plugged. You said you did a full cleaning of the machine..there is nothing to clean on the machine except to wipe it off. Only the mask and humidifier tub occasionally need cleaning. Check to make sure that the filter is not plugged. Please fill in your equipment in the Control panel.

" . . . did a full clean . . . "
I hope you did not get water inside the machine.
I also hope you did not get any connections wet while the machine was plugged in.
This is why wiping off the OUTSIDE of the cpap is the only method recommended.
Excess water can be hazardous.

LSAT wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 05, 2020 11:50 am

It's normal that originally the air felt very strong and after a few weeks you get used to it and can hardly feel it. If you pull the mask away from your face while the machine is running you will feel the force of the pressure. Make sure that your mask vents are not plugged. You said you did a full cleaning of the machine..there is nothing to clean on the machine except to wipe it off. Only the mask and humidifier tub occasionally need cleaning. Check to make sure that the filter is not plugged. Please fill in your equipment in the Control panel.

In regards to cleaning, I was listening to the advice of the DME supplier and using mild soap and water on the hose, humidifier, and mask once a week, and wiping the mask every day. This was before I learned that all that cleaning was unnecessary. The vents do not appear to be plugged but I will give them a scrub.

It's hard to describe the issue with the air and maybe I'm not being clear. I was used to the air and was doing fine on the increased pressure, I'm not sure if it's possibly blowing the incorrect pressure or if I am missing a tiny leak somewhere, or something else.

chunkyfrog wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 05, 2020 12:17 pm

" . . . did a full clean . . . "
I hope you did not get water inside the machine.
I also hope you did not get any connections wet while the machine was plugged in.
This is why wiping off the OUTSIDE of the cpap is the only method recommended.
Excess water can be hazardous.

I didn't get any water on the connections, it's possible a few drops may have entered the base where the humidifier goes in the process of replacing the water. I'm not sure if that would be enough to cause a problem.

OSCAR https://www.sleepfiles.com/OSCAR/
http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.ph ... stallation
http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.ph ... rpretation

Use the software and make sure none of your settings got changed.

The mystery has been solved! The vents were indeed clogged and after soaking the mask in hot water, I was able to breathe again last night. Thank goodness.

A while back chunkyfrog advised the use a waterpik to clean the vents. (after a soak)
I bought one, used it and never looked back. Works great.

The P10 vents will plug up and have to be cleaned.

Thanks again to chunkyfrog.

JPB

Thanks for the advice, I may consider investing in one.