ResMed AirSense 10 reporting false time used and mask removals

I have been using a ResMed AirSense 10 with Amara View Full Face mask successfully for the last 5+ years, scoring 100 consistently in myair.resmed.com.

That has changed since the beginning of January as the machine is reporting incorrect usage time (2+ hours less than actual), and MYAIR reports that I've removed the mask 10+ times a night (when it was really only once). There are no leakage issues reported (as has always been the case).

Until this week, I've been waking up rested. As this week has progressed, though, I'm feeling more and more tired during the day. One night last week, I woke up in distress as no air seemed to be flowing, and it was like I was breathing through the mask with the machine off. (I don't know if the machine actually turned off, though.) I did not sleep well last night as I was concentrating on whether the air were flowing or not. (It seemed to be, but not in its usual "force.")

My medical supply company has been giving me the run-around saying I shouldn't look at the data other than compliance with a minimum of 4h a night, which up until the last few days has been met. I countered that if the machine is reporting incorrect mask on/off data, how do I know I'm really in usage compliance? The only suggestion they would offer was to turn Autostart off. That did not help.

About the time I started having issues, I installed a new filter, mask, headgear, tubing, and humidifier tub, so I went back to the old ones thinking at least one of the new ones was defective. This did not change the increasingly "bad" data.

I checked the power cord and it was not visibly damaged.

I've ensured the tubing between the mask and the unit isn't kinked.

I left the machine unplugged from the power cord (and the power cord unplugged from the outlet) during the day, but that did not help.

I left the machine "on" during the day, but that did not help. (Normally in the morning, I'll take my mask off, press the on/off button to see the on-machine report, and then press and hold the on/off button until the light goes off.)

About the same time, I started using an ultrasonic room humidifier, but I received bad results even on the nights when I did not use it.

Something similar happened this time last year, and was magically resolved. I did accidentally turn the machine on without the humidifier tub in place once about that time, and a puff of something (condensation or dust, I don't know) was forcefully expelled. I've tried this several times this month hoping it might help, but to no avail.

My insurance doesn't cover a diagnostic/repair to the unit, but does cover a new machine after five years and a new sleep study. I hate to waste money (mine or the insurance company's), so I'm hoping someone might have an idea of how to resolve this with my current unit.

Attached are January screenshots from OSCAR. I'm quite happy with the detail OSCAR provides over MYAIR, but am disturbed to see how bad things are getting.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

This just screams a power supply of some sort issue to me and it's where I would start my investigations.

The plug where the power supply goes into the back of the machine...make sure it isn't loose.

Do provide a detailed report from OSCAR for last night. Just in case there is something there that might shed a light on things but to be honest...I doubt it will help but gotta look.

If it was me...I would first look at the power supply...the brick itself. They can go whacko. Not common but they aren't without having problems on rare occasion.

Thank you for the quick reply. Your thoughts are my thoughts!

Indeed, I did look at the power supply. It is securely plugged into the machine. The cord from the brick to the outlet is also securely plugged in. There is a green light on the brick.
This morning, I unraveled the cords that were strapped around the brick as I noticed the attachment from the brick to the wall was bent. Tonight, I'm going to replace that section with one from my PC (not the brick, just the cord from the brick to the wall), and plug into another outlet in the room as it's currently plugged into an outlet multiplier. The other items in the multiplier are working fine, but it's best to eliminate all variables.

I attempted to attach the CSV files I exported from OSCAR for last night's data, but CSV is not allowed to be attached. Is there another method to provide a detailed report from OSCAR for last night? Attached are screen shots from OSCAR; hopefully that's what you need.

Deleted ZIP of CSVs...

Those files are useless to me. I have no clue what to do with them.

Easiest way to share the detailed report...simple screenshot and then attach it to your post.

viewtopic/t158560/How-to-post-images-for-review.html

Before I posted the ZIP, I posted two images from an expanded DAILY SIDEBAR. Please see those as well as the attached graphs from the left.

Your Session Times graph on the Overview page just screams "hardware error" to me. Power is a likely candidate.

This could be anywhere from the municipal power supply to something inside the machine. Check that all the connections are tight.

Wall power outlets can go bad, as can power supply to your house. If you can, plug the CPAP machine into an outlet on a different circuit (use an extension cord if necessary). If you are using a surge protector, temporarily remove it to eliminate it as a possibility. If you have an AC voltmeter, plug it into the wall socket you use and see if the voltage level seems stable (I once had wildly fluctuating voltages because of a failed tap on a pole transformer that affected only our house).

Watch the machine display as you wiggle connections slightly. If the machine blinks on and off, you may have found the bad connection.

The power connector on the back of the CPAP machine is connected to a circuit board internally. Those power connectors have been known to fail, which means repair time for the CPAP machine.

If the problem is the machine, I suggest jumping at the chance for the insurance company to supply you with a new machine.

I would double check the wall outlet. Over the years they tend to loosen up. The plug wiggles when it it plugged in. A couple years ago I changed 4 in our home that were very heavily used.

LSAT wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 30, 2021 6:05 am

I would double check the wall outlet. Over the years they tend to loosen up. The plug wiggles when it it plugged in. A couple years ago I changed 4 in our home that were very heavily used.

This is very common, especially when "contractor grade" components are used.
Some local regulations require this to be done by an electrician, ($$$)
when any reasonably handy person can do it--as long as the power is off.

The last graph that was posted, rules out a power wall/supply issue.

From the graph, we see the pressure is at (or close to) what it was before the break in data when it resumes reporting. Had the power been removed, the pressure would resume at the starting/ramp pressure, not where it was prior to the break in power.

This could still be a hardware error, but not from an intermittent power supply or source.

Dog Slobber wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 30, 2021 9:45 am

The last graph that was posted, rules out a power wall/supply issue.

From the graph, we see the pressure is at (or close to) what it was before the break in data when it resumes reporting. Had the power been removed, the pressure would resume at the starting/ramp pressure, not where it was prior to the break in power.

This could still be a hardware error, but not from an intermittent power supply or source.

I see that now. I wonder if this is like what I have seen on some Respironics machines and it was a machine failure of some sort that caused multiple sessions to be reported. I saw one report with over 50 sleep sessions during one night and the user said he thought he slept through the night. That machine did go back under warranty but we were never told what the exact problem was.

Unfortunately the OP's DME is an idiot and thinks that if you combine all these interruptions and it adds up to 4 hours then everything is all hunky dory.

What I would suggest is to replace the CPAP under warranty. There are situations that cannot be simulated like the intermittent shutting of the CPAP because it turns back on from the smart start feature. Also you can try replacing the power supply incase it is faulty.

MaskMan8888 wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 30, 2021 10:46 am

What I would suggest is to replace the CPAP under warranty. There are situations that cannot be simulated like the intermittent shutting of the CPAP because it turns back on from the smart start feature. Also you can try replacing the power supply incase it is faulty.

If the machine is older than 2 years it will be out of warranty and I assume it likely is since OP stated.

I suppose the OP could try turning off SmartStart and see if that makes any difference or not but leaks shown don't give us cause to think leaks were causing the machine to turn off.

tgbyrne wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 29, 2021 2:40 pm

I have been using a ResMed AirSense 10 with Amara View Full Face mask successfully for the last 5+ years,

Pugsy wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 30, 2021 10:34 am

Unfortunately the OP's DME is an idiot and thinks that if you combine all these interruptions and it adds up to 4 hours then everything is all hunky dory.

Absolutely.

The only thing I would rule out is a reporting error caused be a corrupt/bad SD Card, by swapping it out.

Then, if the problem persists, insist on a replacement machine (assuming it's still under warranty.

Dog Slobber wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 30, 2021 10:56 am

The only thing I would rule out is a reporting error caused be a corrupt/bad SD Card, by swapping it out.

I might think reporting error (either machine or bad SD card) if the OP wasn't reporting waking up and the machine being off and his feeling of suffocation causing distress.
Makes me think the machine is really turning itself off and not a reporting error.