Need help from this experienced group

Hi All,

I have been a member of this group since 4/06 when I was diagnosed with sleep apnea. At that time I read all the info on the web-site but have never needed to contact you because all my questions were answered just by reading the forum. You have helped me tremendously!!! I never thought I could adjust to the mask and that claustrophobic feeling, but I did and have been in compliance almost from the beginning.

I now have a problem that I'm hoping you can help me with. I am from Michigan and I am in Phoenix with my son, daughter-in-law and new twin grandbabies --10 days old. The night before last my c-pap machine stopped working. I unplugged it and plugged it back in and it worked for 1 night and then it stopped working again. This time it displayed E-25 in the window. I called my DME back in Michigan and they said if I were home they would switch a new one for the defective one but couldn't do it because I'm in Phoenix. I asked them what E-25 meant and they said they didn't know. I then called Respironics, explained my dilema, asked them if it might be a programing problem within the machine and could they "walk" me throught the programming to correct it but they said the couldn't help me and wouldn't even tell me what E- 25 meant.

I have also called my Dr, health care provider, and a new DME here in Phoenix but I'm not going to get into those conversations. My Dr. is the only one that seems to give a S....

Now I don't think I'm going to die, but I'd gladly play the "DEATH"card to my health care provider if I thought it would help. Unfortunately, I can't contact them until Monday. (Got to stay alive until then)

What I need to know is, what does E-25 mean and is my machine fried or can it be fixed with something simple like re-programing. I was planning on staying here in Phoenix until the end of the month and am hoping one of you could help make that happen.

Any help or suggestions to solve this dilema would be greatly appreciated.

Lynn

[quote="Dogmeat"]Took my machine in to my DME today. It seems that a E-25 error is a flow sensor error and the machine needs to go to Respironics.

Probably a good thing. The machine is two months shy of being two years old, so I get to send it into the factory for work just before it goes out of warranty.

E-25 means an internal leak. The symptom is the machine turns on cannot find its pressure then shuts off flashing E-25.

The problem is most likely the internal "barb" where the pressure sensor hose attaches. This can break off if you "twist" on the hose on the machine.

What it does when you do that is the lid on the machine will flex up (from being warm) and allows the inlet port to twist, since there is no real slack on that pressure sensor line it breaks the barb off the inlet port.

If you flip your machine upside down, take a phillips screw driver you will see 3 screws deep down in the holes. There should be 2 screws on the back side botttom and one in the center. Remove those 3 screws and carefully seperate the lid from the machine, look at the dark brown inlet port, you should see 2 ea small clear hoses running from it to the transducer on the printed circuit board. IF you check one of those 2 hoses you will probably seen one is floating free, look at the end of the hose if you see dark brown plastic in the hose that is the broken barb.

You can fix it, with some SuperGlue and Hot-Melt glue. If you can take a small nail or tweezers and remove that barb from the end of the hose, you can glue it back in place. Find a small brad from like hanging pictures to fit inside the barb, that will align it back to its hole while the glue dries. Then take Hot-Melt glue and reinforce around the barb to help support it, once the glue has dried and cooled you can carefully replace that clear hose, tuck it back in place and reassemble the machine and you should be good to go.

" SNOREDOG ", you never seek to amaze me, Great Job

This group is the best!!!

SnoreDog!!! You certainly can be a REAL TREASURE on this forum!! What a neat guy you are, methinks you're a keeper. (Even if you don't use a Resmed)

And shame on Respironics for not helping Lynn out! They SHOULD have authorized her to take it to a Phoenix DME supplier who handles the Respironics line and if necessary notify that DME supplier to service her machine! RESMED DID JUST THAT FOR ME WHEN I CALLED THEM, THEY PUT ME RIGHT THRU TO THEIR ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT AND THE ENGINEER AUTHORIZED MY SHEISTER DME TO TAKE CARE OF MY PROBLEM.

Lynn, I'm also in Michigan. Actually, I am in mid-Michigan. I started on CPAP in Oct 06.

Wow Snoredog! Awesome!

Enjoy those twin grandbabies Lynn! I have twin grandchildren that are now 5 years old and I enjoy them more and more each day (all my grandkids light up my life).

Debbie

This is awfully cool. Shouldn't it be added to the collective wisdom articles?

Thanks for the advice Snoredog. I always twist my hose off and on and NOW know NOT to.

[quote="sleepycarol"]Thanks for the advice Snoredog. I always twist my hose off and on and NOW know NOT to.

Lynn,

Looks like you've gotten some good advice.

Snoredog's provided the guide to a self-fix if nothing else works.

And I agree with Slinky, my fellow Michigander, you should get back on the phone with Respironics, tell them you're aware that the machine needs repaired, you know what the problem is, and you want them to authorize the DME in Phoenix to do the repairs.

I hope it works out for you. I know I'd be kicking my heels, and throwing a fit if I didn't have my machine (yes Snoredog even if it is a ResMed ).

JATAYLOR!!!!! Whachoo mean "even if it is a Resmed"???? SHAME ON YOU! Our Resmeds are just as good as those Respironics and need no apologies. I have a Resmed because I WANTED a Resmed instead of a Respironics!! Tsk, tsk. 20 lashes w/a wet noodle for you, JATaylor!!!!

If you do the snoredog fit, I would still return it to the DME and make them give you a new machine.

Snoredog, Amazing!

Need a job? You could do great writing user Technical manuals!


[quote="Slinky"]JATAYLOR!!!!! Whachoo mean "even if it is a Resmed"???? SHAME ON YOU! Our Resmeds are just as good as those Respironics and need no apologies. I have a Resmed because I WANTED a Resmed instead of a Respironics!! Tsk, tsk. 20 lashes w/a wet noodle for you, JATaylor!!!!

Giggle. Ain't now way yer knocking me down, MSheda, I've got LEAD in MY bottom!

And, actually, I should have thought to suggest to Lynn that she also call her insurance company to see what local DME suppliers they may be contracted with in Phoenix or at least request them to help her get her machine repaired IN PHOENIX. Seems to me that if Respironics won't help her insurance company should, even if it means she must contribute to the cost of repairs the insurance company should authorize them and pay some portion of repair I would think.