I need help!

Hi, I started using a cpap with a nasal pillow about 18 months ago. I was kicking and screaming all the way! However, I did almost immediately feel better during the day. I hated the cpap and have hated it, yet we eventually "made friends" and I use it every night. My problem is, there is a high pitched "whine" that I am hearing when I exhale. It doesn't happen every time. I have checked all the attachments, nothing seems loose, cracked, etc. I talked to the RP who said she has never heard anyone complain about that. It is beginning to affect my ability to sleep, and I find myself staying up later and later at night trying to get really sleepy in the hopes that if I am so tired, the noise won't bother me...I think I am actually getting less sleep now than before I used the cpap!!! Since my RP isn't helpful, I was wondering if anyone else notices the high pitched sound when exhaling???? If so, does anyone know what causes it? I will scrape up the money to buy a new machine if I have to, but if it is something that can be fixed, I'd much rather do it. Anyone have any ideas?? Thanks

machine?

mask?

pressure?

Machine is Respironics Remstar M series
Mask is Mirage Swift II
Pressure? No idea. No one has ever talked to me about changing the settings, so I think I will call them tomorrow about that. The noise is not coming from the machine as near as I can tell. Seems to come from the hose or mask, but not really sure.

which model m-series? - there are many

is the mask leaking - are the nasal pillows so they aren't even partly slipped?

oh the DME won't even talk about changing your pressure - that is way out of their territory - and there may be no need to change pressure anyhow (and I wouldn't even suggest you do it unless you have a data capable machine and the software)

It is the Remstar Plus M series. I bought a new nasal pillow, it seems to fit well and not leak. The sound that is driving me bonkers is not a hissing noise, just a quiet little high pitched whine.

Ear plugs cure a multitude of sins that happen in the night. The work for me.


JeffH

do you use cflex on the plus? sometimes the sound change from cflex is a whine

also it could be you have a machine that is just noisy - my first cpap (tank Pro 2) can make noise at times too just the fan has a whistle

also check all the connections between the parts (hose - humidifier - mask tube etc - ) - use some paper first aid tape or teflon plumbers tape to help get the seals tighter - do not do anything to block exhaust holes on the mask

As jules said, it could be a "problem" with the machine. It happens. They have a 2-year warranty. I would get it back to the DME you got it from and get it fixed before the warranty period is up. They should be able to loan you another while yours is being fixed......if that's what the problem is. It sounds like the C-Flex mechanism if it's occurring when you exhale. My first machine.....a Pro 2.....also developed a "wheeze" in the C-Flex at a little over a year. I sent it in and it's been super quiet ever since. If you get much static from the DME, call Respironics and complain to them about their lack of support.


Den

Thanks, I will take it in. I've considered ear plugs, though they seem to contribute to my feeling of claustrophobia. I have NO idea what the cflex is, but the sound doesn't seem to be coming from the machine itself. The noise only occurs when exhaling. I'm thinking that maybe this problem is not happening for anyone else...maybe I'll try out those earplugs again. Just curious if this was a problem for anyone else, since my RP seemed clueless and no help. After reading some of the posts on this forum, I'm thinking that I have a lot to learn, after 18 months on this stuff, I've never done more than adjust the straps on the headgear! Until recently, I'd finally felt fairly at peace with using the cpap, don't like it, but I do feel better. This whine is becoming an obsession because it is random and I can find no source for it, and it keeps me awake! THANKS for your ideas.

did you recently change masks? you said you got new pillows - was it the same mask as before? has the noise come since the pillow change or was it before then too?

I think that maybe the problem has been more noticable since getting the new pillows. It is the same pillow as I had originally.

drdebi wrote:there is a high pitched "whine

....whine/whistling sound ?

I changed the pressure from 11 to 9.5 and
the whistling sound is gone ![*]

then I suggest getting a roll of either paper first aid tape or teflon plumbers tape and seal all the connections - I don't know the swift II but I do know the swift original --- put tape on the end caps and anywhere on the barrel there is a connection with another part - again don't block any exhaust holes - put tape on the connection between the main hose and the short hose - check that the hose swivel isn't where the noise is etc. - you got to do some detective work -

my machine I use now makes noise if the humidifier seal is just off slightly so I have paper tape on that seal