Manometer Recommendation: My Pressure Seems LOW!

My Resmed S9 Autoset seems to be set for 17 cmH2O but giving me a whole lot less pressue at the mask. I have noticed a gradual drop over the past several days or more. Fortunately, I have a brand new spare as I bought them before the price increase two years ago. (Price doubled?) And I have the one that the government health insurance gave me, a Resmed S8 Escape - for which I paid $2500 out of my pocket on top of what the insurance kicked in. Sic. NOT HAPPY with Medigas at all. No longer deal with them AT ALL.

In any event. I hooked up the Escape and set it to the same 17cmH2O as the S9 should have been putting out and it nearly blew my eyeballs out. Pretty sure there is a problem with the S9 putting out low pressure and I would like to quantify it with a MANOMETER. I know there are several on the market and am looking for a recommendation or recommendationS for same.

I also have an oxygen concentrator that feeds about 5L/M of O2 into the airline. This has been inline for a long time and has never presented an issue in the pressure being presented at my mask.

Before I go cracking open the new S9 Autoset I sure would like to make sure I am not slowly going senile here. And I'd like to make sure that I am not missing something in terms of settings. I tried a full reset (it really is not a full reset by the way) to no avail. If anyone has any idea as to why my S9 would be putting out lower pressure I'd sure be grateful for any advice or suggestions. The S9's are just a smidgen over two years old. Go figure. Built like a Ford. We love our Fords but they always fail just after the warranty expires.

So, suggestions? Thanks in advance.

Murray

Here's the quick and dirty way to turn a spare hose into a manometer:

Supplies:

• Old CPAP hose (You can also use your primary if it's cleaning day)
• CPAP machine (duh)
• Water (tap is fine)
• 2 sheets of lined notebook paper
• Adhesive tape (any kind will do)
• Pencil
• Metric Ruler
• Platform of some type (chair, upside-down trash can, table)
• Wall

Important considerations:

• While you can do this alone, an assistant will make it a lot easier to get valid results without spilling water anywhere.
• If you have a humidifier, empty the tank. In case water backs up towards the machine, the tank will catch it before it can do any damage.

Preparation:

1. Place your CPAP on a platform next to the wall. If you have a humidifier, empty it, but leave it attached.
2. Fill your hose about 1/3 to 1/2 full with water and attach it to the machine, being careful not to get water into it. Position the hose as close to the wall as possible.
3. Hold the open end of the hose at the same level as the machine and eyeball where the water level equalizes.
4. On the wall behind the machine side of the hose, tape a piece of paper so that the top of the paper is near where the water equalized.
5. On the wall behind the open side of the hose, tape a piece of paper so that the bottom of the paper is near where the water equalized.
6. Hold the hose level again and mark the water level on either side with the pencil.
7. Turn the CPAP on and wait for the water to re-equalize. The water level on the side closest to the machine should now be lower than water level the open side
8. Mark the new water levels with the pencil.
9. Turn the CPAP off and double-check that the water levels re-equalize at your original marks.

Interpretation:

1. Measure the distance between your marks on each sheet of paper. If they are within +/- 5mm of each other, your test is valid, otherwise try again.
2. Add the two distances together. The sum should be within +/- 2 centimeters of the pressure on your CPAP's display. If it's further off, repeat your test to make absolutely sure.
3. If your 2nd (or 3rd) test is still off, disconnect the humidifier and try again. With luck, it's just a leaky seal on your tank.
4. If your tests are still off, then your machine needs to be recalibrated. Looks like your DME's going to make their boat payment for the month

"Additional Comments: Respironics Everflo Q infusing O2 into APAP line to maintain 95% SaO2."


Any chances that the pulsing Oxygen concentrator is effecting the S9 Autoset's operation?


http://www.activeforever.com/p-2295-res ... rator.aspx

How much do you want to spend?
After using the Do-It-Yourself method for years, I finally broke down a couple of years ago and bought the Tiara gauge manometer that CPAP(dot)COM sells......it's about $78.00.

Den

.

avi123 wrote:"Additional Comments: Respironics Everflo Q infusing O2 into APAP line to maintain 95% SaO2."


Any chances that the pulsing Oxygen concentrator is effecting the S9 Autoset's operation?


http://www.activeforever.com/p-2295-res ... rator.aspx

Your not suppose to use a pulsed O2 device for xpap, most concentrators provide a steady flow of O2 not a pulsed flow. Jim

Possible but highly unlikely as they have worked well together for two years now.

avi123 wrote:"Additional Comments: Respironics Everflo Q infusing O2 into APAP line to maintain 95% SaO2."


Any chances that the pulsing Oxygen concentrator is effecting the S9 Autoset's operation?


http://www.activeforever.com/p-2295-res ... rator.aspx

torontoCPAPguy wrote:Possible but highly unlikely as they have worked well together for two years now.

avi123 wrote:"Additional Comments: Respironics Everflo Q infusing O2 into APAP line to maintain 95% SaO2."


Any chances that the pulsing Oxygen concentrator is effecting the S9 Autoset's operation?


http://www.activeforever.com/p-2295-res ... rator.aspx

Comment,

I keep reading that:

You must use continuous flow oxygen system as a pulse system will not provide oxygen flow to the CPAP.

Any DME should be able to test your machine in a couple minutes. If it is not functioning properly you can discuss repairs.