Newbie question about CPAP machine

My question is rather simple:
When you get up in the night to go to the bathroom, or whatever, should you turn the machine off...or leave it running (supposing you're only going to be out of bed a few minutes.)

Never entered my mind to ask, but last night I got up in the night, turned the machine off, went to the bathroom, got a drink of water, etc. Turned the machine back on
and slept the rest of the night. This morning when displaying the time I used the machine, it was off by several hours, and then it dawned on me the time listed, 4.5 hours was the time between I got up in the night then went back to bed, and the time I woke up this morning.

So to get an accurate reading should I just let it run in the night while I'm out of bed? I use a Phillips Respironics Remstar Auto A Flex machine.

Thanks for any info.

keepsmyelin wrote:My question is rather simple:
When you get up in the night to go to the bathroom, or whatever, should you turn the machine off...or leave it running (supposing you're only going to be out of bed a few minutes.)

It's a matter of preference. I turn it off.

This morning when displaying the time I used the machine, it was off by several hours, and then it dawned on me the time listed, 4.5 hours was the time between I got up in the night then went back to bed, and the time I woke up this morning.

Since you have a Philips Respironics System One machine, the "problem" is likely the fact that the machine uses a 24-hour period for the data that runs from noon GMT to noon GMT regardless of what time zone you are actually living in. And so the only time that shows up on the machine's LCD is the time before noon GMT. The time after noon GMT will show up in the next night's data.

In this case, the problem was most definitely not caused by turning the machine off for the bathroom break.

Don't worry about how many hours shows on the machine's LCD display when you have been up and turned the machine off during the night. The SD card will have the correct hours immediately. The LCD display is limited by session and how long the machine is turned off.
Use the software and you won't have to worry about what the LCD display says. See the links in my signature line if you don't know about the software available.

You can either turn the machine off or let it keep running. If left running there will likely show a big leak spike on the software reports.
Not a huge deal but it can falsely elevate the overall leak averages if left running very long.
Also if you have the Auto Off feature turned on in the clinical menu the machine will turn itself off after a minute or so anyway.

There's no right or wrong way to do it. Mainly it's personal preference.
Don't worry about the LCD displaying only the most recent session though...that's just a display limitation and the correct hours of use will be reflected in the software reports.

I turn the machine off, then go to the restroom with the mask on. If I also need to scratch.. I'll take off the mask and do some serious itchin'. I can put the mask on and off rather quickly, so sometimes I don't even notice...

Sheriff

keepsmyelin wrote:My question is rather simple:
When you get up in the night to go to the bathroom, or whatever, should you turn the machine off...or leave it running (supposing you're only going to be out of bed a few minutes.)

Never entered my mind to ask, but last night I got up in the night, turned the machine off, went to the bathroom, got a drink of water, etc. Turned the machine back on
and slept the rest of the night. This morning when displaying the time I used the machine, it was off by several hours, and then it dawned on me the time listed, 4.5 hours was the time between I got up in the night then went back to bed, and the time I woke up this morning.

So to get an accurate reading should I just let it run in the night while I'm out of bed? I use a Phillips Respironics Remstar Auto A Flex machine.

Thanks for any info.

In my opinion, you need to turn it off before taking off the mask.......and put the mask on before turning it back on.

That's what I've always done. It helps give more accurate details.

If the machine is turned off for more than one hour, it will (as you've apparently discovered) split the night into two reporting periods (at least in the software reports if you're downloading the data to a computer). The "day" for most machines is from noon (day one) to noon (day two).


Den

.

Pugsy wrote:Don't worry about how many hours shows on the machine's LCD display when you have been up and turned the machine off during the night. The SD card will have the correct hours immediately. The LCD display is limited by session and how long the machine is turned off.
Use the software and you won't have to worry about what the LCD display says. See the links in my signature line if you don't know about the software available.

You can either turn the machine off or let it keep running. If left running there will likely show a big leak spike on the software reports.
Not a huge deal but it can falsely elevate the overall leak averages if left running very long.
Also if you have the Auto Off feature turned on in the clinical menu the machine will turn itself off after a minute or so anyway.

There's no right or wrong way to do it. Mainly it's personal preference.
Don't worry about the LCD displaying only the most recent session though...that's just a display limitation and the correct hours of use will be reflected in the software reports.

Thanks for the info. So nice to have a forum and be able to ask questions.

To tell you the truth, I don't even know who's supposed to monitor my use of the CPAP. I was referred
to the Sleep Lab by my neuro (I have MS and my neuro moved so I changed neuros and he has all his new patients
have a Sleep Study.) A Sleep Lab associated with a local hospital did the 2 studies, and then the Medical supply company
delivered the machine and mask which were the exact ones I used for the 2nd Sleep Study. So I guess I need to call my neuro
or the Sleep Lab and find out if I'm supposed to have appts. to check on this.

I haven't downloaded the software to monitor the info, I've just been going by the readouts under
"info" on the machine itself. I know I need to download the program's recommended , and I will, but I've been
reluctant to do so because I monitor so many other issues that I have with my MS, it just seem overwhelming
to have to deal with analyzing more info.

After the thread about adding a cervical collar, my numbers have been significantly lower, anywhere from 1.5 to
5.4, and every night is a different reading, even though to me it all feels the same. I don't even know how to look for improvement
healthwise, because I didn't realize I had a sleep problem before. I just assumed any fatigue I experienced was due to
the MS, since fatigue is a hallmark, so it will be interesting to see if that improves. As I said before, I had zero Rem sleep
during the initial study, and during the second w/CPAP had 10%, so I'm sure the CPAP is helping.

But once again, I appreciate all those who are willing to take their time to provide guidance and info about the
CPAP experience.