Biguglygremlin

Hi CpapuserinSD

I'm still using an old Resmed S9

The first one I had was new still in it's box and ran for maybe 2 years before giving me troubles (shorting from the humidifier back to the machine and shutting itself down)

Then it was serviced and handed back to me but it began shorting again through the mask and I continued using it for a long time in that condition before finally exchanging it for another used Resmed S9 Resmed Electrical Short

This machine is not giving me any hassles yet but I suspect that 4 or 5 years is probably as far as they can be expected to survive.

Ok I checked mine and it's still hissing away after 5 mins.

The hose has been removed and it tells me there is a high level leak but doesn't shut down.

I have always presumed that the way to stop the machine was to hit the button.

I've never thought to check the unrestrained pressure function on any of my machines.

I recall it shutting itself down some days back while I was fumbling with an improvised chin strap so it can do it sometimes.

I find it quite annoying on the odd occasion when it has shut itself down.

I'm not even sure why the machine would be given that option.

Surely the protection of the machine is not more important that the protection of the patient.

I would prefer that it kept hissing in my ear when the mask comes off in the middle of the night.

So I won't be in a hurry to get it checked.

This also means that if the machine shuts down while the patient is asleep the data would be essentially misleading.

My main concern would be if the failure to shut down extends to other safety issues.

This is probably Sierra's forte, knowing if it is an option or an issue.

I have also experienced what seemed like obvious pressure or flow fluctuations from time to time with both Resmed S9 machines.

I don't know what causes them or, perhaps more importantly, why they don't persist.

These discrepancies have been noticeable enough to make me curious and concerned at the time but then the ignore and persist files cut in and things return to normal.

I think I should be upset about this. :(

The shame and embarrassment, and in public too!

You could search your sent folder or perhaps ask Sierra.

I'm pretty sure he would know.

He doesn't miss much.

Unlike some people I know! :)

I understand what you are saying Ruby and appreciate the sentiment.

I often feel like a heretic here in a room full of devout CPAP apostles.

I haven't been part of a forum since the early years of HUB chat rooms.

I became involved in this forum because I saw the potential that you mention above.

I wanted to test that potential and experiment, push a few buttons and see what happens.

Yes there is potential but it is early days yet. Too early for what I was looking for.

I don't think this forum is quite ready to embrace all the functions you have described either.

It would need to be boosted and directed to achieve those goals.

It would take a concerted and protracted effort to reach new thresholds.

A more clearly defined structure and pathway with a sense of purpose.

So many obscure words in search of yet another missing ingredient.

Hi tback

I hadn't realised it would dismiss the balance.

Most CPAP suppliers don't seem to bother setting the time correctly.

Both times I've accepted a machine from a local CPAP sleep centre the clock was several hours out.

You'd think it was an essential part of their job.

I don't have any online existence that I am aware of but don't they have the capacity to tweak your settings?

If they do why can't they synchronize the clock while they are at it?

Put a GUINEA PIGS WANTED sign on your door and begin experimenting.

Try to avoid children ..... and cats. :O

Cat lovers can be sooooo petty!

Build a database and generate some statistics.

Write a persuasive argument and add a pretty chart.

Go and talk to somebody at your local university.

You could become famous ...... or infamous!

Does it really matter which? :)

Yes it has some earth-shaking implications if it could be proven.

I'm not sure that the sleep industry could cope with a shift of this magnitude.

It would be a smart move for the therapists or mattress makers to do the research and marketing.

A therapeutic apnea mattress could be a whole new marketing tool. :)

Brilliantly written PioneeringTanPorpoise7795 and quite inspiring.

It certainly provides food for thought or at least thoughts about food. :)

It seems to me that we are very complicated and frail organisms trying to survive in chaos.

There are patterns in the chaos but are they real of just coincidence.

It seems to depend on predictability for any real confirmation.

I wonder how many others have similar experiences.

I'm certainly a prime candidate for the salt issue because I switched from tea and coffee to diluted cup a soup.

We all react to stress and distress differently but it almost always impacts badly on our eating habits.

What do you think was the link between blood pressure and apnea in your case?

Sorry boys, I'm having a bad day so this is not going to be tactful.

This problem, like so many others, is very common yet everybody seems to treat it like a new issue each time.

Yes people come to this forum with misconceptions or misinterpretations of what is happening to them but there is pretty compelling evidence that these machines can't be trusted especially if they are in auto mode.

Promoting purloined software is largely a waste of time.

Charts and numbers may be fun but how do they change the obvious solution?

If you want a machine to do something for you simply limit it's function to only the parameters that you wish to allow.

If you want it to deliver 9 but not more than 12 then limit the machine.

So like Sierra asks what is the machine and how do you make it safe?

Hi sreiter

It took me a while to make the connections because it is something that I simply prevent then ignore but yes I think I know what you are referring to.

I know it's not caused by my machine because it is limited to a fixed pressure and no ramp and the flow does not alter.

In my view what you have described is essentially a CPAP extension of snoring.

When you are breathing shallowly the incoming pressure creates a harmony with the outgoing pressure and amplifies the movement of soft tissue in the airways that creates a loose valve effect. (like water hammer) Each time the valve is slammed shut the pressure wave rebounds into the mask and you get that suck - release effect in my case 2 or 3 times a second.

Fortunately for me it doesn't happen too often of it's own accord, but initially I found it amusing and now that I understand it better I can cause it quite easily.

And yes it really sucks! :P

To prevent it you would need to change position or change the way the mask is aligned or tighten the muscles in your throat and nose or force yourself to breath more strongly for a while.

It amuses me because, via this mechanism, my mask can snore for me and if I breath just right the machine will snore as well so it seems like we have used CPAP to move the goal posts a bit further out but nothing has really changed.

Hi MartyB

You've done all the basic elimination diagnosis?

Taken it out to the kitchen, unplugged a device that was definitely working, plugged it in without any multi-gangs, checked and double checked the connections, checked and double checked the on switch.

In my world of probabilities the weakest link is definitely the multi-gang power board.

Presuming you have done all that and there are no lights or messages on the device then returning it may be your only option.