Failing CPAP machine?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Kath Hope on April 23, 2015 at 21:02

Oh My Goodness!   What did the clinic say when you rang them David and how long have you had the S8?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by David Henderson on April 23, 2015 at 21:52

I wasn't able to speak to anyone today, but will try again tomorrow. I've had the S8 since 2008 or 2009. It's only played up once before, that was caused by the contacts in the on/ start button failing. ResMed sent a new rubber button 'thing' which I fitted myself (it was no different to changing the keypad on an old 1990s Nokia mobile phone).

I had a terrible headache today, I woke up with it. I wonder if the machine caused it?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Kath Hope on April 23, 2015 at 22:19

I would definitely push hard to get the machine fixed or exchanged David, and would hazard a guess that it's not working properly as headaches are a very common sign of no treatment.  6-7 years is good for a CPAP machine that has continuous use, and my clinic change them every 3-5 years.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by David Henderson on April 23, 2015 at 22:25

In that case, I will ring them again tomorrow. Thank you.

I try and make anything I have last as long as possible; I hate wastefulness. The lady on the phone at ResMed was amazed when I told her my mask and humidifier chamber were over five years old! I only needed a new one because the Velcro wouldn't lock tightly any more.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Kath Hope on April 23, 2015 at 22:29

I know what you mean David, but the masks are really only meant to be at their best for up to a year, and if we were in the USA we'd be getting at least 4 per year on our insurance.  It's important that the mask seal stays in top condition to prevent leaks, otherwise our therapy isn't as good as it should be.  All credit to you though for trying to help save the NHS money

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by David Henderson on July 26, 2015 at 23:10

Having not heard from Oxford, and getting more and more tired, my wife rang them from work about three weeks ago. She works in an NHS outpatient clinic herself. I don't know what she said, but Oxford rang me later that day to make an appointment for me to get a new machine. I am now the proud user of an S9/ H5i combination. It's a great machine, although took some getting used to, as the pressure rises and falls with your breathing. There are a couple of things I find odd about it, the first being that I find myself reaching for my bottle of water more at night because my mouth is so dry, even with the humidity on 5.5. Secondly, I don't understand the EPR feature on it. The nurse at Oxford said I didn't need it as I had been a CPAP user since 2001. I just wondered what it does.

David

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Kath Hope on July 27, 2015 at 14:58

Great to hear you got a new machine David and am sure you'll soon get used to it The EPR feature is Expiratory Pressure Relief which is a comfort feature with 3 settings, and some people like as it lowers the pressure on exhale.  I always used to switch this off, despite my high pressures, but it's a matter of personal choice.  It sounds to me like yours is switched on with you describing the 'rise and falls' experience (assuming it is CPAP you're using).

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by David on September 3, 2015 at 19:08

Surely they should change your machine yearly so that it can be safety (pat) tested. Sheffield do that and change mask and tubing as well on my annual out patient visit.

• ▶ Reply

▶ Reply to Discussion