I had a RemStar M Series (the "newer" model) that also had a short in it.  It would go off at night and I wasn't aware of the problem until I woke up and the system was not working.  Since the blower is wired into the humidifier that meant the entire system was going off, and no telling how many times a night this was occurring.  I didn't feel I was getting enough sleep and had asked my doctor how I could tell if the whole thing was working properly.  She asked me the standard question, "well, how do you feel?"  Compared to what?

I had noticed that when I moved the unit to set it up (used it in our RV for several trips) the lights would flicker even if all of the cords were securely plugged in.  Please note I did so without water in the tank...in answer to the question the technicians asked.  Apparently there was a short in the humidifier wiring and if I moved at night and the hose caused it to jiggle the short would cause the entire system to shut down.

After getting an entirely new blower and humidifier (both were still under warranty) I noticed a dramatic improvement in how I felt.  That went on for about a month when the even "newer" humidifier started having problems.  I set it up to work and it didn't go on.  I turned off the dial and tried again several days later....when it did work, but once again I was feeling draggy.  I took it back to Apria and was told by a rather snarky lady that it was working and when she turned it on the light on the humidifier started blinking.  She couldn't respond when I asked her why it was blinking.  At that point I demanded that she replace the humidifier.  They did.

With such an important and sophisticated piece of equipment you would think there would be some way of telling when it was working properly short of having to take it in to the DME supplier to be bench tested.  

Is it any wonder so many of these are not used.  When will the manufacturers start to build good equipment and masks that fit?

Hey, they try their darnedest to develop good masks. Do you have any idea how many different facial structures there are in this world, add or take away some "fat", allow for various nose sizes, various nare sizes and shapes, etc., etc.?

I won't try to defend the M Series integrated humidifier. Its was a colossal mistake. BUT - the intentions were there to give what they thought the patients wanted - a small, compact, quiet, easy to travel with xPAP. The M Series is all that. Unfortunately, the mistakes were made w/the integrated humidifier design. Pooh happens. It shouldn't. But it does.


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Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, ProBasics Zzz-Mask full face, ResScan 3.7, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.
Currently trialing PR SystemOne BPAP Auto w/Bi-Flex, EncorePro 2.2, ConTec CMS-50D+ oximeter

My problem is that my Fisher Paykal masks seem to deteriorate after three months.  After fitting fairly well for the first three months they suddenly go haywire.  The liner seems to start fluttering (sounds like a biological function) and keeps me awake.  I have followed all of the directions for cleaning, etc., but the fluttering persists.  So my argument is that they don't use good materials.  This is problemmatic for me as my HMO replaces masks every six months.  So unless I raise holy you know what I spend half a year not sleeping well.

I got my M series on July 10th via fedex.  Had Rain out first night and every night.  I have done all the things that asked, I have a sleeve for it, and my home is 77 degrees.  They exchanged it for another only after I called the ins company.  
The second one does the same.  My husband has an older model from 2004 and I don't have trouble with it.  Any one else have this problem?
re

Fritz, I can't vouch for every insurance company, but Medicare will replace a mask every 3 months - BUT - the headgear only every 6 months. Since local (but not online) DME suppliers only sell the mask and headgear as ONE UNIT but bill as two separate items they tell you that Medicare will only replace a mask every 6 months. The majority of insurance companies tend to follow Medicare guidelines.

Medicare will replace the CUSHION for masks once a month. But, again, local DME suppliers do not sell mask parts, only masks and headgear as one unit - separately billed.


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Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, ProBasics Zzz-Mask full face, ResScan 3.7, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.
Currently trialing PR SystemOne BPAP Auto w/Bi-Flex, EncorePro 2.2, ConTec CMS-50D+ oximeter

I am at the six month turnover time and will attempt to get a ResMed Quattro.  My HMO started providing it just after I got my last Fisher Paykal (which still flutters off and on during the night).  Hope to change out in the next week.  Will post my results.

anhemi wrote:

Hello, last night was my first night using the CPAP Machine.  On occasion, I found that when I inhaled through my nose, some of the air simultaneously ended up in my mouth.  Does that mean my throat is closing up.  This usually happened when I was dozing off to sleep.  It would however alarm me and I would be fully awakened and it would take me some time to doze again.  This happened several times and I ended up taking the mask off.  Is this normal?

Hi, Are you by any chance talking about the reaction that happens when you open your mouth with your cpap mask on your nose? I naturally plug off my breathing in my mouth with my tongue luckily and dont have that escape or suction feeling, maybe you need the chin stap to hold your mouth closed, that is what they are for. My your talking about another reaction, but if its like a sucking/flopping feeling then you are just not keeping your mouth or airway to your mouth closed during that time when you let go and fall asleep, ask for the chin strap and hope it works for you, Deb

fritzgla,

You will find that the life of silicone is around 3 months no matter what the mask.  I use a F&P Flexfit 431 and I replace the silicone that often, same with a Quattro.  I purchase the insert only online at month 3.  It is cleaper than buying the whole mask and it fixes what is broken.  Then you can get the whole thing again at the six month mark.  You might try that and you also might try to go ahead and submit the claim to your insurance company at the 3 month mark.  The worst they can say is no.

In the meantime, make sure your face is clean before you use your mask and wash the silicone every day with a mild soap like Ivory dishwashing soap or Neutrogena.  The silicone breaks down because of the oils on our face.

Keep the old mask frame around for spare parts.

Vicki


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Being defeated is often a temporary condition. Giving up is what makes it permanent.
Marilyn Vos Savant

That which does not kill you makes you stronger-Friedrich Nietzsche
Friedrich must of had apnea.

I have a new M series and have had some problems with it. I saw this post early on and read it but didn't think anything of it since my humidifier seemed to work fine and the numbers didn't include mine.

I have had problems where my machine will shut off if I lift the mask to adjust it or take the mask off. The machine is not set to shut off when I remove the mask. Once this happens I have trouble restarting the machine with the lights flickering and one time the readout said service needed. The only remedy is to unplug and replug the unit into the power outlet

I have noticed that the plug going from the humidifier to the wall is warm.

I will be discussing this with my DME tomorrow.

Anyone else have this happen to them?


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Respironics M series BiPap auto set to 16/20
Resmed Mirage Quattro FF
Diagnosed in 04 unsuccessful titration
retested and retitrated to new machine in 11 of 08

I thought i might have found what is wrong with my humidifier but my model isnt listed in this recall, I have the Model # 1022334 mseries humidifer, and have had a few nights where i woke mid way thru (set on 2-3) and the water thing was EMPTY and my mouth was super dry from the hot air coming thru.

Figured maybe mine was a funky defective unit but doesnt seem to match up numbers wise here, still will ask my supplier what my insurance covers or doesnt cover since it seems to be acting up on me.

Also seems no matter what tank i use (i have 3 here everytime im due for one i get another) but no matter which i use oldest or newest i still get more "leakage" (sound wise) vs when i "first got it".

Tonight I took it all off out of frustration, time to try and go back to bed with no humidifier tonight...

Bill


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Remstar ProM series Model 400M cpap w/ Mseries Respironics Model 1022334 heated humidifier, Mirage 2 Mask (large), Pressure 14 w/ Cflex-3, velcro chinstrap, and I use the white prefilters.

I hope no one will give up if it appears their model is not on the recall list. Mine wasn't but when I told the vendor that I smelled a burning odor and was feeling sick for two days they listened. It turns out that when you turn your unit over the model and serial numbers are for the humidifier. The unit comes apart and on the bottom of the unit when it is apart there is a model number and serial number for the device. Also after all the conversation I discovered the guarantee was for two years and mine wasn't up until November anyway. After November i would have been out of luck if I didn't have all the information. I hope this helps. If it has been discussed by others, I don't know. I have not gone through all the posts.


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"Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." AA Milne