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.


_________________
Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity & Micro masks, ResScan 3.4, S8 ResLink, Embla 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.


_________________
Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity & Micro masks, ResScan 3.4, S8 ResLink, Embla 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


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