REMstar Heated Humidifier Frustrations

IWannaSleep · Post by **IWannaSleep** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 11:33 am

Now and then I have to get up in the night. In doing so I either shut off my machine, or it auto shuts off (including the humidifier). When returning to bed I can simply slip back into my mask and slide right back into dream land bliss, since the auto-on feature works very well. Unfortunately, in my sleepy state, I sometimes forget to also press the "on" button to the humidifier. Without the extry humidification for the heater I wake congested and miserable.

Last night was one of those nights, I woke congested and noticed I still had a full tank of water. Respironics needs to tie the auto-on feature to the humidifier for us hose-heads that are too groggy in the middle of the night and forget to turn it back on.

Does anyone else have this problem?

Ron

Niteair · Post by **Niteair** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 1:39 pm

I've done the same thing several times, but I try to make it a point to check and see if the green light is on ........green for GO- back to sleep.
I agree, it would seem that the heater could be started automatically with machine blower.

Swordz · Post by **Swordz** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 1:43 pm

I've had my APAP for about 2 wks, and for the 5 nights I've actually used it (still getting adjusted) I forget to put the humidifier back on as well. Mine is also a Remstar w/ heated humidifier.

You'd think with as expensive and as good as the machines from Respironics are, that the auto-heat or some feature like that would be included. I'm a mouth breather, and when i forget to turn back on, lets just say speaking is not an option.

So your not the only 1.. I'm only 23 and also forget in my miserable, sleep-induced stage at night.

ahujudybear · Post by **ahujudybear** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 1:49 pm

Ummm???

I thought using the xPAP machines reduced or eliminated the need to use the bathroom at night? It has for me. I've only had to get up once (for that purpose) since I started using the machine (about 2+ months now).

So what gives? Are you still not getting the deep sleep you need?

snork1 · Post by **snork1** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 1:56 pm

I agree that the manual and separate switch for the humidifier sort of defeats the point of a "integrated" humidifier. Plus that TINY green light that can't be seen very easily if you place the machine down low is a REAL joke. I considered a system of mirrors so I can see the light to see if I actually remembered to turn it on when I go to sleep or during the night.

Good to know its not JUST me at least.....

Hugh · Post by **Hugh** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 11:58 pm

Plus that TINY green light that can't be seen very easily if you place the machine down low is a REAL joke. I considered a system of mirrors so I can see the light to see if I actually remembered to turn it on when I go to sleep or during the night.

Please see my post http://cpaptalk.com/viewtopic.php?t=3037 for a suggested method of seeing the green light from above. I decided that my "cardboard and tinfoil" gizmo was a little inelegant and I have replaced it with a strip of polished aluminum. My wife suggested a polished silver spoon with the bowl bent up. Might be worth a try.

IWannaSleep · Post by **IWannaSleep** » Wed Jul 06, 2005 12:08 am

ahujudybear wrote:Ummm???

I thought using the xPAP machines reduced or eliminated the need to use the bathroom at night? It has for me. I've only had to get up once (for that purpose) since I started using the machine (about 2+ months now).

So what gives? Are you still not getting the deep sleep you need?

You are right jb, since starting therapy I do not get up in the night to use the bathroom. It's usually other things now. The last time it happend I forgot to pull my smartcard from the card reader and reinsert in apap (I wish the machine had an audible warning when no smartcard was inserted too). Soooo, get all set for bed, mask on, humidifier on, get all comfy, hooked up, air flowing.... Oh NO... I forgot the smart card... pull off mask, hit button to stop rush of air, grab card, plug in mask back on, air flowing, and back to sleep... but missed one step... push heater on button

Ron

Hugh · Post by **Hugh** » Wed Jul 06, 2005 11:39 am

but missed one step... push heater on button

Last night I hit upon a partial solution to the above problem. When I turned my REMstar OFF, I immediately turned the heated humidifier back ON. This puts the humidifier in preheat mode for 20 minutes. But, if your potty break lasts more than 20 minutes ...

snowdog · Post by **snowdog** » Thu Jul 07, 2005 7:05 pm

I've noticed the same thing. I've only been using my CPAP for a couple of weeks now but have woken in the morning several times with a full tank of water. It hasn't bothered me much yet because the ambient humidity has been so high but I'd hate to have this in the winter. I'm kind of at a paranoia stage with it now. I keep the machine on my nightstand so it's close enough to touch, at least until I roll over. Once everthing is running I put my hand a couple of inches in front of the machine to make sure I can see the green light reflected on my hand. I agree that it's a pretty stupid design, the integrated humifier should default to being on when the CPAP machine is on, if any engineers from REMstar happen to be reading.

Since you mentioned the autostart I've got a question for folks. My machine has been pretty inconsistant with the autostart. Sometimes it seems so sensitive that the first little inhale as I'm strapping myself in will kick it off. Sometimes I have to give four or five *deep* breaths to get it going. Sometimes it won't turn on at all and I have to manually hit the On button three or four times to get it running. The machine is only a couple of weeks old. Is it possible I got a lemon or is this normal behaviour until the machine figures out my normal breathing pattern?

Hugh · Post by **Hugh** » Thu Jul 07, 2005 10:04 pm

My autostart takes 3 - 5 breaths to start, but has never failed to start the machine. The necessity to hit the start button more than once suggests a problem. I would suggest contacting your DME or Respironics directly.

IWannaSleep · Post by **IWannaSleep** » Fri Jul 08, 2005 1:37 am

My REMstar autostart also is sluggish at times. Normally as Hugh said it starts within 3 or 4 breaths. Now and then it seems like it's stuck. This happened last night and I decided to wait it out and see if it eventually would start. Sure enough it eventually did start after 3 or 4 monutes.

I think I read in the manual somewhere that this can happen and doesn't infer a problem with the machine. They suggest just pushing the start button when it occurs.

Ron

john5757 · Post by **john5757** » Fri Jul 08, 2005 6:27 am

snowdog wrote:
Since you mentioned the autostart I've got a question for folks. My machine has been pretty inconsistant with the autostart. Sometimes it seems so sensitive that the first little inhale as I'm strapping myself in will kick it off. Sometimes I have to give four or five *deep* breaths to get it going. Sometimes it won't turn on at all and I have to manually hit the On button three or four times to get it running. The machine is only a couple of weeks old. Is it possible I got a lemon or is this normal behaviour until the machine figures out my normal breathing pattern?

What mask are you using? Some full face masks have a valve like the Mirage Ultra. The valve makes it harder for the machine to detect your breathing. This valve stays open until air pressure rushes in to close it but sometimes I can get the machine to auto start even with this mask.
If you have to hit the on button a few times to get it to start you may have a machine problem but the Remstar machines are a little bit slow to get up to speed as compare to other machines.

snowdog · Post by **snowdog** » Fri Jul 08, 2005 9:25 am

That might be it. I'm using a full face mask. I'm not sure the make and model but when I exhale without the machine being on I can hear/feel a virbration like a valve opening and closing although I don't see anything in the mask itself. There's a little plastic piece that sits between the mask and hose that's got two vents on the side (in addition to the vent on the mask itself). Other than that I haven't looked too closely at it. I'll see what the name of the mask is when I get home from work.

What mask are you using? Some full face masks have a valve like the Mirage Ultra. The valve makes it harder for the machine to detect your breathing. This valve stays open until air pressure rushes in to close it but sometimes I can get the machine to auto start even with this mask.
If you have to hit the on button a few times to get it to start you may have a machine problem but the Remstar machines are a little bit slow to get up to speed as compare to other machines.

Hugh · Post by **Hugh** » Fri Jul 08, 2005 11:21 am

Hugh's Autostart Test Procedure Without Mask

1. Close bedroom door and draw blinds/curtains. Dim the lights.
2. Disconnect hose from mask.
3. Insert end of hose in mouth.
4. Close lips firmly around end of hose.
5. Blow out and suck in on end of hose at least 5 times.
6. When machine starts, remove hose from mouth and shut off machine.

Caution: This test procedure should not be performed in front of any witnesses lest they think that you are ...

SnoreNoMore2005 · Post by **SnoreNoMore2005** » Fri Jul 08, 2005 12:14 pm

Hugh's Autostart Test Procedure Without Mask

1. Close bedroom door and draw blinds/curtains. Dim the lights.
2. Disconnect hose from mask.
3. Insert end of hose in mouth.
4. Close lips firmly around end of hose.
5. Blow out and suck in on end of hose at least 5 times.
6. When machine starts, remove hose from mouth and shut off machine.

= = = = = = = = =

Hugh, I would change step 6 to read:

6. When machine starts, carefully secure lips around hose and go to sleep.

REMstar Heated Humidifier Frustrations

REMstar Heated Humidifier Frustrations

tiny poor placed lights

Change to Hugh's AutoStart Procedure

Machine	Mask