Accidentally reset bipap to defaults - pressure settings now too high to sleep with

[nimboo]

Hey guys,

So my dad did his sleep study years ago. Probably about 8 years ago or something like that. He has fallen on bad times since then and hasn't gotten the machine adjusted or upgraded or anything in all that time. He has been repairing the mask.

He uses a Respironics Duet LX System

Now, all this leads me in to where we are today, because today I messed up. See, I just bought my dad a new mask, the nasal pillow mask, because he finally decided repairing the old one wasn't working. I had read a review mention that the pressure was too high using the nostril direct mask like that, but that after finding the setting to turn it down, it was a great mask.

So I started trying to research pressure settings, and I found this site, but I couldn't find information on my dad's bipap. I found this thread: [link removed] which suggested that older Respironics' pressure settings could be accessed by holding the ramp button and one of the user buttons while plugging it in. So I started trying different combinations of these, like he said in his post, and I ended up reverting all settings back to default (done by holding the ramp button, and two of the ligther grey user buttons while plugging it in). This is a huge problem though, because my dad can't use his mask any more. Suddenly the pressure is way too high.

So now I have created a really bad situation, because he still doesn't have the money to see a doctor to get his machine checked out (or get a new machine), doesn't have any insurance, and now can't use his machine because I apparently erased the doctor's original pressure settings.

Even with his machine the way it was before he wasn't getting great sleep lately. He is tired constantly, and falls asleep everywhere. His old mask was the problem. If I could set him up with a good mask he would be fine.

If you can help me figure out how to access the pressure settings on this machine I would be extremely grateful. I really need to help him get to sleep. He is getting older (62) and I'm worried about him. On top of everything else he is recovering from Bells Palsy, which may have been caused by sleep deprivation.

I really just need to find a way to help him. I feel like this is a serious situation, but it isn't the kind of thing 911 helps with. I really don't know what to do.

Thank you for any help you can offer

[kaiasgram]

This won't help immediately but the information about your dad's pressure settings is on the original prescription for the machine -- the prescription is part of his medical records and you should be able to obtain those records from the doctor who wrote the prescription. He is entitled to his medical records by law.

As for his symptoms, it may not be just the old mask -- pressure needs can and do often change over time. If he was not being followed by a doc or monitoring his own PAP therapy it might be that he needs an adjustment to his pressure(s) as well.

[vsheline]

Hi nimboo, welcome to Apnea Board.

Perhaps the instructions in the following REMstar_LX manual will help.

http://www.apneaboard.com/manuals51/REMs...-Setup.pdf

Good luck,
--- Vaughn

[nimboo]

This won't help immediately but the information about your dad's pressure settings is on the original prescription for the machine -- the prescription is part of his medical records and you should be able to obtain those records from the doctor who wrote the prescription. He is entitled to his medical records by law.

As for his symptoms, it may not be just the old mask -- pressure needs can and do often change over time. If he was not being followed by a doc or monitoring his own PAP therapy it might be that he needs an adjustment to his pressure(s) as well.

Thank you, this is very useful information for when I figure out how to change the pressure settings

[trish6hundred]

Hi nimboo,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
Good luck to you in getting your Dad’s prescription so you can reset his pressure.
Hang in there for more suggestions and answers to your questions.

[nimboo]

Hi nimboo, welcome to Apnea Board.

Perhaps the instructions in the following REMstar_LX manual will help.


Good luck,
--- Vaughn

Thank you, Vaughn.

I tried those instructions, but they did not work. I tried many possible combinations while plugging the power cord in. The only combo that did anything was pushing the ramp button as well as the two small grey buttons while plugging it in - this reset the machine to defaults.

I included a picture of the bipap my dad is using. I really need to try to figure this out, preferable by tonight so he doesn't have to sleep without it again - he woke up exhausted today.

   

[Winterfrost]

How is that going? Were you able to adjust the pressure settings? What's the model number on that device? (Check the bottom, might be there.)

[DeepBreathing]

From an old thread, here are the instructions for the Solo LX - may be similar on your Duet?

Instructions for entering Setup Menu of Respironics Solo LX:

1. Place the Solo LX device on a readily accessible surface. Plug in the power cord to the wall outlet. Unplug the power cord from the rear of the device.

2. Hold down the "Pressure" and "Ramp" buttons simultaneously while plugging the power cord back into the rear of the device. Release the buttons.

3. Read the current pressure setting on the display. Press the "Ramp" button to increase the pressure setting.

4. Hold down the "On/Off" button when finished and press the "Ramp" button once. Release the "On/Off" button.

[nimboo]

How is that going? Were you able to adjust the pressure settings? What's the model number on that device? (Check the bottom, might be there.)

Thank you so much for checking up on us, friend. I hadn't checked back here in a bit because I sort of realized no one really knows how to get into this old machine - nothing I have tried works.

My efforts have since been focused on an alternate solution. After considering some options (including a new mouthpiece, etc), my dad and I have decided that finding an auto cpap machine would be our best option, as it seems to place less importance on obtaining a new sleep study. He would be willing to pay between $500 and $700 to fix this problem, he really really needs to start sleeping soundly. We pretty much realized that even if we figure out how to change the pressure on his old machine, it is still many years old and we may not be able to get it right either way.

So I've started looking around at autocpap machines - do you have a recommendation? I've found some Resmed S9 's on craigslist, some of them with under 100 hours on them for around $500. He wouldn't need a prescription to purchase these, but I'm not sure if the S9 is the best machine for him.

From an old thread, here are the instructions for the Solo LX - may be similar on your Duet?

Instructions for entering Setup Menu of Respironics Solo LX:

1. Place the Solo LX device on a readily accessible surface. Plug in the power cord to the wall outlet. Unplug the power cord from the rear of the device.

2. Hold down the "Pressure" and "Ramp" buttons simultaneously while plugging the power cord back into the rear of the device. Release the buttons.

3. Read the current pressure setting on the display. Press the "Ramp" button to increase the pressure setting.

4. Hold down the "On/Off" button when finished and press the "Ramp" button once. Release the "On/Off" button.

Thank you for your suggestion, friend. Unfortunately, when I try this I just get the message "Keys stuck" on the screen. I tried all combinations of ramp/other buttons and found that the only combination that does anything is ramp button and the two grey buttons (resets machine to defaults) all other combinations, including the one you listed here simply return the "keys stuck" message.

We are now looking for a new machine, as this seems to be the cheapest route to getting him back to sleep. Any advice on a good auto cpap? I assume autocpap is the best route? Thank you

[OpalRose]

Hi nimboo,
Try Supplier #2
http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread-...plier-List

This site sells lightly used machines also new open box zero hour machines.
I assume you need a script. Do you have your dads original script?

Supplier #26 offers new Phillips Respironics Auto Cpaps with heated humidifier and heated hose for under $500.

I would look to these sites before paying that much for an S9 on Craig's list. That is too much for that machine.

Some here have also found new APAP machines on Amazon.

Here's a link to help you see some of the machines available and which to avoid.
http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php...ne_Choices

Definetly get an Auto Cpap. Good luck.