[CPAP] I think my CPAP is producing less pressure?

[JonathanLennox]

Hi, all --

Over the past month or so, I feel like the pressure my CPAP produces has become less than it used to be -- judging by how the air venting out the front of the mask feels, and also how my ears don't pop as much as they used to when I turn the machine on. And I've been feeling tired more, and my wife tells me she heard me snoring the other night.

It's still showing the same pressure setting as always, but I've been traveling a lot, so something might have gotten damaged. I'm not seeing any other signs of damage, though.

Is there any way I can test what pressure it's actually putting out? Or is it worth just pre-emptively seeing if I can get it replaced under warranty?

Unfortunately, the machine's a dumb brick, so I can't get it to tell me whether I've been experiencing apnea more than usual.

Thanks!

[worn_out_in_lebanon]

Possibly the tubing has started leaking somewhere?

[trailrider]

Unless you are mechanically minded and have the right measuring tools (like someone one here does), just take it to the DME for a calibration check. Something might have gone out of adjustment from a bump or the vibration from repeated travel. My two cents worth!

[Terry]

Is there any way I can test what pressure it's actually putting out? Or is it worth just pre-emptively seeing if I can get it replaced under warranty?

Why yes you can!

You need some thin clear plastic tubing (like used in an aquarium, a glass of water and a small ruler calibrated in cm.

Fill the glass with water, stick one end of the tube in the glass, slide the other end under your mask (between your face and the mask).

Fire the machine up, and measure how far below the surface of the water, the air in the tube goes.

If it's 10cm from the surface to where the air in the tube stops, your machine is creating 10cm. 8-)

Some masks actually have a port for this, so check. You might get lucky!