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[Equipment] Effects of Western Wildfire Smoke
#1
Effects of Western Wildfire Smoke
So my Phillips Dreamstation CPAP machine developed a characteristic where exhaling was difficult.  I took it to my local CPAP provider where I was not allowed to be present [that's COVID 19 for ya] while it was checked out.  When they finished I was told they made some adjustments and should try it for a few days.  I was not allowed to check it out at their facility in their presence. When I got it home it worked slightly better.  Roughly ok the first night, back to the same problem next night.  I noted that the flow was weak compared to my wife's dreamstation which she had not used during the previous 10 days due to nausea related problems. 

Research led me to check the filters I had installed 11 days ago.  You can see the results.  We've had wild fire smoke here in Oregon for over a week with AQI over 400 or "hazardous" levels.  I did not open my bedroom window during the high AQI period, but we did have some seepage through the bathroom vent fan.  I thought it would be enough if I closed the door to that area; apparently not!

I am a little disappointed the provider didn't check the filters.

See attached pic for better understanding.


Attached Files Thumbnail(s)
   
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#2
RE: Effects of Western Wildfire Smoke
Yes, I too, am shocked that the filters weren't checked.  Rolleyes

I'm in the high country of AZ., and here, the smoke isn't bad at all. Can't even smell it. I check my filters every now & then, but they just don't get dirty. My machine is now over two years old, and I think I've changed the filter twice. And, I only changed it because I felt it was the right thing to do, not because it was dirty. 

I now just wash them in warm water and a drop of Dawn dish soap. It takes me about 1 minute or less. Rinse and pat dry with a paper towel. 

I have quite a supply of the filters on hand, as they keep sending me some.
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#3
RE: Effects of Western Wildfire Smoke
I'm in Portland, where it has been so bad that visibility has been seriously impaired for over a week. Right now visibility is down to about three blocks - enough for driving at city speeds, but they have closed the airport again. I am staying indoors where I have a Hepa air cleaner big enough for about 150 m2. The streets all over the city are deserted, as no one is going outside if they can avoid it. Everyone is praying for a major rainstorm.

Regarding your filters, I was told by a fellow at Supplier #2 that the motor in a Dreamstation won't last for over a year if you run it with a dirty filter, so I strongly recommend putting in a clean one. If you run out they are available online for cheap prices, but I'm so frugal that I put my dirty ones in the dishwasher silverware holder, and they come out like new.
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#4
RE: Effects of Western Wildfire Smoke
That tends to define irony. These DMEs tell us "change the filter" at most every turn. They certainly send out enough filters to change them frequently. Then you take in your PAP to get it checked. Check the filter as part of the inspection...nah why would they do that? As for yours, it certainly shows what the filter caught and a drastic comparison at that. Curious? Does your PAP run better after the filter was changed by you?
INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEBSITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
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#5
RE: Effects of Western Wildfire Smoke
Yes, bad practice by the provider. However, I'm even surprised by that photo showing one week of normal use. Do you live in an urban area? Mine get dusty, but it's a white dust when there are no wildfires around.
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#6
RE: Effects of Western Wildfire Smoke
I'm in the Bay Area in California, and I was surprised that after one week of bad air quality, my filter was looking gray. I had been keeping the windows closed, but the house is old and far from tight. I'll be checking the filters more frequently during the fire season!
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#7
RE: Effects of Western Wildfire Smoke
My filters are not rewashable, and they are generally white when they are new.
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#8
RE: Effects of Western Wildfire Smoke
Is it the white "monthly" filters you wash or just the so called "permanent" gray filter?
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#9
RE: Effects of Western Wildfire Smoke
So far I have been unable to reply to a specific thread entry.  My reply gets stacked at the end of all replies.  Not sure why or if it can be made to a specific reply.

Anyhow after 1 night with new filters my Dreamstation is working much better.  I have a question or two for my provider, but will wait on that since they isolate the person who may know the answer from the users due to the COVID excuse.  They need to work on better ways to communicate.
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#10
RE: Effects of Western Wildfire Smoke
(09-18-2020, 01:39 PM)Azor Wrote: So far I have been unable to reply to a specific thread entry.  My reply gets stacked at the end of all replies.  Not sure why or if it can be made to a specific reply.


Azor,
Here is a tutorial on ways to reply to a post.

http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/misc.ph...elp&hid=31
OpalRose
Apnea Board Administrator
www.apneaboard.com

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INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE.  ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA.  INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
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