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How to tell when a mask needs replacing
#21
RE: How to tell when a mask needs replacing
(03-03-2015, 04:34 PM)sgearhart Wrote: One side note: Don't try boiling the P10 nasal pillows. The silicone is attached to a low temp plastic frame. If you boil them, you will successfully create a nasal pillow glue ball.

Gee, that's a bad design. I wonder if it's intentional.

Have you actually done melted a set of pillows?

That's why you only use the boiling water on your old mask parts after you get replacements.
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#22
RE: How to tell when a mask needs replacing
(03-03-2015, 04:42 PM)archangle Wrote: Have you actually done melted a set of pillows?

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#23
RE: How to tell when a mask needs replacing
So we have heard everything in this thread regarding mask replacement from every 2 weeks (often mentioned just for pillows) up to 6 months to a year. Not sure why this is so hard to nail down, but it seems like if the pillows or mask starts leaking more, then it might be time

FYI, my sleep doc recommends 3-6 months for mask replacement. My DME sends a new one every 3 months. The doc does not recommend this schedule for anything to do with bacteria or germs; he recommends it because the plastic breaks down. I sort of thought plastic was the one thing that would be here with the cockroaches long after we and the animals depart, so this seems odd to me.

I guess the only thing we know for sure is that masks don't last forever, and probably not as long as we might expect.
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#24
RE: How to tell when a mask needs replacing
I got 12 months out of my first set Pilairo pillows. I replaced them even though they felt no different from new.
Disclaimer: The 'Advisory Member' title is a Forum thing that I cannot change. I am not a doctor and my comments are purely my opinion or quote my personal experience. Regardless of my experience other readers mileage may vary.
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#25
RE: How to tell when a mask needs replacing
I've often wondered when to replace a mask also. Since I use the AirFit P10 the DME calls me every 3 months to see what supplies I need. Does the condition of the nasal pillows in the AirFit P10 mask have any influence on the numbers I see on my machine after a night sleep? Recently I've noticed that the pressure varies anywhere from 12.0 to 15.2, leak rate can be 6L up to 24L, and AHI can also vary from 0.5 to 2.5. I've been using baby shampoo to clean my nasal pillows and the humidifier every morning and just recently started washing the short tubing so the vent area of the mask can be clean (I hope). What causes the AHI to vary or is that a normal thing?
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#26
RE: How to tell when a mask needs replacing
I have only just started using the CPAP and I am being advised by ResSleep, an associated company of ResMed (not totally sure of the legal connection...). Anyway, after seeing this thread I was going into see the therapist here in Sydney (home of ResMed) and thought I would ask them what replacement schedule I should use. I noted on their USA site it says every 2wks for pillows. Anyway the therepist said that 6-18mths should be fine. I also noted they have no specific schedule on the Australian ResMed site. All this suggests, as other people have mentioned, the two week schedule is what insurance covers and ResMed doesn't want to look a gift horse in the mouth.
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#27
RE: How to tell when a mask needs replacing
Every two weeks would be high overkill. I used to wash the cushions everyday and the hose and tank. Now I do it about once a week.

Topping off the tank I dont see where the danger is. Even if something hideous were to somehow get into the tank it wont make to the mask or leave the water in the tank even. Water vapor is to small to carry bacteria or virus and any rainout is water vapor that condensed in the tube.
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#28
RE: How to tell when a mask needs replacing
I take your point, but how about spores? Those can be airborne just like water vapor, and pressure will make them land you know where.

Topping off also just adds to the precipitate buildup.

I am an advocate for tap water, because of your point above. But imagine (and I am sorry for the extreme example) what it would be like if your tub was full of cat pee. Sure, all that vaporizes, technically, is H20 molecules, but I suspect the experience might still be very different than with tap or distilled water.

Ew. Just grossed myself out.
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#29
RE: How to tell when a mask needs replacing
(03-07-2015, 10:09 PM)TyroneShoes Wrote: I take your point, but how about spores? Those can be airborne just like water vapor, and pressure will make them land you know where.

Topping off also just adds to the precipitate buildup.

I am an advocate for tap water, because of your point above. But imagine (and I am sorry for the extreme example) what it would be like if your tub was full of cat pee. Sure, all that vaporizes, technically, is H20 molecules, but I suspect the experience might still be very different than with tap or distilled water.

Ew. Just grossed myself out.

The "orthodox" answer is that even if there are germs (including "spores") in the humidifier, they will remain behind in the water as it evaporates. It's generally considered that you need to "aerosolize" the water in order to make the germs leave the water and get into the airstream. "Aerololize" means make tiny droplets out of the air. Humidifiers aren't supposed to aerosolize the water.

Whether this is really true in all cases isn't entirely clear.

Actually, evaporating the water does not produce only water vapor. "Volatile" chemicals such as chlorine, gasoline, solvents, etc. will come out of the water along with the water vapor. However, if these things are in your drinking water, you're ingesting them anyway. It probably doesn't matter that much if you inhale it or drink it.
Get the free OSCAR CPAP software here.
Useful links.
Click here for information on the main alternative to CPAP.
If it's midnight and a DME tells you it's dark outside, go and check it yourself.
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