AirFit P10 pillows/replacing

[Michelle-OH]

Sorry, tried to find this in other posts but couldn't. How often do you really need to replace the pillows? DME said monthly, will do if necessary but was hoping to stretch that out if able. How do you know when it needs replaced?

[Julie]

When they no longer do the job?

[Michelle-OH]

When they no longer do the job?

That's the problem...how do I know when they are no longer doing their job, when my numbers go up? The pillows themselves feel the same to me after a month, so I'm guessing it's not by that.

[OkyDoky]

I have used my P10 for 16 months with one pillow change. Not really sure why I changed it then. I am looking for difficulty keeping a seal and increased leaks on Sleepyhead. I clean it with a babywipe each morning and try to wash it weekly.

[Michelle-OH]

I have used my P10 for 16 months with one pillow change. Not really sure why I changed it then. I am looking for difficulty keeping a seal and increased leaks on Sleepyhead. I clean it with a babywipe each morning and try to wash it weekly.

Wow, I had no idea they would last that long! Will try the babywipes, I do wash weekly. The DME talked me into buying 6 mos worth of pillows in Dec. prior to my insurance going in to the new year. So, I am pillow-ready but will wait for a bad seal and increased leaks. Thanks, makes sense.

[Pugsy]

I routinely get months and months of service out of any of my nasal pillows....been that way since I first started using any nasal pillow mask.

With the P10 specifically...I retired the one that I used from Jan to end of September the first of October last year so roughly 9 months of.
I thought it was just leaking too much but come to find out the leaks remained and it ended up being the headgear that had finally stretched out to a point where it just was too loose.
I didn't throw the retired pillow away though...I think I stuck it in a drawer somewhere thinking maybe I would try a serious cleaning to see if it helped but never got around to it and now I can't find it.

Nasal pillow or nasal cushion or even full face cushion life is going to vary a lot between users.
Facial oils, cleaning routines or just general practice will contribute to life span. Some can get by with long life and some need to change monthly or sometimes even sooner. It's always good to have a couple of spares handy though.

How to tell when something needs retiring? That's hard to give a clear cut answer to but in general when nasal pillows start simply not staying sealed well (and you try a new one and it does with no other changes) then that's usually a good sign the pillow is tired. Sometimes it just doesn't "feel right" which is hard to describe.

I don't see nasal pillows routinely needing monthly retirement except in maybe special unique circumstances.
Most people I know get months of use especially from the P10 but like anything pertaining to cpap in general...comes with a big YMMV sticker.

[Michelle-OH]

I routinely get months and months of service out of any of my nasal pillows....been that way since I first started using any nasal pillow mask.

With the P10 specifically...I retired the one that I used from Jan to end of September the first of October last year so roughly 9 months of.
I thought it was just leaking too much but come to find out the leaks remained and it ended up being the headgear that had finally stretched out to a point where it just was too loose.
I didn't throw the retired pillow away though...I think I stuck it in a drawer somewhere thinking maybe I would try a serious cleaning to see if it helped but never got around to it and now I can't find it.

Nasal pillow or nasal cushion or even full face cushion life is going to vary a lot between users.
Facial oils, cleaning routines or just general practice will contribute to life span. Some can get by with long life and some need to change monthly or sometimes even sooner. It's always good to have a couple of spares handy though.

How to tell when something needs retiring? That's hard to give a clear cut answer to but in general when nasal pillows start simply not staying sealed well (and you try a new one and it does with no other changes) then that's usually a good sign the pillow is tired. Sometimes it just doesn't "feel right" which is hard to describe.

I don't see nasal pillows routinely needing monthly retirement except in maybe special unique circumstances.
Most people I know get months of use especially from the P10 but like anything pertaining to cpap in general...comes with a big YMMV sticker.

I've found I have to use that lanolin cream that I've seen recommended on here, under/in my hose. Do you think that will make a difference in the timespan at all?

[Pugsy]

I've found I have to use that lanolin cream that I've seen recommended on here, under/in my hose. Do you think that will make a difference in the timespan at all?

I don't know. In theory I supposed it is possible if the silicone happens to keep absorbing a little with each use despite good hot water washing. I long ago quit the Lansinoh once I figure out that the pillows didn't need to be all that snug and my nostrils seemed to get to the point that they no longer cared if something was touching them. I still have my original tube that I bought back in 2009. About the only time it gets used is if the nose is sore from kleenex and a snotty runny nose that gets rubbed with the Kleenex.

I don't know how many of the people who are like me and get months of use are still using the Lansinoh all this time....or if the people who seem to experience a shorter life span are still using it.
I don't remember that sort of discussion ever taking place.
It wouldn't be impossible for the Lansinoh to have a potential long term affect IMHO.

[Michelle-OH]

Good to know, I'll just keep watching numbers and feeling the seal. Hopefully I can quit the cream someday, I had on under my nose where it is chapped and my friend asked me what it was

[OkyDoky]

If the irritation is a continuing problem, one thing you might consider is a barrel cozy. PadaCheek makes them. http://padacheek.com/PACAirFitSeries.html

[Michelle-OH]

If the irritation is a continuing problem, one thing you might consider is a barrel cozy. PadaCheek maks them. http://padacheek.com/PACAirFitSeries.html

That looks like the best thing ever! I ordered one Thanks for the suggestion, and it will help with condensation it says! win/win

[Pugsy]

The padacheek barrel cozy was probably the best comfort item I have ever bought.
Originally bought to help with rain out in the pillow back before we had heated hoses and I found I used mine year round just because it felt so good against the skin. Feels like silk.

That reminds me...maybe I should invest in one for my P10 because the old one doesn't quite fit without covering the vents. I think maybe I could use a little pampering just for general principles right now.

If you find the holes in the barrel cozy tend to maybe alter the angle of the pillows just a bit you can enlarge the holes just a little so not quite so much tension is placed on the "neck" of the pillows.

[Michelle-OH]

The padacheek barrel cozy was probably the best comfort item I have ever bought.
Originally bought to help with rain out in the pillow back before we had heated hoses and I found I used mine year round just because it felt so good against the skin. Feels like silk.

That reminds me...maybe I should invest in one for my P10 because the old one doesn't quite fit without covering the vents. I think maybe I could use a little pampering just for general principles right now.

If you find the holes in the barrel cozy tend to maybe alter the angle of the pillows just a bit you can enlarge the holes just a little so not quite so much tension is placed on the "neck" of the pillows.

Good to know. And please believe me when I say I am sorry for the part I played in the tension you are feeling, I should probably buy you that barrel cozy.

[Pugsy]

And please believe me when I say I am sorry for the part I played in the tension you are feeling, I should probably buy you that barrel cozy.

No need to apologize. Your interaction with palerider didn't/doesn't play any factor really.
I know your heart was in the right place and you just did what I should have done but didn't and that's what I am kicking myself in the butt for. I know you were just trying to come to the aid of Klutzo who was hurt. I just couldn't say anything without adding TNT to the already out of control fire and I should have at least tried and for that I am pissed at myself ...along with really being pissed about what started the fire and the ensuing tone that followed when Klutzo cried. Compassion went straight out the window (if it was ever there in the first place).

My problem was I couldn't find words to stand up and speak out...which those of you who know me probably are thinking "Pugsy couldn't find the words...can't be happening because she always tells it like it is".
It got way out of hand long before you and PR got into it. That sort of bickering back and forth isn't that big of a problem for me. The problem goes deeper than what you all did and in all honesty what you both did wasn't really part of that straw that broke this camel's back. It happened before you and PR got into your little "discussion".

Now I will admit that your little discussions with PR did factor into the 80% of my not so scientific evaluation of "non helpful..poking the bear" numbers for Saturday. The 80% number wasn't just you and PR though...there were many others who poked the bear and not just in that one particular thread.

[Michelle-OH]

And please believe me when I say I am sorry for the part I played in the tension you are feeling, I should probably buy you that barrel cozy.

No need to apologize. Your interaction with palerider didn't/doesn't play any factor really.
I know your heart was in the right place and you just did what I should have done but didn't and that's what I am kicking myself in the butt for. I know you were just trying to come to the aid of Klutzo who was hurt. I just couldn't say anything without adding TNT to the already out of control fire and I should have at least tried and for that I am pissed at myself ...along with really being pissed about what started the fire and the ensuing tone that followed when Klutzo cried. Compassion went straight out the window (if it was ever there in the first place).

My problem was I couldn't find words to stand up and speak out...which those of you who know me probably are thinking "Pugsy couldn't find the words...can't be happening because she always tells it like it is".
It got way out of hand long before you and PR got into it. That sort of bickering back and forth isn't that big of a problem for me. The problem goes deeper than what you all did and in all honesty what you both did wasn't really part of that straw that broke this camel's back. It happened before you and PR got into your little "discussion".

Thank you! From now on I am going to try to take the route of Anna and Elsa and 'let it go, let it go'. It's definitely my nature to defend the underdog, but I can always pm if I absolute can't let it go. I'd never seen that kind of thing go on before, I'm only in 1 other forum, for dog rescue, and absolutely everyone there is of the same mindset.

Now I will admit that your little discussions with PR did factor into the 80% of my not so scientific evaluation of "non helpful..poking the bear" numbers for Saturday. The 80% number wasn't just you and PR though...there were many others who poked the bear and not just in that one particular thread.