Why you should replace your mask and cushion regularly

[Janknitz]

This is a no brainer, right?

Not for me, apparently.

I'm a good "adapter", so I tend to adapt to problems rather than blaming the equipment. My Quattro had been leaky for some time and my wonderful Padacheek liner was stretched out terribly, but I just kept adapting--adjusting the straps, snuggling my face into the pillow to stop a leak, etc.

Well, I wasn't sleeping great, leak rates were through the roof.

My mask and cushion were TWO YEARS old.

Finally got around to replacing them--new mask, new cushion, new headgear (not using it yet because I have to sew it to fit my head, but the old headgear is OK) and TWO new liners so I can wash one and wear one.

No more leaks, sleeping like a baby, waking feeling so wonderful (except that better REM sleep allows me to have some gruesome nightmares!). Why did I wait so long???? Maybe you know, because I sure don't.

[Airplaneman]

Maybe its the frog in a pan with the heat risign slowly. Took me 15 years to figure out I needed CPAP I thought age and overweight was my problem. Maybe like me you were taught to use things up and not be wastefull and realize its a lot of hard work to make a buck so you are carefull not to waste anyting. Maybe you just dont have a lot of money or insurance so it is hard to buy suppies if you dont have to. I thought you were perfect but come to find out you are just like anyone else.
Welcome to the human race.
-Airplane

[ameriken]

The VA thinking is to replace my mask once every 6 months, and if the mask or liner breaks inside the 6 months, they'll replace it with a whole new maks and then give me a new again at the 6 month mark. That's over $300, and over $450 if another liner breaks.

Yet, since the plastic shell doesn't wear out, I figured one just needs to replace the liners since they are really the only part that wears out and they are the part that makes or breaks your therapy. I looked up replacement liners and found that 3 sets of liners would be roughly the same price as a mask. But the VA in it's infinite goverment wisdom obviously thinks it's better to spend $150 for a mask plus $150 to replace it every time the liner breaks, than to just spend $150 every 6 months for 3 replacement liners. Just doing the 3 liners is not only less costly, but also therapeutically more effective. Go figure.

Gonna have to see about buying them myself.

[MDALE]

Is there any reason to replace a mask or cushions or nasal pillows as long as the leak rate is not more than the rate given in the literature that comes with the mask? I don't see why 3 months or 6 months or some similar arbitrary amount of time is what should determine the need for replacement.

[Janknitz]

It's always a good idea to have a spare in case something breaks or wears out, but wasteful (Imho)to get replacements just because the calendar says so.

[msla]

It's always a good idea to have a spare in case something breaks or wears out, but wasteful (Imho)to get replacements just because the calendar says so.

I agree wholeheartedly

[DreamLady]

Is there any reason to replace a mask or cushions or nasal pillows as long as the leak rate is not more than the rate given in the literature that comes with the mask? I don't see why 3 months or 6 months or some similar arbitrary amount of time is what should determine the need for replacement.

It's usually easy for me to tell when my pillow is wearing out. It just doesn't seal right, or I have small leaks as soon as I lay my head down. I've learned to watch for those signs and change the pillow immediately rather than rely on my data. Usually by the time my data reflects the worsening leak rate, I start to feel the effects physically. I buy 3 pillows at a time, and those usually last at least 3 months, sometimes a lot longer. It just depends on the batch. Occasionally, I'll get a batch that each pillow only lasts about 2 or so weeks, but that's been rare. As soon as I start using the last pillow, I order 3 more. That way I almost always have a spare. I also throw a spare into my bag when traveling. In a pinch, I can boil my pillows and get another week or two out of them. I'm probably more sensitive to leaks than most, though.

[VVV]

Is there any reason to replace a mask or cushions or nasal pillows as long as the leak rate is not more than the rate given in the literature that comes with the mask? I don't see why 3 months or 6 months or some similar arbitrary amount of time is what should determine the need for replacement.

I should have dated my mask and cushion. They are years old and are discolored but work fine.

I look at my software about once a week and keep an eye on the leak line. As long as the leak line is good and I don't awaken with leaks I will keep on using these old ones.

I do keep brand new backups handy and always take a backup mask and hose when I travel.

Note that I am self-insured (no Medicare) and bear the cost of new masks purchased by myself. That does make a difference in approach. When you are "spending someone else's money" (Medicare) you are not so careful how you spend it.

[Janknitz]

Medicare permits monthly replacement of cushions and two new nasal pillows per month. Different mask cushions/pillows last for longer or shorter times--it seems to be a combination of manufacturing and the way an individual's usage and skin oils interact with the materials.

Frequent replacement does not always signal lack of frugality because someone else is paying. AND some DMEs push automatic replacement programs to boost their own profits.