S9 Chemical Smell...

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
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digitalepiphany
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S9 Chemical Smell...

Post by digitalepiphany » Sat Sep 26, 2015 11:57 am

I did a search, and the only thing I could find was this post regarding Phillips Respironics units. I actually came across this about a week before I ran into my problem.

So, here's the story:

I've let my humidifier tank run dry a few times before, and woken up to the strange chemical smell that I'm sure most of you have smelled before. On Wednesday morning, I woke to the same smell at 4AM. I turned the machine off and removed my mask and tried getting back to sleep. I was just too tired to get up and add water. The next day I forgot all about it, but it was just an empty tank, right? At bedtime, I go to add water to the tank, but there's still some water in it. Not much, but enough to cover the bottom. So, I top it off anyway. I get in bed, put my mask on, turn on the machine, and.....I get the chemical smell again. It's not nearly as strong as when I allow the tank to run dry, but it's there nonetheless. So, I slept without Wednesday night. On Thursday, I cleaned out the tank and the humidifier, topped it off with new water, and still got the same smell. I disconnected everything (including the tank), turned on the machine, but couldn't identify where the smell was coming from (I couldn't smell it at all actually). I tried it with the humidifier connected, and couldn't smell it then either.

It's been several months since I've let the tank run dry, so I can't see how it could be any lingering smell from that. I called the VA about it, but they said they don't do walk-ins (even for this sort of thing). They scheduled an appointment for two weeks from now. I feel like crap with the machine, so there's no way I can go without for an entire two weeks. So, before I take this thing apart, I thought I'd check in with all of you.

So, has anyone else run into a similar issue with the Resmed S9s?

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Mask: Amara Full Face CPAP Mask with Gel & Silicone Cushions
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
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LSAT
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Re: S9 Chemical Smell...

Post by LSAT » Sat Sep 26, 2015 12:53 pm

Spend a few bucks and buy a new humidifier chamber.

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yaconsult
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Re: S9 Chemical Smell...

Post by yaconsult » Sat Sep 26, 2015 1:04 pm

Simplify the problem. Disconnect the humidifier and hook the hose up directly to the cpap. Do you still have the smell? If so, it's the cpap or the hose or the mask. Swap the hose. Still have the smell? Swap the mask. Still have the smell? You should be able to isolate the smell to one component.

If everything is fine without the humidifier, then put the humidifier back and check for the smell again. Is the smell back?

Humidifier tanks are relatively cheap. They can be thoroughly cleaned out with a little vinegar and water and plenty of rinsing.

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chunkyfrog
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Re: S9 Chemical Smell...

Post by chunkyfrog » Sat Sep 26, 2015 2:26 pm

Not really a solution, but a way you could continue treatment while they make you wait.
(Some way to treat a vet-{profanity deleted}--we thank you for your service)
Put a cotton ball in a bottle cap, add a couple drops of vanilla,
and set it below the air intake. The vanilla may help cover the smell.

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englandsf
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Re: S9 Chemical Smell...

Post by englandsf » Sat Sep 26, 2015 2:34 pm

Replace it, don't risk it.

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Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments: Sleepyhead SW. NeilMed and Alkalol Nasal rinses. Veramyst. AutoPAP 11-20 cms. Started June '14, untreated AHI 31-38, with PAP around 1.

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digitalepiphany
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Re: S9 Chemical Smell...

Post by digitalepiphany » Sat Sep 26, 2015 3:19 pm

I'll try all the troubleshooting. As far as steps to cover the smell... I was just worried that something in the machine was actually burning. If that's actually the case, I don't want to be breathing it in, whether I cover the smell or not.

Like the issue with the Phillips Respironics machines I linked to above, I was really more interested if anyone had encountered a similar problem with the S9s.

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Mask: Amara Full Face CPAP Mask with Gel & Silicone Cushions
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
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chunkyfrog
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Re: S9 Chemical Smell...

Post by chunkyfrog » Sat Sep 26, 2015 3:33 pm

If the local VA is not concerned, but you are; call your congressman! --and let the feces hit the fan!
Just nail down where the smell is coming from first.

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digitalepiphany
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Re: S9 Chemical Smell...

Post by digitalepiphany » Sat Sep 26, 2015 11:52 pm

I narrowed it down to the humidifier unit, not the tank. So, I'll try to use it without the humidifier until I can get the unit replaced. Thanks for the help.

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Mask: Amara Full Face CPAP Mask with Gel & Silicone Cushions
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments: It's a VPAP ST. IPAP:16 EPAP: 12

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Goofproof
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Re: S9 Chemical Smell...

Post by Goofproof » Sun Sep 27, 2015 12:14 pm

Are you only using FRESH distilled water, In the HH? Dump water daily... Maybe you need to find a better source of distilled water. Jim
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"The art of medicine consists in amusing the patient while nature cures the disease." Voltaire

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codinqueen
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Re: S9 Chemical Smell...I call it the stinky feet smell

Post by codinqueen » Sat Oct 03, 2015 10:05 pm

Yes, on occasion my S9 auto machine's humidifier has run dry. It is a putrid odor very much akin to very stinky sweaty feet. What I do is clean the tank with white vinegar, water and Dawn dishwashing liquid, swish it around and then let it soak for a fee hours. Then rinse very thoroughly until all soap is gone. Refill with Distilled water, and if the stench is still there when you fire up your blower on the CPAP, get some aromatherapy oil from CPAP.com (I use the one called "Clear".) Put a drop on a wafer diffuser, that you can also buy from CPAP.com, and put the wafer in a stand you can purchase metal or cardboard ones from CPAP.com. Place the diffuser with the wafer behind your air intake vent located on the back of the machine. The aroma oil will cover most of the odor until the odor dissipates, & the bad odor will eventually become unnoticeable over a few days. The odor after cleaning the tank will be less strong, & will go away in a few more days, and it will stay away until the next time you let the water run dry in your humidifier tank. I don't PLAN to let my tank run dry, but it happens to me probably once every few months. It is a common problem, & others have also complained on this message board before about this phenomenon. Make it a habit to check your humidifier tank every night and put enough distilled water in it to last all night. As far as I know the stinky smell does not hurt my health.

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Mask: Swift™ FX For Her Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments: Clear by Pur-Sleep to keep nose open at night, Cozy Hose-Boss by Pur-Sleep
Pressure 6-10 cm

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digitalepiphany
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Re: S9 Chemical Smell...

Post by digitalepiphany » Sat Oct 03, 2015 11:08 pm

The tank didn't run dry prior to this smell. It just smells like that odor. Thanks for the tips though.

Also, turns out it was my machine after all. Not sure what was wrong with it exactly, but I had to get it replaced.

_________________
Mask: Amara Full Face CPAP Mask with Gel & Silicone Cushions
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments: It's a VPAP ST. IPAP:16 EPAP: 12

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chunkyfrog
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Re: S9 Chemical Smell...

Post by chunkyfrog » Sun Oct 04, 2015 11:04 am

Glad you got it all squared away. Thank you again for your service.
I forgot to fill my tank last night, and since it was clean--no smell to wake me up.
Now my nose and sinuses hate me.

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archangle
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Re: S9 Chemical Smell...

Post by archangle » Mon Oct 05, 2015 10:18 am

That's weird. Glad you got it fixed. However, a few comments for others who have similar problems.

If you turn the humidifier heat off, you can probably use the humidifier without the tank.

You can remove the silicone rubber flap from the top of the humidifier and clean it. I've dishwashed mine.

Wipe the inside of the humidifier itself, not just the tank.

Be sure to disassemble the tank to wash. Some people don't realize it opens.

You may be able to fit the end of your hose over the end of a water faucet. I changed the aerator on mine to get one that would fit the hose. I hook my hose up to the kitchen sink and run hot water through it. You can even leave the mask attached, but water may spray everywhere. Remove the headgear. Sometimes the stink from the tank can get into the hose. I find a good hot water rinse helps.

I recommend everyone get a spare water tank, hose, and mask. Often, your insurance will buy a new one every x months. Take advantage of this until you have a few spares. Dishwashable tanks are reasonably cheap online and are worth the extra cost, in my opinion. Unheated hoses are cheap online, including e-bay. Clean one set of parts and let them sit aside and dry out for a week or so while you use the other set.

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Mask: Swift™ FX Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments: Also SleepyHead, PRS1 Auto, Respironics Auto M series, Legacy Auto, and Legacy Plus
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