Safe to add extra air filter? Filter mod question.

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
SewTired
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Re: Safe to add extra air filter? Filter mod question.

Post by SewTired » Sat Apr 22, 2017 3:04 pm

Very likely there is some outside source causing more dirt in the air - construction, lots of wind picking up dust, farmers plowing. You'll just have to keep replacing the filters - nothing else to do short of getting a room air filter (I recommend Honeywell Hepa - they have them on Amazon). Most DMEs seem to supply the AG industries type filters, not the brand name. If that is the case, you can easily buy extras to round out your supply from either an online retailer, Amazon or Ebay. I'm speaking of the white filter, not the dark spongy one. You are better off with a thicker, hypoallergenic filter than 2 poor quality filters.

My sister used to go through a filter a week at this time of the year because of all the farmer's plowing their fields. Mine has to be replaced about every 2 to 2.5 weeks now because the road construction down the street has geared up again (another year of this!). During the winter, I can go a couple of months without replacing a filter.

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LSAT
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Re: Safe to add extra air filter? Filter mod question.

Post by LSAT » Sat Apr 22, 2017 3:15 pm

prodigyplace wrote:
Goofproof wrote:The filter will not be Dirty enough to change that often unless the air is dirty. If it's as bad as you say it's not healthy. Three or four weeks is normal time to change the filters.
Perhaps that is the case for your machine. Other are different.
I change my Resmed filter once a month but they recommend twice a month.
Actually.....Here is what Resmed recommends for the Airsense 10...From the Clinical Manual......

"Check the air filter and replace it at least every six months. Replace it more often if there are any
holes or blockages by dirt or dust. "

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CarpeNoctum
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Re: Safe to add extra air filter? Filter mod question.

Post by CarpeNoctum » Sat Apr 22, 2017 4:10 pm

axxell6307,
I inspect filters perhaps monthly and rinse the foam one. My paper filter lasts several months and I'm a rather unkempt bachelor.

You may be sensitized to some odor or another...but not necessarily dust in your tube. Our sense of smell is an odd thing and not always accurate.

You might consider using one of the scented aromatherapy thingies made for cpap. I use eucalyptus oil which has a nice crisp clean scent. Just a thought...
CN

axxell6307
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Re: Safe to add extra air filter? Filter mod question.

Post by axxell6307 » Sat Apr 22, 2017 4:57 pm

A lot of interesting stuff here.

I am positive the odor is my dirty filter and nothing else, as the smell is immediately gone upon paper filter change. I suppose I will rinse my foam filter more often to see if it helps prolong the paper filter from bothering my nose.

Thanks

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LSAT
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Re: Safe to add extra air filter? Filter mod question.

Post by LSAT » Sat Apr 22, 2017 5:05 pm

axxell6307 wrote:A lot of interesting stuff here.

I am positive the odor is my dirty filter and nothing else, as the smell is immediately gone upon paper filter change. I suppose I will rinse my foam filter more often to see if it helps prolong the paper filter from bothering my nose.

Thanks
This was previously said, but the dirt on your filter is coming from the air in your room. If you need to change frequently it may be that your furnace filter needs changing.

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CarpeNoctum
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Re: Safe to add extra air filter? Filter mod question.

Post by CarpeNoctum » Sat Apr 22, 2017 5:18 pm

LSAT wrote:
axxell6307 wrote:A lot of interesting stuff here.

I am positive the odor is my dirty filter and nothing else, as the smell is immediately gone upon paper filter change. I suppose I will rinse my foam filter more often to see if it helps prolong the paper filter from bothering my nose.

Thanks
This was previously said, but the dirt on your filter is coming from the air in your room. If you need to change frequently it may be that your furnace filter needs changing.
I agree with LSAT (unusual enough-lol) and might go one step further. You might consider putting a single room hepa filter in your bedroom to improve bedroom air quality.
CN

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Goofproof
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Re: Safe to add extra air filter? Filter mod question.

Post by Goofproof » Sat Apr 22, 2017 6:40 pm

LSAT wrote:
prodigyplace wrote:
Goofproof wrote:The filter will not be Dirty enough to change that often unless the air is dirty. If it's as bad as you say it's not healthy. Three or four weeks is normal time to change the filters.
Perhaps that is the case for your machine. Other are different.
I change my Resmed filter once a month but they recommend twice a month.
Actually.....Here is what Resmed recommends for the Airsense 10...From the Clinical Manual......

"Check the air filter and replace it at least every six months. Replace it more often if there are any
holes or blockages by dirt or dust. "
Filters filter better and better as they get dirty, taking out smaller and smaller particles. The problem comes when air flow to the device is affected, then replacement becomes critical. Jim

I worked on engines that had restriction gauges between the filters and the engines when they went red it was time to change them about $ 1,000 per truck, management paid no attention to the rules. They always knew more than the workers, after all 1 teaspoon of rock dust would gut a $100,000 V-16 engine. So we changed them at 250 hours, and reset the monitors that were stuck red. Dime foolish dollar poor!
Use data to optimize your xPAP treatment!

"The art of medicine consists in amusing the patient while nature cures the disease." Voltaire

jmblack6307
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Re: Safe to add extra air filter? Filter mod question.

Post by jmblack6307 » Sat Apr 22, 2017 9:14 pm

LSAT wrote:
axxell6307 wrote:A lot of interesting stuff here.

I am positive the odor is my dirty filter and nothing else, as the smell is immediately gone upon paper filter change. I suppose I will rinse my foam filter more often to see if it helps prolong the paper filter from bothering my nose.

Thanks
This was previously said, but the dirt on your filter is coming from the air in your room. If you need to change frequently it may be that your furnace filter needs changing.
No furnace here. NYC apartment.

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Julie
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Re: Safe to add extra air filter? Filter mod question.

Post by Julie » Sat Apr 22, 2017 9:24 pm

So what - unless you are the original poster - using another name in the last note - what difference does it make where YOU live?

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Julie
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Re: Safe to add extra air filter? Filter mod question.

Post by Julie » Sat Apr 22, 2017 9:27 pm

.
Last edited by Julie on Sun Apr 23, 2017 3:17 am, edited 1 time in total.

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chunkyfrog
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Re: Safe to add extra air filter? Filter mod question.

Post by chunkyfrog » Sat Apr 22, 2017 9:38 pm

To axxel: look carefully around and try to locate where the dirt smell is coming from.
If necessary, move the hamper to another room and prevent any pets from sleeping in the bedroom.
Commercial foods make dogs gassy--not a nice fragrance. Most of us have funky shoes and socks, too.

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jmblack6307
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Re: Safe to add extra air filter? Filter mod question.

Post by jmblack6307 » Sat Apr 22, 2017 9:39 pm

Julie wrote:So what - unless you are the original poster - using another name in the last note - what difference does it make where YOU live?
Sorry. Replied on my phone and it apparently has old username which I forgot I had. Just pointing out I don't have a furnace or rugs. I have woodfloor.

Soothest Sleep
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Re: Safe to add extra air filter? Filter mod question.

Post by Soothest Sleep » Sat Apr 22, 2017 11:15 pm

Axxell,

I use the same make of machine as you. Make sure you rinse the foam filter regularly by turning it upside down and letting water run through it to flush out debris. Do not wash the disposable filter at all; the owner's manual specifies this, as washing will destroy the paper covering. If it's dirty beyond your comfort level, replace it. You might need to rinse the foam filter and replace the disposable one more frequently than the manufacturer suggests because of your particular situation.

Do you leave your bedroom window open? If so, what outside pollutants may be entering through the window: pollens, vehicle exhaust (carries all kinds of crud!), restaurant fan exhaust, barbecue smoke, firepit smoke, cigarette/cigar/pipe/weed smoke? I change my disposable filter about every two months, but now that warmer weather has arrived and I can open my window to other than freezing air, I will expect to change it more frequently because I live with enough vehicle exhaust in my neighbourhood to warrant it--it creates a thin black film on the windowsill over a couple of weeks if the sill isn't wiped off.

Jean
O soft embalmer of the still midnight,
Shutting, with careful fingers and benign,
Our gloom-pleas'd eyes, embower'd from the light,
Enshaded in forgetfulness divine
-- John Keats