AirFit p10 wear and tear

I've been rotating two P10 pillows and headgear since the end of February... wear one/wash one. Both are the same as when I started using them... still a little tight after many washes. I'm sure I'll be using them for many months.

I've been using the P10 since around March & on my 2nd set of pillows, original headgear holding up fine. The headgear has been real loose on me, even after trying washing & drying in the dryer in an effort to shrink it.

In spite of it being loose, I love this mask. I've learned how to adjust the top band to the largest part of my head in the beginning, but have since learned it doesn't matter if it's loose, it seals great anyway. I do use the 'pony tail method' which also helps with control.

Jen

Physician wrote:I did NOT like even one part of the AirFit P10: DME had only a fixed length strap and it was too tight and could not be loosened. Tethers excessively, leaks excessively, hurt both of my nostrils.

I'm not sure why you posted this here. This thread is not about whether people like the P10, but about how long one can expect their P10 pillows and headgear to last. Chiming in with a post about your hate-on for the P10 is completely unnecessary and irrelevant.

As people have repeatedly told you elsewhere, every person's face is different. Each person must find the mask that works for him or her, and cannot expect his experience to be the same as anyone else's. So you didn't like the P10 or it didn't work for you.* So what? That doesn't make it "not good" any more than strawberry ice-cream is "not good" because I prefer chocolate.

As you can see from this thread and the many positive reviews of the P10 here and elsewhere, the P10 works for many people. Does it work for everyone? Of course not! No mask does. Does that make it "not good?" Certainly not.

* That said, I have to wonder exactly how valid your trial of the P10 was. As I understand it, you were trialing many masks in the course of one afternoon. You did not wear the mask for even one whole night, much less for the several nights it often takes people's nares to adapt to nasal pillows on their first use. How long did you wear it for? Did you try adjusting the position of the straps to loosen them (spread them apart and it significantly reduces tension)? Did you try stretching the strap gently to loosen it? Did you try different sizes of the pillows to control leaks?

The Latinist, I like your response. What convinced me that I should buy this mask over others was that 75% of reviews on our host site were highly positive. Very unusual to see that many people happy with a mask! I did not order spare straps or pillows until I see what size I need. I also expect I'll get some indication of how long the pillows will last before I actually have to replace them.

What did the pillows look/act like when you replaced them? Mine look pristine right now.

woodworkerjunkie - I agree, it seems with all nasal pillows the largest pillow is the best at wedging open the bare and preventing leaks...

englandsf wrote:woodworkerjunkie - I agree, it seems with all nasal pillows the largest pillow is the best at wedging open the bare and preventing leaks...

That will depend entirely on the size and shape of your nares. For me, the medium pillow works much better and has far fewer leaks than the large. Other people on here have best fit with the x-small. As with masks, assuming that one's personal experience is universally applicable is unjustified.

I've been using the P10 for 2 months. Last week, I decided to switch to new pillows. I literally couldn't tell the difference between it and the set that I'd been using since day one.

On that note: Yesterday morning, I did my weekly cleaning (soak in soap water, using appropriate soap, scrub the vent mesh with a soft bristle brush and thorough rinse). Last night when I reconnected all of the dry components and turned on the CPAP, I got a lot of noise from the vent mesh. The sound was a bad as the Swift FX, when it would blow against the bed sheets. Has anyone else had this happen? Any suggestions to fix? This headgear was whisper quiet before last night.

bv1800 wrote:On that note: Yesterday morning, I did my weekly cleaning (soak in soap water, using appropriate soap, scrub the vent mesh with a soft bristle brush and thorough rinse). Last night when I reconnected all of the dry components and turned on the CPAP, I got a lot of noise from the vent mesh. The sound was a bad as the Swift FX, when it would blow against the bed sheets. Has anyone else had this happen? Any suggestions to fix? This headgear was whisper quiet before last night.

I would suspect some moisture still in the vent holes or perhaps the nasal pillow wasn't quite firmly attached.
In 6 months I have never had the noise level change or the venting change. Always been pretty much totally silent.

bv1800 wrote:On that note: Yesterday morning, I did my weekly cleaning (soak in soap water, using appropriate soap, scrub the vent mesh with a soft bristle brush and thorough rinse). Last night when I reconnected all of the dry components and turned on the CPAP, I got a lot of noise from the vent mesh.

In reading the booklet on the Airfit it said to "gently" scrub the vent. I hope you didn't over scrub it. Put it in front of a small fan... that should dry it out... and hopefully the noise will disappear.

Pugsy wrote: I would suspect some moisture still in the vent holes or perhaps the nasal pillow wasn't quite firmly attached.
In 6 months I have never had the noise level change or the venting change. Always been pretty much totally silent.

ems wrote: In reading the booklet on the Airfit it said to "gently" scrub the vent. I hope you didn't over scrub it. Put it in front of a small fan... that should dry it out... and hopefully the noise will disappear.

I don't believe that I did anything too aggressive (or at least no more so than any of the prior weekly washings. I'm hoping that the two of you are right. I've done a rewash and used a blow dryer (set to low) to dry the vent mesh. We'll see how it does tonight.
Thanks for the feedback.

MY Aloha pillow still seal, but when they start to leak or give any indication that they could use a replacement, I'm boiling them. Did it with my Swifts and i'll do it with my Aloha. You should get an extra month or so from that. Even if It doesn't work, it was well worth changing to this mask.