Pillow replacement

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
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zorki1c
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Pillow replacement

Post by zorki1c » Sat Jan 31, 2015 8:17 pm

Last year I switched to the Airfit P10 pillow mask and love it. For the several months seldom had an AHI above 1.0. About Christmas time I started getting some readings sometimes as high as 2.5. Certainly not something to really worry about but I couldn't figure out why.

I have a Medicare Advantage program that allows me to get two new pillows each month. I haven't been doing that because it didn't seem necessary. The pillows didn't seem to change physically so I kept using the same ones. When I started getting higher readings I decided the get new pillows. The new ones aren't a soft as the ones I was using, but my AHI immediately dropped down under 1.0 again. So I guess getting replacement pillows isn't just a gimmick to make the manufacturer more money. They do wear out.

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Pugsy
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Re: Pillow replacement

Post by Pugsy » Sat Jan 31, 2015 8:24 pm

They do get tired I think but I have always been able to get months of life out of any nasal pillow I have used.
I finally retired my first P10 nasal pillow last fall after 10 months of continuous use. I don't see my AHI changing much when it starts getting tired but I do see the leak graph getting worse and stays worse even if I do a special cleaning (which normally will restore a good bit of life in the pillow and that's how I end up using 1 per 10 months.)

How much life a person may get....I think it depends on the individual. A combination of facial oils accumulating along with whatever cleaning routine they have. I am pretty lax with my cleaning... unless I have cold or runny nose I wash maybe once a week or so. Some people can't get much life and others get months and even years (I have heard). There's no hard fast guideline and just something the individual has to sort out but most people can get way more life than 2 weeks.

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zorki1c
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Joined: Mon Jun 10, 2013 5:24 pm
Location: Intermountain West

Re: Pillow replacement

Post by zorki1c » Sat Jan 31, 2015 8:28 pm

I think you are right. A lot depends on the person. I still don't think 2 a month is necessary -- maybe replace every three months. I always like to have a reserve.

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Tatooed Lady
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Re: Pillow replacement

Post by Tatooed Lady » Sat Jan 31, 2015 8:36 pm

I've muddied the waters here by having multiple pillows. I need to figure out how many I have in rotation...but I use them til leaks increase, then rotate to the next one, and do a hot, soapy soak on the leaky one. It seems to work. I'm not sure if being left in my truck to freeze or bake on the weekends hurts much...can't help.

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