Phillips Respironics Nuance Pro Disintegrates

Phillips Respironics Nuance Pro Disintegrates

I have a Phillips Respironics Nuance Pro. I have had it for 4 months (since 4/24/14).

Last night the foam headband disintegrated. I left the gear on my night stand on Wednesday night (8/20/14), it was fine. When I picked it up on Thursday night the foam headband was all slimy. I have no idea what the problem is, but it cannot be cleaned. Fortunately, I had an old mask of another brand in my emergency supplies.

I talked to Lincare, my local supplier, and they can't or won't do anything because Medicare only allows replacement every 6 months. I talked to Phillips, and they say they can't do anything because the warranty is only 3 months. I filed a complaint; #305631687. They want me to go back to talk to Lincare.

I am totally dissatisfied with both Lincare and Phillips. It looks like the only way I can get some service is by raising hell on the Internet and reporting it to medicare as defective equipment. That's not how it should be if either Phillips or Lincare were reputable companies.

Jim Winer
Fort Myers, FL

I've always wondered about the foam on that strap.
It feels like memory foam--but I am at a loss as to exactly what it is.
Suffice it to say, I've had my doubts about durability.

Just curious...what was/is your usual cleaning regiment for the headgear? How often and what with?

Jim, I have noticed that the foam on my headband is peeling off in places, but it is not slimy. One idea is to purchase a children's white sock, cut the toe off and slide it in place. Another option is to contact Karen at Padacheek and see if she can sew up a cover for it.

Another idea is to simply scrub all the slim off. If your head is not cone shaped you should be able to adjust the head gear to stabilize on your head without needing the "sticky foam" provided on the head gear.

I happen to like this mask. To prevent being surprised by things like this I picked up some replacement parts from members here and on Ebay.

*makes note* "stick with my non-disintegrating resmed masks"

Slimy foam suggest chemical breakdown - have you used anything on your hair recently?

I might imagine a fresh perm, or a bleach.
Some cheaper hair care products have reps for bad reactions.

That's what I'm thinking - probably acidic.

My Nuance Pro gel pad from the right cheek fell off the frame after only a few months use. I had to buy a new frame. Thought about writing to the company, but since I bought it second-hand from another member, (who only used it a few hours) I couldn't bring myself to complain to them, because I couldn't prove purchase date. I cleaned the silicone gel & nasal cushion
parts with CVS sensitive skin baby wipes, just to remove facial oils. I am not sure if those are what caused the one side to fall off, but now I use NOTHING to clean the silicone cheek pads. The darn frame cost me $30 to replace, so I don't touch the cheek pads with my fingers now either. I didn't want the same thing to happen to my new mask frame. CVS babywipes for sensitive skin have no alcohol or aloe, and I have always used them for my Swift FX masks in the past. I never had any problems with the Swift Fx not liking the CVS wipes.

Anyway, the foamy headband piece is stretching out of shape now and allowing leaks throughout the night. Readjusting the size with straps gets a good seal is only for a few minutes, then it stretches out again. I am ready to go back to my Swift FX as soon as I get a new nasal pillow for it. The foam is not slimey but stretches out too much. This is not a very durable mask for its price when new. I got it in March, & I had expected it to last at least one year. I use only shampoo and keratin conditioner on my hair, and my hair is dry when I go to bed. I am trying to find out what else I can do to continue to use this mask since I have super high deductible health insurance. This sleep apnea is not a very inexpensive illness to have is it?

Jim,

Could the foam band have come into contact with anything that had been bleached or cleaned in chlorine bleach? The reason I'm asking is that the 'slime' exactly describes some pool goggles I had that were bleached. The rubber frame turned to a 'slime' that could not be cleaned & I had to throw out the whole mess. In my case 8 sets of goggles & not the cheap ones either. Apparently bleach can do some pretty vile stuff when mixed with rubber.

I've got a Nuance headgear & I think the foam headgear has rubber in it, not sure, but it has that kind of rubbery feel. Anyway, my point is that if it was in contact with bleach, or an item that had been bleached, maybe bed linens, this might explain the 'slime attack'.

Just a thought...
Jen