AUTOPAP Machine Was Sitting In Damp Basement 4 Years. Safe?

4 years ago I was diagnosed via sleep study. I bought a Phillips Respironics REMstar A-Flex and after using it a month or two I gave up on it because it was just too annoying to use. Now 4 years latter I am feeling my apnea worsening. The unit I have was sitting in a damp wet basement the last 4 years. It may have even sat in a little bit of water (not sure). Do you folks think this is safe to use? I'm concerned about mold, mildew etc.
I would hate to have to buy a new one or even worse go get another sleep study.

Personally, I would dump it. No one's life is worth the risk to save a few cents a day. You can replace it with a much more up to date and fully data capable auto PAP machine for something like $500 - $600. Assuming a life expectancy of five years for the machine, that comes to less than 40 cents a day. In addition, could you ever be certain you found and destroyed every single mold spore? Would you voluntarily sleep on a moldy mattress? Not me. On the other hand, it's your life - do what you think is in your best interest.

the machine should be fine. there's really nothing in it to encourage the growth of mold or mildew.

replace the filter, clean the water tank, and run it for a while in open air... then with it off, give it a good sniff.

I agree with Palerider that it's probably fine if you give it a good cleaning, but still, if it was me, I'd get a new machine. Mold can settle anywhere and delivering right to your respiratory tract is not a great idea.

After you clean it all up, change the filters, etc., when you start it up, put a piece of white cloth or (toilet) paper against the output orifice to check for any black particles coming out. If you do this for some time, keep changing the paper to see if it improves or disappears (if any at all appears).
Does it have a humidifier with tank? If so, make sure it's clean and filled with distilled water. It should act like a "water bath" air filter before the air goes into the hose.

I wouldn't replace it unless it was a worst case, last resort situation.


Den

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I would fix it as said, normal required service and common sense. I'd also give thanks my moldy bones weren't laying besides it. You lucked out, played Russian Roulette, shell must have been wet.

Then I would use it, just in case the shell dried out. Jim