How often do you replace your mask?

[Chilehead]

I started CPAP about 6 months ago and have been using an Airfit p10 that I like, no problems. It's been 6 months and I haven't replaced it yet. Everything works fine, no leak, tight seal.

Is there any reason to replace the nasal pillow or mask if everything seems to work fine? I thought the recommended schedule for the mask was every 3 months and more often for the pillow (?), but since I'm on a high deductible plan my insurance won't pay anything till I hit it, and I don't suspect (or desire!) that I'll hit it this year.

[Sir NoddinOff]

Regarding cushions for my ResMed F10 ffm, I get about 3.5 months per cushion... maybe a year out of the exo-frame and headgear.

[palerider]

I started CPAP about 6 months ago and have been using an Airfit p10 that I like, no problems. It's been 6 months and I haven't replaced it yet. Everything works fine, no leak, tight seal.

Is there any reason to replace the nasal pillow or mask if everything seems to work fine? I thought the recommended schedule for the mask was every 3 months and more often for the pillow (?), but since I'm on a high deductible plan my insurance won't pay anything till I hit it, and I don't suspect (or desire!) that I'll hit it this year.

most of the replacement 'schedule' bs comes from the people trying to get you to buy more.

if it's working for you, keep using it. I've been on the same p10 cushion now for around a year and a half. it's not quite as pretty as a brand new one, but it still keeps me from having leaks.

the headgear on masks is what wears out the most for me, it loses it's stretch. when i started, I read about how often you're *supposed* to replace masks, cushions, headgear, hoses, tanks, filters. and how delicate the mirage quattro cushion was ... I wasn't getting stuff through a DME who was pushing crap down my throat, so I figured I'd better get a spare cushion, I went on ebay, bought a cushion. *FOUR YEARS LATER* that cushion was still in it's original baggy, because the old one was still working. in that time, however, I'd gone through three or four headgears, three elbow swivels (the first two were a fiddly design and broke, they changed the design on the third one and it lasted.... and finally the mask frame itself where the elbow snapped in.

moral of my story, replace shit when it doesn't work well anymore. there's *no* reason to buy a new water tank 'just because' unless you scrubbed the old one to bits. same for a mask frame, or the cushion, (I have no actual data on it, but just a feeling that people who vigorously clean their stuff every day like they're told to end up having to replace it a lot sooner... cuz they wear it out) I went six years and i'm on my second hose, mainly because I decided to get a longer one. yes, the ends did get soft and quit gripping the mask tightly, so I just wrapped some string tightly around the end, and then I couldn't pull the thing off if I tried I think I cleaned the first hose a couple times before deciding that was just too much work for something filtered air blew through all night. I've never cleaned my new hose in the two years I've had it.

filters, replace 'em when they don't look clean anymore. resmed's manuals says every six months or as needed... the dme says "every month!!"

etc.

[chunkyfrog]

It is nice to have a spare, because Murphy only visits on the weekend.

[richart]

My modus operandi has always been to order a replacement for each item the first time I am eligible for it. I keep it on hand and then don't order another until I use the first replacement I have on hand. That way I always have one on hand for an emergency, but am not just replacing things based on some arbitrary schedule.

[SewTired]

I started CPAP about 6 months ago and have been using an Airfit p10 that I like, no problems. It's been 6 months and I haven't replaced it yet. Everything works fine, no leak, tight seal.

Is there any reason to replace the nasal pillow or mask if everything seems to work fine? I thought the recommended schedule for the mask was every 3 months and more often for the pillow (?), but since I'm on a high deductible plan my insurance won't pay anything till I hit it, and I don't suspect (or desire!) that I'll hit it this year.

Have a backup, but otherwise, it's the pillows that typically need replacing, although with the P10, the headgear might need replacing before the year is out. Mine actually fits better now that it is slightly stretched out, so I think I'll easily get another 6 months from it.

[Goofproof]

When it breaks, and I no longer have parts to repair it. When I do RETIRE one, I strip it for parts. Plus I also keep new spares, for me and Murphy. Jim

[CaptainRaven40]

I have been using the same headgear for my P10 since August of last year. I am on my second cushion and only changed it because I was "supposed" to after 30 days. So I have it in a ziplock bag ready to be used once the cushion I have been using since I bagged that one up and it doesn't seem like it is going to be dying any time soon. But I do know that I do have to clean my pillows twice a month. That may just be because of my skin oils. I am not sure. But if I don't the seal isn't as good. So it is a quick wash about every two weeks and I am good to go. So I would suggest having one cushion on stand by ready to go because you never know when you may need it. I now have a Fisher and Paykel Simplus full face that I have been having to use because I haven't been able to breathe through my nose because of allergies this year. So I don't know what all will happen with that mask. Anyways. That's what I do.

[Mudrock63]

I have gotten three, actually four masks, since October. But it was more of an experimentation thing for me. The sleep clinic sent me home with nasal pillows. They just didn't do well for me. So when I actually picked up my machine for the first time, I asked for a full-face mask. That actually worked well for me and seems very durable. After the first three months, my insurance allowed a mask replacement, so I opted to try the nasal mask. That is working excellently for me. I still have the other two if I decide to experiment with pillows again, or get a cold and need to use a FFM for a couple of nights. The fourth mask was a different size of the nasal mask. The lady at the DME just stuffed it in my bag with the one I had purchased, at no charge. I ain't saying no to free shit.

[tmoody]

most of the replacement 'schedule' bs comes from the people trying to get you to buy more.

if it's working for you, keep using it.

This is the conclusion I also reached years ago. Each month the DME supplier would call to tell me I'm "eligible" for filters, hose, whatever. At first, I went ahead and ordered stuff, but I soon realized I didn't need most of it. The plastic nasal mask from showed no signs of wear; I wasn't having leakage problems. The gel things would eventually get worn out, but not nearly as fast as the DME thought I was "eligible." The hose...seriously?

Even the filters lasted longer than they'd say. I check them every so often and when they get loaded with dust I just flick them with my finger a few times to get the dust out. Eventually it gets embedded more deeply but regular flicking keeps them clean for several months. The straps do fail, but again not as often as the DME thinks.

I'll be switching to nose pillows soon, and I expect to take the same approach.

[dvejr]

Like others, I've rarely replaced any of the replaceable equipment. In my case, I might never again replace my mask. My favorite mask isn't manufactured anymore, and my stash of three of them has to last the rest of my life.

[Cannuck 1]

I find that parts of a mask can be changed out as needed and if travelling to Mexico and other distention's were there is air conditioning and high humidity(oceans) you should clean your hose and mask parts because I find you get a moldy smell that lingers in the hoses and change the filter on the machine also when you return home.
I have had used a Swift fx mask for over three yrs by just cleaning the nasal pillow.(P10 is my choose of mask for now)

[DaveE]

I used my first set of P-10 pillows for a little over a month...noticed some very slight leakage after a few weeks. When I discovered my insurance company would replace them every two weeks, I shifted to that schedule--which is what ResMed recommends. I figure I pay through the nose for my health insurance, so my insurance can pay for my nasal supplies!

[SewTired]

Chilihead, a lot depends on the specific mask that you have. Some wear out faster than others. My P10 was toast after 7 months while others have successfully used theirs for 2 years. I think it is due to the small holes in the diffuser. My brother's full face mask works fine for over 2 years so long as he periodically replaces cushions. I'm told the Circadian masks only work for 3-6 months - I only use mine as a backup however.

Medicare (and insurance companies) use the 6 month time so that if you NEED a mask, you can get one. There is no requirement to keep getting a mask every 6 months. It is not about hygiene (usually), it is about making money for the DMEs. I recommend having 2 backup masks over time, but more than that is just taking up space UNLESS you think you won't have insurance and then stock up as you feel you have space for. There are several members who only use their high deductible every few years and THEN get more masks and supplies until the end of that year to sock away for future.

There are some folks who will post that they've used the same mask for 10 years and ..... Good for them. They are saving money. For most of us though, the average life-span of a mask is, at most, 2 years of regular use.