How to know when to change the mask and other accessories.

[jamesbond007]

I am 2 months into my CPAP therapy and so far very happy. The question I have is how would I know when to change the mask. The usual recommendation of 3 months seems wasteful. Any tips? Do I pay attention to leaks? Fit and comfort? How would I know?

[LSAT]

Most masks are plastic an will wear for years. The cushions may need replacing if they don't hold a seal. Some people replace every month and others make them last many months. Hoses last for years.

[zonker]

I am 2 months into my CPAP therapy and so far very happy. The question I have is how would I know when to change the mask. The usual recommendation of 3 months seems wasteful. Any tips? Do I pay attention to leaks? Fit and comfort? How would I know?

you'll find it's a very personal thing. some fanatically stick to a rigid schedule, others try to go as long as they can. me? i mom raised me to be very frugal with a dollar. it's just not in me to waste money replacing things every time i turn around.

i think a big part of keeping things lasting is to clean them. bare in mind that i don't mean vigorously scrubbing your mask! that will actually do more harm than good. it's best to use a NON scented baby wipe and give your mask a wipe every day.

oh! and i only think to clean (with dawn dish washing liquid) whenever i see a thread on here about how to clean masks!

with this method, i've made my mask last for two years now.

of course, it's a P10 so the only part of me it touches is the outside of my nose.

i think it will be time to replace it when i start getting leaks. so far, so good!

[Julie]

If you can save one landfill from overflowing with more plastic... just because a DME wants to collect.... and you really don't need a replacement...

[palerider]

I am 2 months into my CPAP therapy and so far very happy. The question I have is how would I know when to change the mask. The usual recommendation of 3 months seems wasteful. Any tips? Do I pay attention to leaks? Fit and comfort? How would I know?

See, the *schedule* is actually based on the insurance company saying "look, we're not going to pay for these things any more often than every 3 months"... the avaricious DMEs seized on that and decided to try and con everybody into throwing away perfectly good things as often as they could bilk more money out of the insurance companies.

Get a spare, and use it when something doesn't work as well.

I got a couple *years* out of my nasal pillows, I've got spares (oh, too many spares), but they just kept working. My hose is like four years old, it has no holes in it, why should I throw it out? etc.

[MrsRinPDX]

My machine operates at higher pressures, so I do replace my cushion every 30 days or so. I can tell when it is time, when the leaks get unmanageable. I haven't felt the need to replace the mask itself or the headgear yet, and its going on 10 months. Just normal cleaning and hot water when the headgear stretches out too much.

I did have a hose develop a leak after 7 months, however. Good advice (that I received here) is to have a one spare on hand for the hose and water chamber for those late night "emergencies".

[Sheriff Buford]

I replace my mask cushion when I can't manage the leaks. I replace my filter every two weeks. I keep using the same hose for 6 months or so.... As stated, you'll know when to replace.

Sheriff

[Muse-Inc]

Gosh, I was replacing my mask every year. Now, I just buy replacement parts when I start getting leaks I can't stop. I wash my mask typically nightly to get a good seal. I am using the hoses I got when I picked up my equipment back in 2007 -- they get washed after I get over a respiratory bug (I used to wash them every few months).

[palerider]

Gosh, I was replacing my mask every year. Now, I just buy replacement parts when I start getting leaks I can't stop. I wash my mask typically nightly to get a good seal. I am using the hoses I got when I picked up my equipment back in 2007 -- they get washed after I get over a respiratory bug (I used to wash them every few months).

I'm on my second hose since 2009, (well, third.. but I was using the first two at the same time, with a coupler... 6 feet wasn't long enough (not with a 6 foot wide bed).

After the end of one of the hoses lost it's grip and kept coming off, I got a 10 foot hose.. so, sort of, technically, 2 hoses in 9 years.