New machine & it smells !! How

[talyn777]

all of these suggestions are good if it is the mask or the lines, but I'm guessing the problem is the machine itself. My new Respironics BiPAP auto SV smelled like oil and plastic and hot electronics for days after I got it. I actually traded it out for a different machine that smelled that same way.


If you disconnect the humifier, does the air coming out from the machine smell bad?

My only suggestion is to run it for several hours by itself. Just let it blow and hopefully, the smell will back off. The suggested Pur-sleep oils might mask the smell and help too, but I dont know how you could get them immediately.

I put Vicks on my upper lip, in my mustache, to keep my sinuses open and that pretty much masks out the machine smell.

good luck,

Talyn

[DreamStalker]

all of these suggestions are good if it is the mask or the lines, but I'm guessing the problem is the machine itself. My new Respironics BiPAP auto SV smelled like oil and plastic and hot electronics for days after I got it. I actually traded it out for a different machine that smelled that same way.


If you disconnect the humifier, does the air coming out from the machine smell bad?

My only suggestion is to run it for several hours by itself. Just let it blow and hopefully, the smell will back off. The suggested Pur-sleep oils might mask the smell and help too, but I dont know how you could get them immediately.

I put Vicks on my upper lip, in my mustache, to keep my sinuses open and that pretty much masks out the machine smell.

good luck,

Talyn

You may get some flak over the use of Vicks. Vicks is a petroleum based product and from what I have read here can cause lipid pneumonia. Don know much more about it but others around here will certainly make it more clear to ‘ya.

[talyn777]

OK, that is GOOD to know. I have never heard of "lipid pneumonia", but now I have. I'm guessing there is something about the Pur-Sleep inhalents that prevents this problem? I guess they are mostly volatiles and probably very small amounts. This seems to be caused by the petrolatum.

I wonder if there is a threshold for Vicks usage? In other words, that it is OK for occasional periodic use, but not everyday. In any case, I will definitely look for some other solutions. Thanx for the info. I hate giving bad advice, but it's nice to know that there are others to catch my mistakes.

Have a great day,

Talyn

[Bookbear]

OK, here's a question: if Talyn is putting the Vicks on his upper lip/mustache, would he not be just inhaling the vapors, not the actual petroleum base the menthol, camphor, and eucalyptus are mixed in? I can see where lipid pneumonia might be a concern if one were putting it inside the nostril and snuffing it up into the nasal cavity (as I was instructed to do as a child lo, these many years ago ), but if it is confined outside the actual nostril, are we over-worrying? Or does the greasy petroleum base actually evaporate along with the menthol, camphor, and eucalyptus? Inquiring minds want to know.....

[sleepycarol]

I am with Bookbear on this one.

Detectives and social workers use it to deaden obnoxious smells so I don't think it is a worry unless you are actually putting inside the nostrils.

[SleepGuy]

OK, that is GOOD to know. I have never heard of "lipid pneumonia", but now I have. I'm guessing there is something about the Pur-Sleep inhalents that prevents this problem? I guess they are mostly volatiles and probably very small amounts. This seems to be caused by the petrolatum.

I wonder if there is a threshold for Vicks usage? In other words, that it is OK for occasional periodic use, but not everyday. In any case, I will definitely look for some other solutions. Thanx for the info. I hate giving bad advice, but it's nice to know that there are others to catch my mistakes.

Have a great day,

Talyn

Talyn, lipid pneumonia is caused by the buildup of lipids (fatty acids / oils) in the lungs--petrolatum and mineral oil are common culprits. While essential oils are called "oils" they are actually not lipids but, as you note, extremely small molecules that are 100% volatile. They are called "oils" because they are hydrophobic. I would do some research on lipid pnemonia if you want to use Vics products on your face / nose. Also, avoid contact with any equipment. Personally, I have experimented a bit with camphor (one of the ingredients in Vics) but find it to be very harsh.

The PurSleep products are 100% volatile essential oils that are diffused into the air as it is being drawn into the CPAP equipment. A very small amount goes a long way. A primary purpose of the product line is to cover up bad machine smells. All plastics emit volatiles (such as vinyl chloride--the shower curtain smell) and equipment manufacturers must provide volatile test data to FDA as part of getting approval for new equipment.

Washing and running new equipment also seems to help reduce the strength of the "new machine" smell.

[Mitzi]

I am with Bookbear on this one.

Detectives and social workers use it to deaden obnoxious smells so I don't think it is a worry unless you are actually putting inside the nostrils.

Wow I have never heard of this...I always have a plugged nose ever since a child...my mom used to put vicks on the inside of my nose and I have continued to do this...not anymore now...wow I will have to do some reading on this..thanks, Mitzi