How to Keep a Quattro "Young"- ??

[Trinity101]

Hi, everyone,
I am looking for what anyone who uses a Quattro might have in the way of suggestions to keep it functioning well. Per my DME, I get a new mask every 3 months- but they take the old one- guess I will never have an old one for a standby this way-unless I go out-of-pocket for one. However, my curent Quattro is just a tad over one month old, but feels very ancient to me. The area that seals to my face feels much less flexible and I have a harder time getting it to seal well. When I read about some people having used the same mask for months and even years, I can't understand how--this thing is ready for the trash heap already! I use the citrus wipes from cpap.com every day, and wash it once a week with baby wash- unscented- from aveeno, as I do my other equipment. Any help is appreciated,
RG- I DID try that banana treatment for my hose once,(after the spearmint gum failed) but other than that, no unconventional treatments...Thanks everyone,
~joan

"There is a diference between knowing the path, and walking the path." - Morpheus, the Matrix 1999

[JRI]

I also have the Quattro FF and would be interested in the answer.

I was given a large but my correct size is medium, per the resmed template, so I requested my DME to replace it. My understanding is the DME can get a refund for the mask if returned within a period after sale. In this case I see why he would take back the mask.

However, I don't get why the DME would take a mask you have had for the full period. You paid for it and you are paying for the new one, Doesn't that make it your property?

The only advice I could add to the longevity is to keepit out of direct sunlight.

[elg5cats]

Per my DME, I get a new mask every 3 months- but they take the old one.

I don't understand the DME requirement of returning the used mask. If your insurance has reimbursed the DME for the cost of the mask and you have paid your copayment, it's your mask not the DME's. Perhaps, they are hoping to help customers make the adjustment to a new mask by taking the old one believing they are being helpful by discarding the used mask. You may want to consider questioning this DME's practice and let them know you prefer to keep the mask you own for a back up of just because it's yours.

I bet they don't require the colostomy patients to return their used bags????

[OldLincoln]

If I were to guess I'd say they are returning the mask for credit to their distributor while charging insurance for the next one. Otherwise, your insurance bought it and it belongs to you, so I'd ask them about it. I suspect some here would appreciate a slightly used mask.

[carbonman]

I bet they don't require the colostomy patients to return their used bags????

....that is hinging on a scatological impropriety .....

....but funny!

[klockemy]

You say you only get a new mask every three months? How often do they replace cushins/pillows? My insurance (Aetna) replaces masks every three months and replaces pillow/cushions every month. Go back to the DME and get a new cushion for your mask.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... attro.html

[Portageegal]

I call mine and have them send it to me. This time I only had them send the cushion, next time I will get a mask and headgear.

[elg5cats]

carbonmann

elg5cats: I bet they don't require the colostomy patients to return their used bags????

....that is hinging on a scatological impropriety .....

Carbonmann, are you suggesting I engaged in: Gross Depictions (graphic or text) of any kind which are crudely vulgar or grossly deficient in civility or behavior?

elg5cats

[carbonman]

Carbonmann, are you suggesting I engaged in: Gross Depictions (graphic or text) of any kind which are crudely vulgar or grossly deficient in civility or behavior?

elg5cats

That would be the one.

Very perceptive on your part.

[mdbarthe]

I have the Quattro and have used it for two years. I just did replace it in February. Although the cushion was completely frosted in appearance and it seemed pretty thin and limber, it still sealed well and I had minimal leaking. I wiped it down every morning with non-alcohol wipes (just as you do) and I cleaned it well with mild soap at the end of every month. I also used wipes to wipe down my face and remove the oils from my skin each night before I put the mask on. I did not realize my insurance would replace the mask every 6 months until I started reading about it on this forum. That's when I got a replacement Quattro.

I also think the DME is ripping you off if he or she requires you to surrender your previous mask. I did not have to do that.

[TWolf]

I've been using the same Quattro mask for about a year now. I replace the cushion about every one to three months. That's about when I start to notice some leaking problems. I have noticed lately that the straps seem to be getting a little streched out so I'll either replace them or just get a whole new mask since I'm overdue (insurance wise). I take the cushion off and wash it every night and I do the regular cleaning on the mask itself every couple of weeks. The only other things I've done was to put teflon tape on the elbow joint when I first got it.

TWolf

[elader]

I gave up cleaning mine.... I used to use mild soap every couple of days to clean the skirt, but don't see any deleterious effects from not cleaning it. I wash my face every night.

Aetna will give me a new one 'when I need it' completely up to me. However , the DME (Apria) are a bunch of idiots -I get responses like - once a year, never, etc. They are clueless. They don't carry the skirt for the mask separately, so they send me a new mask when I ask for one (once every three or four months) - I don't find the new seal softer. Actually I find the new one stiffer.

I cannot imagine they would ask for it back. WTF would they want if for?? Ask your insurance company if this is their requirement. If it's not, tell your DME to take a leap.

[Trinity101]

Hi,
Thanks for all of your responses. I have Aetna, but my DME is called First Class- (I know,do NOT choke to death on the name) so this is clearly THEIR rule of replacement, as a couple of you who also have Aetna, have already given differing replacement times. I did not even know that the thing could be taken apart and the cushion could be replaced! For the life of me,I cannot understand why the DME they use is way down in VA when I am in central MD, and I KNOW there are a LOT of DMEs around this area ( Baltimore-Washington corridor, anyone??) So,I think I will try calling my insurance and see what they say about(a) my buying my own things and being reimbursed,or (b) what other, CLOSER DMEs in THIS are I might be able to use- then I could actually GO THERE and try on some other masks if I want to try something new for a change-this present way, when I said I'd like to try a nasal mask, the guy brought ONE, and left it, but took my Quattro, saying he had to,for exchange- leaving me with nothing when the nasal mask worked abysmally, for 2 nights- because it is far enough away that they do not schedule any trips up here on certain days of the week- and the 3rd day,I had my new Quattro, but only b/c I raised hell on the phone and they expressed it up to Boston to the hotel I was going to be staying at-it got there before my train! The whole thing was ridiculous. I mean,they have my insurance info-so BILL me if I have an extra mask at my home,for god's sake!
Thanks again for ALL of your answers-they have all helped me in this situation in many ways- I will find out what I can,from here, and let you know what I find out. It'll be the summer blockbuster, I am sure...
Boogeying in my Quattro while Zion is still free...
~joan

[klockemy]

Do you think that's air you're breathing?

[TWolf]

Trinity,

You said you're in Central Maryland. If you are anywhere near Frederick contact BP Gamma at 800-624-4134 and ask for Angie. Tell her Bruce sent you

Seriously, I was friends with her before I ever heard of CPAP. When I first started on it she was with a company that wasn't very good but sh'e since gone to BP Gamma. They didn't have much in the way of CPAP at the time but they brought her in to build that side of the business and she says they've been very good about letting her build it the way she thinks it ought to be built - with a focus on customer service. If your insurance allows and if you want to, she'll set you up to mail you certain replacement parts (filters, face cushion, etc) on a regular basis depending on what your insurance will pay for and when.

Best of luck with this silly treatment. Let me know how it goes.

TWolf (aka, Bruce)