Replacement of "supplies"

InAsheville · Post by **InAsheville** » Mon Dec 17, 2012 10:58 am

I purchased my machine through Aeroflo Healthcare in Asheville NC. This company seems to try to get away with what they can, but that's a conversation for another time. But knowing how they operate is why I'm posing this question to you all. They emailed me recently after having my CPAP machine for only about 3 months and told me it's time to replace some of my supplies that I'm using. They said it was time to replace the following: MASK, MASK PILLOWS, TUBING, and DISPOSABLE FILTERS. I have a ResMed S9 Elite. It does have a disposable filter that I have been washing out myself every couple weeks. Do ANY of you actually replace any of this after only 3 months of use?? To me it seems to me to be just a ploy to squeeze more money out of me.

cosmo · Post by **cosmo** » Mon Dec 17, 2012 11:10 am

Depends on whos footing the bill. If your company is paying, then take it

InAsheville · Post by **InAsheville** » Mon Dec 17, 2012 11:11 am

haha...got ya... but unfortunately, I'm footing the bill. So, I'd assume this is a money maker for them.

xenablue · Post by **xenablue** » Mon Dec 17, 2012 11:20 am

I have the same machine as you, and the filters are not the washable kind. I change mine every 2 weeks, despite the fact I'm a clean freak and have no pets, but do have allergies and find changing filters often really helps with this.

If you are footing the bill, then I suggest you check our hosts at https://www.cpap.com and compare prices - you don't need a script for filters, hoses or mask PARTS, but a whole mask or machine you do. You can also check on eBay for filters.

I have a script lodged with cpap.com for when I decide to buy a mask out of pocket, or one my DME doesn't supply. Their prices are very competitive and have some good sales and usually free shipping.

I would call the DME and cancel the auto supply of your replacements if you don't want them - they can't MAKE you take/pay for them.

That said - it's a good idea to have at least one back up set of everything, and mask cushions do need regular replacement, but the life of these depends on many things. Some people can only get a couple of weeks out of a nasal pillow, others can get months.

Cheers,
xena

InAsheville · Post by **InAsheville** » Mon Dec 17, 2012 11:40 am

Very interesting that you replace your filter every two weeks...maybe you use the hypo-allergenic filters? I've been using my machine for 3 months now. We only have a cat and live in a very clean house and I'm pretty OCD about being clean. Anyway, the synthetic material my filter is made out of (reminds me of HVAC filters) seems to be quite cleanable. I just soak it with my mask in soapy water, then vinegar water every couple of weeks. It's holding up fine and seems to get as clean as if it were new. I will admit I was 2 months into the use of my cpap machine before I ever looked at the filter to see if it needed cleaning and I could tell it was a tad gray from dust it was collecting, so I knew when I cleaned it, it in fact got clean.

WHY do people need to replace the pillows? I use the Swift FX and I can tell that after a few nights, if I don't clean them, the facial oils tend to cause leakage. But are pillows needing to be replaced because people are rough with them and they tear?

Pugsy · Post by **Pugsy** » Mon Dec 17, 2012 12:00 pm

Some of the S9 machines came with a washable filter. Mine did but I also use a hypoallerginic disposable filter.

Mask headgear typically won't need replacing for several months. Hard plastic or stiff silicone parts won't need replacing for several months (like the silicone part of my head gear which really will last a long time with common sense care)...the elastic stretchy part of any headgear may get a little tired and lose its elasticity but that might also vary depending on how much you stretch it and/or open and close any velcro.

Nasal pillows or mask cushions that are soft silicone and come in contact with the skin...they may get tired more quickly and need replacement. How often depends on your own skin oils, your cleaning schedule and use in general.
I get probably 4 to 6 months of use out of a nasal pillow.

Hoses or tubing (from machine to mask) don't need replacement every 3 months. With common sense care they can last years. Always good to have a spare handy though. If you are paying out of pocket...they are a whole lot cheaper online.
I got 2 white Performance hoses not long ago for $14 and that included shipping. They are not heated hoses though.
But you can usually find a heated hose cheaper online also. DME prices are hugely inflated and if you are paying totally out of pocket without insurance...anything they have you can find cheaper on line.

Filters...talking about disposable white fine filters...I replace mine every 2 to 4 weeks depending on how dirty they look.
I can buy 6 of these filters on line for about 2/3 of what my DME charges for 1 filter. 6 for 12 dollars vs 1 for 17 dollars through DME.

The washable filter..I just keep washing it. No time limit that I have ever seen but it is always good to have at least a spare handy.

So just use some common sense...always have a spare handy in case something breaks or gets torn.
The part of the mask that touches your face and accumulates skin oils will wear out the quickest. Headgear can break but doesn't wear out quickly.

WHY do people need to replace the pillows? I use the Swift FX and I can tell that after a few nights, if I don't clean them, the facial oils tend to cause leakage. But are pillows needing to be replaced because people are rough with them and they tear?

Eventually the silicone gets "tired" and will start to sort of collapse and not stay in position. Leaks will happen and it is sort of uncomfortable. I find mine sort of want to go farther up into the nostril for some reason.
Some people find that their nasal pillows get "tired" really fast...like every 2 weeks. It just happens. Don't know why.
But I think most people can get a longer life out of their nasal pillows than that. I get several months but I rotate mine.
Take one off and wash it and lay it out to dry...at same time put previously dried nasal pillow on...when the washed one dries it gets tossed into a little bag to be used the next time I wash the nasal pillow....I only wash once a week.

The Swift FX headgear...will last years with proper care. Same thing with the short hose assembly.
The elastic back head strap on the Swift FX...gets tired but you can buy those by themselves when they get tired or just plain too ugly. Besides...the mask package should contain a second one. My Swift FX packages have 2 back straps.

chunkyfrog · Post by **chunkyfrog** » Mon Dec 17, 2012 12:15 pm

If you are paying out of pocket, by all means comparison shop.
The filters are about $12 EACH locally here, but from cpap.com, I can get 6 for less than that!
Nasal pillows run about half what insurance will pay, and maybe a third of the DME's "pie in the sky" price.
Total blood suckers, they are! Gotta get your vampire shot!

Slartybartfast · Post by **Slartybartfast** » Mon Dec 17, 2012 12:23 pm

The DME, of course, wants you to maximize their profit by selling you stuff that you may or may not need.

I have the S9 Autoset. 2 years and counting and I'm on the original washable filter. Just rinse out in the sink using dish washing detergent and hot water and it's good to go. Nasal pillows mask is original, too. So, as they say, "Your mileage may vary." If you're paying out of pocket, like I am, make your own decisions. The parts are lots more durable than many people say they are. But if you notice, for instance, leaks developing in nasal pillows, then it's time to compare them with a new one. Always have one of everything on hand. Extra mask, hose, anything that could fail.

StuUnderPressure · Post by **StuUnderPressure** » Mon Dec 17, 2012 12:28 pm

Slartybartfast wrote:I have the S9 Autoset. 2 years and counting and I'm on the original washable filter.

Is the original washable filter you refer to the same filter that ResMed calls the "standard" filter (as oppossed to the Hypoallergenic filter)?

chunkyfrog · Post by **chunkyfrog** » Mon Dec 17, 2012 12:36 pm

But if you are on Medicare, you need to "forget" about a spare, if they ask.
The spare is for when THEY drop the ball, and you have to wait for some nitwit to recover a fumble.

Pugsy · Post by **Pugsy** » Mon Dec 17, 2012 12:36 pm

See if this helps clarify "standard" vs "hypoallerginic"
viewtopic.php?t=50807&f=1

The standard filter that came with my S9...is much more porous and washes and dries easily.

StuUnderPressure · Post by **StuUnderPressure** » Mon Dec 17, 2012 12:49 pm

Pugsy wrote:See if this helps clarify "standard" vs "hypoallerginic"
viewtopic.php?t=50807&f=1

The standard filter that came with my S9...is much more porous and washes and dries easily.

Yes, I had already seen that thread - but THANKS anyway.

I have used both the standard & Hypoallergenic filters in my S9 AutoSet since I acquired it in December 2011. Currently have a Hypo in it.

I believe that the Hypoallergenic filter does a much better job.
And the specs reflect that based on the size of the particle each one can capture.

ResMed does specify that the filter should never be washed - but then who really blindly follows what ResMed says?

Pugsy · Post by **Pugsy** » Mon Dec 17, 2012 12:55 pm

StuUnderPressure wrote:ResMed does specify that the filter should never be washed - but then who really blindly follows what ResMed says?

Not me. I never do what I am told...well almost never.

I wouldn't wash the fine hypoallerginic filter...it wouldn't dry well or hold up well I don't think.
I do wash the porous filter and reuse it. As long as it holds up to the washing I don't see the harm.
I also don't see the harm in using both...but don't want to tell someone else to do what I do in that situation. They say not to use both....but I do it anyway.
Though I did notice that with using both the bird calls on exhale on the S9 diminished significantly.

InAsheville · Post by **InAsheville** » Mon Dec 17, 2012 1:27 pm

Thank you all!

StuUnderPressure · Post by **StuUnderPressure** » Mon Dec 17, 2012 1:36 pm

Pugsy wrote:I also don't see the harm in using both...but don't want to tell someone else to do what I do in that situation. They say not to use both....but I do it anyway.
Though I did notice that with using both the bird calls on exhale on the S9 diminished significantly.

Sorry, I was not clear.

I don't use both at the same time.

I meant I have used 1 or the other during that period, so I do have experience with both filters.

To be honest, I had never thought of washing the standard filter.

But since I prefer the Hypoallergenic filter, I will just replace them when needed.

Between Medicare & my secondary insurance, I will pay $ 0.00 for them, so why not just replace them.

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