MASK LIFE

[Frankieboy]

I have been told that the life of a mask is about 3-6 months, but I have been using mine for more than a year and there seems to be no problem. If it is not leaking, are there any other signs of deterioration? (i.e., Does the silicon break down?) or can I continue using the mask until it starts to leak.

[purple]

The life expectancy of xPAP supplies is a fiction created by book keepers to mostly save insurance companies money. However some high end insurance companies, so has been posted on this forum, allow for monthly replacement of supplies allowing some to build a stockpile.

I believe a lot of folks have radically different experiences with how long things last based upon the circumstances of our climate, skin, type of mask, pressures, maybe even how we use it. I believe folks when they say they get much more than the allowed amount.

When they go to rant about waste, say in Medicare replacing masks, hoses every three months, head gear every six months. Well, In my experience, the head gear does not last six months, and not well for three months. Some masks, for me, are very difficult to deal with at the two plus months. So the rant is seems not confirmed by my experience.

[LSAT]

My Quattro is 18 months old. I have changed the cushion twice during that time. The mask and headgear are original. IMO, there is nothing to wear out on the mask itself...it's plastic. I am not familiar with pillow masks.

[Wulfman...]

Depends on what mask and how you take care of it.
I've been using the very same ResMed Ultra Mirage Full Face mask since I started in May of 2005. I'm on the second set of headgear and the second seal/cushion. I get about four years out of a set of headgear and I used the original seal for six years.
I have several in reserve (new in box) and one or two I occasionally use for backup, but my original has been the one I've used for the vast majority of those nearly nine years.


Den

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[Denial Dave]

15 months of use of my quattro mask. Cushion is replaced every 2-3 months. I'm on my 3rd set of headgear.

[Pugsy]

If it doesn't leak...don't worry about it. Just make sure you have at least a spare nasal pillow.
Sometimes when they go south...it happens pretty quickly.

Mask life varies a lot between type of mask and how a person takes care of it and/or facial oils.

[jencat824]

The life expectancy of xPAP supplies is a fiction created by book keepers to mostly save insurance companies money. However some high end insurance companies, so has been posted on this forum, allow for monthly replacement of supplies allowing some to build a stockpile.

I believe a lot of folks have radically different experiences with how long things last based upon the circumstances of our climate, skin, type of mask, pressures, maybe even how we use it. I believe folks when they say they get much more than the allowed amount.

When they go to rant about waste, say in Medicare replacing masks, hoses every three months, head gear every six months. Well, In my experience, the head gear does not last six months, and not well for three months. Some masks, for me, are very difficult to deal with at the two plus months. So the rant is seems not confirmed by my experience.

I am using the same headgear I got about a year ago. My hubby goes thru his headgear in about a month. I think usage differs depending on the individual. My pillows last me about 3 - 4 weeks, but my hubby uses his cushion several months (he is using the Quattro Air).

Your usage sounds great, but as Pugsy noted, always have a back up. Insurance should cover one, if you are using insurance. I have finally got my DME to stop sending so many hoses, but now I'm finding myself with too many headgear. Too bad DME's don't listen to their clients.

Jen

[Frankieboy]

THANKS FOR THE INFORMATION; I GUESS THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT 1) MASKS LAST A LOT LONGER THAN THE MANUFACTURER SAYS AND 2) MASK LIFE VARIES FROM PERSON TO PERSON. EITHER WAY, IT IS NICE TO KNOW THAT I DON'T HAVE TO REPLACE MY MASKS SEVERAL TIMES A YEAR! THANKS AGAIN.

[Wulfman...]

THANKS FOR THE INFORMATION; I GUESS THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT 1) MASKS LAST A LOT LONGER THAN THE MANUFACTURER SAYS AND 2) MASK LIFE VARIES FROM PERSON TO PERSON. EITHER WAY, IT IS NICE TO KNOW THAT I DON'T HAVE TO REPLACE MY MASKS SEVERAL TIMES A YEAR! THANKS AGAIN.

It's always a good idea to have some spares (masks, seals, headgear) for backup. I waited for over a year to get some backup masks and CPAPs. In hindsight, I probably should have gotten some sooner, but I wanted to see how things were going to work out with what I had started out with......which was actually pretty good.


Den

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