depressed immune system from chemo. Best cleaning for CPAP.

[rockroses]

I'm wanting to practice the best CPAP cleaning protocol because of immunosuppression do to chemotherapy. Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.

[Wulfman...]

I'm wanting to practice the best CPAP cleaning protocol because of immunosuppression do to chemotherapy. Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.

What machine and "accessories" are you talking about? In other words, please fill in your profile.

Keeping the intake filters clean (wash or replace) is the main thing.
It's important to use distilled water in your humidifier tank.

"Pathogens" can't live in or be carried out of the heated humidifier tank to you (they're larger than water vapor molecules), but whatever rinsing, cleaning regimen you come up with or feel comfortable with should be fine. I would NOT use cleaning solutions stronger than something like Dawn dishwashing liquid. Many people on the forum use that. Other than the filters, there's nothing INSIDE of the machine you can or should "clean".

The reality is, there are more possibilities OTHER THAN THE CPAP EQUIPMENT and for the times when you're not using it that can compromise your immune system.


Den

.

[chunkyfrog]

There is an ozone system marketed to individuals --which is fairly expensive,
considering it is NOT the same power as the ones used in medical facilities.
I would view it as little more than a costly placebo. (I'm not mentioning the name here)
Supporters of this device are welcome to ring in with laboratory proof that these things work,
as I am only aware of anecdotes, but any lab, college or hospital willing to stake their reputation . . .?

[Julie]

Room air is drawn into the machine through the filters, then sent out to you via hoses. That is it. Room air is full of who knows what depending on where the room is and its surroundings. I take it you don't necessarily wear screening masks on the street when you're out, or in stores, offices, etc... and you not only don't know what's ''out there' but have no control over any of it, and believe me its much, much worse than what ends up going into you through the machine. The only (or best) protection you can access would be through your meds, etc., and not worry about filtered room air at night. But I do feel for you as far as your situation goes and understand that it can seem very scary to deal with.

[chunkyfrog]

I'm thinking of getting some of these for my hubby, as he has sinus infections.
Note--this is the 5-pack, also available as single and 30-pack.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/Respir ... -pack.html

[archangle]

Beware of quackery. In theory, there isn't that much risk from poorly cleaned CPAP equipment as long as it's not shared by someone else.

Apart from good general cleaning of the CPAP, you can get Control III disinfectant from cpap.com or other places. It appears to be more science based than some of the other stuff. I don't use it myself.

One trick I use is to have multiple hoses, water tanks, and masks and swap them weekly. Letting the parts sit and dry for a week after a thorough cleaning gives me some comfort that the germs growth will be reduced. Tanks and hoses are relatively cheap online. Get a new mask when your insurance will pay and then start swapping it out.

[palerider]

I'm thinking of getting some of these for my hubby, as he has sinus infections.
Note--this is the 5-pack, also available as single and 30-pack.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/Respir ... -pack.html

myself and a friend use those, seems to help with our allergies too...

only, I get mine on ebay for about 2$ (ish) each.

[JDS74]

As far as cleaning masks, here is a link to manufacturer's guidance.

viewtopic/t98587/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=96 ... ng#p896627

For keeping contaminants out of your system, use both the grey filter and the fine white filter that fits your machine. Changing each week or two would be prudent but you should watch and see how dirty the white filter gets and set your own schedule.

Adding a second bacterial filter between the hose and mask will limit further contaminants from passing further.

Use only steam distilled water in the humidifier and for a final rinse after washing the components with mild soap. Water labeled "purified" isn't distilled and will encourage deposits in the humidifier tank that can harbor bacteria.

[archangle]

Adding a second bacterial filter between the hose and mask will limit further contaminants from passing further.

I think those "bacterial" filters are intended for single night use only. If you reuse it, you've got what essentially amounts to a wet sponge sitting around all day long, providing a nice home for germs to grow. Then they sit in the air stream, providing a good way to spread germs into the air stream.

[palerider]

Adding a second bacterial filter between the hose and mask will limit further contaminants from passing further.

I think those "bacterial" filters are intended for single night use only. If you reuse it, you've got what essentially amounts to a wet sponge sitting around all day long, providing a nice home for germs to grow. Then they sit in the air stream, providing a good way to spread germs into the air stream.

cpap.com seems to disagree with you:

Maintenance and Care

If the filter becomes very dirty or wet, machine performance can be affected. It is easy to see the condition of the filter through the clear acrylic globe. Replace when it becomes discolored. Heated humidifiers can cause water to collect in the filter chamber, thus clogging the filter and adversely affecting therapy. If wet, remove the filter from use and set out to dry. Dry time may vary.

directhomemedical.com:

Bacterial Viral filters last on average 4-6 weeks however your filters may last longer or shorter. In general BV filters should be changed whenever the filter material looks dirty.

[Cuda]

If I go too long without cleaning I can report it will make you sick. I have had this happen twice. Heavy lungs, sore throat etc. The first time it happened I took out the humidifier container and there was something growing in it! Looked like little white worms or something in the bottom! The second time was recently and no little white things but the bottom of the metal container was "slimy". Both times it made me ill.

Usually I am on top of this but every once in a while I forget my weekly cleaning which is the following:

1) Clean the humidifier tray. I purchased a spare so usually I have a clean one on hand and the wife throws the old one in the dishwasher, otherwise I use Dawn soap and manually clean it.
2) Clean the hose. I use Dawn in a glass of warm water and slosh that around the tube then repeat with a vinegar solution and rinse. Every few months I take out my gun cleaning kit and really clean the hose out manually. Its a heated hose and I cant afford replacements.
3) Using a half water and half vinegar I wipe down the chamber the humidifier goes in.
4) Replace intake filter
5) Wash mask and liner with soap and water
6) Wash mask liner with soap and water

This takes a while the first few times but after a while it only about 30 minutes or less to do it all and I try to do this once a week.

In my opinion things grow fast as I can smell the difference after I clean the system.

Yes, stuff can grow in the system and it does make you sick. In fact that is how I know I forgot a few weeks, I start getting sick and inspect the system and sure enough the bottom of the humidifier is "slimy"

[palerider]

If I go too long without cleaning I can report it will make you sick. I have had this happen twice. Heavy lungs, sore throat etc. The first time it happened I took out the humidifier container and there was something growing in it! Looked like little white worms or something in the bottom!

it's generally inadvisable to try and create new civilizations in your humidifier water... save that activity for the forgotten bowl of leftovers in the fridge.

are you not using distilled water in your humidifier, or are you just pumping particularly dirty air through that thing?

[Cuda]

I just let it go too long without cleaning it out I think. I use RO water so maybe that's the issue.

[palerider]

I just let it go too long without cleaning it out I think. I use RO water so maybe that's the issue.

hmm, that's usually pretty clean stuff

[archangle]

I just let it go too long without cleaning it out I think. I use RO water so maybe that's the issue.

hmm, that's usually pretty clean stuff

Reverse osmosis removes minerals, not necessarily solvents or other contaminants. It varies a lot based on the type of membrane and the design of the system. It's still probably a lot better than tap water, but it's not a magic "water only" filter.

Distillation gets rid of almost all of the minerals, and a varying amount of the solvents or other contaminants.