New CPAP User questions on items replacement schedule

[sgcpapuser]

Hi All

I'm from Singapore, I was recently diagnosed with Severe Sleep Apnea. CPAP machine and supplies are super expensive here, hence, I'm trying to make all the CPAP related purchases online.

I've recently bought a Philips Respironics Auto CPAP and I've realised I missed out the purchase of other accessories that I will need frequent replacement. I looked at the manufacturer's recommendation for accessory replacement, and they seemed too frequent to me. For example, Philips recommends replacing the nasal pillow cushion every 2 weeks. This is like I will be needing to stock up crates of nasal pillows at home

May I ask here, what is a reasonable replacement schedule I should be expecting for CPAP usage? I'm trying to work out, say, within 1 year, how many and what items I will likely need to replace, so I can order then all in a single time from online retailers (to save on shipping)

thanks all for reading!

[palerider]

May I ask here, what is a reasonable replacement schedule I should be expecting for CPAP usage? I'm trying to work out, say, within 1 year, how many and what items I will likely need to replace, so I can order then all in a single time from online retailers (to save on shipping)

most "replacement schedules" are designed to maximize their profit.

I've been on cpap since '09, in that time, I've had *two* hoses (replaced mainly because I bought a longer one). I've had two masks, a mirage quattro and a p10 (for the last two years).

I got five years use out of the first mask cushion, I had a spare, because I'd read here about how fragile they were, how easily they tore, how often you have to replace them... but I didn't obsessively wash it, I'd wipe it down with alcohol hand sanitizer every night to remove facial oils, and wash the whole mask every week or three. I'd bought the spare, but I never had to open it because the original cushion never needed replacement. I did go through three or four headgears, and a couple other parts on the mask broke, but I just got replacement parts.

I switched to the P10 mask two years ago, I'm on my second set of headgear, but I'm still using the same pillow that I started with, again, I wipe it down the part that goes on my nose with hand sanitizer, just to remove oils, and wash it if it looks dirty. last week, I started wondering if maybe I was missing out on something by using such an old cushion, so I popped in a spare. there's no difference in my AHI or leaks between a brand new cushion and the two year old one... so I put the old one back on, I figure I'll keep using it till it needs replacement.

I've read many comments from people that bemoan having to replace things often because they wear, they fail, they quit working right... and these people are often fanatic cleaners, washing and scrubbing "those evil germs" away.... which just makes me think the main thing they're doing is wearing out their stuff.

if you want to use the hypoallergenic filters, then that's something you should stock up on. but you should be able to get that on ebay, with intl shipping without much added expense. the regular filter on the machine you got is washable and reusable.

get one or two of various things, so you have a spare, and then use it till it's not working well anymore. ignore the 'recommended replacement schedule' bullshit.

[Cardsfan]

Totally agree with Palerider. Get one spare of everything, and see how it goes. Filters may be a different story. I'd wait and see how long a filter lasts in your environment, then order replacements based on that.
I definitely do not replace items as often as the manufacturer recommends.

[SewTired]

I only partially agree with Palerider. His experience is HIS experience and his choice in hygiene. But I do agree with him on one point: The replacement schedules are based on when insurance will pay for it, not when most people reasonably need replacements. I agree that it is usually used to push product by the DME with the excuse about bacteria (if you are washing your stuff regularly, bacteria is a nonissue).

You only need 1 mask and 1 backup - so if you already have 2 masks, that's a year's supply. They last anywhere from 6 months to 2-3 years before either the mask or the headgear is giving trouble.

Pillows - I think 6-7 are a good year's supply for a first year. By then, you will know how quickly or slowly you go through pillows. Replace pillows when the leaks increase. Mine start leaking after a little over a month, but I get almost another month out of them by boiling them for 5 minutes. How long they last depends on fit, oils in your skin, pets (yeah, cat ran off with one of mine), etc. There are a very few people on these boards who have reported having to replace their pillows at one month - so I would simply assume that you are not one of these persons at this time.

Cushions - I don't use these. My bro replaces his about every 4 months or so (he has a beard, so that may reflect usage).

I personally feel that you should have a backup hose and humidifier bin. Hoses easily last 2-3 years so you only need one. If you get a leak, duct tape helps, but it's the ends that tend to crack which forces you to replace them. According to one of the manuals I read, current humidifier bins have an expected 2.5 year life span. You can develop a crack or a seal leak (check on the board first - lots of people have suggested fixes). But otherwise, get it and store it on a shelf.

I wash my pillows after 2 uses - Swish in Dawn Dishwashing detergent, soak for 10 minutes, swish again and then rinse. I wash mask and hose once a week. In the summer, the humidifier bin gets washed a couple of times a week. In the winter, when the windows are closed, its once a week or every other week.

[tlohse]

I replace my parts on a once a month basis or sometimes I let them go for a bit if they still look good yet.

[sgcpapuser]

Hi all

thanks for the feedback. I have already ordered an extra hose and mask. I din get an extra water tank as i figured I'm still able to continue the cpap even if the water tank breaks. I can temporarily removing the humidifier while waiting for a new water tank, so no urgent need to stock a spare water tank

I'm trying to see how far i can stretch a mask before stocking up on its parts. I'm currently testing the Nuance Pro.

After1 month of usage, the headgear already seems to be breaking apart (velco no longer as sticky, the strap on the back of the head is seperating into 2 layers).
That's a disappointment when Philips recommends a 6 months replacement time for the headgear (meaning their headgear should last close to 6 months?)

The problem is that, here in Singapore, we cannot claim any insurance CPAP parts or supplies, hence, everything is out of our own pockets.

[exiii]

After1 month of usage, the headgear already seems to be breaking apart (velco no longer as sticky, the strap on the back of the head is seperating into 2 layers).
That's a disappointment when Philips recommends a 6 months replacement time for the headgear (meaning their headgear should last close to 6 months?)

That was my experience with the Phillips Dreamwear. I think they design them to wear out quickly. Don't even think about washing it. I'd look into the ResMed P10. It holds up much better.

As for replacements, in the first year I've tried 3 different masks, and the first two didn't work so well. I initially took that to mean that they were wearing out on schedule, and got replacements as soon as my insurance plan let me; but they really just ended up being a bad choice of mask for my anatomy.

With that in mind, I wouldn't stock up on ANYTHING until you know that you will be happy with it long-term. Once you find what's right for you, then stock a couple of backups and replace as needed, for which time will vary, but generally should be much longer than the recommended period (except in the case of Phillips headgear ).

[Cardsfan]

You may want to trial use your machine without the humidifier. After a few nights trial, I realized I Needed added humidity to be comfortable.

[Uncle_Bob]

I'm trying to see how far i can stretch a mask before stocking up on its parts. I'm currently testing the Nuance Pro.

After1 month of usage, the headgear already seems to be breaking apart (velco no longer as sticky, the strap on the back of the head is seperating into 2 layers).
That's a disappointment when Philips recommends a 6 months replacement time for the headgear (meaning their headgear should last close to 6 months?)

Most of us in the US end up paying for are own supplies.
I've tried several nasal pillow masks and found that the pillow quality can vary, some pillows break down after just a couple of months (Resmed Swift LT pillow issue).
I have found that the Aloha nasal pillow mask is the most durable/comfortable for me. I can get 6 months or more from the headgear and and the pillows can last 4-6 months. And its very reasonably priced.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/devilb ... -mask.html

[chunkyfrog]

Velcro can get clogged up with fibers, but those fibers can be picked out.

[Uncle_Bob]

Velcro can get clogged up with fibers, but those fibers can be picked out.

Are you volunteering?

[chunkyfrog]

No, but a dental pick or tiny crochet hook will work.
Velcro can also be replaced.

[sgcpapuser]

You may want to trial use your machine without the humidifier. After a few nights trial, I realized I Needed added humidity to be comfortable.

My trial machine from the sleep clinic was one without a humidifier (different brand though). Dun think it's too big an issue for me.

[sgcpapuser]

Velcro can get clogged up with fibers, but those fibers can be picked out.

The velcro on the nuance pro sticks by trying to attach itself to a furry part of the mask. Over the span of several weeks, the furry part lost its furry-Ness. So in the end, it has problem sticking

[Pugsy]

If you like the nasal pillow type of mask you might look at the ResMed AirFit P10 nasal pillow mask.
The headgear will last a lot longer the the Nuance headgear and the venting on the P10 mask is much more diffused. I have to have my hand an inch from the vent holes to feel the vented air and it's pretty much silent. I mention this because I saw in another thread that you find the vented air annoying.

The Nuance is a nice mask but your complaints about the headgear falling apart so soon seems to be something that is mentioned fairly frequently about the mask.
I am coming on 12 months now of P10 headgear use and the nasal pillow is also about 12 months old.
Neither shows any signs of being near the end of its life.