What RT told me when I got my CPA

Shutchis1951 · Post by **Shutchis1951** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 12:50 pm

When the RT brought me my cpap and told me how to take care of it she told me not to do the weekly vinegar water cleaning weekly and to just do the soap and water cleaning for the humidifier. I just discovered that there was a build up of a residue and black mold that I have no Idea how long has been there. I have been sneezing and coughing and having a runny nose for a while so I am guessing that it is coming from what was in the humiderfier. I already have lots of health problems and don't need anymore. I called my DME yesterday and they are sending me another water chamber and a new hose. I called them back today to tell them about what the RT told me and am waitting to speak to the superviser and also have a call into my primary care doc to see what he thinks about this adding to my health. The superviser won't be in till monday any suggestions as to what to say to him. I am so frustrated about this.

Sharon

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 1:03 pm

they brought you a USED humidifier chamber???????? Are you SERIOUS? If they did, you should bring legal action.

Shutchis1951 · Post by **Shutchis1951** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 2:07 pm

no it was new when I got it but over time it built up the mold even though I was cleaning it with soapy water.

Sharon

sleepycarol · Post by **sleepycarol** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 2:11 pm

Are you using tap water? What kind of water are you using if it isn't tap water?

Your humidifier should only have distilled water (not just any bottled water make sure it is distilled).

By using distilled water you shouldn't have to do any cleaning except an occassional rinse.

Shutchis1951 · Post by **Shutchis1951** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 2:21 pm

I have always used distilled water in it and the mold still formed in it.

goose · Post by **goose** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 5:34 pm

I use strictly distilled water and have never had a mold problem. I generally don't "clean" the humidifier tank just refill each day.
I do use a soap, water and vinegar solution to clean the mask and hose. The hose at least two three times a month and the mask at least once a week....

Have the black mold in other parts of the house -- constant fight as it doesn't seem like bleach will kill it. Haven't noted any health issues due to the problem, but I bleach it constantly.......

I would ensure that the RT is properly retrained in the process of keeping things clean. Vinegar is the best!!!! I also douse the mask and hose in Control III disinfectant once in a while as well....probably overkill, but worth the extra hassle...

cheers
goose

GumbyCT · Post by **GumbyCT** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 6:49 pm

Shutchis1951 wrote:no it was new when I got it but over time it built up the mold even though I was cleaning it with soapy water.
Sharon

How much time are you talking about here? Do you really think it is the RT's fault? I know I have gone quite a long time before cleaning mine.

But whose fault is it really? I don't care what the RT said - time for an O2 check?

SolutionFinder · Post by **SolutionFinder** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 1:18 am

I know exactly what you are talking about. I am having the same problem and I clean with vinegar. My CPAP's humidifier can not be opened up to clean inside. I was told to fill it with a solution of vinegar and water and shake it. I have done it religiously but over time it developed a thin slimy film inside of the humidifier. I too have been very sick for about 6 weeks now.

Desperate to find a way to reach the inside of the odd shaped humidifier, I bought a package of tiny beads and put them inside the humidifier with vinegar and shook it vigorously for about 20 minutes. (My spouse and I took turns shaking it.) It finally came clean.

I do feel that the company needs to come up with a different design so that it can be taken apart to clean. It would be soooo much easier.

Joffive · Post by **Joffive** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 7:49 am

SoultionFinder gave me a thought. When my kids were babies, I used to use uncooked rice and dish soap and shook it up to get the bottles clean. Worked like magic. I wonder if this would work for the chambers?

flylow · Post by **flylow** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 7:57 am

do you empty the tank every morning? In the six months I have been on cpap, my tank is pristine. I have never cleaned it either. I empty the tank and shake out the big droplets as best I can and leave it out of the machine. When I refill the tank just before strapping on, the tank is bone dry. Anything left wet will get moldy and slimy over time.

Treesap · Post by **Treesap** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 10:29 am

I've never seen mold in my humidifier. I don't clean it that often, but I do empty it EVERY DAY and start with fresh reverse osmosis water every night. My RT told me water should be emptied out daily because bacteria will grow in water.

Heck, I don't even drink a glass of water if it's been sitting on my bedside table from the night before.

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RAINSUX · Post by **RAINSUX** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 11:22 am

Sounds like the only thing you're doing that is different from most of us is the soap and water. I bet the water is not distilled and you've already said there is no way to take it apart and dry it, so how much soap residue stays in there?

I'd like to see you do one really good cleaning with the vinegar solution, followed by blowing air from the machine through it until it is dry. Then use distilled water, topping it off every night.

Like the rest, I use only distilled water, rarely clean the chamber, and it stays crystal clear. I do use tap water sometimes when traveling and I then clean the chamber as soon as I get home.

Sam

Shutchis1951 · Post by **Shutchis1951** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 11:28 am

I have talked to my DME about what the RT told me and he asured me that he would talk to all the RT's about the vinegar water cleaning. My book says to let it sit with the vinegar water mix for 10 minutes and I have been doing that since this happened as well as shaking it with that in it. The pulmanary doc put me on claritan and Ayr nasal spray and this combo is helping me. I since have found a baby bottle brush that Walmart sells with foam on the end and some wire in the handle lets me get into the water chamber and clean it since you can bend it to reach the sides and corners.

can anyone help me with what to do for a sore in my nose that I can't get healed. I am using my snapp nasal mask and using the Ayr gel on the sore but still have it.

6PtStar · Post by **6PtStar** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 11:54 am

Fill it with water and drop in a denture cleaning tablet let it foam and clean. They disinfect and will clean almost anything. Rinse with vinegar and water and wash with baby shampoo and water. Should get all the stuff out and leave it fresh smelling.

Jerry

xyz · Post by **xyz** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 1:06 pm

Buy/use a humidifier that can be taken apart for cleaning.
Use distilled water.
Empty every morning and let air dry.

Once a month:
Fill with a vinegar/water solution, shake, let sit for a while, empty. Rinse.

I then wash it in the dishwasher. Before I do, I run the dishwasher empty with vinegar in it to kill anything in the dishwasher. Two important points. 1. Do not use the "extra heat during wash" option or the "heated dry" option when washing the humidifier (hurts rubber seal). 2. Use a "green" dishwasher soap that does not have phosphates in it. Cascade has a huge amount of phosphates, which many people are allergic to (causes skin itch). Seventh Generation brand (one of many) says "non-toxic, no chlorine, no phosphates".

After the dish washer cycle, rinse humidifier thoroughly with hot running water in the sink to get rid of any dishwasher soap residue. Finally, put the humidifier back together, fill with distilled water, shake and empty (removes the tap water).

This is all easier than it sounds.

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): humidifier, seal

What RT told me when I got my CPA

What RT told me when I got my CPA

Growth in humidifier water