do the hoses wear out?

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nobody
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do the hoses wear out?

Post by nobody » Thu Mar 12, 2009 5:31 am

Do the hoses eventually wear out and need to be replaced? Especially around the connectors? I'm not sure but I think mine might be leaking where it connects to the machine. Or something weird is going on that the machine is not putting out pressure like it should. I have it set on 10 at the bottom now and it feels like it's at 5.

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Wulfman
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Re: do the hoses wear out?

Post by Wulfman » Thu Mar 12, 2009 5:46 am

I'm still using the same one I started out with four years ago. It still fits (and looks) like "new".

You might want to go through all of the settings on your machine to make sure that "Split Night" isn't turned on or the Ramp isn't set too long or starting pressure too low.

Seems to me that if you were "leaking" (that much), you'd be able to hear it.
I suppose it's possible that something went whack-o inside the machine, but I'd want to check out the obvious things first.


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nobody
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Re: do the hoses wear out?

Post by nobody » Thu Mar 12, 2009 5:53 am

I've checked all that stuff and yeah it does sound like it's hissing more than usual around there. I dunno tho, my AHI last night was 0.4 and I feel ok. I just thought it was weird that I could barely breathe out against a pressure of 8.5 and now all of a sudden 10 is like nothing? It doesn't feel like it's blowing my throat open enough.

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Wulfman
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Re: do the hoses wear out?

Post by Wulfman » Thu Mar 12, 2009 6:09 am

You could try flipping the ends of the hose. If it's leaking, the leak will move to the other end. If you have it in CPAP mode, the machine has leak compensation and will keep up your set pressure (to a pretty high leak rate) and I would think any major leaking would show up in the report numbers somewhere.

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kopoloff
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Re: do the hoses wear out?

Post by kopoloff » Thu Mar 12, 2009 6:28 am

Make up a really soapy water mix. Just use your hands to dampen the end of the hose where you suspect it's leaking.

It will then become very obvious

Kopoloff

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kteague
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Re: do the hoses wear out?

Post by kteague » Thu Mar 12, 2009 9:53 am

I use a cpap with leak compensation, so i doubt my therapy was affected, but for months my leak rate was higher than it should have been. One night the stars must have aligned and when reaching for something down near the machine, I felt a faint wisp of air on my inner arm. Wasn't strong enough to feel om my hand when I had run it down the length of the hose before checking for leaks, Turns out the hose had a pinhole (my cats aren't declawed). Changed hoses and leak rate dropped from 33 to 26, which is recommended for my mask and pressure.

By the way, if you end up replacing your hose, they make great cord corrals. I got 3 out of one hose. Cut hose in lengths needed then slit up one side so it can be spread to slide in the cords.

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nosbig17
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Re: do the hoses wear out?

Post by nosbig17 » Thu Mar 12, 2009 3:39 pm

I've had hoses develop pinhole leaks after several years of use, (don't have a house-cat). I'd guess that it depends on the amount of flexing the hose is subjected to. My vote is, yes!

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sleeplessinaz
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Re: do the hoses wear out?

Post by sleeplessinaz » Thu Mar 12, 2009 5:14 pm

Hi--For sanitary reasons I don't think that you are supposed to use the same hose for years and years. They are really not that expensive to replace and if you have insurance --you can get a new one every 6 months I believe--or sooner. So don't try and "save" them for so long--you may do more harm that good. Get a Fleece hose cover to keep those cats from poking pin holes in there --I have 4 cats and since I have a fleece hose cover --not a problem. I disconnect the hose from the machine every morning though and hang it up to dry on the inside of the linen closet so they cannot access it. PAD A CHEEK sells these hose covers --they are so comfortable and make the hose very snuggly!! Good Luck,
Carrie

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6PtStar
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Re: do the hoses wear out?

Post by 6PtStar » Thu Mar 12, 2009 6:09 pm

I did use my first hose for around 2 years. I did buy a second one during this period and I swapped every day to let one dry better. My DME had a clause in the contract that they did not supply small items (filters, hoses, etc.) They would sell me one if ordered a mask at the same time. One of the clauses I have not seen mentioned here. According to Medicare and my insurance you are entitled to one every 3 months and they will pay for it. Used to be 1 per month, which was really to often, in my opinion. After changing DME's I get 1 every 3 months and whin I get two for the swap I change them (every 6 months). I did develop a leak during the end of the 2 year use at the mask. The connection on the NAII is a bit smaller than most masks.

Jerry

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Follow Up Call
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Re: do the hoses wear out?

Post by Follow Up Call » Thu Mar 12, 2009 6:16 pm

The spot where they wear-out the most is right at the rubber-tipped ends. Take a look at the ends from time to time. as already said, pets can put pin holes in the tubing, so be on the look-out for that.

Most insurances will pay for hose replacements every so often. Medicaid may not, but most other will.

john_dozer
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Re: do the hoses wear out?

Post by john_dozer » Thu Mar 12, 2009 6:19 pm

nobody wrote:... my AHI last night was 0.4 and I feel ok. I just thought it was weird that I could barely breathe out against a pressure of 8.5 and now all of a sudden 10 is like nothing? It doesn't feel like it's blowing my throat open enough.
I've seen others comment on this and it happened to me. One day, the pressure seems like cake to breath against. It could be that you just adjusted and strengthened against that pressure and the noise is just a coincidence.

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