newbie question about a smoking roomie & my Bipap

[Karla1958]

Hi, I had a question up here before asking where I could get a cheap machine or be donated one. Well anyway, I went to http://www.wishuponahero.com and put my wish for a machine up there and I got one last week. I was blessed with a Respironics BiPAP autoSV and a heated humidifier.

My problem is that my roommate smokes! And the DME lady even told him that from now on he has to go outside to smoke, but he is not listening to anyone and he still smokes in the house. How can I prevent major damage to my new machine? He smokes at the other end of the apartment in his room, but the smoke comes down the hallway because the air conditioner intake is right next to my room. He was kind enough to buy me the extra white disposable filters for the machine, but I know that isn't enough. I have been waiting until he goes to sleep to turn on my machine, but some days he's up until 3 am working, and I just can't stay awake that late. Besides killing him or getting a new apartment (I can't afford to do either), does anyone have any ideas about how I can protect my machine. I can smell every time he lights up and I'm sure the machine can too. I'm ready to strangle him, but I can't because he pays most of the rent. Anyone have any inexpensive ideas? I already have a junky ionic air purifier that he bought trying to lessen the smell, but it doesn't help. And he has one of those ionic air purifiers and a room air filter for his room and in the air conditioner he has a charcoal/high density filter. I'm just about filtered out here unless I can put one over his head!!! (I'm peeved, can you tell?) I don't want him to wreck this wonderful machine (or my lungs either) but how does a person deal with someone like this? Any recommendations? He already told me that the more I bug him about quitting, the more he is going to smoke. It almost sounds like he wants to make this BiPAP auto SV break down, doesn't it? Help!

Karla

[Uncle_Bob]

Hi, I had a question up here before asking where I could get a cheap machine or be donated one. Well anyway, I went to http://www.wishuponahero.com and put my wish for a machine up there and I got one last week. A was blessed with a Respironics BiPAP autoSV and a heated humidifier.

My problem is that my roommate smokes! And the DME lady even told him that from now on he has to go outside to smoke, but he is not listening to anyone and he still smokes in the house. How can I prevent major damage to my new machine? He smokes at the other end of the apartment in his room, but the smoke comes down the hallway because the air conditioner intake is right next to my room. He was kind enough to buy me the extra white disposable filters for the machine, but I know that isn't enough. I have been waiting until he goes to sleep to turn on my machine, but some days he's up until 3 am working, and I just can't stay awake that late. Besides killing him or getting a new apartment (I can't afford to do either), does anyone have any ideas about how I can protect my machine. I can smell every time he lights up and I'm sure the machine can too. I'm ready to strangle him, but I can't because he pays most of the rent. Anyone have any inexpensive ideas? I already have a junky ionic air purifier that he bought trying to lessen the smell, but it doesn't help. And he has one of those ionic air purifiers and a room air filter for his room and in the air conditioner he has a charcoal/high density filter. I'm just about filtered out here unless I can put one over his head!!! (I'm peeved, can you tell?) I don't want him to wreck this wonderful machine (or my lungs either) but how does a person deal with someone like this? Any recommendations? He already told me that the more I bug him about quitting, the more he is going to smoke. It almost sounds like he wants to make this BiPAP auto SV break down, doesn't it? Help!

Karla

Karla

You need a prescription to use a CPAP machine. Do you have one?

[Karla1958]

Sure do! I'm wondering what that has to do with my question about smoking? I got my machine through Respironics and a local DME. All above board and legal. Really though, it's not like the machine is a narcotic or something. Why question my question? Who can afford these machines anyway? It's not like you buy a $6000 machine for fun and enjoyment! I don't understand why you asked if I had a prescription? I went through the sleep studies and prescription process only to find out that my Alabama Medicaid does not cover any CPAP machines for anyone over 21 years old. So I had to beg everywhere I could to get a machine and finally http://www.wishuponahero.com tracked down someone that could provide me with a machine at no charge. (Except I did have to buy the mask and filters-which now means I own someone else money now, but at least I have the machine now.)

[Uncle_Bob]

Sure do! I'm wondering what that has to do with my question about smoking? I got my machine through Respironics and a local DME. All above board and legal. Really though, it's not like the machine is a narcotic or something. Why question my question? Who can afford these machines anyway? It's not like you buy a $6000 machine for fun and enjoyment! I don't understand why you asked if I had a prescription? I went through the sleep studies and prescription process only to find out that my Alabama Medicaid does not cover any CPAP machines for anyone over 21 years old. So I had to beg everywhere I could to get a machine and finally http://www.wishuponahero.com tracked down someone that could provide me with a machine at no charge. (Except I did have to buy the mask and filters-which now means I own someone else money now, but at least I have the machine now.)

I just wanted to make sure you knew what you were doing and that you were not going to cause yourself any harm.
No its not a narcotic is it, but they are RX for a reason. If you goto cpap.com you will see CPAP machines in the $500 - $1000 range, not $6000. So they affordable for many people especially with insurance.

Your smoke issue, do you think that the smoke is coming through the door or the a/c duct in your room.
You could try getting a more expensive carbon a/c filter that are specifically designed for filtering smoke.
You could try shutting and taping around you door or purchasing some window/door insulation tape to seal it.

You could go further and purchase a few of those carbon a/c filter pads and use it to construct a box for your machine.
The filters come with a plastic grid and you put the carbon layer and regular filter layer over the top. The idea is you can replace either or the carbon and regular filter layer and not have to replace the who filter.
I was thinking you could cut the grid pieces to make an open ended box, use plastic cord ties to hold together, line the outside of the box with the carbon & regular filter layers and then attach a flap at the front for access. So you would run the machine in the box and it would be pulling in more filtered air.

Good luck with the treatment. If all goes well you will be more rested and less obnoxious in no time

[Karla1958]

I'm miserable because the darn mask made my nose real sore. And I don't have a big nose! I just can't get the darn mask adjusted right. I wear glasses and now that nose piece is sitting on a black and blue area of my nose. I've just got to figure out how to wear that mask without it hitting my nose so hard. I wonder if anyone else has this problem? It sure is a pain in the nose!

[Uncle_Bob]

I'm miserable because the darn mask made my nose real sore. And I don't have a big nose! I just can't get the darn mask adjusted right. I wear glasses and now that nose piece is sitting on a black and blue area of my nose. I've just got to figure out how to wear that mask without it hitting my nose so hard. I wonder if anyone else has this problem? It sure is a pain in the nose!

I don't choose a full face mask because when I tried them at the DME they just leaked and felt really uncomfortable.
But it sounds like you are overtighening your mask if you are black and blue.
You might want to spend some time awake with the mask and machine on during the day, maybe while watching TV? It helps to do that and make adjustments rather than leave it until bed time when you are really sleepy.
Do you know if you breath through your mouth at all? maybe you could try nasal pillow mask.

[cflame1]

Karla,
Try some moleskin... or a bandaid. Some have even been known to put a nose bridge pad (found on http://www.padacheeks.com) in that area.

[ww]

Hi Karla. Yes, we have all had the same problem. I use a small piece of moleskin (2cm x 3cm) on the bridge of my nose and it helps tremendously. You may also find that a piece of cloth or band aid may help temporarily. I can re-use the moleskin patch for nearly a week.

Unfortunately, Smoking and breathing problems are a more serious issue.

[ladyjay]

i think you should start thinking about moving into a healthier environment. it's a pain and some work, but it might be a lot easier than dealing with another person who doesn't care that his addiction is harming others. you only have control over your actions and choices. :-/

as far as mask comfort, i would loosen your headgear. i've found that sometimes my headgear feels too loose, but it's actually perfect and doesn't cause leaks or fall off. you really need to experiment. if that doesn't work, totally switch to a nasal pillow system. i use that and chose one for my first mask because it has the least contact with my sensitive skin.

good luck with your therapy!

[Karla1958]

I can't afford to move. I have $9 and change to my name until the first of the month! And I don't know of any place that I could rent that is $300 with everything included. It's miserable being dirt poor and on SSI (only $674 a month.) And now I even owe the roomie for paying for my mask so I wouldn't have to make payments to the DME to get my mask. I'm pretty much stuck here in this apartment until I die or marry a rich man. (And I don't know of anyone who would want such a pain in the ... as me!) So, the talk about moving someplace is out of the question. Any place I could afford would be far more dangerous than just cigarette smoke! In the part of town that I could afford, I'd probably be murdered within a week. And I'm pretty sure someone would steal my BiPAP machine right away. Where I live now is pretty secure and safe, except for the cigarette smoke! Hopefully my roomie will quit smoking on his own soon. He already had to have a stent put in his heart, at 35, because of his smoking. But it took his Dad two quadruple by-passes and three stent procedures and then an adverse reaction to Plavix (bleeding out) to get him to quit smoking. My Dad died of lung cancer in 2005 and my Mom is now in the hospital with COPD, emphysema, asthma, PAD and needing a quadruple bypass because she smokes. My roomie won't take a hint from anyone and I'm surrounded with people with bad effects from the cigs! I can't believe he won't quit for my health (and the donated machines health!) but he won't.

[ozij]

Karla, your roomie hasn't stopped for his own health, and will definitely not do it for yours. Don't make this an issue of how much he cares, how nice he is, because nobody likes their behavior criticized and controlled, and nobody responds well when they feel others are telling them how to live their life - people hate nagging.

There are cpap users and smokers on this forum, I hope they will chime in about how smoke has affected their machines, if at all. If you read the machine's instruction you will see they have nothing about "shoul not be used in a smoking environment". Personally, I can't tolerate smoking, and would never live where someone smoked - but I do wonder if your RT was not being over-zealous.

Since you can't afford to move, and your roomie was very kind in buying you extra filters, just concentrate on the present, getting the best you can out of your machine as long as it's working. Worrying about future machine breakdowns won't help.Maybe if you get the therapy working properly, you'll start feeling better. And then maybe you will have energy to look for and find another job (yes, I know the economy is dreadful) and another place to live in.

O.

[preemiern]

Karla--Would he be willing to smoke by an open window with a fan blowing out the window? and when you shut your bedroom door at night, tuck a towel down under the crack at the bottom of the door. It's not ideal, but it should help.
Cindy

[bdp522]

Karla, did your room mates smoking bother you before you got the machine? Apparently he smoked before you were told that you needed a machine. If you continue to pester him about the smoking he may move out(leaving you with all the rent to pay) or make you move out. It isn't his responsibility to make sure your air is as clean as you want it to be. Some things that might help, change filters frequently, air out your room daily, keep your door closed at all times, keep your equipment covered with a light cloth when not in use, look for a non smoking room mate.
By the way, I smoke and my machine is almost 3 years old and shows no signs of trouble with more than 6000 hours on it.

Brenda

[Debjax]

It isn't his responsibility to make sure your air is as clean as you want it to be. Some things that might help, change filters frequently, air out your room daily, keep your door closed at all times, keep your equipment covered with a light cloth when not in use, look for a non smoking room mate.
By the way, I smoke and my machine is almost 3 years old and shows no signs of trouble with more than 6000 hours on it.

Brenda

Well, actually.....it is a health hazard, not just a clean air issue...we banned smoking in our house about 15 years ago, (even though hubby and I were both heavy smokers then)....

You may try leaving your window open a bit to keep fresh air coming in.

[LinkC]

First, let me clarify that a prescription is needed to BUY a CPAP, not to use one. (Although it sounds like Karla has both bases covered.)

But more to the point: I don't see how the smoke will harm the machine at all (except to make it stink). Your lungs are a different story, of course.

We've discussed here before the way a CPAP machine tends to amplify any odors in the room, presumably because of the increased volume of air passing thru your nose. So you may smell the smoke, even from another room, more intensely.

And, I suspect your lungs are more at risk than a non-CPAP non-smoker's would be. But I can't imagine it's nearly as bad as if you were an actual smoker, CPAP or not. The smoke just isn't that concentrated.

Bottom line: Don't worry about the machine, but change the white filters often (for YOU, not the machine). And don't allow anyone to smoke in the same room while you are using CPAP (again, for YOUR health and comfort).