Can cheap filters cause problems with APAP?

[Mondayz]

My wife accidentally threw out my ResMed filters, and I have to wait until next month for the insurance to pay for new ones, so I just ordered a cheap pack from Amazon from an off-brand vendor. The filters DO fit, but they are clearly made of different fabric, etc. Since changing filters, I have noticed an increased in AHI per night. Am I finding a correlation that doesn't exist based on a small sample size, or is this a known thing? Anyone else have experience with generic filters? Should I never use them again, or are they mostly fine? Any thoughts on the matter are appreciated. I can post data logs later; I am at work currently.

[Pugsy]

I have used the cheapest generic filters that I can find and have never seen any real change in much of anything in terms of the data from the software reports.

It's normal for things to vary from night to night anyway. We don't sleep the same each night for one thing.
Just how much of a difference are you seeing and in what category of events is the increase?

[ChicagoGranny]

I have noticed an increased in AHI per night.

How much of an increase? People have posted here concerned about an increase to 1.5 from 1.0.

[babydinosnoreless]

I prefer the amazon filters to the cheap ones the dme sends me. I like they are individually packaged so they don't get dirty waiting for me to use them.

[Goofproof]

Yes, if they meet specs, that said, Lincare doesn't even use OEM replacements, I doubt if few do. The market place is flooded with knock offs. If it works correctly and does the job it's probably. Jim

[Okie bipap]

I use generic hypoallergenic filters. The DME I had always sent me the regular filters, and I ended up throwing them away. I caught them on sale at cpap.com about a year or so ago and stocked up on them. When these run out, I will look around for some more generic filters.

[LSAT]

Nothing wrong with cheap filters

[palerider]

My wife accidentally threw out my ResMed filters, and I have to wait until next month for the insurance to pay for new ones, so I just ordered a cheap pack from Amazon from an off-brand vendor. The filters DO fit, but they are clearly made of different fabric, etc. Since changing filters, I have noticed an increased in AHI per night. Am I finding a correlation that doesn't exist based on a small sample size, or is this a known thing? Anyone else have experience with generic filters? Should I never use them again, or are they mostly fine? Any thoughts on the matter are appreciated. I can post data logs later; I am at work currently.

I get all my filters from eBay and Amazon,

I can't see how it can make a difference, unless they are really really restricting, because all the pressure measurements that might affect ahi happen after the filter.

There are two very different original Resmed filters, anyway.

[Goofproof]

I use generic hypoallergenic filters. The DME I had always sent me the regular filters, and I ended up throwing them away. I caught them on sale at cpap.com about a year or so ago and stocked up on them. When these run out, I will look around for some more generic filters.

I also throw all my filters away, after I use them. Jim

[turbo]

Regardless, I always get the original filters from my DME. Not taking chances at amazon or ebay

[palerider]

Regardless, I always get the original filters from my DME. Not taking chances at amazon or ebay

Some people would rather get 24 for 10 bucks,

People like me.

[turbo]

Regardless, I always get the original filters from my DME. Not taking chances at amazon or ebay

Some people would rather get 24 for 10 bucks,

People like me.

And I totally respect that

[palerider]

Regardless, I always get the original filters from my DME. Not taking chances at amazon or ebay

Some people would rather get 24 for 10 bucks,

People like me.

[turbo]

Yup...please see above

[palerider]

Yup...please see above

Whatever the OPs problem is, it's not the filters.