Lincare DME offered to sell me So Clean or other CPAP cleaning device

[babydinosnoreless]

Very weird to need a tank that often. I've only replace it when, like Pugsy, I've dropped it or once when my dog got to it. I'm in Arizona where its super dry and I don't run out of water overnight. That being said I'm not a super huge fan of humidity so its set pretty low.

[palerider]

I have had a different experience with the humidifier tank on the Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset for Her. The metal bottom of the tank usually deteriorates after a few months of use. I have to fill the tank at least twice per night of sleep.

I'm just curious what kind of heinous things you're doing to those poor humidifier tanks, they're made out of stainless steel.

Just using them for the purpose for which they are intended. Some have even developed rust spots. I wish Resmed would come up with sturdier humidifier tanks.

It takes a fair amount of talent to make stainless steel rust.

When you're the only one to have problems like this, it's a sign that you should think "maybe it's me".

[palerider]

I have had a different experience with the humidifier tank on the Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset for Her. The metal bottom of the tank usually deteriorates after a few months of use. I have to fill the tank at least twice per night of sleep.

I'm just curious what kind of heinous things you're doing to those poor humidifier tanks, they're made out of stainless steel.

Just using them for the purpose for which they are intended. Some have even developed rust spots. I wish Resmed would come up with sturdier humidifier tanks.

Maryland CPAPer2

I'm on my original humidifier, since March 2018. Very few people around here report having to replace them according to the insurance driven replacement schedule. For most, they use the same tank well beyond.

The normal reason that they need to be replaced is if they get dropped, and start leaking.

When asked about how you're maintaining it, responding with "Just using them for the purpose for which they are intended", says nothing.

Indeed.

[chunkyfrog]

Maybe she was sold knockoff tanks.
"Stainless steel" from "certain countries" will indeed rust in the presense of acidic water.
If there are universal standards, violations are common.

[palerider]

Maybe she was sold knockoff tanks.
"Stainless steel" from "certain countries" will indeed rust in the presense of acidic water.
If there are universal standards, violations are common.

I haven't ever heard *credible* reports of any kind of "knock off" cpap supplies outside of generic hoses, and filters.

Not saying that such a thing might not exist, but just that I've never heard of any.

[Pugsy]

Maybe she was sold knockoff tanks.
"Stainless steel" from "certain countries" will indeed rust in the presense of acidic water.
If there are universal standards, violations are common.

I haven't ever heard *credible* reports of any kind of "knock off" cpap supplies outside of generic hoses, and filters.

Not saying that such a thing might not exist, but just that I've never heard of any.

Neither have I. I just don't see it a profitable endeavor for people to go to the trouble to make cheap knock offs of specialized cpap equipment supplies. There are other things out there that are easier to make and make more money on.
These cheap knock off companies go where the most money to make is and a specialized water chamber that can be used with only one brand and one model cpap machine isn't where the money is at.

Now the cheap Chinese knock off for the P10....yeah, I can see that happening or even the cpap machine itself but the water chamber all by itself....I just don't see it nor have I ever heard of it. It's not where the money is.

[chunkyfrog]

Good point; but where the tanks are made--
there might be the temptation to source the metal with less oversight . . .
IOW, the OEM might not be top grade, at least some bad lots may have slipped through.

[palerider]

Good point; but where the tanks are made--
there might be the temptation to source the metal with less oversight . . .
IOW, the OEM might not be top grade, at least some bad lots may have slipped through.

Sure, but how are they all being shipped to the same person?

[zonker]

Good point; but where the tanks are made--
there might be the temptation to source the metal with less oversight . . .
IOW, the OEM might not be top grade, at least some bad lots may have slipped through.

Sure, but how are they all being shipped to the same person?

voodoo?

[MarylandCPAPer2]

I have to fill the tank at least twice per night of sleep.

Mouth leak?

I don't think I have ever seen her reports to evaluate for leaks...nor do I know what her ambient humidity is....or what her humidity setting might be or what pressure is being used.....but to use up all the water during a night does make one wonder why.
Even with my current setting of 6 for humidity I don't have to refill during the night. Now I do use up almost all the water but there's still water in the chamber even after 8 hours of use.

Something weird is going on for the AirSense machine to require more water during the night.

My, my, you all sure are interested in my crappy humidifier tanks.

The need for a refill every night before a full night of sleep is something I posted about when I first got this A10 machine five years ago. I posted my charts then, as I recall, and none of you came up with any reason for the need for a refill, based on my data. I recall that the advice was to complain about my A10 to the DME. The DME did nothing about it, so for five years, I have been having my sleep disturbed to have to get up and refill the tank at least once every night. I start with a full tank of water, to the maximum line on the A10 humidifier, and not a hair above, or else i will have rainout.

I have tried having a spare humidifier tank filled with water to swap out, instead of having to ruin my sleep and get out of bed to refill the humidifier tank, but that resulted in rainout because the tank that had been running for hours was warmer than the "new" tank of water.

There have been no water leaks, the humidifier tanks have not been dropped, the machine sits in the same spot without falling, and I clean everything regularly. I do not overdo the cleaning, by any means. I do not breathe with my mouth. I love my nasal pillows, which don't wear out fast for me.

It seems that I have had a problem A10, as to humidifier use, since I got this one 5 years ago. I do not recall having to refill the humidifier tank twice per night on the PR System One that I previously had. I am supposed to get my new A10 on Tuesday. I hope it will need less water and provide better humidification. I probably have it set to the highest humidification level, as I have preexisting problems with dry eyes, dry mouth, etc. and I have to drink water during the night and use moisturizing eye drops every night, sometimes more than once. It is not uncommon for me to sleep 12 or more hours using the CPAP as I am in a lot of pain most of the time, and longer sleep seems to help with pain and fatigue problems. I use an unheated hose and have a hose cover on the hose to keep cats from punching holes in the hose. which cats consider to be a nifty toy.

I think the humidifier tanks, as well as all the other supplies I get, are in ResMed packaging and come from the same DME (Lincare) as the A10 machine, so I doubt they are "knockoffs." Recent humidifier tanks have seemed to deteriorate less quickly, so maybe the OEM quality has improved.

I started using 2L of oxygen hooked into the hose about 2 weeks ago. I think the A10 humidifier water is now lasting longer. The oxygen concentrator has a humidifier and I now sometimes feel moisture and gurgling sounds in my nasal pillows, but not rainout. The more humidification I have, the happier I am. I do not think 2L of oxygen is sufficient for my needs, but I appreciate the extra humidification and the relaxing sound of the waterfall in my nose. I have been waking up with very, very dry mouth the last few mornings that is not satisfied by drinking water.

I hope this satisfies all your curiosity about my humidifier tank deterioration. I am hoping things go better with the new A10 I am getting on Tuesday. I have asked for a heated hose with an O2 connector when I get my new A10. I was told not to use a hose cover on the heated hose, and I never tried using a heated hose because I didn't want to risk a cat getting electrocuted by the heated hose. I currently am catless, sadly, so I will try the heated hose with the new machine until I get another cat. And, no, the cats did not drink water from the humidifier tank.

Now, if you want to discuss my problems with the elastic in the AirFit P10 nasal pillows mask wearing out fast and ruining my hair, that is the only other CPAP-related problem I can recall. Fortunately, the DME offers me replacements of various mask parts in time for me to construct new masks as needed. The mask elastic is hard on my hair and as my hair gets longer (due to lack of hairstylist visits due to COVID), the mask headgear leaves me with badly tangled hair, which is quite a problem. The DME offers headgear and various other parts at different intervals, rather than an entire mask at one time, which is ludicrous for the Airfit P10 mask.. I think the solution to my hair problems is to get my hair cut short. In the winter, I used a terry cloth cap under the mask to save my poor hair but haven't used it during the summer and my tangled hair is very problematic.

Otherwise, I'm used to my APAP's problems and my new pulmonologist says I have great sleep statistics and 100% compliance (based on printouts from my SD card). Sleepyhead software did delete itself from my computer at some time in the past five years and I have not reinstalled it or OSCAR. I save the data in the ResMed software and hope maybe it will be there for OSCAR when I get around to installing it, so I can see how things compare between the old and new A10s.

Maryland CPAPer2

[MarylandCPAPer2]

EDITED: I must be seeing things. This post responded to a post by Pugsy that has vanished.

Sorry for quoting you, Pugsy, I was finished with this topic a page ago and was astonished to see all the new posts and speculation over my humidifier tanks.

Five years ago (and until April 2020), I posted as Maryland CPAPer. No need for anyone to look up the old posts. If my new A10 has the same problem with the humidifier (needing filling 2x per sleep and /or the humidifier tank lasting longer (or shorter)), I may post here about it, for inforrmational purposes. I have gotten used to these problems. They ARE disrupting my sleep, making me sleep (and use the APAP) longer every night, but I am used to them. I am not too interested in a detailed analysis of why these problems occur. It would be great if they stop when I get the new A10 next week.

I am more interested in whether people on CPAP who have breathing problems after using CPAP would benefit from oxygen. I am getting better sleep with the added oxygen with APAP, although 2L of oxygen does not seem like it is doing much for me. In the hospital, I think they started me on 4L of oxygen hooked to my A10. I got to sleep really fast and felt rested after 4 hours of use. Of course that was a one-night experience and I was in bed in a hospital, not even having to get up to fix my own meals. At home, pre-oxygen, it took hours for me to get to sleep. The last few nights, I have again been having trouble getting to sleep and waking up in even worse pain, leading me to wonder if the 2L oxygen level is too low.

Thanks for your help, Pugsy. Advice such as yours is what makes this board a great resource.

Maryland CPAPer 2

[palerider]

My, my, you all sure are interested in my crappy humidifier tanks.

Nah, we just don't believe you.

I hope this satisfies all your curiosity about my humidifier tank deterioration.

It doesn't address it at all, it rambles aimlessly around about unrelated subjects. You are good at that.

I was told not to use a hose cover on the heated hose,

Well, that's wrong TOO

and I never tried using a heated hose because I didn't want to risk a cat getting electrocuted by the heated hose.

Good idea, you read every day on this forum about little crispy wisps of smoke that used to be someone's beloved pet.

Now, if you want to discuss my problems with the elastic in the AirFit P10 nasal pillows mask wearing out fast and ruining my hair,

I'll bet we don't, but I could very well be wrong.

and my new pulmonologist says

well, they do have low "standards".

[Pugsy]

I removed my prior post. Upon reflection it wasn't where I wanted to go for several reasons.
They are my own and I get to do that.
I have my bad days and nights just like everyone else. .....big shock there huh?

Anyway.....Once MarylandCpaper2 gets her new machine and IF she still has problems with water consumption or rust or whatever.....please let's try to figure out what the problem is because what she is experiencing isn't a normal complaint.

So....with the new machine if there are still issues let's try to sort them out...how about that?

[MarylandCPAPer2]

My, my, you all sure are interested in my crappy humidifier tanks.

Nah, we just don't believe you.

Would you like me to mail you the old rusted, flaky, deterioriated humidifier tanks? No, I didn't think so, but they exist, whether you believe it or not.

Palerider, you have provided very helpful advice at times, which I appreciate. It's a shame you (and others) choose so often to post snarky, mean-spirited insults to those who have experiences different than you or who are new to CPAP. They reflect badly on those of you who post nastily, not on the people to who you direct your snark. These useless posts detract from the helpfulness of this board, especially to newbies who can't handle your insults, so just leave without getting the assistance they so greatly need.

And if you think I am off topic, this topic started out about So Clean voiding manufacturer's warranties. You all are speculating needlessly about my well used and deterioriating humidifier tanks.

Maryland CPAPer2

[Pugsy]

Well....I for one actually would like to try to sort out the rust issue. I am not doubting you one bit but I do know it is a very rare issue but that doesn't mean I don't believe you or wouldn't want to fix it because as someone who has experienced rare issues...that doesn't mean they don't happen but I would want to try to sort them out and prevent further issues. Never know who it might help in the future.

I used to think that people who developed leaks with the chamber must have damaged it in some way.....until it happened to me and then I became a believer. Now I know that 2 of my failed water chambers were my own dumb ass errors but the 3rd one.....no way in hell did I do anything to potentially harm it and when it failed it was less than 6 months old and I babied that chamber with kid gloves and it still leaked all over my night table and onto the floor. Heck, I didn't even breathe hard on that water chamber.

So I do know that crap happens. Is it a ResMed quality control problem???? Dunno but wouldn't be impossible.
Let's face it...if we look closely most of the components are like everything else...."made in China"....hell, look at the mask parts.
Assembled in the USA or wherever but from parts made in China.