WHY HARD PLASTIC MASKS? DOES THIS THING REALLY WORK?

sleepinginseattle · Post by **sleepinginseattle** » Fri Feb 23, 2007 10:38 pm

bskrichardson3,

Everyone will experience a different start with CPAP therapy. I was very fortunate to not experience claustrophobia and was able to sleep comfortably from the start. I experience panic if I think that I'll have to sleep without my CPAP mask, the idea of wearing it is of great comfort. I hope you're able to feel this way too.

You'll find that mask selection will occupy a great deal of forum bandwidth and be a source of frustration or joy as you hone in on the best model for you.

Hard plastic! I'm confused. In the case of nasal and full face masks, if they weren't made of plastic how would they work? Rubber wouldn't provide the structural integrity needed to provide a firm attachment point for the hose and soft materials like rubber might collapse if you rolled on top of it. Claustrophobia would be a welcome fear compared to wakening to an obstructed hose.

But the mask isn't made of plastic where it touches your skin. Which brings me to my last thought. You said you developed a "horrid sinus infection" from a "disinfectant in the mask". There wouldn't have been any disinfectant in a brand new mask. At my sleep study I watched them open a new mask before and discard it in the trash afterwards. A horrible waste I thought but understandable. You wouldn't want to use a mask that someone else had worn for their study, would you? So, I'm wondering is it possible you're allergic to something else because it would be a sign of deplorable sleep center practice to issue used masks for titration.

Good luck!

blarg · Post by **blarg** » Sat Feb 24, 2007 12:05 am

sleepinginseattle wrote:At my sleep study I watched them open a new mask before and discard it in the trash afterwards.

It's really too bad they didn't let you just keep it.

sleepinginseattle · Post by **sleepinginseattle** » Sat Feb 24, 2007 12:40 am

blarg wrote:It's really too bad they didn't let you just keep it.

And deny the DME a mask sale? Not at my sleep center...but if it did find its way home in my bag I'm not telling.

birdshell · Post by **birdshell** » Sat Feb 24, 2007 1:45 pm

Actually, masks may be disinfected by the sleep center and re-used. ResMed suggests that the Swift may be disinfected up to 15 times, as I recall. Then the parts touching the user may be replaced, just as they are replaced in general use.

I believe disposable masks were recently introduced. The problem I see in using a disposable mask (with my very limited knowledge of the subject) is that there is not a chance to try a REAL mask to make sure that it works for you.

Granted, that isn't the ultimate test of a mask working for one of us. At least the analysis being done during titration in the lab will make sure (hopefully) that there is an adequate treatment effect being experienced by the new user with that specific mask. A disposable would not have this benefit, as far as I can see.

I may not know all of the advantages of the disposable masks, but do know that using a mask for several weeks is the best test of whether or not one will be happy with it. Efficacious results are the best recommendation, as well as any considerations of comfort.

Please add to this discussion if you know more about the disposable masks. I have not had experience with them, but do remember reading some time ago that they were to be in use.

Sleep well!

Karen

Click Here to See the Respironics Disposable Contour Deluxe Mask

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): resmed, swift

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): respironics, resmed, swift

sleepinginseattle · Post by **sleepinginseattle** » Sat Feb 24, 2007 2:47 pm

birdshell,

I stand corrected. I'm glad the sleep lab I attended offered a different procedure.

Re: disposable masks. In my opinion, all masks are disposable. The one I used during the titration study was a full-fledged ResMed mask. The center's policy to provide a new mask and dispose of it after each test is sound. The cost of the masks, to the hospital, was small compared to the other expenses. The savings from avoiding situations like that experienced by bskrichardson3, are substantial.

Cale

birdshell · Post by **birdshell** » Sat Feb 24, 2007 11:05 pm

Dear Cale,

I just had to write this reflection on the disposable mask idea. Thank you for your discussion of the topic.

It is interesting that your sleep lab discards brand-new, full fledged ResMed masks. That seems wasteful, if not irresponsible, in terms of environmental concerns. Those of us who recycle are trying to reduce, reuse and recycle as many items as possible. If nothing else, the mask SHOULD be given to the patient--or failing that, donated to the AWAKE foundation for those unable to afford equipment.

(Maybe the recent ResMed policy of charging Internet companies a premium is paying for those masks?)

Secondly, while I shouldn't wish that anyone experience a sinus infection, it isn't absolutely certain that the disinfectant caused bskrichardson3's infection. There are many ways to get an infection: it IS absolutely true in my experience that the irritation bskrichardson3 suffered can make it possible for an infection to develop.

That said, there are many people who have had problems with sensitivity to BRAND NEW masks. Whether this is due to a final disinfecting wash of the brand new mask at the factory, or manufacturing residue, or simply from a reaction to the material of which the mask is made cannot always be easily determined. Apparently, some folks have had success with carefully washing the mask or soaking it in a vinegar/water solution.

I doubt that there are substantial savings from avoiding the kind of reaction that bskrichardson3 experienced. This is because such a reaction is not at all common, and may or may not be caused by the disinfectant, as I point out above.

Now, before one thinks to point out that there is a cost to EVEN ONE reaction, I should like to point out that I have several relatively unique conditions. The medical system is concerned with treatment of the vast majority, and the sleep lab is doubtless no exception. I have experienced such a tenet many times in my own medical treatment.

With the outrageous cost of medical treatment, the one-time use of a brand new 'full-fledged' mask is questionable. It is surprising that such a practice would be accepted, considering that many other medical devices and equipment are sterilized or disinfected and then reused.

However, with the number of liability lawsuits in this country, such a practice may certainly be deemed wise by the sleep labs. Still, the mask should be given to the 'patient' such as oxygen cannulas and tubing, the 'dishpan' basins, and the no-slip grip foot socks are given to hospital patients. (The world’s largest collection of such foot socks may now occupy a drawer, in my dresser, right next to the extra masks. )

You know, this seems a bit like Andy Rooney's commentaries. That is in absolutely no way my intent. It is simply that I felt my thoughts on this practice had to be expressed.

Thank you for reading.

Sleep well,
Karen

blarg · Post by **blarg** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 12:41 am

Someone's paying for those masks. It's either your insurance or you. If I saw them pitch it in the trash I'd dig it out myself.

birdshell · Post by **birdshell** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 12:27 pm

Blarg, I totally agree, with this addition:

I would dig for others that might be in the wastebasket, take them home, and disinfect them according to manufacturer's directions. I would then share them with others, or keep them for my own future use. Even if a truly disposable could be disinfected, it may be useful as a spare.

By taking them out of the wastebasket ourselves, I believe the sleep center personnel would be protected from any possibility of liability. Thus, everyone would seem to win.

I just love win-win transactions!

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 12:32 pm

It would be interesting to go "dumpster diving" in a DME's or sleep lab's location to see what they DO throw away.

Nah.....they probably just disinfect and resell them on Ebay and Yahoo.

Den

bskrichardson3 · Post by **bskrichardson3** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 8:40 am

Hello Everyone,

Thanks so much for your encouragements on my first post. Now, nearly 2-1/2 weeks into CPAP, I am actually beginning to get used to things and had a good nap yesterday afternon and a really good sleep last night, although I do pull the mask off at least twice a night. The headgear is just too much sometimes -- by the time I get things tightened enough to stop leaks the tension is too much on my face! I am keeping on keeping on.....

Thanks!

Benda

birdshell · Post by **birdshell** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 5:34 pm

Please post your machine and mask in the Profile section--maybe someone using the same mask will have some tips for you!

Even if you have told us what you have earlier in this thread, it is helpful to have it right there at the bottom of your posting.

Thank you,
Karen

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 7:24 pm

Spare me the psychoanalysis. I am quite happy without a shrink's help.