Newbie who is very prone to infections

[Mgsnorer]

Hi All,

I am a new CPAP user. I have been using it not quite 3 weeks, and so far I love it. I have apnea, but I also have a pulmonary fibrosis from radiation therapy along with myasthenia gravis (MG - a rare autoimmune disease that causes extreme muscle weakness). I am taking immune suppressants for the MG. I am on my 6th lung infection for this year, and I need to be very careful to not have any mold, bacteria or viruses growing in the CPAP, as they will slay me.

I would like the belt and suspenders, best practice methods of keeping the CPAP sanitized. Can I use a mild solution of bleach on the pillows, tubes or the humidifier tank? Is hydrogen peroxide an option? Would the fancy ozone cleaner be a possible daily sanitizer, in addition to regular soap and water cleaning?

Any advice would be welcome!

Thanks, Maureen

[Julie]

Hi - I have a question - did you bleach your bedding etc. prior to starting Cpap? I'd think the humidifier would likely be the first thing you'd want to be careful with, making sure you clean it every few days or so (and use only distilled water) to prevent any buildup at all of any fungal or bacterial trouble inside. But other than basic cleaning of the mask (don't use harsh stuff on it or it will fall apart more quickly than necessary - mild baby shampoo or a pure(r) soap are good, but detergent is not),

I wouldn't be that worried, taking into account your condition, because really all that's taking place is that room air is drawn in through the machine filter(s), and then pushed through a hose to help open your airway a bit, and nothing else goes in or out of the equipment that isn't already present in your 'world'. Which is why I question what you did prior to Cpap. Short of living in a bubble environment like SCID babies, you're interacting with the world anyway, and the relatively well sealed machine and hose, etc. don't add anything sinister.

What I would do is take zinc tablets every day to help boost your immunity, and work on things from that angle.

[mgaggie]

how to clean and what to clean your machine and equipment opinions vary widely here. I am one of those people that rarely cleans the tank and as for the hose I think I've rinsed out twice in four months. The mask I wash at least every two days.

I don't know about bleach, I personally wouldn't use it, hopefully someone else can help you with that. I understand your concerns with being immune suppressed, getting sick is not fun. Is mould growth a common problem around your house? If it is, then I would worry about your cpap equipment getting moldy. However if you live in an area that has low humidity and is fairly dry, it shouldn't be a concern. My climate is fairly close to California's (so I've been told) and I don't have a mold problem in my house and have never seen anything growing in my hose, tank or mask. the tank sometimes gets bits of fluff in it when I top it up and the mask gets dirty from the oils in my face but that's about it.

I hope I've made a bit of sense.... I've got a stupid chest cold and my brain is only running in first gear atm. Much more knowledgeable posters will come along soon.

[this-sucks]

ebay and online has no alcohol in then the alcohol will damage it

first if humidifier every mourn fill with pure vinegar it will stop slime buld up then rinse tin vin is gone only use distilled water in the humidifier and dont let the humidifier run dry and empty it can melt the bottom

if you dont want wipes or spray just use warm soapy water or a combo they have sprays tear down the machine very tiny spray intake and exhaust not to much

just scrub it down good the wipes and spray are the best

if your medicare toy get hoses if not soapy water the hose it out

they have a 3rd filter between mask and hose that makes sure its a zero count reaching you

use the white pollen filter behind the back change weekly or when you see a dark circle

hope that helps good luck

[Mgsnorer]

Hi - I have a question - did you bleach your bedding etc. prior to starting Cpap? I'd think the humidifier would likely be the first thing you'd want to be careful with, making sure you clean it every few days or so (and use only distilled water) to prevent any buildup at all of any fungal or bacterial trouble inside. But other than basic cleaning of the mask (don't use harsh stuff on it or it will fall apart more quickly than necessary - mild baby shampoo or a pure(r) soap are good, but detergent is not),

I wouldn't be that worried, taking into account your condition, because really all that's taking place is that room air is drawn in through the machine filter(s), and then pushed through a hose to help open your airway a bit, and nothing else goes in or out of the equipment that isn't already present in your 'world'. Which is why I question what you did prior to Cpap. Short of living in a bubble environment like SCID babies, you're interacting with the world anyway, and the relatively well sealed machine and hose, etc. don't add anything sinister.

What I would do is take zinc tablets every day to help boost your immunity, and work on things from that angle.



Ordinarily I would not worry at all, but I am in a different situation. Yes, we bleach the sheets, but they are dry, not moist like the inside of the tubes and the humidifier. Still looking for the best way to do daily sanitizing. Can I boil any of these bits?

[mgaggie]

Yes you can boil most mask parts. Silicone copes well with boiling. I believe there is also a sanitiser made specifically for cpap machines and equipment

[Mgsnorer]

Thank you, I will boil the parts, if it wears out faster, so be it.

[JamesAllen828]

You can also buy a In-Line Outlet bacteria filter like this one:

http://1800cpap.com/philips-respironics ... ter-1.aspx

We use them on Ventilators, Loaner CPAP machines, Suction Machines.

[Mgsnorer]

Thank you, I will check that out.

[mgaggie]

Thank you, I will boil the parts, if it wears out faster, so be it.

I forgot to add, that it's really a matter of choice with cleaning. You clean to a level that YOU are happy with.

Just be careful when boiling that nothing touches the surfaces of the pan as it might melt

[JamesAllen828]

Also you can: HUMIDIFIER CARE
Clean once weekly with warm soapy water and rinse thoroughly. To disinfect, place white vinegar/water solution (1 part vinegar 3-5 parts water) in clean humidifier. Soak for 30 minutes and rinse thoroughly, or place in top rack of dishwasher if applicable.

I also have some people that use the White vinegar/water solution to clan their masks.

[locust78]

Maureen, I've been using one of those SoClean sanitizers for a year & a half and very happy with it. My instances of sinus infection has really dropped since using it. The company that makes it is really responsive and helped me a lot with whatever questions I had. It might not hurt to give them a call.

[Mgsnorer]

Thank you everyone, I know this is crazy overkill for most people, and I really appreciate the help!

[acidragon]

My biggest thing is DRY your tank in the morning!! And make sure your mask and everything else is allowed to dry. The moisture is what causes the mold growth. I had it in my tank until I began drying out my tank in the morning rather than when I got home from work. So far I've stopped having sinus infections.