Cleaning and parts

[cputrdoc]

Here's my first post here. I've been told I'm a "veteran" since I was compliant with my CPAP machine (when I was diagnosed with ASL), but I was getting scores averaging AHI 10.0 so I went back in for a sleep study and they told me I needed a VPAP machine ("complex" sleep apnea, with centrals). 4 months later, I'm still just barely compliant. Seem to sleep longer without the machine (1-1.5 hours at a time vs. 30-40 minutes), but of course I wake up more tired without it.

...and that the ResMed Quattro FX mask I was getting along so well with probably would not be able to cut it at the higher pressures. ...and they turned out to be correct on that. Hmph...

Over the past several months I've been trying alternatives. I regularly wake up with the mask blowing raspberries around my nose or chin. I've tried tightening, I've tried loosening, I've tried several different masks, and each night it's "well that didn't work last night, let's go back to another mask and try making some adjustments." But that's not what this post is about.

My equipment provider is telling me the S9 filter should be replaced every two weeks. The mask cushion should be replaced monthly. The hose should be replaced every 3 months. The humidification chamber should be replaced every 6 months. Everything should be cleaned (hose, mask, humidification chamber, humidification reservoir, machine), interior and exterior with soap and water every day. CPAP.com has less aggressive recommendations, e.g. saying the cushion should be replaced every 3 months or so, but as for cleaning they sell expensive cleaning products and brushes to scrub every surface.

The equipment provider has told me that the reason I'm having trouble with raspberries is that I shouldn't be switching masks so often; I'm going back to masks that have cushions that are "too old" - those cushions are designed to be replaced monthly. Seems like they're no better when they're new, but I just bought a 3-pack of Mirage Quattro cushions just in case. No difference that I can tell.

The actual cleaning schedule for me has been more like a "clean when smelly or itchy" cycle, monthly or less often.

To me, it sounds like the cleaning and replacement schedule is not designed for comfort or effectiveness so much as it is to make that industry a lot of money! What has your experience been? If I were to set aside 30-45 minutes a day scrubbing every surface with the expensive brushes and chemicals would that really make a difference, or would I be throwing away my time and money? What schedule is everyone else following?

[Madalot]

You will probably get a lot of different opinions about cleaning. Some people are more stringent than me, some less.

I use a ventilator, non-invasively. I have a Muscular Dystrophy that has compromised my diaphragm muscles.

I wipe my mask/cushion daily with a baby wipe. Once a week, I soak the mask, cushion, hose & filters (washable filters) once a week in Johnson's Baby Shampoo (Lavender Scented) or Dawn Direct Foam. I rotate filters & hoses so they have a week to dry in between.

I replace my mask/cushions when I feel they aren't working as well, usually at the 4-6 month mark.

My humidifer is a stand-alone unit and it was just brought to my attention that the water chambers are DISPOSABLE, designed to be replaced every month. My DME just added water chambers to my quarterly supply order.

My husband has a regular PRS1 and we haven't been washing his chamber very often, if at all. We use distilled water, but I fear we probably should be watching it more closely.

As I said, you will get a wide range of answers & opinions on this. I find that my cleaning & replacement schedule works well for me.

[chunkyfrog]

I used to wash my Swift FX nasal cushions every morning,
until I discovered that baby wipes left them useful for about twice as long. Hmmm!
I wipe my Wisp cushion down every evening with an unscented baby wipe, then wipe my face with the same wipe.
I wash the cushions at the end of the month to get a bit of extra mileage; sometimes I boil them.
I clean the tank when I think about it. As long as my hose smells OK, I'm not getting it wet.
I am a tough old thing with good immunity. You do what works for your ambition level and tolerance for dirt.
Have you ever tried a mask liner?--it helps with the face farts--a lot!

[Not Fade]

cputrdoc: The actual cleaning schedule for me has been more like a "clean when smelly or itchy" cycle, monthly or less often.

That is pretty much what I have been doing for years. I did read on the forum (forget who said it) that one guy has his calendar alert him every five days to wash his mask cushions. I took up his suggestion and it seems to work well.

I do wash my face every night before going to bed and the mask cushions don't seem to get much body oil on them.

I rarely wash the mask shell because it doesn't touch my skin. I never wash the hose and use it for years before I replace it.

I am a tough old thing with good immunity. You do what works for your ambition level and tolerance for dirt.

I have read that a bit of dirt and germs throughout like makes for a stronger immunity than living in a sterile environment. Science or myth?

[chunkyfrog]

I think of most dirt as soil, rather than filth (like a gardener)
Soil is the growing medium/food supply for living things, not just the things that you plant,
but all the tiny things that work together to maintain health of the biome.
It is possible that we only understand a tiny bit about it,
so it makes sense not to kill things indiscriminately.

[Wulfman...]

What schedule is everyone else following?

It pretty much runs the gamut here.

If you go up to the "Advanced search" and search on the keyword "cleaning" and the Author "rested gal", the very first thread that comes up will be a post by her with the link to Links to Cleaning mask, hose, humidifier:
That should keep you busy with lots of reading. Actually, she has a "master link" (ALL LINKS by rested gal) in her profile that gives links to accumulated threads on many, many subjects and categories. It's a good source of information for many new and long-time users.......besides those threads that are "pinned" near the top of this forum in the "Announcements" section.

Personally, I'm a "minimalist".

Welcome to the forum.


Den

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[LSAT]

cputerdoc...I am using the same mask....My mask is now 17 months old and my cushions last me 4-12 months. Actually, I get a better seal after about 2 weeks on a new cushion. They seem too stiff when they are new. I rarely wash my cushions. I wipe them each night before bed with a baby wipe ( $3 at CVS Pharmacy). My hose is well over a year old. As long as they don't have holes or tear...they are fine. I rinse my hose every month or two. Resmed's instructions with the S9 are to replace the filter every 6 months...sooner if needed. I replace mine at 3 months and they still look very clean. I think your DME is more thinking about their $$$ than your health. The key to avoiding the "rasperries (or face farts) as they are known here is to clean your face to get rid of facial oils before putting on the mask. Also...be sure that the mask is not too big for you.

[cputrdoc]

What schedule is everyone else following?

If you go up to the "Advanced search" and search on the keyword "cleaning" and the Author "rested gal", the very first thread that comes up will be a post by her with the link to Links to Cleaning mask, hose, humidifier:
That should keep you busy with lots of reading. Actually, she has a "master link" (ALL LINKS by rested gal) in her profile that gives links to accumulated threads on many, many subjects and categories. It's a good source of information for many new and long-time users.......besides those threads that are "pinned" near the top of this forum in the "Announcements" section.

I'll look her up, thanks!!

cputrdoc...I am using the same mask....My mask is now 17 months old and my cushions last me 4-12 months. Actually, I get a better seal after about 2 weeks on a new cushion. They seem too stiff when they are new. I rarely wash my cushions. I wipe them each night before bed with a baby wipe ( $3 at CVS Pharmacy). My hose is well over a year old. As long as they don't have holes or tear...they are fine. I rinse my hose every month or two. Resmed's instructions with the S9 are to replace the filter every 6 months...sooner if needed. I replace mine at 3 months and they still look very clean. I think your DME is more thinking about their $$$ than your health. The key to avoiding the "rasperries (or face farts) as they are known here is to clean your face to get rid of facial oils before putting on the mask. Also...be sure that the mask is not too big for you.

I tried Costco baby wipes, and found they made the cushion/seal more itchy, so I've been using "CPAP wipes" ... maybe I should try CVS's. I must have more sensitive skin than most; I found that wiping or washing my face does help, but then the skin ends up so dry that the seal feels abrasive. CVS's "Gentle Skin Cleanser" (a generic of Cetaphil) seems like it does an okay job, but I've been nervous about using it with the silicon cushion/seal since I know they say some lotions damage the silicon.

Anyway, this is getting off-topic, but really I appreciate the feedback on cleaning and parts replacement, thanks! It does sound like Apria is being rather aggressive about replacements compared to what all of you are describing has worked for you.