Replacing Wisp Nasal Pillow - Different guidelines, etc

[CoastalSun]

How long should I expect the Respironics Wisp nasal cushion to last? And what should I expect to pay for a new one? Thanks.

[Stormynights]

I got one on Ebay for $14. and free shipping.

[oak]

Amazon has it for $5.00 plus $3.99 shipping http://www.amazon.com/Nasal-Replacement ... B00C5IOUI8

I have read some people change out twice per month, and others that keep their cushions for several months. As long as you arent getting leaks, you're good

[chunkyfrog]

Thank you, Oak. I just ordered 2, the shipping was $4.99.

[chunkyfrog]

You don't suppose these discount supplies are from liquidated DME's who lost the competitive bid?
-------When these parts are gone, will anyone carry them?
I am torn between freudenschade over greedy DME's closing and my
schadenfreude for their more greedy competitors capitalizing on their newly won monopoly.

[oak]

I think there will be the Walmarts' of DME's and that's it unless they branch out and sell other stuff to keep their profit margin going. There will be Apria, Lincare, and those who are quickly buying out smaller ones, like Care Club. Competetive bidding isn't going to help the consumer in my book.

[CoastalSun]

Thanks. I tried the Amazon link but it won't ship to my Canadian address.
Found EBay replacement mask ... won't accept my information.

But ...

Back to my original question "how LONG should I expect the nasal part to last?"

[oak]

everyone is different on how long they last. some people change every month and others go 6 months or more, from what I have read. I am two months in and just replaced my pillows for my Swift fx for her. If I went back to the Wisp, I would be asking for a replacement cushion if I started noticing leaks on sleepyhead.

[chunkyfrog]

I'm getting 4-6 weeks, but I have yet to try boiling.
Some of my Swift FX pillows were usable over 3 months, maybe because I boiled them.
I need to be more ambitious . . .

[chunkyfrog]

My cushions arrived today; not bad for a holiday weekend!
And they were in the original mfr's blister cards. nice!
Thanks again, Oak.

[Islandgal2009]

Well, I phoned my DME supplier this morning and was told that the nasal pillow for the Wisp mask 'should last a year.' ??? So I phoned the 1-800 here and was told 'three months' .... I then asked "how would I know that I needed a new nasal pillow?" It sure sounds like I need a new one but have to check with the DME .... not so easy getting supplies here in Canada.

[chunkyfrog]

The only way I could get that kind of life out of mine would be by not using it.
How does one get that kind of job? Apparently no intelligence required.

[Elle]

I wonder if they are sized differently in the US? Mine says "small" but the ones at Amazon and eBay say "small/medium".

[CoastalSun]

Hi - I edited the title but still on the same topic.
One local DME suggests replacement of cushion at 6 months.
Second local DME suggests replacement of cushion at ONE year!
I called the 1-800 CPAP.com # and was told '3 months' .... big difference between 3 months and 12 months! So I asked how would I know if I needed a new cushion and the answer fit with what I am finding .... slight air leaks even though mask is sitting 'right', having to tighten more and more, waking up to adjust mask - i.e. lift off of face and resettle, more odd leaks in Sleepyhead, more wake ups during the night. I am still a 'newbie' at 6 months so haven't replaced anything yet.

Off to my DME yesterday and came home with a new cushion but right away, I noticed the old one was stretched and larger than the new one and also had a yellow tinge. When it was new, I washed it with baby soap and hot water. For the past month or so, just hot water.

Cheers!

[chunkyfrog]

I wonder if a reusable mask liner would extend the life of your cushion?
As for replacement schedules; I would request a hard copy of the replacement schedule
for mask, headgear and cushions, because I believe that one or more of the representatives are
either confused about what part you want to replace, or simply making things up.