Forgot to put filter in CPAP machine

Dream station(respionics) has two filters (the dark blue) and light blue disposables for allergies etc. We have been having all these fires in No. Cal and the air (is)was not that great. I have been sucking in 11cm pressure of this muck for 10 days until today when I have noticed the filter placement instructions and that the blue filters was missing. Symptoms upper respiratory problem, coughing, wheezing, runny nose etc.
Stupid?

It's all still new to you so don't beat up on yourself about it, just try to get in the habit of it all, maybe with a checklist for now. I'd personally maybe take an antihistamine (if 'non-drowsy' do it in the am so it won't affect sleep) for 1-2 days if it helps.

It's a learning process. Hope the 2nd filter helps. You might want to check the A/C or furnace filters in your house too. They may need replacing more often in the smoke. I use a Room size air purifier in my bedroom, and have the Best filters Home Depot sells in the furnace.
You might want to look at this;
Whirlpool Whisper Air purifier
Model AP45030K. I ordered it online and have used it for a few years already. It has 2 filters in it also and I love it.

I also wouldn't beat your self up about it. It's a new thing - lesson learned.

I've also been using air purifiers in my house for the last 3 months or so and find them to be really effective.

Coway AP-1512HH Mighty Air Purifier

I've been using the above model and find it's been working great for me. You can get replacement filters generically on Amazon as well for about half the cost of name brand and they're hepa regardless so they'll work great.

Good luck with the pollution and smoke hope things clear up for you soon!

Rest well

Gryphon

andrasnm wrote:Symptoms upper respiratory problem, coughing, wheezing, runny nose etc.
Stupid?

Not stupid unless forgetting is stupid no matter what.

I get those same symptoms if I forget to refill the water chamber and it goes dry and I end up not getting enough added humidity through the night.
I need lots of humidity....and when my nasal membranes get too dry...they let me know about it with those symptoms.
I don't forget very often to fill that water chamber every night. I don't like those symptoms.
Though usually when I do forget and I wake up sneezing...my first thought is "stupid dumb ass".

Crap happens...we forget stuff...it's the way life is for most of us. We aren't machines and we aren't perfect.
Don't beat yourself up over not being perfect.

andrasnm wrote:Dream station(respionics) has two filters (the dark blue) and light blue disposables for allergies etc. We have been having all these fires in No. Cal and the air (is)was not that great. I have been sucking in 11cm pressure of this muck for 10 days until today when I have noticed the filter placement instructions and that the blue filters was missing. Symptoms upper respiratory problem, coughing, wheezing, runny nose etc.
Stupid?

Not stupid, it's all part of the learning process. I live below the Lolo Peak Fire that burned western Montana in August and September, and even with new filters I had respiratory symptoms because the air quality *everywhere* sucked. I used my Neti pot nightly and once the fire was doused I changed my filters -- wouldn't believe how disgusting they got in just 3 weeks. Don't sweat it, now you know and will do better.

I may have hurt the machine more than it hurt you. This is the same dirty air you are breathing when you are not hooked to the machine. What I would worry about is whether the crud in the dirty air accumulated inside the machine. The filter is more for the CPAP than it is for your breathing.

LSAT wrote:I may have hurt the machine more than it hurt you. This is the same dirty air you are breathing when you are not hooked to the machine. What I would worry about is whether the crud in the dirty air accumulated inside the machine. The filter is more for the CPAP than it is for your breathing.

Ten days I wouldn't worry too much about permanent damage to the machine, especially since it's actually a secondary filter. If I left the *only* filter out of my S9 for that same period during fire season I might be annoyed with myself but I still wouldn't kick myself over it. I would recommend changing the disposable asap tho. I have a pic of the two filters in my machine, it was quite eye opening