Thinning silicone?

HollyL · Post by **HollyL** » Wed Feb 05, 2020 9:40 am

Hi everyone,

I'm a very recent user of CPAP (13 days in) and in that time, I've already had to go back to the hospital to replace a mask cushion that had torn, and my replacement is showing signs of damage now too. I have a Simplus full face mask and the silicone directly below where my bottom lip is has gone incredibly thin (this is where it tore on the first one) - I had a chest infection and terrible cough when I began treatment so assumed I had ripped it in my sleep by coughing. I have been incredibly careful to clean the mask gently with warm water and a mild soap, in fact I read that it may not be advisable to clean it every day, so I have just wiped it down the past couple of nights but it is getting very very thin.
I've got access to a drop-in clinic which is great but I can't attend until next week, just wondering if anyone has any advice?

Thanks

Holly

palerider · Post by **palerider** » Wed Feb 05, 2020 9:48 am

HollyL wrote: ↑
Wed Feb 05, 2020 9:40 am
Hi everyone,

I'm a very recent user of CPAP (13 days in) and in that time, I've already had to go back to the hospital to replace a mask cushion that had torn, and my replacement is showing signs of damage now too. I have a Simplus full face mask and the silicone directly below where my bottom lip is has gone incredibly thin (this is where it tore on the first one) - I had a chest infection and terrible cough when I began treatment so assumed I had ripped it in my sleep by coughing. I have been incredibly careful to clean the mask gently with warm water and a mild soap, in fact I read that it may not be advisable to clean it every day, so I have just wiped it down the past couple of nights but it is getting very very thin.
I've got access to a drop-in clinic which is great but I can't attend until next week, just wondering if anyone has any advice?

Thanks

Holly

What are you doing to it? mine lasted for *years*.

HollyL · Post by **HollyL** » Wed Feb 05, 2020 10:00 am

I wish I knew..! I am halfway through my 4 week trial so at the moment I can't access the data unless I go into the hospital.
I am assuming this isn't normal from your reaction! I wondered if it just thinned out at certain points on your face? Like I said - complete newbie so I really have no concept of what might be causing it.

palerider · Post by **palerider** » Wed Feb 05, 2020 10:12 am

HollyL wrote: ↑
Wed Feb 05, 2020 10:00 am
I wish I knew..! I am halfway through my 4 week trial so at the moment I can't access the data unless I go into the hospital.
I am assuming this isn't normal from your reaction! I wondered if it just thinned out at certain points on your face? Like I said - complete newbie so I really have no concept of what might be causing it.

All you have to do is pull the SD card and read it with Oscar.

But that won't tell you anything about the cushion.

Are you shaving before bed? perhaps it's being abraded by stubble? (Holly could be a man's name, before anybody hits me).

chunkyfrog · Post by **chunkyfrog** » Wed Feb 05, 2020 10:13 am

Has the NHS gone to using knock-off cushions to save money?
I have only used OEM silicone, which is far more durable.

HollyL · Post by **HollyL** » Wed Feb 05, 2020 10:23 am

palerider wrote: ↑
Wed Feb 05, 2020 10:12 am

Are you shaving before bed? perhaps it's being abraded by stubble? (Holly could be a man's name, before anybody hits me).

Hahaha that made me chuckle. I am a non-bearded lady and I have been extra careful to remove any make-up before bed. In fact the first week of use I was so poorly I didn't wear any anyway. I don't use any face creams or moisturiser at night. Strangely I woke up this morning with the bottom edge of the silicone actually in my mouth....! I have been known to grind my teeth in the past but my partner hasn't mentioned if he's heard me doing this.

HollyL · Post by **HollyL** » Wed Feb 05, 2020 10:28 am

chunkyfrog wrote: ↑
Wed Feb 05, 2020 10:13 am
Has the NHS gone to using knock-off cushions to save money?
I have only used OEM silicone, which is far more durable.

As far as I can see from googling, it's the same cushion as this one below. I am no expert in silicone though!

https://www.eu-pap.co.uk/fisher-and-pay ... gKlL_D_BwE

chunkyfrog · Post by **chunkyfrog** » Wed Feb 05, 2020 10:34 am

Another thing; when starting out, I tended to clumsiness and panic--
damaging several items in the process.
Destroyed a heated hose by grabbing it in the wrong location.

LSAT · Post by **LSAT** » Wed Feb 05, 2020 10:36 am

HollyL wrote: ↑
Wed Feb 05, 2020 9:40 am
Hi everyone,

I'm a very recent user of CPAP (13 days in) and in that time, I've already had to go back to the hospital to replace a mask cushion that had torn, and my replacement is showing signs of damage now too. I have a Simplus full face mask and the silicone directly below where my bottom lip is has gone incredibly thin (this is where it tore on the first one) - I had a chest infection and terrible cough when I began treatment so assumed I had ripped it in my sleep by coughing. I have been incredibly careful to clean the mask gently with warm water and a mild soap, in fact I read that it may not be advisable to clean it every day, so I have just wiped it down the past couple of nights but it is getting very very thin.
I've got access to a drop-in clinic which is great but I can't attend until next week, just wondering if anyone has any advice?

Thanks

Holly

That's amazing...I use the Simplus mask...My current cushion is 8 months old. I rarely wash it. I wipe it with baby wipes every night and wash it about 3 weeks. Recently I took my old Simplus cushion and boiled it. I had been reluctant to do it because of the acrylic plastic, but it came out great. I now can alternate between the cushions. Previously, when I used the Quattro mask, I boiled my cushion at about 4-5 months. They seemed to last forever. The Silicone does not get thin..it gets soft.

Pugsy · Post by **Pugsy** » Wed Feb 05, 2020 10:37 am

HollyL wrote: ↑
Wed Feb 05, 2020 10:23 am
I woke up this morning with the bottom edge of the silicone actually in my mouth.

The masks weren't meant to be chew toys and this may be a factor in your issues.
Most people don't complain of the thinning at all. In fact most people can get months and months even years out of the mask cushion with common sense care.

HollyL · Post by **HollyL** » Wed Feb 05, 2020 10:52 am

Pugsy wrote: ↑
Wed Feb 05, 2020 10:37 am

HollyL wrote: ↑
Wed Feb 05, 2020 10:23 am
I woke up this morning with the bottom edge of the silicone actually in my mouth.
The masks weren't meant to be chew toys and this may be a factor in your issues.
Most people don't complain of the thinning at all. In fact most people can get months and months even years out of the mask cushion with common sense care.

To be fair, it's only happened once.. but I guess I don't know if I'm doing this in my sleep. On a side note, I've found it very easy to adapt to and have noticed a huge improvement in my overall energy levels. My AHI was 97.7 so it's been a dream not falling asleep all day!

I will discuss the mask issue at the hospital, good to know it's definitely not normal. I can hand on heart say I have been very careful with how I have handled the equipment so it's certainly not something I am doing on purpose.

HollyL · Post by **HollyL** » Wed Feb 05, 2020 10:55 am

LSAT wrote: ↑
Wed Feb 05, 2020 10:36 am

The Silicone does not get thin..it gets soft.

The affected part of the silicone has gone almost see through.. not completely, but it's as though it's greasy.
Maybe I just have a really oily patch on my face at night

chunkyfrog · Post by **chunkyfrog** » Wed Feb 05, 2020 10:55 am

If the bottom edge of the cushion ends up in one's mouth--it doesn't fit.
Fit is not simply a matter of size, but shape as well.
Probably wisest to try a different design, style, or type of mask.
I have suggested that masks are often made to fit the faces of models--not regular humans.

Julie · Post by **Julie** » Wed Feb 05, 2020 10:56 am

Well, assuming you might have a dud, I also found my FF cushions to feel 'tougher' when I use baby wipes maybe weekly and soap/water monthly if that (to be honest).

HollyL · Post by **HollyL** » Wed Feb 05, 2020 11:01 am

chunkyfrog wrote: ↑
Wed Feb 05, 2020 10:55 am
If the bottom edge of the cushion ends up in one's mouth--it doesn't fit.

Great, thank you for this advice I hadn't considered the fit at all. I was just given a small and sent on my way.

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