Anyone use PAPMD cpap filters?

I recently became aware of product call PAPMD cpap bacteria filter which is placed between the mask and hose. The on-line reviews are very positive but I'm curious about the thoughts of this group. I'm a long time cpap user and have been having significant congestion in the morning. My ENT prescribed a nasal solution which has helped clear things in the morning. But, I would rather not have the congestion at all and am curious if PAPMD filters would prevent the issue. They're not very expensive but must be replaced every two weeks. Apparently, the collect significant particles that make it through filter located in the cpap at the air inlet.

Not necessary and likely won't help.

• Excessive humidity can clog them up
• The can interfere with your CPAP's sensors (ResMed's) have a setting to accommodate this
• They can't be put on the machine side of hose if using a heated hose, and are clumsy on the mask side

They can be of benefit to allergy sufferers, and during wildfires

YES, they are a real life saver for me!!!

If you think you need them, just go for it and try them out. As with all things in life, your milage may vary. For some of us, we have to make a choice between breathing and talking. Don't pay attention to the naysayers and folks who claim know it all. Using a filter that is EFFECTIVE, costs next to nothing and is very easy to use, just may make your day.

To paraphrase the old commercial: "Try it, you'll like it..." (yeah, I'm old)

Interesting, one pro and one negative in relation to the papmd filter. I'll think I will give them a try. I can purchase 6 for $20 which would provide 3 to 6 months of protection. I live in a semi arid desert area and humidity is typically very low. I'm less likely to have issues of filter plugging due to humidity than people living in more humid areas. I do have a heated hose + humidifier and would need to insert the filter between the mask and the hose. I'll find out rather quickly if there is an issue with that location.

Dog Slobber mentioned that these filters can impact Resmed's sensors. Can you give me more detail how the sensors are impacted? Dog Slobber also mentioned that Resmed has a setting adjustment that minimizes the problem due to adding a filter. Can you be more specific in how a user can find this sensor and adjust it?

Thank you both for your discussion!

MyIdaho wrote: ↑

Sat Jun 28, 2025 7:27 pm

Resmed has a setting adjustment that minimizes the problem due to adding a filter. Can you be more specific in how a user can find this sensor and adjust it?

There is no adjusting the ResMed anti bacterial filter setting....it's either on or off. No in between. You can't adjust it and probably wouldn't want to since we have no idea what the adjustment might be or whatever.

The setting to turn it on or off is in the clinical setup menu. I assume that if you turn it "on" that the machine will automatically adjust whatever it needs to adjust in terms of pressure delivery with this setting.

Just look for anti bacterial filter in the setup menu.

Having the filter attached to the mask may be a bit annoying. Possibly having a length of tube between the mask and the filter might help. I don't have a filter, but do use a Sleepweaver Featherwieght tube as an extension to a Resmed Climateline tube which is very flexible compared to the Resmed tube.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GKBX88S?re ... in_title_1

If you search Amazon for 'cpap inline filters' there are other filters which have a higher customer rating than the PAP MD branded ones. Read a few reviews on other brands.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=cpap+inline+ ... _sb_noss_2

Pugsy wrote: ↑

Sat Jun 28, 2025 7:53 pm

Just look for anti bacterial filter in the setup menu.

I have an airsense s10 autoset. When I go through the clinical settings ON MY Machine, there is no listed setting for an AB filter. Investigating further, I found that AB filter switch in the accessories menu in clinical settings. I don't have an accessories menu either...

Can anyone help me out, what am I missing? I'm dialed in very well with my current pressure settings and do not want to interfere with success by adding an ABF without turning on the ABF setting.

Grumpy48,

Thank you so much for the Amazon links! There are many ABF options at a lower price with very high ratings, sweet! I'll take a longer look in a moment. The sleep weaver tube is an interesting idea. The extra 18" of length would come in handy. The connection between my Mirage Quattro full face mask and climateline tubing does not feel stiff to me because air inlet port on the mask swivels very easily.

Not sure if enabling the "Essentials" to 'Plus' in the "Options" menu will get you into the "Accessories" menu, but worth a try.

Not sure why you can't find the AB setting.
Did you see this thread? Others have it.
viewtopic/t158349/AB-filter-setting.html

It's there. On my machine (the AirCurve 10 VAuto) it is right there below the Accessories choice (which mine doesn't have anything in)
and there is ON/OFF and that's it.

I have a side cover replacement adapter for my ResMed S10 machine that lets me use N100 filters on the inlet side of the machine. They are available for both the 10 and 11 machines. Search Filter Side Cover Adapter for AirSense 10 (or 11) on Amazon. I started using them when I looked inside my old S10 and found how much grunge comes through the standard filters. The standard filters are prone to leakage around the filter, and my DME supplies cheap knock off filters to begin with. The N100 filters are inexpensive and have a lot of filter area, they don't have to be replaced often. There are other filters that fit the same mount which is a standard for protective respirators.

Thank you everyone for interest and replies!

Interesting, my problem is solved (sort of....) I have two s10's. I had to replace the first one with a new s10 2 yrs ago. Just for giggles, I went to the clinician settings on my original s10 from SecondwindCPAP. All of the settings and options are there as they should be. However, the clinician settings are different on my new (2 yr old) s10 (purchased from a local DME provider). Accessories, ABF, view Oximeter, Essentials, and smartstart options are not present in the menu.

Grumpy48 may have identified the issue. In the Essentials menu, there is an option to select the level of access available to the patient. Perhaps my DME reduced my level of access when she set up my new machine? I'll give them a call tomorrow and set up an appointment. I will report back.

I called my local DME to inquire about the lack of ability to turn on the ABF switch on my S10. She claims that Resmed no longer includes Accessories and Essentials options for the S10. The ABF on/off switch is in the Accessories section. I asked if patient access had been turned off during setup. She said no and laughed that I would even ask. Not a very professional response to a reasonable and fair question.

I called Resmed to verify. They referred me back to my DME. So that's the end of story. It would be unwise for me to try an ABF without the ability to turn on this ABF switch, given my very high pressure needs (apap 16 to 18 cm).

I was curious about the 'Essentials' menu selection and also if my own AS10 Auto had a setting for a filter. Evidently the 'Essentials' selection appears only to affect the 'Patient' menu options and not the 'Clinician' menu items. The 'ON' setting of 'Essential' gives the patient basic settings, where the 'Plus' adds a few more settings for the patient that is more knowledgeable to change things.

I do have the 'AB Filter' setting under 'Accessories' within the 'Clinician' menu as well as 'Essentials' under the 'Options' (out of view in attached image).
I find it difficult to believe Resmed removed those menu items, but maybe so.

Grumpy48 wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 30, 2025 6:34 pm

I was curious about the 'Essentials' menu selection and also if my own AS10 Auto had a setting for a filter. Evidently the 'Essentials' selection appears only to affect the 'Patient' menu options and not the 'Clinician' menu items. The 'ON' setting of 'Essential' gives the patient basic settings, where the 'Plus' adds a few more settings for the patient that is more knowledgeable to change things.

I do have the 'AB Filter' setting under 'Accessories' within the 'Clinician' menu as well as 'Essentials' under the 'Options' (out of view in attached image).
I find it difficult to believe Resmed removed those menu items, but maybe so.

ab filter.jpg

My older s10 has the ABF switch and I had no difficulty finding it. Unfortunately, the clinician settings are different in the newer s10 and do not include Accessories and Essentials. Shrug, it is what it is. Nothing I can do about it, other than sending the older s10 out for another repair and have a permanent fix. Take care, Grumpy48

For future reference could you post a pics of the newer clinician reference, as well as the firmware version.