why do we need to change mask if working? medical reason?

williamco wrote: ... if it is working fine?

This is the key part to your question for me. I'm not really happy with any of the masks I have (leak rate is too high), so I keep adjusting things and trying new masks. Of course, it takes a bit to acclimate to a new mask - the bridge of my nose is really red right now from trying out a new F&P432 (and I think it's the wrong size, but that's a different story).

I was worried that I wasn't going to be able to get replacements for various reasons when I first started my journey so I started hoarding for bad times just in case. I doubt that I am the only one on the forum that has made sure they had plenty of backups. Now that I feel that I have enough I very seldom change things other than filters.

SleepyT wrote:
Hello, Fellow Hokie (I'm thinking you went to Va Tech too?) Anyway...I'll take a stab at your questions. Question 1...I think you may want to have a backup hose, backup mask (maybe a full face one if you don't already have one for when you have a cold), backup parts, a backup battery (for power outages), and some folks even have a spare CPAP machine.

As for the cleaning...there is probably something in the wiki...and it is a subjective topic around here with many differing answers. All I can tell you is what I do. I occasionally wash my nasal pillow mask and hose in warm, soapy water (I use Ivory liquid as there is no scent). Then I occasionally dunk all the parts (including the humidifier tank) in a solution of Control 3 disinfectant (which can be purchased on cpap.com). It also has no scent.
Hope that helps!

Yes, I am a Hokie. '96 BS-ISE. 5 years and a change of major to make that happen, too.

Will definitely keep the equipment clean and disinfected. The kiddos have some pretty bad asthma and we get the importance of mildew and mold-free living - even changed out "home-original" windows with vinyl replacements a month ago. Load of improvement for all of us, it seems.

Subjective. Yeah, I even see that some won't use anything but distilled water even when on travel. Of course, I remember when our first was born and everyone said not to microwave the milk, too...

With how well I slept last night at titration, I'm bound not to screw this up, tho. I like the references in folks' profiles about what equipment they currently use. Might be cool to see how long they've been using it and if it's new or replacement for a different unit or something. Not that I'm telling anyone how to run this place. Free is good.

Roman Hokie wrote:
Yes, I am a Hokie. '96 BS-ISE. 5 years and a change of major to make that happen, too.

Class of '81 BS-COMM. Many moons ago!