Replacement/Cleaning?

Hello All,

Forgive me if this gets posted twice. I am not sure it got posted properly the first time.

I am new to the forum but have been monitoring it for months.

I began CPAP therapy, consistently, 3 weeks ago yesterday. I have been diagnosed and prescribed for 2 years now. The gap between diagnoses, prescription and actual compliance is another story altogether.

I have a Respironics CPAP Remstar Pro (not 2) with C-Flex. I use a Swift and was prescribed at 8cm H2O (BTW - switching to the Large pillows was a magic step for me - no leaks regardless of what my sleep position is). Because of the gap in prescription and compliance I have had no interaction with my DME but I will correct that soon, after a follow-up visit with the pulmonologist and sleep tech in March.

In order to figure out how to deal with some leaks, fit issues, mouth breathing issues and cleaning I have been monitoring this forum and another list.

My question is, and I'll confess to being deeply skeptical about industry and provider motives, why on earth should interface components have to be replaced at the rate I read about and which seem to be recommended by DME's? It makes no sense to me. With the Swift there is very little contact with my face except for the headgear. I am pushing highly filtered "AIR" across heated "DISTILLED" water and through a hose and out an interface that is in contact with very little of my face.

In my experience so far, these items are not highly stressed and are not exposed to anything more damaging than skin oil. So, why would they wear out at a rate requiring replacement every 3 month?

Also, why would they require cleaning anymore than a thorough daily rinse in plain water and dry with a more complete washing on a weekly, or so, basis? Rock n Roll's (?) recommendation of vinegar and water makes a lot of sense to me and I'll start there soon. I believe he said he has never had an interface wear out, how long a period does that reflect?

Nice to meet you all.

David

Well, David, I can only speak from my own experience, but I suspect there is a large monetary component to the DME provider's recommended replacement schedule.

I have been on CPAP (Remstar Pro) since October, 2003. I am using the same hose, nasal interface, and nasal pillows with no signs of deterioration or leaks in any of them. I have replaced my Adam Circuit headgear (cloth part only) once because the first one literally fell apart from repeated washings (monthly).

The following represents my approach to cleaning over the past two years:

Daily - nasal pillows soaked for a few hours in Palmolive and warm water then rinsed and let air dry. Empty humidifier, and fill with distilled water.

Weekly - change foam filter

Monthly - change paper filter

Bi-weekly - soak hose, nasal pillow "holder," and its hose attachment, and humidifier tank (taken apart) in Palmolive and warm water for an hour or so. Rinse thoroughly and let air dry. Attach hose, etc. to CPAP with humidifier empty and turn on to let machine dry the hose for me. I often skip this step as my machine is at least a foot below my head, and any water left in the hose drains into the humidifier tank. I've never had an episode of "rainout."

Of course, I would also recommend that you have an extra hose, nasal interface, and nasal pillows on hand just in case.

Best wishes,
Amigo

Just a guess, but I suspect your insurance will pay for a new interface every three months. Otherwise, you wouldn't need a replacement that often.

With respect to cleaning your Swift, I'd follow the manufacturer's recommendation - daily cleaning of the pillow, plastic/latex (?) parts with "pure" soap and water and weekly soap and water cleaning of everything. Using soap and water, rather than plain water, takes no more time and makes sense, since the interface does come in contact with the bacteria, etc. in your nose. Since Resmed doesn't recommend vinegar, I wouldn't use it.

I also rinse my humidier in soapy water every day and in a vinegar solution weekly. This is based, again, on the manufacturer's (PB in my case) recommendation.

Dang, you guys make me look like a scuzz-ball ..

I have to be honest, I seldom do a good cleaning on any of my equipment. My nasal device (3 years of NasalAire, and 1 month of Aura), get some Hot Water run through it every few days - every once in awhile I will use a little Ivory. The mask gets replaced every 6 months.

My Humidifier and Hose get some Hot Water run through them about every 3 months (or longer). Hose gets replaced every year.

I admit it, I do add fresh distilled water to the "old" water in the humidifier.

That said, I seldom get colds, sinus infections, etc.. What can I say?

Lil ol scuzz-ball me.