How long does a mask last ?

Here's a fairly straightforward question. I've had my CPAP for around 5 months. Just wondered how long I should expect my mask (Quattro FX full face) to last. Although the hard plastic 'shell' is probably going to last ages, I assume the soft plastic 'seal' has a finite life ? Looks like this is an integral part of the mask, so I'm guessing the whole mask would eventually need to be replaced. I do actually have a new mask which I purchased as an emergency spare a while ago, but don't want to start using it unnecessarily. I have been getting some leaking issues recently but thought this might be more due to mask positioning rather than the seal becoming aged or worn in some way.

Hi Dave,

I think what others do is replace the mask when it consistently leaks like mad. I can't give you personal experience, haven't been on cpap for long enough to wear out a mask.

Hopefully someone more experienced than me will be along soon

I have the same mask (3 months so far) and my understanding is that the seal can be replaced independently, as can the head gear. I can't see why the rest of the mask would need replacing for several years, though it might be cheaper in the long run to buy a whole mask rather than parts ( I haven't checked ).

I don't know that mask, but most usually have a thin hard plastic rim that goes over the silicone cushion to hold it in place, so you can snap it off, replace the cushion and then snap it back on.

I use the Quattro...not the FX. You are right, the hard shell lasts for a long time. I change my cushion every 4-6 months. I was changing the entire mask every year, but my current mask is 15+ months old. I have never changed head gear.

I was about to post asking how long a nasal pillow lasts when here is this thread at the top of the list.

... So ... How long will my Swift FX pillows last?

DME will send me a new pillow every 30 days, new mask 6 mos. I assume they can live longer than that.

I agree with what everyone else has said. It's the silicone & headgear that really wear out. I think the life span varies from mask to mask, person to person. Cleaning frequency & process can have an impact as well. My insurance allows me a new mask every three months, but I can typically keep the same one up to 6-8 months.

Having a spare mask is a good idea. I once dropped my mask and it hit my oxygen concentrator just right and broke the hard shell. Ruined it at 11:00 at night. Luckily, like you, I had a spare.

pootsie wrote:I was about to post asking how long a nasal pillow lasts when here is this thread at the top of the list.

... So ... How long will my Swift FX pillows last?

DME will send me a new pillow every 30 days, new mask 6 mos. I assume they can live longer than that.

The longest I've gone with a set of pillows was around 6-7 weeks. With daily use, the silicone eventually gets tired and they won't seal as well and begin to leak a lot. I still have the same headgear and frame which is about a year old. The headgear has a Padacheek fleece cover so I wash that instead of the actual headgear.

I like to have at least a few spare pillows on hand.

Magicdave wrote: Looks like this is an integral part of the mask, so I'm guessing the whole mask would eventually need to be replaced.

Looking at our host's site, it appears the cushion is separately replaceable:

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... ro-FX.html

As a few others have indicated, watch your leak rate in your statistics, and when the leak rates climbs about your baseline (ie, your first few weeks with a new mask/seal) then replace it.

It seems duration varies quite a bit. I used my first mask (a TrueBlue nasal mask) for about 4 weeks before switching to a nasal pillow mask (the Aloha). I used my first Alpha pillow for about 3 months before the leaks became both annoying and noticeable on my statistics graphs. I've now been using the second pillow for nearly 6 months! One difference is that I had been using isopropyl alcohol to clean the pillows every couple of days with the first pillow, and I switched to using the alcohol-free CPAP-wipes with the second pillow. I also wash it in Dawn dish soap every couple of weeks.

I do seem to adjust the headgear about once a month.

Again, it differs for everybody, but this is what I do.

John

The practical way:

After you've washed and dried the cushion, notice that the silicone has a "tacky" feel to it. Compare that with in the morning when it is "slick" with skin oil, sweat, drool, etc.

When you can't get most of the "tacky" back by cleaning, it's time for new.

(If you are a cheapskate like me, you can boil a cushion in water with a little baking soda and get a little more use out of it.)

It's been reported on this forum that people using higher pressures, especially with BiLevel or ASV machines, have even less usable life with their cushions/pillows. Apparently there's more flexing and stretching during every breathing cycle. Look for tiny splits, de-lamination and waffle patterns around the thin edges of the silicon... these are signs of wear. I also like LinkC's idea above.

Pootsie - my Swift FX Nasal Pillow lasted about 6-7 weeks before leaking like mad. I bought spares and plan on 6 weeks.

I have had my Quattro FFM for 3 years and have been asking the supplier at regular intervals if it needs to be replaced and each time she has checked it and has said no.
She seems to think its because I use the cloth liners
I have recently replaced the "cushion" just because I think its been too long
I have had to replace the headgear about every 6 months
Maybe things are different down under!

Pootsie, while I don't recommend anyone do this, I just retired my Swift FX nasal pillows after 12 months of use. I clean daily and boiled them every couple of weeks. The last few days have seen higher leaks and the pillows lost firmness. I found that they were getting further into my nose and that became uncomfortable. It was like sleeping with your fingers in your nose, but softer.

I would probably recommend frequent replacement, but in a pinch you can go longer.

HoseCrusher wrote:Pootsie, while I don't recommend anyone do this, I just retired my Swift FX nasal pillows after 12 months of use. I clean daily and boiled them every couple of weeks. The last few days have seen higher leaks and the pillows lost firmness. I found that they were getting further into my nose and that became uncomfortable. It was like sleeping with your fingers in your nose, but softer.

I would probably recommend frequent replacement, but in a pinch you can go longer.

I used one Swift FX nasal pillow for about a year. No boiling, no liner, no nothing... I did soak them in a dishwashing soap and water solution every day tho. They worked as good the last day I used them as the first day. I hear some sets/lots last longer than others and that it's just the luck of the draw.