Hope2SleepGuide

Sleep Apnoea Forum Bringing Help + Support to the Patient

Dear hose heads.

I have been using a pillow mask connected to my resmed for about 3 years now and I change my pillow mask about once a year. is this about normal life span for this type pof mask or excessive?

I look forward to your replys

Steve

Views: 185

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

It is good to renew your mask at least once a twelve month every year even if it is good and keep as a spare for emergency as it, your current mask may break anytime

It's interesting you ask this question Steve and our cash-strapped NHS will not like my answer Pillows of the masks are supposed to last us for a year, but the reality is (depending on the mask) they would be better replaced more frequently - I would say at least every 6 months.  A lot depends too though on how a person cleans them.  If they're using detergents like Fairy Liquid or anything containing alcohol + other additives, then they're going to need replacing sooner.  Same goes if people aren't cleaning them everyday, as facial oils will build up which stops them sealing (which is what products like Fairy Liquid do too, as a residue builds up gradually.  Fairy may be 'kind to our hands' but it's not kind to our masks!  I only ever use the CPAP Cleaning Wipes and Sprays on mine, as at my previous clinic I used to have to buy my own masks so needed them to last as long as possible!

Here's an interesting link for you from Resmed aimed at the USA market which states pillows should be changed very ONE month http://www.resmed.eu/us/products/replenishment/replenishment.html?n... and another link from the same company stating every FIFTEEN days http://www.resmed.com/us/en/healthcare-professional/support/replace...  Yet, here in the UK the same company says that "With care your mask should last at least 12 months."  Well somebody is telling porkies then - either the UK or the USA

Kath is absolutely correct it is about the money, but your health is more important than the money

I do hope you can persist and get what you want. Normally I would 100% agree with Kath as that has been my experience with previous sleep clinics, but my current one, at Worthing Hospital, seems to have a totally different attitude.

When I first went last year I related the problems I had with the 'standard' nasal mask that I had previously been given, as the only available option, by previous sleep clinics and they gave me a Fisher & Paykel Pilairo (nasal pillows) which transformed things for me. I had bought myself a ResMed Mirage Swift nasal pillow at great expense some 12 years or more back, which I hated. The headgear was not comfortable, particularly as the hose was on one side rather than centrally, but worst, the things which go inside the nostrils meant I woke with a sore nose every time after just a few hours.

The Pilairo has a far less cumbersome nasal interface and just a single elasticised strap to keep it in place and really offered freedom of movement. However, the F&P product seems far less durable than the ResMed and one of the strap hooks broke after quite a short time, meaning I had to use the alternative headgear supplied. After 11 months the pillow developed a leak so I spoke to the Worthing clinic. They were very helpful, it turned out I could have had a replacement complete mask much earlier, and they made an appointment for a review which I had this morning. As they didn't have a spare Pilairo available immediately they posted me a ResMed Mirage FX mask - which didn't leak and was a better design than my original - but still made my nostrils very sore. At my review today they gave me a new Pilairo, let me keep the FX, and gave me a F&P Eson pillows mask to try as well. I could have taken more if I had wanted...

Anyway, back to the point, my Pilairo didn't quite make one year, but my original ResMed pillows is still functional after about 12, albeit discoloured and the headgear starting to perish. So there doesn't seem to be a standard lifetime for pillows. I have had normal nasal masks that have lasted 8-9 years before getting a replacement.

Try change often monthly if possible

At least annually minimum

Reply to Discussion

RSS

Sleep Apnoea Forum

New to the Sleep Apnoea Forum? 

1. Stop by our Sleep Apnoea Welcome Center to introduce yourself to the SleepGuide community.
2. Start a New Topic of Conversation.
3. Post your photos - of yourself, your old CPAP machine, your new CPAP machine, your pet, something about you!

Interested in advertising, have a problem or need to contact us? Click the Report an Issue page.

 

Latest Activity

Nick Daniel replied to John's discussion Are every small CPAP machines any good?
"Yes, it does the job. I use a Powapacs Atom for portable power "
Wednesday
John replied to John's discussion Are every small CPAP machines any good?
"Hi Nick thanks. Does it do the job and could you camp with it?"
Wednesday
Nick Daniel posted a discussion

CPAP Total Face Mask

I was curious whether anyone has used the CPAP Total Face Masks and could pass on their observations? I've been using an Airfit F20 for years which is fine apart from the permanent red mark on the bridge of my nose, and have recently tried the…See More
Tuesday
Nick Daniel replied to John's discussion Are every small CPAP machines any good?
"I've been using the Resmed Airmini for about 5 years when travelling - overall lightweight and small and can be controlled by an App, but it does produce a loud whistling/wind sound for me which hasn't been reduced by an inline filter or…"
Tuesday
Greg Lloyd is now a member of Hope2SleepGuide
Dec 6
Jonathan replied to David Hudson's discussion Pressure waking me up. Belching and wind
"Hi It sounds like you need to have more conversations with your sleep clinic.  There's little point in having a high pressure if it means you cannot tolerate the machine.  There's an interesting video here…"
Dec 1
David Hudson posted a discussion

Pressure waking me up. Belching and wind

HiI'm using the prisma smart max machine. Initially I was just on a nasal mask, this changed as I was sleeping with my mouth open. I then went to face and nose mask and complained of bad wind and belching. Sometimes the pressure in the night was…See More
Nov 28
Jonathan replied to Jonathan's discussion ResMed AirSense 10 getting noisy
"Just to tidy this up, I finally had an in-person review by my sleep clinic yesterday, who agreed the ResMed AirSense 10 was "wheezy" and replaced the machine."
Nov 9
Collette rose replied to Collette rose's discussion 1st time and I’ve failed the mask leak test
"thank you jonathan,i did get the it pack so tried the small and still struggled but i was sat up in bed so will try lying down great suggestion "
Nov 3
Jonathan replied to Collette rose's discussion 1st time and I’ve failed the mask leak test
"Hi My first thought is "don't panic"!  We're all a bit different, and there are many things that can be tweaked.  I took to CPAP therapy like a duck to water, but I've had friends who say they can't cope, but…"
Nov 2
Collette rose posted a discussion

1st time and I’ve failed the mask leak test

Hi everyone, today I received my rental kit - prisma smart max, plus a Philips dreamwear mask which I’ve been wearing unconnected to try and get used to it. I just did a mask fit test using a medium mask and got a constant red/orange leak warning…See More
Nov 2
Collette rose is now a member of Hope2SleepGuide
Oct 31
John posted a discussion
Oct 30
Profile IconBill Wright, Nicole Watson, TJ Bennett and 2 more joined Hope2SleepGuide
Oct 29
John replied to John's discussion evil mask noise
"Ha well it lasted a couple of days but started howling again. But it's a step in the right direction, just needs a bit more work."
Oct 24
Jonathan replied to John's discussion Has anyone been told root cause of their OSA?
"Nope, I just accept that some people's throats tend to close when they sleep, due to a loss of muscle tone during deeper sleep.  Back when I was diagnosed, the sleep lab just filmed you whilst you slept, stuck an O2 meter on your finger,…"
Oct 24
Jonathan replied to John's discussion evil mask noise
"Good to know you found a solution!"
Oct 24
John replied to John's discussion Has anyone been told root cause of their OSA?
"Did anyone tell you exactly what the anatomical issue is, Jonathan?"
Oct 21
John replied to Jonathan's discussion ResMed AirSense 10 getting noisy
"Can't say I know about this."
Oct 20
John replied to John's discussion evil mask noise
"So I tore some fabric from one of the filters and glued it over the holes - and it worked!It was dead quiet, and the air was still flowing freely.It was quiet all night then after a few hours a bit of whistling until I gave it a wipe.Vast…"
Oct 19

© 2024   Created by The SleepGuide Crew.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service