SparkPoints: (54,747)
Fitness Minutes: (41,660) Posts: 7,374 7/28/12 3:23 P
I cleaned everything yesterday...along with washing our sheets & getting them on the clothesline in the sunlight! Slept wonderfully last night however....my machine has beeped in the morning both my dh & I heard it and it now has a whisle sound as I take off my mask and shut it off. Anyone experience this?
´¨¨)) -:¦:- ¸.•´ .•´¨¨))May you have Butterfly Mornings and Wildflower Afternoons! ((¸¸.•´ .•´ -:¦:- -:¦:- ((¸¸.•´* Dusty
Pounds lost: 8.7
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GRAMMACATHY
Posts: 17,448 5/19/12 11:38 A
Mask daily if you want to keep your sinuses working and hose weekly. Not cleaning the machine has caused brain infections in some people. It is vital to keep those parts up. The humidity tank needs to be cleaned weekly too. The filters need to be changed monthly or more often. I better get the reminder out again. However, it is suppose to rain tomorrow after two weeks which would be good, but we are going to have a good view of the solar eclipse on the west coast, but not if it is cloudy.
SparkPoints: (2,197)
Fitness Minutes: (777) Posts: 262 5/19/12 8:10 A
Hi I have been absent for awhile, having sleep problems still even though not as bad as I was without the cpap but still tired a lot and depressed.
I have had my cpap machine for not quite a year and havent cleaned the hose, so I think it is well overdue for this, I will put it on my list of things to do this week,
SparkPoints: (54,747)
Fitness Minutes: (41,660) Posts: 7,374 4/5/12 10:16 A
I cleaned everything yesterday....perhaps we should have Sparks send us reminder to insure we do it on a regular basis!
´¨¨)) -:¦:- ¸.•´ .•´¨¨))May you have Butterfly Mornings and Wildflower Afternoons! ((¸¸.•´ .•´ -:¦:- -:¦:- ((¸¸.•´* Dusty
Pounds lost: 8.7
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GRAMMACATHY
Posts: 17,448 2/28/12 4:36 P
I scour and change everything the first of the month. That helps to at least get the filters changed and washed monthly, but with dogs I need to do it 2x a month. Hose and tank gets washed weekly, mask daily. I think with our busy schedules the cpap is often ignored, because it can be neglected a day or two, but if we can't remember when we last cleaned and changed something, then we are flirting with infections that can cause complications to the lungs. So, I am glad you posted, because my mask and hose both need some scouring too. Thanks.
SparkPoints: (104,851)
Fitness Minutes: (136,680) Posts: 22,265 2/3/12 8:13 P
I change my filter monthly the year around. However, my provider gives me 2 each month. Of course, insurance pays for them. I change now change as soon as it starts looking gray.
I cleaned my mask thoroughly.
Edited by: BRAVEONE92 at: 2/3/2012 (20:14)
"I lift up my eyes to the hills-where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and Earth." Psalm 121: 1-2 (NIV)
104,851 SparkPoints
GRAMMACATHY
Posts: 17,448 1/27/12 7:06 P
Summer here, because we are tracking more dirt in the house, vacuuming more and stirring up more dust. I think it would depend on your weather.
I finally changed my filter. should have done it awhile ago. the white one had turned grey. will change it more often. Does anyone think it should be changed more in winter or summer?
GRAMMACATHY
Posts: 17,448 1/26/12 1:52 P
You must have a good filtration system in your home. My filters are only good for about a week with the dogs. Luckily, I can wash the sponge filter and have been experimenting with using coffee filters for the allergy filter.
Which reminds me, I need to check my filters. Thanks for posting.
SparkPoints: (104,851)
Fitness Minutes: (136,680) Posts: 22,265 1/16/12 3:49 P
I cleaned all parts of my mask today and DH also.
"I lift up my eyes to the hills-where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and Earth." Psalm 121: 1-2 (NIV)
104,851 SparkPoints
GRAMMACATHY
Posts: 17,448 12/12/11 4:07 P
allergy filters are the white paper filters that go between the sponge filter and the machine. They are optional, but I have a dog and the grey filters don't really show the dirt. The paper filter filters out finer particles and lets me know when they both are getting dirty. The sponge filter can be washed, just make sure it is dry before using it.
I am going to experiment with coffee filters to see if they will do the same thing. You might want to get the cushion at the same time as the silicone seal as they tend to get pretty mushy too. Is your cushion still blue or is it getting green around the edges? If it is still blue you are good to go with it. Actually, you can take the pieces into your tech at the medical provider store and ask them.
I have never been Australia, but fell in love with it in the 1960s. My kids want me to go with them in two years. I need to lose the other 50 pounds, so I have wiggle room on the airplane. My problem with going there is that I want to see Sydney, the barrier reef, northern Australia and Ayers Rock which has another name just like our Mt. St. Helens is actually named Loo Wit. I want to see kangaroos in the wild and maybe even visit Tasmania. So as you see, I just need to move there for a couple of years. I would consider it, but can't stand to be away from the grandchildren more than a week at a time. I am also interested in tribal culture and want to find some good museums. Do you have any recommendations for websites or tourist traps for me to check out?
SparkPoints: (2,197)
Fitness Minutes: (777) Posts: 262 12/12/11 12:33 A
Now that you mention it i might check my health fund as I havent even asked my health insurance what they cover for costs, so I will have to see, I live in Australia and our health system is different to the USA. I wouldn't mind getting a new silicon part for the mask in january and apparently the filters cost about six dollars each here, so a new one of those every six months might be good two.
I dont have an allergy filter on it, what does an allergy filter do?
Yes, mouth wash has alcohol and the manufacturers don't recommend you use it, but it does make a nice rinse and makes everything smell good. Just be sure to rinse it well afterward because it is also sticky and too sweet smelling if not rinsed.
Since you have to buy your own, you might want to just stick with the dish soap or shampoo.
My insurance replaced my mask every six months. But, I too am without insurance now and have gone a year. Of course I have three different masks. I have been rotating back and forth between the newer two. I am beginning to see wear in all three masks. The straps are fine as long as they still have spring and the velcro works.
The plastic rigid part of the mask generally does not break, but I like having duplicates of everything. So I changed it out too. Sometimes you can just get the gel cushion and the silicone liner if you have a kind DME store.
okay this is my mask and the whole thing right now with head gear is only $59. The gel cushions are $34. So it would be more sensible to get the whole set while it is on sale. Best of luck researching what will work for you.
SparkPoints: (2,197)
Fitness Minutes: (777) Posts: 262 12/11/11 9:34 P
I am surprised to be able to use a mouth wash for the mask, because for some silly reasaon i thought the alcohol in it might damage the coating on the detacheble mask part, this would be good for me to use as i get a greasy build up on the mask from oily skin
SparkPoints: (2,197)
Fitness Minutes: (777) Posts: 262 12/11/11 9:27 P
I only got given one hose and a mask which has three parts to it plus the strap, I am very lucky that I didnt have to pay for the machine as the local public hospital has a loan scheme for people on low in comes like me.
As long as I make regular use of the machine I get to keep it and use it, but i do have to buy replacement parts for the facemask when the ones supplied in june wear out.
This might sound dumb but how do i know exactly when the wear justifies a new mask edging thingy, mine was new in june, and i want to try and budget for when to buy replacement parts.
I have about six hoses and not one of them leaks. I wonder why they supply you with so many hoses?
The sponge filter which is greyish black is washable. Just make sure it is completely dry before using it again. They are cheap enough to change out, but can last quite awhile with a good cleaning.
I am experimenting with coffee filters in place of my allergy filter, since I no longer have insurance.
A new mask is in order, but may wait till after the holidays to spring for one. I would rather get a new washer and dryer for now.
SparkPoints: (104,851)
Fitness Minutes: (136,680) Posts: 22,265 12/8/11 10:33 P
My insurance provides a white filter and new hose every month. I get a new mask every 6 months.
"I lift up my eyes to the hills-where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and Earth." Psalm 121: 1-2 (NIV)
104,851 SparkPoints
PLUSNOMORE5
Posts: 3,242 12/8/11 3:35 P
The greyish black filter one is washable?
GRAMMACATHY
Posts: 17,448 12/7/11 4:57 P
Vinegar and water works well, but I use dish soap or shampoo. If you want it smelling minty fresh run some mouthwash through it and then rinse one more time.
I even cleaned my humidifier tank. woohoo! Too afraid to look at my filters........The washable one is covered in dog hair and the paper filter could have gone longer. Think I will wash and dispose anyway.
Nothing like fresh minty clean and sparkling equipment.
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