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Cleaning your CPAP mask.
Recently I was diagnosed with sleep apnea. After doing an at home sleep test it revealed that I was having 18 events per hour of sleep. I now wear the Dreamwear nasal mask. I feel like I have recieved conflicted advice from the company that I got my equipment from which was Regional Home Care. I was submerging the tube with the other components of my mask in soapy water to clean. That was the advice that I first received. I was having trouble with the mask and went back after my doctor gave me a prescription for another mask. I was given another type of mask that left me with extreme dental pain on the first nights sleep with it. That was the end of that. The questions asked while at this appointment left me questioning if I was wearing the original mask correctly. I adjusted the original mask and have been fine with it ever since. While at the appointment the man giving me the new mask gave me a lot of advice that was helpful but he told me I should not be submerging the entire tube due to the electrical end component. I wish the first woman who I originally got my equipment from had told me that. I know there are machines that you can put your equipment in for cleaning. They are rather expensive. Are they the way to go? How does everyone keep their equipment clean? How often do you clean your equipment? Getting on a CPAP has make a huge difference. My husband and I laugh almost nightly at how I look with it on but I don’t care!!! He needs one too! Working on that! It may be my Christmas gift request that he get tested. TIA for any and all help!
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Using the CPAP is "life saving" for me. My father had Alzheimer's Disease and also found out late in his life that he had Sleep Apnea that was never treated. When I was diagnosed with Sleep Apnea, I was told that it "cuts off oxygen to the brain". I have to believe that it had a major negative effect on my Dad's illness. At 65 years old, I have no signs of Alzheimer's (thank you Mayo). I have been diagnosed with "Sporadic Inclusion Body Myositis". I can deal much better with the "IMB" than with Alzheimer's.
And not to forget...Mayo has been a "Life Saver" as well! Incredible people...everyone of you!
As the TV commercial says..."DILLY - DILLY!"
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3 ReactionsI like the Snuffleupagus better than “ Miss Piggy 🐷!,,!!” My husband is so funny about it though, he assures me it isn’t an issue at all. Thanks for the smiles! Jan
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3 ReactionsYes it is good to laugh at how we look in our CPAP equipment. For those of you with spouses that snore, that can be sign of sleep apnea. Please do them a favor and ask them to be checked for sleep apnea. Yes cutting off oxygen is very dangerous so treatment is very important.
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4 ReactionsHello @kentyunker,
I was interested in your mentioning the diagnosis of IMB. As a result, I did a little research and found this information on NORD (National Organization for Rare Disorders), https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/sporadic-inclusion-body-myositis/
I decided to post the link for anyone else who might find this interesting. Thank you for bringing this diagnosis to Connect.
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1 ReactionI just realized that I called Inclusion Body Myositis "IMB". It should be "IBM"...obviously.
Just correcting the wrong to eliminate the confusion...
Sorry.
'O))
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1 Reaction@kentyunker when I was working for IBM back in the day it stood for I've Been Moved ☺
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1 Reaction@johnbishop we had IBM SEs in the office almost daily, it was a large account (BC/BS). The threat that was always joked about was if they did anything wrong they would be transferred to Poughkeepsie!
JK
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1 ReactionI clean nothing and use mine every night and whenever i nap or lay down faithfully. I Never clean anything. i have been doing this for over fifteen years. zero cleaning and it works great. Zero problems. My old neighbor told me that's what he did so I did it to. Cleaning is too hard to do.
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1 ReactionWhen I first got my CPAC, I was told to take apart everything and wash the parts in warm, soapy water. Then air dry. I developed mold in the hose and my pulmonologist sent me for x-rays. I was lucky - no problem. Since I use white vinegar for cleaning, I decided to try that. Once a week, I submerge all the plastic parts of my CPAC in a very large, very clean pot that has 2 cups of vinegar in it and fill it to the top of the pan with very warm water. Before I submerge the parts, I run the vinegar and water through the hose etc. Then, I soak the parts for 45 minutes. After the soaking, run the vinegar and water through the big hose and the hose of my mask. While I am waiting, I wipe out as much of the machine as I can. Then I empty the pot and rinse all the parts in warm water- especially running the water through the hoses. I dry all the parts on a clean towel and hang the 6 ft hose by using a small hair tie to adhere it to a hanger that I hang on a door. The headpiece, I put on a rack. I have been doing this for 3 years now and have had no problems.
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3 Reactions@jmb73 For a long time my husband has had issues with sinus problems and coughing problems. He has had many x-rays and visits to specialists, various different meds etc. He has also used a CPAP for a long time too. Recently we decided to try turning off the moisture in it- the doctor said give it a shot. Almost immediately the coughing stopped and his breathing improved 100 per cent! So we have discontinued the water in the CPAP. He does use a corticosteroid as well and he still does need that but he is so much better it is amazing! Maybe this info will be helpful to someone!
Ainsleigh
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