1. < Sleep Health

Cleaning your CPAP mask.

Posted by franle @franle, Oct 31, 2018

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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johnhans | @johnhans | Jan 20, 2019
In reply to @ainsleigh "@jmb73 For a long time my husband has had issues with sinus problems and coughing problems...." + (show)
@ainsleigh

@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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I have a deviated. Septum which can result in moisture building up in my small nostril which can lead to coughing. During the summer when humidity is high, I discontinue the water in the tank. The rest of the year I find that low humidity does not give me the problem.

REPLY
1 reply
ainsleigh | @ainsleigh | Jan 21, 2019
In reply to @ainsleigh "@jmb73 For a long time my husband has had issues with sinus problems and coughing problems...." + (show)
@ainsleigh

@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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@jmb73- I forgot to mention in my previous post that after we turned off the water in my husbands CPAP his mask seemed to adhere well which had not been the case before. He no longer makes noises ( so that I would poke him) and now we both sleep better- quite well in fact and everything is quiet!
Ainsleigh

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Moderator
Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Feb 12, 2019
In reply to @johnhans "I have a deviated. Septum which can result in moisture building up in my small nostril..." + (show)
@johnhans

I have a deviated. Septum which can result in moisture building up in my small nostril which can lead to coughing. During the summer when humidity is high, I discontinue the water in the tank. The rest of the year I find that low humidity does not give me the problem.

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Hi, @johnhans - you mentioned having a deviated septum. I had surgery on mine as my allergist detected it when I first arrived at Mayo Clinic in 1997, sent me to ENT, and next thing I knew I was signed up and on my way to getting my septum repaired. Have you thought about having surgery for it?

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1 reply
johnhans | @johnhans | Feb 13, 2019
In reply to @lisalucier "Hi, @johnhans - you mentioned having a deviated septum. I had surgery on mine as my..." + (show)
@lisalucier

Hi, @johnhans - you mentioned having a deviated septum. I had surgery on mine as my allergist detected it when I first arrived at Mayo Clinic in 1997, sent me to ENT, and next thing I knew I was signed up and on my way to getting my septum repaired. Have you thought about having surgery for it?

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I checked into surgery for my deviated septum about 20 years ago and was told it was not medically necessary. In Minnesota at that time it was illegal to get any medical procedure done that was not medically necessary. Thus since I never saw that this law was repealed, I never tried again. Now at my age I do not think I will try again. Thank you for thinking of me.

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jjspokane61 | @jjspokane61 | Feb 15, 2019

Hello All... Based on some of the discussion above I think I'm going to try the CPAP tonight without the humidifier. I'm guessing I can do that by just not filling the tank.

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2 replies
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Feb 15, 2019
In reply to @jjspokane61 "Hello All... Based on some of the discussion above I think I'm going to try the..." + (show)
@jjspokane61

Hello All... Based on some of the discussion above I think I'm going to try the CPAP tonight without the humidifier. I'm guessing I can do that by just not filling the tank.

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Hi @jjspokane61, that's what I have done to try it without the humidifier.

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kentyunker | @kentyunker | Feb 18, 2019
In reply to @jjspokane61 "Hello All... Based on some of the discussion above I think I'm going to try the..." + (show)
@jjspokane61

Hello All... Based on some of the discussion above I think I'm going to try the CPAP tonight without the humidifier. I'm guessing I can do that by just not filling the tank.

Jump to this post

Depending on the make/model, you should be able to remove it.
Sweet dreams!

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mollyquilter | @mollyquilter | Mar 11, 2019
In reply to @beatricefay "I was originally told I could empty the water every 2-3 days, but I like to..." + (show)
@beatricefay

I was originally told I could empty the water every 2-3 days, but I like to clean my hose on the same day I empty the water. It's easier to keep track of. It seems like there is a lot of varying information out there on how to keep the apparatus clean. I prefer the distilled vinegar because otherwise I'd have to wash the hose daily with soap and water. When I travel and can't get the vinegar, I clean every day. I'm willing to put up with the cleaning if I can get a good night's sleep. I wish there was some good scientific information on the best way to clean and on frequency. Anybody have such information?

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@franie I wash my hose once in a while in the shower with just a drop of baby shampoo and the same temp water that I shower in; after rinsing it thoroughly I drape it over the showerhead and it dries quickly. I fill my reservoir with only distilled water, usually to the Max. Amount, and usually use the entire amount nightly. I notice my throat & nose are too dry when I don't fill it.

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jjspokane61 | @jjspokane61 | Jul 22, 2019

Hey... just an update. I completely stopped using the humidity and have been having great success! My cleaning routine has gotten more relaxed too and I haven't had any problems. Family tell me now that I'm not snoring anymore - except for in the morning when I sometime kick off the mask. Once you get past the learning period it seems to be pretty routine now. I'd encourage anyone thinking they might be needing CPAP to look into it and not be afraid of it... it's just an aid to the good night sleep you've been missing!!

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1 reply
thankful | @thankful | Jul 23, 2019
In reply to @jjspokane61 "Hey... just an update. I completely stopped using the humidity and have been having great success!..." + (show)
@jjspokane61

Hey... just an update. I completely stopped using the humidity and have been having great success! My cleaning routine has gotten more relaxed too and I haven't had any problems. Family tell me now that I'm not snoring anymore - except for in the morning when I sometime kick off the mask. Once you get past the learning period it seems to be pretty routine now. I'd encourage anyone thinking they might be needing CPAP to look into it and not be afraid of it... it's just an aid to the good night sleep you've been missing!!

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@jjspokane61- Great to hear your news! I totally agree about the humidity setting. I used to preheat even before I went to bed, but now I have it set for auto and that works much better for me. I also agree about "getting past the learning period" comment.
As I've said in the past I believe the mask is everything. If you can find the right mask that is comfortable, less likely to leak and not claustrophobic that will clearly make the learning period much quicker. Then enjoy the better sleep we're getting compared to before! Happpy Zzzz's! Jim @thankful

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