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CPAP problem

Posted: Feb 28, 2015

Last Tuesday, I started on a trial period using the CPAP. The company gave me a loaner of the machine, mask, and hose. Because I'm immune compromised, I asked them whether anyone had used the equipment before me. They assured me they autoclave everything before they give it out.

On Thursday night, exactly two & a half days after I started the CPAP, I came down with a bad head cold. This is the exact incubation period for the cold virus, and I'm extremely reluctant to re-start using the machine. I haven't had a cold for 3 years, I live alone, and I wasn't in contact with anyone with a cold during that time.

I'm planning to call the company on Monday to tell them what happened. I want to bring in the equipment and watch them autoclave everything. I'm still motivated to use the CPAP, but it's just too much of a coincidence that I got the cold after using it. I'd really appreciate some advice on an assertive but polite way to talk to them.

;

immune - me

[ In Reply To ..]
Is there any way you can sanitize it yourself? Perhaps there's something that can be used at home to sterilize equipment like yours. Could be worthwhile to call a home health equipment service & see what they do with the stuff they have. If nothing else, maybe you could take CPAP to them & have them sterilize it.

My thoughts on that - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
You already used the equipment! It is too late to do anything about it now ... you already breathed in anything that was there.

Chances are far better that you got the cold from the CPAP guy himself or something you touched.

Personally, given the difficulty in sanitizing machinery, I would not have accepted a used machine.

However, you did. Taking it back to make them clean it in front of you is a bit excessive because what they will now be cleaning are YOUR germs. It also won't clean it any better because you are watching.

I've actually been putting off getting a CPAP because of my fear of... - OP

[ In Reply To ..]
contamination, and now I'm even more afraid. I realize there's no way of proving how I got the cold. But if a loaner can't be completely sanitized, then my only option would be to buy a new one. This would be a very expensive proposition if it turns out I can't tolerate using it.

Then talk to your doctor about your fears - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
It isn't a question of "proving" that you got the cold from the machine. It is most likely that you got it somewhere else. However, it is a lot like believing in UFOs ... nothing can change the belief because nothing can disprove it. You will believe it is the machine until you no longer want to.

This is something you need to discuss with your doctor.

Did you wash the mask and hose with soap and hot water? (sm) - nunya

[ In Reply To ..]
Did you also wash the humidifier before using? That's all you really needed to do. The machine itself only blows out air. If you did get a cold from using CPAP, it was probably from the humidifier. It's why I quit using a humidifier. It was too much of a pain to clean daily and I would forget to buy distilled water so used tap water. It was nothing but a big petri dish.

I now have the hose plugged right into the machine and sleep like the dead, but with very pleasant dreams. I love my CPAP. Wouldn't want to be without it.

The company told me the mask was new, so I didn't wash it before - OP

[ In Reply To ..]
I used it. They gave me a used hose, but said it had been autoclaved, and I didn't use the humidifier.

Thanks very much for your encouraging words. I'm hoping that things will work out after I've spoken to the company about my concerns.

CPAP - Me

[ In Reply To ..]
I use a CPAP. I wash all my hoses, humidifier tank, nose pillows, filters, etc with antibacterial soap and warm water, and then clean them with vinegar. if the smell gets to you, then wash after the vinegar soak. My humidifier tank recently got mold and lime build up, and had to replace it. No things are not cheap, but so worth the effort. I feel so much better and when I don't use my CPAP, I am a zombie all day the next day. I am going to try the suggestion without the humidifier though, worth a shot. Good luck.

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