how many masks have you been given?

[Barely Awake]

Not sure that a lot of NHS patients would happily accept a second-hand mask even if it had been cleaned and serviced. I would because I think for some (not all) of us it is pretty tough finding a suitable mask and accepting renovated masks would help as you could try rather a lot searching for the one, and we all know the cash isnt there to do it.

[martin]

Hmmmmm, never thought about the mask bit once i found one that worked. My original issued one gave me pressure sores on the bridge of the nose and i got lucky second time. Though the strap system for the first one works better on the second mask. Think i might stock up a bit, though it would be nice to play with different ones, i might be missing perfection out there and never know !! The pics on the intus site look good but its not the kind of thing you can look at a pic and then know it works.

Maybe a pack of recycled ones could be sent out as trial models, but then you would have to get 'em back for the next person, and the public aint good at returning things. Tricky.

[dravidio]

It is an issue. If you are relying on the NHS then you will have a limited choice - but you won't be paying. If you go the Private route then there is now a bewildering range of masks available - at hefty prices. None, more so than the Sleepweaver - which must be one of the priciest bits of cloth about.

How can you tell which will be right for you. I have spent lots of money buying masks but could give a couple of clues and questions.

Are you a mouth breather or a nose breather? If you are a mouth breather then it is no use going for a nasal mask - don't bother. Even with the chin straps. As for the dazzling variety of full face masks - well - it's pot luck. I am now down to a couple of masks that I use - and a drawer full of expensive rejects.

[Guest]

I have a second hand mask as a spare, but it came from a trusted source. I get the impression that the NHS dispose of anything thats not stainless steel as its harder to sterilise.

[Barely Awake]

Shame we can't do something as I have several perfectly sound but didn't suit me masks doing no-one any good and there must be quite a few of us with a similar cache of cast offs.

As to getting the best mask. The only answer I can come up with is to design a mask yourself, I have a dream job on the drawing board myself but I am not sure I can persuade a manufacturer to make it.

[symmit]

Maybe I'm lucky, but the only mask I've not got on with out of the five I've collected so far is the Sleepnet IQ, and that's just down to the shape of my nose, it's well made and very comfortable.

None of them are perfect, my preference is to the sleepweaver and the Forma but if I could find a better fullface that fits under chin I would do - I'm considering getting a Weinmann!

[Berneta]

Sterilise Masks?

I am wondering why we are advised that we need to sterilise our CPAP machines in an Ozone Bag-- and they do NOT sterilise masks the same way? If they did-- they could accept returns and then let someone else try them. If it works for the delicate inside of a CPAP--then why wouldn't it work for masks? Just a thought that might save a lot of money. People would be willing to accept a used mask, if they had the assurance that it was sterile. Is there a real reason why the Ozone Bag wouldn't work on masks? x Berneta

[Barely Awake]

As a one off I was given an auto set overnight that looked like it had spent ten years in a kitchen where lard was used to fry. Only when I returned home did I find it was in a disgusting condition. I simply didn't use it.
Since then I decided if something isn't new and unopened I would take steps to check and clean before use. Any small parts I find already opened I return and speak to the issuer.

[Berneta]

Clean masks

Hi Barely Awake, I can see your point. I think that any mask should be clean before we use it. But if people who get masks that they can't use, and could return them in CLEAN condition--to where they would pass an inspection, and then be washed then sterilized in an Ozone Bag. Then they could be given to someone else. Provided that the Bag actually does sterilize whatever is in it. That would cut the cost of the masks for Intus, and give people a chance to return a good mask that they can't use and try another-- instead of just sticking it in a drawer somewhere. That Process could save a lot of money--of course they would have to appoint someone to take care of the returned masks. Or maybe even hire someone to do it. But even if they hired someone to clean used masks--I bet they would still come out way ahead where costs are concerned and everyone who uses the masks whould have a greater choice of masks to try. The idea of people waiting so long to get a mask, is just disgusting. Just a thought, x Berneta

[Tigers Fan]

Folk will not use an item that does not come out of a sealed plastic bag. So, sterilize the mask and put it in a bag, hermetically seal it and bingo!

Problem with that is the cost of sterilizing and bagging! The NHS move ever more to disposable equipment to avoid these costs. I borrowed a pair of NHS surgical scissors many years ago. They are still razor sharp and the best scissors I have ever owned - sorry, borrowed.

How come I got to borrow them? They had been used once to cut dressings for my big toe and , due to being clearly marked on their plastic bag, "Single use only!", were destined for the waste bin right in front of me. The nurse put them in the bag of dressings I was given to take home.

Single use - the best scissors ever!

TF

[Berneta]

Scissors

Hi TF--you are right, masks would have to be put in a new bag and sealed for people to accept them. But surely the cost of handling that, would be way less than that of getting new masks. The whole thing about CPAP costs-- and how long it takes to get them sometimes just irritates me. It seems that there is too long a wait for service, and some people could die while waiting. (And I don't mean just in the UK either.)
I am amazed that you got the scissors (lucky you)---maybe you shouldn't have told it, someone might want them back. LOL. Over here--metal utensils go in a sterilizer machine, and are reused.
I am doing 10 minutes on the treadmill twice a day now, and sleeping very well. Don't usually go to bed til around midnight now-- as a show I watch on BBC America, is on from 10 to 11 on Sat nite. I am walking so much better now-- that I keep forgetting I left my cane and have to go back after it--so I am going to try to get along without it, and see how that goes. Have Daffodils blooming today by the back walk. A very welcome sign of Spring in the Midwest. Supposed to be 70* here tomorrow. Frogs are singing at night now. Hope things are going ok for you. XOX Berneta

[Tigers Fan]

The grass is grise

Hi Berneta

Spring in full get-go here, too, I'm delighted to report!

And hey! aren't you doing well! and all for a few night's good sleeping.

Keep well and be well

TF

[mart9012]

I've found my sleep techies and Resmed very accomodating so far especially in the early days of the Mirage which I found I broke a lot. The Quattro I got after has been so good that I haven't had cause to complain. I think there certainly should be more help with fitting the things properly, especially since I got given a Liberty that is quite different to use. I don't know if they can clean properly and reissue used masks but these masks do cost a fortune. I think the Liberty is over £100 so obviously they can't keep handing out new masks if they can't be reused. Maybe a few hours spent sorting out the new masks with us would save on returns?

[mart9012]

I guess that a lot of the issue is that the NHS supply a lot of the masks so we just accept what we are given without any understanding about types and fittings. I would welcome more opportunity to see a range of products and be able to touch and try etc..

I note that a lot of hospital foyers have diabetes "sales" people, heart information with leaflets etc.. Why not have Repironics and Resmed for example do the same thing?