You guys/gals might want to read this especially if DreamStation 2 user

[Pugsy]

I just saw a comment from a long time forum member about his new DreamStation 2 that I wanted to draw attention to and alert people to.
His thread is long and the comment might not be seen by many...and I think it needs to be seen.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=175354&p=1416175#p1416175

and I copied it below.

This really concerns me because
1...Philips knew about the original foam issues long before it was made public
2...We only have their word that the foam used to fix the recalled units and in the DS2 models is safe...and because of my reason #1 ....their credibility is highly in question IMHO.

For you guys/gals using the DreamStation 2 models...or refurbished older units that were recalled...I don't know what you all should do but the first thing I would do would be checking for particulates in the humidifier water daily.

The forum member who posted this doesn't use ozone cleaners...never has. He is highly credible and not someone who goes making up crap.

You all are adults and all get to make your own choices in life...just make sure that it is a fully informed choice.

I thought I'd give you a heads up of what I've been up to. I've been upgraded to the Resmed f30i mask and it's been comfortable, but took a while to get used to. In the past month I have been woken up by the irritating (slight burning feeling) of foam entering my airway from my Dream Station 2, similar feeling to what I had a couple of times from the Dream Station 1. The first time with the DS2, I checked my humidifier and sure enough there were foam particles inside of it.

I reached out to Philips, they're trying to say it's user error, why the silicone foam is blowing into my airway. So I've reached out to the FDA in Alameda, California (the local office) by phone. They gave me their email address so I could email them the photo of the foam in the humidifier. My local DME provider is exclusively Philips Respironics only, but is trying to assist me in finding a non Philips CPAP machine. He asked if I would take a used machine and I told him, preferably new but willing to take used if needed to.

I'm still using the DS2 until it can be replaced.

[kbh209]

For context, this is what the foam particles will look like on the bottom of the DS2 humidifier tub.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/xq9G1E8amJFdiQvK7

[Grumpy48]

After reading this post this morning I checked my DS2 water tub. I've been using the DS2 since about October of 2021 when I received it as my DS1 replacement. To note, I'm using bought distilled water and seldom empty and clean the tub and mostly just add water as needed in the morning, so if there is anything to be found it would be over the course of a month or so. I used a high intensity LED flashlight to inspect the tub both from the top and shined through from below. I observed there were NO 'chunky' looking particulates that could be seen. I did however notice something that appeared to be a few very short thin fibers suspended in the water, at which point I emptied the tub, rinsed with fresh tap water, dried with a paper towel (Bounty quicker picker upper ), and refilled with distilled water. Again I noticed a few short fibers. I'm suspecting the suspended fiber looking pieces may be from the paper towel I dried with and will attempt this inspection again in a different manner perhaps using compressed air after rinsing the tub to dry it rather than using a paper towel. The distilled water I'm using is Walmart brand and I may have a look at that as well for the possibility of fibers in it .

In summary there were NO chunky foam looking particulates that could be seen in the tub after about a months use.

@kbh209..... How did you make a determination that the particles were in fact foam or was this just an assumption based on the previous history of the DS1?

[kbh209]

Based off of my previous experience with the DS1. The bottom of the humidifier of the DS1, the foam particles were grey. The bottom of the humidifier of the DS2, the foam particles are white. Also the same experience of feeling foam enter my airway in both machines are similar. I'd like to think that there won't be big chunks falling into my humidifier or in my airway anytime soon.

[tisket]

This does not make me want to go through the hassle of trying to get a prescription to Philips in order to get one of these machines.

Not going to send back my machine for a measly $50 either. It's evidence I would need in court if I developed lung problems from System 1 use. I'm sure they would love to get it out of my hands for $50. One hour of lawyer time would cost them six times that.

[Grumpy48]

Have had my DS2 since 10/21 and have never had any evidence of particulates in the water. The DS1I previously had used for about two years had not ever had any signs of particulates except for a period of when I had used tap water rather than distilled which I normally use. It might be worthwhile to have a lab analyze and confirm the pieces found to actually be foam. A report from a lab could significantly aid in any law suit against Philips showing the foam problem had not been remediated in the replacement.

[kbh209]

Have had my DS2 since 10/21 and have never had any evidence of particulates in the water. The DS1I previously had used for about two years had not ever had any signs of particulates except for a period of when I had used tap water rather than distilled which I normally use. It might be worthwhile to have a lab analyze and confirm the pieces found to actually be foam. A report from a lab could significantly aid in any law suit against Philips showing the foam problem had not been remediated in the replacement.

I just don't have funding to have a lawyer send the machine into a lab to be checked. There's proof on YouTube just how brittle the new foam is and what it looks like. The particles were the same exact shade of white shown in said videos. I shared my evidence with the FDA. Prior to the fall of 2026 when I'm up for a new machine, I am going to ask my sleep specialist to refer me to a new DME that doesn't have an exclusive partnership with Philips.

[movingon]

It has been a long time since I've had a need to post...but something has come up and this looks like a good thread to respond to. I received a replacement Dreamstation 2 because of the recall. When I handle the machine I can hear a rattling noise coming from inside the machine. Talked to resperonics and they are non comital. Any one hear any rattling noises from inside their machine. One more thing, resperonics did have me turn on the machine and let it run. The machine seems to blow fine , but the rattling is still there , although it doesn't appear to be affecting operation. one one last thing is there going to be a workaround made available to make my own changes to the machine settings?

[Grumpy48]

movingon.....

Removed the humidifier tank (has water in it) on my DS2 and gave it a few shakes. Don't hear anything obvious rattling.

Not sure what settings you may want to change, but most you may want to can be changed in the 'Provider Mode'

'Entering Provider mode
Prescriptions are set via Provider screens that are
unavailable to patients.
With the device plugged in, press and hold the Therapy
button for several seconds. When the light ring around the
Therapy button begins flashing, continue to hold it down
while using another finger to swipe down on the screen
until “Entering Provider Mode” appears.'

Provider guide PDF link...........
https://www.medicaleshop.com/pdfs/Respi ... -guide.pdf

[movingon]

Thanks grumpy for getting back to me. I talked some more to resperonics and they decided I can send my machine back and they will repair/replace it. There was something definitely rattling around loose in the machine some where . I guess what I am looking for is the "provider mode." With the machine I have now I have been able to get into the provider settings and change the pressure settings, and other settings that can't be done from the user screen. Maybe with this new machine resperonics is letting us patients do that on our own instead of having to go to the doc and have the doc change them. I really didn't get much of a chance to play with the new machine, with the rattle I was just concentrating on fixing that problem. When it comes back I will look into procedure you provided.