Time for a new FFM

[johnmw1]

Hi,
I find it time to think about a new FFM, mainly because there is a flash sale happening with up to $100 off RRP.

Currently I have been using the Mirage Quattro for about the last 7 or so years and still on the original cushion, but of late am starting to have leak problems and I find I'm having to tighten my straps just too much. I am a side sleeper and overall have been very happy with the Quattro.

The flash sale is offering either the ResMed Airfit F20 or the Air Touch F20. While the Air Touch seems to be the updated version of the Airfit, my one big concern is the ongoing cost of replacing the foam for the Air Touch every 30 days or so?

Am using a Philips System One BiPAP Auto with Bi-Flex for which I think I need a new humidifier heated hose as my existing one no longer seems to be heating. I cannot feel any warmth in the hose at all and I have developed what has become a permanent cough which is chronic for the first 20 minutes each morning?

Your thoughts please.

Cheers,
John

[Pugsy]

Check your humidifier first. There's a known problem with some of the System One models.
Turn your machine on and crank up the humidifier setting and let it run for about 15 minutes then pull the water chamber out of the box and feel to see if the bottom of the chamber is warm or not. If the humidifier isn't heating at all there's a potential way for you to fix it.

The AirTouch foam cushion...not going to last you nearly as long as your other cushion. Just having it exposed to the air will start it to degrade but with some common sense care people seem to get about 3 months out of one cushion. My DME uses a cpap and he uses the AirTouch...says you can get more than 30 days but 90 is probably pushing it.
Might be able to extend the life a little more by keeping facial oils off with some sort of liner if you like to use mask liners.

[johnmw1]

Check your humidifier first. There's a known problem with some of the System One models.
Turn your machine on and crank up the humidifier setting and let it run for about 15 minutes then pull the water chamber out of the box and feel to see if the bottom of the chamber is warm or not. If the humidifier isn't heating at all there's a potential way for you to fix it.

The AirTouch foam cushion...not going to last you nearly as long as your other cushion. Just having it exposed to the air will start it to degrade but with some common sense care people seem to get about 3 months out of one cushion. My DME uses a cpap and he uses the AirTouch...says you can get more than 30 days but 90 is probably pushing it.
Might be able to extend the life a little more by keeping facial oils off with some sort of liner if you like to use mask liners.

Hi Pugsy,

Glad to see you still at it. You helped me all those years ago with my current setup.

Re the humidifier, I shall have a go at your suggestion to see if it is still heating, although I guess that it is, as I'm still having to fill the water chamber. I suspect I may have stuffed the heater hose myself as I have just read on the ResMed site that the hose should not be immersed in water, and I know that indeed I did immerse it fully last time I cleaned it.

As for the mask I'm tempted to go for the AirTouch and give it a try and if I don't like it I'll just get the F20 cushion to replace the foam.

Cheers,
John

[Pugsy]

Are you still in Australia? I have some spare heated hoses for the System One that you could have but due to box size they are awful expensive to ship. They don't weigh much but the box size will hurt a bit. If you want to pay the postage they are free.

Yeah, if it's using water then the humidifier is probably working.

[johnmw1]

Are you still in Australia? I have some spare heated hoses for the System One that you could have but due to box size they are awful expensive to ship. They don't weigh much but the box size will hurt a bit. If you want to pay the postage they are free.

Yeah, if it's using water then the humidifier is probably working.

Yes Pugsy,

Still in Australia!

As for buying a new heater tube, I'm not even sure if they are available here in Oz anymore, but I know you can still buy them in the US? I may take you up on your kind offer, what sort of cost for shipping do you think?

Cheers,
John

[Pugsy]

Send me your mailing address and I will go to the post office and see just how much it will cost.
Maybe around $25 to 30 US...I can make it worth your while though. Not sure how many I have but at least 2 maybe more.
Someone donated them. New but out of package.

[johnmw1]

PM sent,

Cheers,
John

[Comfortably Numb]

I think you're on the right track with the Air Touch F20. I've been using the F20 for many months now and it's the best mask (for me) that I've tried. I started using the Air Touch memory foam about 6 months ago, and it still shows no signs of wear. I'm on Medicare so I bought it out of pocket. These are good, reasonably priced sources:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-RESMED-AIR ... 1#viTabs_0
and,
https://www.ebay.com/p/ResMed-Airtouch- ... 0012.m1985

[johnmw1]

I think you're on the right track with the Air Touch F20. I've been using the F20 for many months now and it's the best mask (for me) that I've tried. I started using the Air Touch memory foam about 6 months ago, and it still shows no signs of wear. I'm on Medicare so I bought it out of pocket. These are good, reasonably priced sources:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-RESMED-AIR ... 1#viTabs_0
and,
https://www.ebay.com/p/ResMed-Airtouch- ... 0012.m1985

Hi Comfortably Numb,

Thanks for your thoughts on the AirTouch F20 and those links.

It now has me questioning whether the supposed flash sale for these masks are as good as what I could possibly buy them from elsewhere online? Having looked for prices for replacement foam at the same place as the flash sale it seems they don't even stock them which is a bit of a worry? Perhaps I need to investigate a bit more before rushing into this purchase?

Cheers,
John

[Pugsy]

Ebay Australia is one potential source for some items
https://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_fro ... h&_sacat=0

[johnmw1]

Ebay Australia is one potential source for some items
https://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_fro ... h&_sacat=0

That's interesting Pugsy and $20 cheaper than the flash sale. I didn't think EBay was allowed to sell cpap equipment?

Cheers,
John

[Pugsy]

EBay in the US can't (not supposed to) sell anything with the RX sticker on it...like a cpap machine or complete mask packages.
But they sell replacement parts for masks all the time because replacement parts don't come with a RX sticker on them.
Now sometimes complete mask packages or machines get offered by some sellers and the EBay police don't catch them.
Replacement parts like cushions or nasal pillows or hoses or headgears or filters...fair game and quite legal to sell because no RX sticker is on them.

It's very possible that EBay in Australia has different rules and regulations about what can be sold that has a RX sticker on them.
But replacement parts...legal since no RX is required to purchase replacement parts. Sellers are going to sell anything to make a dollar if EBay will let them.