Agent86

Update: I decided to make some adjustments to see if I could salvage my $1000 paperweight. I had been avoiding it because I did not want to go through another week of severe symptoms if it did not work. My goal was to reduce the air pressure and exhale resistance to see if that helped.

I am using nasal pillows and a new standard HumidX cartridge. I had also started using Flonase regularly for a while, which was new for me. I followed steps from youtube on how to access the clinical menu for the Air Mini from my phone app.

These are the settings I changed.

Mode: CPAP

Set Pressure: 6 (previously 8)

Ramp Time: Auto

Start Pressure: 4 (Previously 5)

EPR: On (previously Off)

EPR Type: Full Time (previously n/a)

EPR Level: 2 (previously n/a)

Smart Start: On

Smart Stop: On

I started the first night only using the Air Mini for a few hours, then switched to my home CPAP unit for the rest of the night. I had no adverse symptoms.

The second night I used the Air Mini for the full night. I waited a few hours after waking to post this, to see if any dreaded symptoms developed. I slept well through the night and used Flonase a couple of times when getting up for the restroom. The only symptom I experienced was a minor congestion in one nostril, which cleared up after a couple of hours. No uncontrollable allergy symptoms and runny nose.

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. I do not recommend that anyone do this without consulting a professional. I am sharing my experience for educational purposes.

I do not know if this is a permanent fix for me, but it has made using the Air Mini more pleasant and I feel that I can start taking it with me while traveling and start to use it as intended.

Hope everyone else is able to find their solution to their unpleasant Air Mini allergy situation.

Claritin did not seem to help in alleviating the AM symptoms. I took it after the symptoms started figuring it would knock it out quickly, but it didn’t.

One thought I had was it may be caused by the air pressure set at mask setting going through my nasal pillows.

Who is using nasal pillows vs mask and experiencing these symptoms?

Yes, it is a horrible situation. The symptoms are worse than any allergy attack or cold I have ever had, and OTC allergy meds seem to have no effect. It takes several days to run its course. The Air Mini was a big and expensive let down. I am going to try changing the internal settings to minimize the air flow rate to see if that helps, but not looking forward to another week of hell if it doesn’t work. I wish someone would invent an in-line water humidifier that replaced the Humid X cartridge, and sell it online or post the plans.

Thank you for the info. I think it has to do with the force of the air, and dryness irritating the back of the sinus and triggering the histamine reaction in some people.

When it hits for me, it always starts with a tickling sensation at the back of my left nostril.

Print out this thread or attach a pdf or link when you contact your provider and ResMed. The more exposure the better and the less deniability they have to not address or look into it.

Yeah, it sucks. I had great hopes of using the AirMini for travel and camping trips, but have had to go without or take my Airsense 10. I also wish I could get my $1000 back, but by the time I figured out it was the AirMini it was too late for the refund.

Just a quick survey for those having AirMini symptoms. Do you use the nasal pillows or the full mask? I use the nasal pillows.

Also, some posters on other boards that are having the same symptoms as we are believe that it is caused because the AirMini/HumidX creates excessive dryness. This creates a histamine reaction as the body tries to rapidly compensate and flood the airway membranes with mucus and moisture. This causes the allergy like reaction, which takes several days to run its course.

I am thinking about adjusting the settings on my AirMini to lower the pressure to see if that helps, but I am also hesitant because I don’t want to create another week of being sick again for no reason. I wish ResMed would take this seriously and do some research on this issue, and develop a better system to create humidity. The science exists and is pretty advanced in new membranes that create and transfer moisture. Maybe something like an in-line vape cartridge instead of the HumidX.

I would be interested. I also plan to write my own letter asking for an explanation or solution and referencing this thread and others of people having the same issue.

It is a horrible feeling to have to deal with for several days at a time, and I am honestly afraid to try to isolate the problem or try different solutions because of the harm to myself while doing so.

It also sucks to have spent over $1000 on something that I can’t use or even try to fix.

I am posting and following to keep this issue fresh and alive and provide additional vindication to others who have had this experience.

I am a long time a ResMed Airsense 10 user. I have had no issues with the Airsense 10. Have had 2 of them and had great trust in Resmed reputation.

I purchased an AirMini about 6 weeks ago to make travel and camping more convenient. I have used the AirMini a total of 4 times spread out over the 6 weeks. I use the nasal pillows.

First time I used the Airmini, it had a weird smell to it from the HumidX. I woke up with a tickle up in my nostril and the tip of my nose feeling very cold. I started sneezing non stop for about 30-40 minutes. At the same time my nose started running non stop. These symptoms lasted for for 3-4 days and were not effected by OTC cold medicine. It was pretty miserable. I was not sure if it was the flu or from the Airmini.

The second time I used the Airmini was on a trip. The same progression and symptoms occurred and also lasted 3-4 days. Nothing seemed to help or control the symptoms.

The third time I used the Airmini about a month ago I had a no symptoms.

I was still wary of using the Airmini on important trips. I found on this forum and others that people were having the same experience with the AirMini and that it was possibly caused by humidity issues.

Last night I was in good health and had not been around groups of people for awhile, so I decided to run a test and used the Airmini instead of my Airsense 10. I frequently set my nose, added a few drops of distilled water to the HumidX filter. The first half of the night went ok. I monitored for any symptoms and intended to discontinue at the first sign of any issues.

At 3:30 am this morning it hit. Tickle in the back of the left nostril, some sneezing, and the runny nose. Both nostrils now plugged. I have taken some Benedryl and cold medicine, hoping that I can avoid 3-4 days of misery and chaffed nose.

There is no doubt in my mind that this reaction is caused by the AirMini. As others have pointed out, the disappointment is in not getting a workable product and losing over $1000 in the process. I will contact Resmed but I expect they wii say Airmini is past the return period.