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Since the air pressures are controlled by an algorithm on a chip, and strives to be sensitive to even anticipating changes in your breathing patterns and hence pressure needs throughout the night, it might not take much to throw a monkey wrench into the process. It appears a little delicate…. Early in my use of PAP filters, I had one that seemed to develop a white growth on it. That alarmed me.
Have you spoken to your sleep doc or sleep lab about it? I’d start with that and see what they think…
I looked up the recommended replacement cycle on-line and I found a range: three to six months. A lot probably depends on whether the environment is humid, dusty or otherwise tough on filters. (I became a little overly conscious of filters, generally, after buying a house from my Mom and finding an air filter in a vent behind a bookcase that looked like concrete and had probably not been changed in many years. One visual experience can make an impression.)
Spot- It really doesn’t look that bad. I’m inclined to concur with your differential density thesis. Anyway, you have it working well again, and that’s what counts….
Spot: You might want to check on the recommended replacement schedule for the filters as well as all the other peripherals. Wrt the filters, I believe it is monthly re the RESMED machines. While it may differ somewhat wrt the Philips machine, I doubt that it is as long as six months.
I know it’s a nuisance (not to mention a cost) to keep up with the recommended replacement schedule. But given the concerns about foam degradation and off- gassing of plastics, it might be advisable to adhere to the recommended schedule. Also, I wouldn’t get creative about washing the filters, that could superimpose another cause of contamination. But I would be very concerned about a filter that was so dirty that it was blocking the air flow. You don’t want to be breathing air that’s gone through something that dirty. (Your lungs are a filter, too, and that’s the important one.)
I haven’t had the problem, because I DO change the filter reasonably regularly. However, I think it is very likely that a blocked filter could cause that or other problems. Anytime a pump is trying to pump against resistance of any kind, it will stress out, and perhaps, burn out the motor. That’s why they have “safeties” on wells pumps.
The split mattress approach is more flexible and forgiving, especially if you are dealing with an awkward stairwell or close corners. For anything larger than a queen, I would vote for using the split box spring and mattress with a unifying topper to avoid the “crack’ in the middle, unless you also require the flexibility of separating the king into two twin width beds.
My favorites have been innerspring mattresses. The foam usually gets too hot, plus I, personally don’t like the feeling of sinking into the foam which then makes it difficult to turn over. So a reasonably supportive, if not firm, innerspring has worked well.
But if purchasing one in the US, be careful! Buying one here is worse than buying a used car. Try to find a very reputable vendor. The major department stores and brand names tend to be better, but wrt the discount “mattress stores”, watch out!
My favorites have been the two I purchased from Dux stores, an upscale, Scandinavian brand, especially the Dux3001. Not cheap, but so durable, and well thought of, that people bequeath them in their wills.
But bear in mind that mattress comfort is a very individual thing. What one person finds consummately comfortable, another person may find totally torturous.
You should check out the reports to the FDA of both PAP machine and patient harm resulting from Ozone use.
Dear Sierra and BUG: I am about to start work on a Patient’s Bill of Rights WRT Medical Devices. Please weigh in with any ideas and thoughts you may have.
