I purchased an airmini over a year ago. Did not have a problem. I only use it when away from home so not very much. Lately I wake up sneezing like crazy. Nose starts running and this can go on for 1-3 days. I have tried everything including the humidex plus disc for some supposed humidity. New filter, hose, mask etc. even bought a small travel cpap cleaner which seemed to help at first. I have an air sense 10 for home with no problems. This is absolutely terrible. The company, Resmed, tells me they never heard of this problem and I don’t believe them. I have found others online with similar complaints. This was very expensive and I don’t want to just trash it. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
I joined this forum as I thought I'm the only one having this issue with Airmini. I have the exact similar experience as @bmonster described. I actually stopped using it for about a year due to these reactions. About 2 days ago, I decided to give it a try after cleaning all the parts. I woke up feeling great except that I started having these reactions described by @bmonster. As an experiment, I just ordered a new N20 System Setup Pack to see if a new set of tube, connector, etc..would make any difference. I'll give feedback once I've completed this experiment.
You wouldn't be using something like SoClean to clean it would you? I don't think they are a good idea. Washing the parts with full strength vinegar and then doing a rinse with Dawn dish soap, and then just water works well for me. I don't think there is anything much different about the AirMini other than it does not have the full humidifier. I believe the system on the AirMini basically recycles the moisture in your breath. We have a Z1 Auto but never use it, as it does not have a humidifier. We prefer to travel with the full size machines.
I did not have a problem with the Airsense until after 2 years. I was told to increase the moisture level which I have done. I don't think that is the answer. With all new equipment for the Airsense 10 I find that I have to rinse the tubing at most in 2 days. I am washing the water reservoir every day. It's really a pain in the neck but I do it. After the Air Mini I bought a Transcend 360 mini cpap for travel. It does have a water reservoir. I have the very same problem. It is really bizarre. I had no problems for many months and then it began to create a major problem as well. This is crazy. The runny nose can last up to 3 days. And I can sneeze 10 times in a row. It's not always this bad, but can be. I know I really need to use it but I am very unhappy. Also, I was told that I would wake up very rested and that has never happened. I still have events at night but not usually more than 4 or 5 per hour which is a huge difference from before.
We use reverse osmosis treated water in the water reservoir and can go 2 weeks between cleanings. Vinegar is good for cleaning the reservoir as even with RO water, mineral deposits will build up. I find the soap and water gets rid of the vinegar smell. But, another alternative for cleaning would be a citric acid solution. Wine and beer making supply stores should have it as a powder.
I don't have the reverse osmosis system in my house. I understand what you say about using soap and water to get rid of the vinegar smell but I can't tolerate it to use it at all. I do use Distilled water as per the instructions. I guess my goal at this point is to find a way not to have to clean everything every day since sometimes I am traveling which makes it difficult to let dry but it is what it is. Thanks for the suggestions. Very appreciated.
We do not have an RO in our house. I just use a couple of 5 gallon reusable containers to get RO water from a local hardware store. I like to protect the plastic trees that get cut down to make all the plastic containers that distilled water gets sold in!
That's very interesting. I am not aware of this in my area but I will investigate it. Again, thank you.
I am in Canada and you can find the Ultra-Pure dispensing machines in places like Canadian Tire, or the large grocery store chains. Here is a link to what looks like a distributer company. They generally have two options; Ultra-Pure, or Ultra-Plus. The Plus has minerals added so you don't want that one. It seems demand has gone up since COVID, and generally people seem to be drinking it. I have no idea why. I was originally getting it for $1 per 5 gallon jug, but then it went to $2, and at my last pick up, it was $3. Still cheaper than the 1 gallon jug option though.
https://www.dyna-pro.com/ultra-puretrade-retail-dispensers1.html
I too am having allergic type reactions (teary puffy eyes and watery nasal drip) with AirMini after I use it for more than two consecutive nights. My supplier and Resmed say they have never had this problem occur before. I don't believe them as you have had similar problems. As best I can tell, it is related to HumidX HME cartridge. I have no such problems with my Resmed home unit using distilled water. I have paid to have the CPAP machine replaced, used cleaned tubes, new nasal pad, new HumidX and replaced the air intake filter. Still having the same problem beginning on the third night of consecutive use. Any solutions found other than quit using the product?
I have had the exact same problem, but it doesn't happen all the time. I only use my AirMini for travel and this time I started to use it the first night with a new HumidX filter but woke up in the middle of the night with a horrible feeling in my nose. I immediately took off the face mask and turned it off. I. proceeded to sneeze violently for several hours. It's been three days and my nose is still itchy and I'm constantly sneezing. I haven't tried using it again on this trip. Glad to see that it's not just me, but it would be nice to find a solution to this problem.
AirMini user. I had the same reaction as bmonster. This is not the first time for me. I am a mess. This happened a few months ago. I have wasted $1000 on buying this machine. My next 3 days at this conference will be trying to stop the sneezing which turns into annoying cold type symptoms. This machine is not for me! BTY I do not have any problem with my ResMed home unit.
I have had the same reaction to my air mini. I’ve had this for a couple years. Never could use it more than a couple nights. After using it for two nights, i begin sneezing, blowing my runny nose, going through half a box of Kleenex in a day. I tried the nasal pillows, the full nose cover (n20), even got an adapter so I can use my Philips Resmed hose. None of this worked. My brother-in-law has the same machine and has no problem. I had him use my machine for a few nights. He did not have the same reaction that I do. Something inside the machine that I’m allergic to, I guess. $1,000 machine goes back onto the closet shelf.
Thanks for the response. Somewhat gratifying to hear someone with similar experiences. Resmed kept telling me there were not aware of such issues. I believe it has to do with the cartridge. I have no issues with my home water machine. I’ve solved the problem selling the mini back to the provider. I have purchased a Transend travel machine that uses water- no problems. Thank
I can’t believe I finally found my people. I don’t have apnea, but use this device for snoring when I’m traveling with my family. Every single time I use it, I get the same violent reaction in one nostril. The devilish tickle starts deep within my sinuses and develops into full fledged cold symptoms with violent sneezing over the next 24-36 hours. I do NOT have this problem with my ResMed Airsense 10 at home.
Since there are no answers to the problem here, I’ll offer my theory. I believe the issues lies within our sinuses. Specifically, something from the device is irritating our sinus cavity, causing inflammation that produces a full storm reaction within your mucous and tear ducts. The body thinks there’s a foreign body, and it responds accordingly. It burns/itches/tickles and gets worse a few hours after waking up. There’s nothing that stops it.
Humidity levels make no difference. Pressure levels make no difference (I’ve tried). Allergy pills the night before don’t help. Saline sprays don’t help. Once it starts, there’s no remedy that stops the cascade effect.
Sleeping position might make a difference (no way to know). It has happened to me using the device in all climates all over the world. I’m done using it. I can’t function when it sets off my sinuses.
I’m following this thread to see what solutions folks have come up with. Sucks for all of us, but at least we know we’re not crazy. At least, not on this. :)
I had this exact same problem! I travel a lot and got the AirMini. The first week I used it on a trip was amazing! I was able to solve any noise problems by adjusting the mask better. I did feel a bit of itching on my nose, but thought it was because I needed more humidification. I was in a dry place.
On my second trip, I used the HumidX trying to solve my humidification problem. The first night, I felt an awful smell, my nose started itching, and I started sneezing like crazy. Got postnasal drip (which I haven’t had in years, since I started using a cpap!) and couldnt stop sneezing all week. The second night, I let the air flow for a while and the smell dissappeared. I did continue sneezing during my whole trip. Finished about 3 boxes of kleenex.
I needed to continue using my cpap, can’t sleep without it. I think that the problem was the humidification. I started wetting my nose, and the problem decreased. But I would wake up about every two hours, once I was feeling dry again..
I am back home, using my usual cpap. All problems have dissappeard. I really think that if I solve the low humidification problem, I can make it work.
Any suggestions?
"Any suggestions?"
We have a Z1 Auto very compact travel machine but we always travel using our AirSense 10 AutoSet machines. The A10 and I presume the A11 come with a very nice travel bag that the whole machine and accessories fit into. They are a medical device and don't count against your carryon limits with airlines. For trips of a week or two we just use tap water in the humidifier and clean it out with vinegar when we get back. Works fine. No adjustment to a different machine.
Sorry to hear you are having problems similar to me. The problem is definitely lack of humidification. I returned my AirMini for a partial credit and purchased a Transcend 365 mainly because it uses water for humidification. That seem to solve the problem. Then on trip I had the same problem. I noticed that it was not consuming much water; consequently, I was not getting adequate humidification. I sent it to the factory under warranty. They said the heater element failed. Got it back, tested it at home for 5 nights - seemed problem solved. Just got back from another trip. Worked fine for 7 nights, then next night it did not consume much water and I got the runny eyes, dripping nose symptoms. I have sent it back to factory and am waiting for their response. Need a reliable humidification system.
Wish I did. Having an external humidifier add problems of getting injected to hose, control and reliability. No problem whatsoever with the ResMed home unit. Travel units using water tend to try to minimize water use so to minimize volume of water to carry with you. If they would just assemble the smaller travel unit with the same reliability the home unit has, I think problem would be solved. If you find that option, please let me know. Next spring, planning 30 day extended vacation. I will have no choice but to bring my home unit.
I just wanted to add that I too have had an allergic reaction to the AirMini. I’ve used it 4 times before I figured out it was the AirMini. I thought I was developing allergies or that my immune system was weakening. The problem occurs with or without the humidex insert. I am past the warranty period so I’m out $1000. I have a resmed airsense 11 which works fine. I believe it’s something in the machine or hoses that’s causes it. Hopefully it’s not toxic. Sneezing, running nose with a tickle deep inside the sinuses. With that said , when I get home and feel better, I’m taking a sledgehammer in my driveway to this piece of garbage so I can watch it break into many pieces. Selling a product that makes you sick is ridiculous. Saying you never heard of this problem is worse.
OMG! So I’m not insane after all! Came home on the train last night from trip out of town and was surprised they didn’t throw me off for endangering other passengers….sneezing constantly, tears running down my face, blowing my nose every two minutes. What a disgrace that I have lost over $1000 on this piece of garbage, plus the carry case, plus a supply of filters. There should be some kind of restitution for selling this product. It will be days before my system settles down.
