Patients use and need Cpap machines to keep the air ways open at night, and keep their blood oxygen levels elevated to normal levels, to avoid a stroke, heart attack, and possible death. The reality is that the overwhelming vast majority have to use this equipment... There is no options given the high risk to the devastating consequences of trying to sleep without this equipment. Add to this, long term use creates even more dependence on the cpap unit. Having used a cpap for 21 years, it hard become essential. Recently, one night without electricity, and no battery supply to run my cpap unit... Well, not only did I have a dreadful night, but suffered a severe headache with minor chest discomfort all the next day. And it took me two days to fully recover and feel normal again. So, like many, to say this equipment is essential is an understatement.
The Philips recall has put us all between a huge rock and a extremely hard place. Philips recall says to stop using their equipment, but consult your doctor. The foam material in the turbine blower compartment heads two problems. One, it's breaking down putting particles directly into our lungs... Some so micro small that even filters can not catch them. Particles that can cause a multitude of respiratory issues but temporary and long term, but also cause cancer. Secondly, as the foam dreaks down it admits a toxic gas that no filter can catch, put it directly into your lungs creating not only respiratory issues, but affecting other organs including your eyes.
Doctors say the risk of stopping use of the cpap is an extreme risk.
Philps has no immediate remedy, and is not expected to have the recall issue fully resolved until September 2022. So there you have it... Rock and a hard place.
Solutions and remedies are all over the place with no real solutions.
Use your old machine... Stop using the machine ( not an option)... Wait for a replacement with a new unit or refurbished unit... Remove the foam yourself ( if you are handy)... Of course you could always buy a new cpap ( different makers) if you can pay the now inflated prices for a new unit that insurance will not buy. So where are we all? Just waiting and waiting while risking our health. Of course all kinds of stories are coming to tug he surface. One says Philips knew of this issue for years, and instead of fixing the issue, continued to make and sell units with defective foam... True? Who knows? Someone that use to work for the contracted company handling the recall hotline stated that the entire hotline is merely giving lip service... No real customer service. Again, true? Who knows?
Amazon is seeking, via different dealers, probably from the same source in China, the turbine chamber with supposedly a safe foam as used in ResMed units. Who knows if it's really safe. So that's another risk. Unknown possible risk verses a factual know risk with the Philips foam. Decisions... Decisions that we shouldn't have to make.
My next move. No choice, have to continue using my cpap! Have been using an inline filter since this started back in June, and will continue. Moisture from the humidifier chamber is said to contribute to the breakdown of the foam... So now I'm not using the humidifier which is dying out my sinuses... which could be a bad thing since mucus can absorb particles helping you expel them so they are not absorbed.
Philps has no immediate remedy, and is not expected to have the recall issue fully resolved until September 2022. So there you have it... Rock and a hard place.
Solutions and remedies are all over the place with no real solutions.
Use your old machine... Stop using the machine ( not an option)... Wait for a replacement with a new unit or refurbished unit... Remove the foam yourself ( if you are handy)... Of course you could always buy a new cpap ( different makers) if you can pay the now inflated prices for a new unit that insurance will not buy. So where are we all? Just waiting and waiting while risking our health. Of course all kinds of stories are coming to tug he surface. One says Philips knew of this issue for years, and instead of fixing the issue, continued to make and sell units with defective foam... True? Who knows? Someone that use to work for the contracted company handling the recall hotline stated that the entire hotline is merely giving lip service... No real customer service. Again, true? Who knows?
Amazon is seeking, via different dealers, probably from the same source in China, the turbine chamber with supposedly a safe foam as used in ResMed units. Who knows if it's really safe. So that's another risk. Unknown possible risk verses a factual know risk with the Philips foam. Decisions... Decisions that we shouldn't have to make.
My next move. No choice, have to continue using my cpap! Have been using an inline filter since this started back in June, and will continue. Moisture from the humidifier chamber is said to contribute to the breakdown of the foam... So now I'm not using the humidifier which is dying out my sinuses... which could be a bad thing since mucus can absorb particles helping you expel them so they are not absorbed.
For now... Waiting... filled with helpless anxiety.
Lots of good information on the Facebook site for Philips Cpap group.
Of course, some speculative, some emotional conclusions, some discouraging, some simply guessing, and some with opinions that could be questionable.
Helpful or making anxiety even higher... It's a mixed bag of information.
