A Sleep Apnea Doctor Offers Sound Advice For Patients In The Wake Of The Phillips CPAP Recall

Phillips CPA customers should consult their doctor before restarting using their sleep apnea machine

Tuesday, October 5, 2021 - One sleep apnea doctor says that studies estimate that more than half of all sleep apnea patients discontinue using their prescribed devices within the first year. The FDA recalled the Phillips CPAP sleep apnea devices after becoming aware that they may be leaching toxic, carcinogenic particles, chemicals, and gasses into the machine's airway and directly into the patient's lungs. There are approximately 5 million sleep apnea machine users in the United States, some of which may file Phillips CPAP cancer lawsuits in the months to come. Plaintiffs suing Royal Phillips allege they have developed lung cancer and other lung disorders from using the device. Lung cancer can have a long latency period and may not be readily apparent. You should see a lung cancer specialist if you have used a Phillips CPAP device continually for more than a year. It may also be a good idea to consult a and Phillips recall lawyer. Sleep apnea patients have been left with two options. One is to discontinue using the recalled device and risk choking to death in their sleep or restarting using the machine and risk developing lung cancer, asthma, or other respiratory disorder.

Doctors are concerned that people who wish to revisit using a recalled sleep apnea device may be unaware of the device's dangers. People who consider restarting a sleep apnea machine should consult their doctor. They should also ask if they own a recalled model. The machine can be used alongside other sleep apnea solutions if the sleep apnea machine alone does not provide sufficient relief. Dr. Harneet Kaur Walia, medical director of sleep medicine at Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, tells Baptist Health.net that people who have discontinued and want to restart using their sleep apnea device should change masks, have their chinstrap adjusted, and adjust the CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) pressure settings adjusted so that it may provide more relief. Sleep apnea is also associated with sinus pressure and pain along with mouth dryness that may be addressed by using a saline nasal spray solution. Dr. Walia tells us that sinus difficulties "can be treated with antihistamines or topical corticosteroids, and nasal dryness can be addressed with topical saline sprays or humidification. If the mask is causing skin irritation, you may wish to consider mask liners." Dr. Walia tells people not to try and wear the device all night at first but to refamiliarize themselves with it gradually by first wearing it for an hour or two at night while still awake and watching TV or reading, and then during the night for an hour or two, increasing the duration every week if possible. Most instances of sleep apnea device discomfort can be adjusted to make one feel more comfortable and sleep better. Royal Phillips is currently in the process of repairing or replacing the defective sleep apnea devices. Customers may have to wait a year or more before being able to use their machine again.

Sources:

https://baptisthealth.net/baptist-health-news/solutions-for-cpap-dropouts-with-obstructive-sleep-apnea/

https://www.winknews.com/2021/10/05/cpap-machine-recall-leaves-many-with-breathing-disorders-other-illnesses-at-risk/">

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We will represent all persons in involved in a BiPAP or CPAP cancer lawsuit on a contingency basis, meaning there are never any legal fees unless we win compensation in your case. Anyone who developed cancer or another serious side effect as a result of using a Philips CPAP sleep apnea machine or ventilator in --or is a family member of such a person--is eligible to receive a free, no-obligation case review from our attorneys. Simply contact our firm through the online contact form or the chat feature and one of our Philips BiPAP cancer lawyers serving will contact you promptly to discuss your case.