Two years later, those with sleep apnea still experienced continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) recall

Orlando Florida – Carrie Markham spent three years struggling to breathe, suffering from lung problems that began in March of 2020, baffling her doctors.

“They just kept saying, ‘We just don’t know,’” Markham said. “It’s some kind of inflammatory condition. But we don’t know what it is.”

The 48-year-old registered nurse and mother of three said she has been using a Philips DreamStation continuous positive airway pressure machine for sleep apnea since 2018.

Then, in June of 2021, I found out on Facebook that devices like this He was called up voluntarily Because of the sound reducing foam used inside the machines which can decompose.

According to Philips, the recall of millions of CPAP respirators was due to “potential risks” that include “toxic and carcinogenic effects,” along with the potential for “asthma” and “inflammatory response.”

“I was blown away,” Markham told CBS News. “I was like, ‘This explains everything I feel like I’m going through.’”

Nor can she believe that she did not receive a subpoena from the company.

“I haven’t seen him anywhere but on Facebook,” Markham said. “Why am I finding this on Facebook?”

Markham is one of many users now suing Philips, saying the company has been told of foam deterioration inside some of its CPAP machines and ventilators since 2015, according to the FDA, but didn’t start the recall until 2021.

Almost two years later, some patients complained on social media that they had not received a replacement Philips machine.

“I think this recall shows us how things can go wrong when they are not properly fixed,” said Dr. Vinay Rathi, an otolaryngologist at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Hospital in Boston who studies medical device regulation.

“You basically bought a device, and found out that, in fact, it can hurt you,” Rathi said. “And then you have a hard time finding a replacement… If I were sick, I’d be mad.”

Phillips told CBS News in a statement that, as of January, it had “produced more than 90% of the replacement devices ordered.”

The company said it has so far shipped replacements to about 2.5 million customers, nearly half of those who need them.

It also said that its most recent testing showed that “foam decomposition is low” and within “applicable safety limits.” It said that “exposure to particulate matter emissions from decomposing foam … is unlikely to result in appreciable harm to patients’ health.”

Philips told CBS News that it could not comment on pending litigation, including Markham’s lawsuit.

Markham now uses a different company’s CPAP machine. However, she said that due to her health issues, she is now unable to work the nursing job she loves.

“I don’t know if I’ll be there for my grandchildren,” said an emotional Markham.