Sleep-deprived Calgarian still waiting for CPAP machine following massive recall | 24CA News

The large worldwide recall of a significant piece of medical gear by Philips continues to trigger severe issues for some Canadians, together with a Calgary girl.

Gail Johnston is considered one of an estimated two million Canadians who’ve sleep apnea — a sleep problem. Johnston, who has had the dysfunction for a number of years, informed Global News not having the ability to use her CPAP machine as a result of recall has significantly impacted her well being and her life.

“I don’t feel well rested,” she mentioned. “My sleep and my rest are just not the same quality.”

“My sleeping habits are to the point where my husband couldn’t sleep with me without the machine. Sometimes I would sleep in a different room. Then he tried ear plugs. And now he takes melatonin to get to sleep.”

Philips issued the voluntary recall again in June 2021. The concern was that foam utilized in a few of the machines could possibly be poisonous and will break down into small particles after which be breathed in by the person.

There have been even issues over carcinogenic results.

“Certainly, it was a scare. And a shock,” Johnston mentioned.

Johnston mentioned she put any “cancer” issues out of her thoughts, however she did discontinue utilizing the machine. However, she mentioned she is aware of of people that continued to make use of theirs regardless of any potential dangers.

“I know of people who continued to use it afterwards because they desperately needed the machine,” she mentioned.

1:54Calgary firm treats sleep apnea with new expertise

Johnston mentioned she’s not that “desperate” however she has been making an attempt for months to contact her CPAP supplier and Philips to no avail.

“I understand there’s been a shortage of chips and a shortage of parts, so I waited,” she mentioned. “I was patient. But it’s now February of 2023 and I have not received my replacement CPAP machine.”

Global News reached out to Philips and obtained an announcement. It learn partially: “We deeply regret the concern and uncertainty felt by patients who depend on these devices for their health and well-being.”

An organization official additionally acknowledged the transfer to tug the merchandise was “…one of the largest field actions in the medical technology industry and we take the remediation very seriously.”

Philips added it has a crew of greater than 1,000 staff working “very hard” to get a decision to sufferers as quick as attainable. But officers identified as a result of it’s such a posh endeavor — as a result of variety of units (5,500) and particular person sufferers — it should take time.

The firm acknowledged will probably be investigating Johnston’s case and observe up along with her.

Her message to Philips: “Just honour the replacements.”

2:24About 10 per cent of the grownup inhabitants suffers from sleep apnea, a severe sleep problem that causes folks to cease respiratory whereas asleep

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