Maintaining CPAP gear?

Newbie here with a couple of questions for the vets:

1) I see that many have backup machines. So how frequently do your machines malfunction? When it does go on the fritz, who do you send it to for repair, how long are you without that machine, and about how much do repairs cost on average? Of course if you have been on CPAP for some years and replace your initial machine with a new one at some point the old machine becomes the de-facto "backup." However, do you recommend investing the $1K or so in a backup machine in the meantime?

2) How often do you nasal pillow users replace them? How do you know it's time to replace the pillows with new ones, or do you just do it on a schedule?

1) I used my first Phillips CPAP for 7 years before it malfunctioned, so I was able to replace it with insurance. It did not fail completely so it will be my backup. You can find backup machines for $200-400.
2) can't help with the nasal pillows I use FFM

I have never had a machine fail...but then I have always had Plan B...a back up machine.
And no....not a grand but maybe a couple of hundred (or even less) for a gently used machine works out well.

Nasal pillow replacement. That's highly individual. I am currently using a nasal pillow...just one that I have been using 8 months now.
Same one. Wash it every now and then whenever I happen to think about it.
But I know other people who say they run into trouble after 2 or 3 weeks of use and washing doesn't seem to help.

Usually the main complaint seems to be leakage that they can't seem to fix or the pillow just feels "weird" to them and they don't like the feel.
For me...after about 10 months or so it just looks yucky but probably functions fine and I will toss it just because it has yellowed with age. If silicone is left out exposed to the air...it turns yellow and looks yucky...probably doesn't really hurt it but it looks bad.

Most insurance will allow 2 per month replacement but I think that it is rare that most people would actually need that frequent of a replacement.

This is another one of those cpap things that comes with a big YMMV sticker.

I've only been on therapy for 3 years so I've never had a machine malfunction. If one of my machine's stopped working, I would just toss it or donate it for parts or to someone smarter than me (that is a long list) if I couldn't fix it myself. I own 4 or 5 so I will never be worried about malfunctions .

I buy all my machines "gently used" so it isn't worth it to me to put much effort into it. I do try and take care of my machines though - replacing the filters, wiping down the exterior with a cloth, wiping down the surface the machine rests on, etc.

I can use the same nasal pillow for many months. I wash it maybe once a week on average, which is really just a quick rinse in some warm to hot soapy water, and I let it dry until I use it again. Bit more vigilant with the cleaning if I have a cold.

My backup machine is my old machine. I did not have a backup for the first six years.

You should always have a backup hose and mask on hand.

scruffies wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 11, 2018 1:29 pm

Newbie here with a couple of questions for the vets:

1) I see that many have backup machines. So how frequently do your machines malfunction? When it does go on the fritz, who do you send it to for repair, how long are you without that machine, and about how much do repairs cost on average? Of course if you have been on CPAP for some years and replace your initial machine with a new one at some point the old machine becomes the de-facto "backup." However, do you recommend investing the $1K or so in a backup machine in the meantime?

I've got a spare machine, I bought it on craigslist, it didn't cost me nearly 1k. I've not had to use it, but it's handy to grab when I'm going somewhere, instead of having to pack up my regular one.

scruffies wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 11, 2018 1:29 pm

2) How often do you nasal pillow users replace them? How do you know it's time to replace the pillows with new ones, or do you just do it on a schedule?

When they wear out. I've switched them and seen that my leaks and stuff were unchanged, so I switched back to the first pair... I think I used my first pillows for two years or so, because there was no reason to throw it away.

palerider wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 11, 2018 6:29 pm

When they wear out. I've switched them and seen that my leaks and stuff were unchanged, so I switched back to the first pair... I think I used my first pillows for two years or so, because there was no reason to throw it away.

What in the world are we going to do with all those stockpiled P10 pillows we thought we just HAD to have?
I have given some away and I still have years of inventory at my present rate of consumption.
There will be a newer latest and greatest nasal pillow mask released long before I will ever use up my inventory.
I did learn my lesson though...no more big stockpiling of pillow inventory.

Pugsy wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 11, 2018 6:37 pm

palerider wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 11, 2018 6:29 pm

When they wear out. I've switched them and seen that my leaks and stuff were unchanged, so I switched back to the first pair... I think I used my first pillows for two years or so, because there was no reason to throw it away.

What in the world are we going to do with all those stockpiled P10 pillows we thought we just HAD to have?
I have given some away and I still have years of inventory at my present rate of consumption.
There will be a newer latest and greatest nasal pillow mask released long before I will ever use up my inventory.
I did learn my lesson though...no more big stockpiling of pillow inventory.

Yeah, no kidding... at least, I've learned my lesson... don't listen to all the people talking about how delicate and fragile they are... see for myself :lols:

To answer your Q.1:

I had my first DreamStation machine malfunction four months after use. One of the sensors failed and it was showing a constant zero on my sleep doctor's daily reports. It was brought to Philips' attention by my sleep doctor's DME specialist and it took about 3 weeks of troubleshooting on Philips part before Philips replaced the machine. (It has a two year warranty. )

Philips sent a new machine to my DME and they swapped it out with me at their offices the next day.

I was able to use the DreamStation during that time, and I think if it had failed to run at all, things would have moved along a bit more quickly.

Thanks all.....

Most people never experience a malfunction until the machine is 5 years or older (they are supposed to be manufactered to last that long). However, your machine can fall off the table one too many times. If you are within the warranty, you usually would bring the machine into the DME you purchased it from and they arrange repair or replacement. If you are outside the warranty, contact your insurance to find out if they cover repairs. If not, it's usually quicker (and maybe less costly) to contact a repair service yourself (www.acbio.com is the one I know).

Here's a tricky part that I don't know the answer to. Water damage is generally not covered by the warranty. I don't know if insurance (or Medicare) cover for that. A replacement computer board is usually the costliest repair and that is between $150-300 for a cpap/apap. That's why it's usually cheaper just to find a used unit. Turnaround for a repair can be anything between 1 week and 2 months (this was from Lincare). The repair service I listed above says 1 week turnaround.

Lots of good reasons to have a backup, but maybe you don't want to get one in advance in case you never need it. If you can do 3-5 days without a machine, then send a copy of your prescription to your chosen online retailer. When/if your machine breaks down, have them overnight a new machine to you. Costs more for the machine than Craigslist, but costs nothing if you never need it.

As to pillows, that's pretty much been answered. Mileage varies per person.

palerider wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 11, 2018 7:10 pm

Pugsy wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 11, 2018 6:37 pm

palerider wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 11, 2018 6:29 pm

When they wear out. I've switched them and seen that my leaks and stuff were unchanged, so I switched back to the first pair... I think I used my first pillows for two years or so, because there was no reason to throw it away.

What in the world are we going to do with all those stockpiled P10 pillows we thought we just HAD to have?
I have given some away and I still have years of inventory at my present rate of consumption.
There will be a newer latest and greatest nasal pillow mask released long before I will ever use up my inventory.
I did learn my lesson though...no more big stockpiling of pillow inventory.

Yeah, no kidding... at least, I've learned my lesson... don't listen to all the people talking about how delicate and fragile they are... see for myself :lols:

Your insurance must provide supplies at no charge. I need to pay 20% of the cost.

I got a spare mask kit. Pillows I have used from the kits or received on the exchange here.

For maintenance I now switch mask and headgear once a week, moving the pillow. I then clean the mask vents and clean & soak the headgear. I change the pillow as needed.

prodigyplace wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 12, 2018 3:48 am

Your insurance must provide supplies at no charge. I need to pay 20% of the cost.

Nope...PR's insurance and mine doesn't pay at 100% rate. I have the 20% copay (and I think PR has at least that amount) just like most other people. I think only once in the last 2 years have I used my insurance for nasal pillow replacement and that wasn't for me but it was for someone else...I got a supply of Swift FX pillows last fall for someone whose insurance only allows 1 nasal pillow per year...yep..1 per year. And I sold them to her at my copay cost. I used my 3 month allowance to help someone out because I didn't need to use the allowance on me since I have enough pillows to last for years. I don't use my insurance unless I actually need something...and the need would more likely be a need to help someone out.

What we did was find some killer hot deals on brand new pillows on EBay and snatched them up. Like a bulk package of 6 P 10 Small pillows for $30 and shipping was free. I just couldn't pass up that deal.

I have Medicare...but I really mainly use it for the 1 per 6 month mask.
In 9 years I have used it for 1 hose and 1 water chamber and other than the 6 pillows I got last fall for someone else...I bet you could count on one hand the number of pillows I got using my insurance.
Never used my insurance for a machine...always buy private cheaper than my copay would be and I avoid all the hassle.

www.secondwindcpap.com is a good place to look for used machines and craigslist.

Pugsy wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 11, 2018 6:37 pm

palerider wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 11, 2018 6:29 pm

When they wear out. I've switched them and seen that my leaks and stuff were unchanged, so I switched back to the first pair... I think I used my first pillows for two years or so, because there was no reason to throw it away.

What in the world are we going to do with all those stockpiled P10 pillows we thought we just HAD to have?
I have given some away and I still have years of inventory at my present rate of consumption.

I used the P10 system for over a year, and although I didn't ever notice an issue with the seal, I did notice that I had more difficulty breathing through each pair of pillows after about 21 days.
This, in turn, would lead to greater mouth leak. There were a couple of times when I used the same pillows for a month, but that was as long as I ever tried to go.

I had the best success when I was replacing them every 16 days, like clockwork.