Since I don't have insurance... Help w/ supplies?

[Char1ieJ]

Due to health issues, I had to leave my first career in 2013. I'm semi-retired now (do some photography on the side). The down side is that I don't make a lot of money (can't work very much) and I don't have insurance.

I need to replace hoses, masks, etc -- but the websites I've tried are a bit on the steep side for pricing (masks mostly). I think I read somewhere that this forum supports a certain sales site -- which I would consider. But, are there others that have good prices? Or, better yet...a place where people trade/sell unused or gently used CPAP/BiPAP items? Thanks!

[palerider]

Due to health issues, I had to leave my first career in 2013. I'm semi-retired now (do some photography on the side). The down side is that I don't make a lot of money (can't work very much) and I don't have insurance.

I need to replace hoses, masks, etc -- but the websites I've tried are a bit on the steep side for pricing (masks mostly). I think I read somewhere that this forum supports a certain sales site -- which I would consider. But, are there others that have good prices? Or, better yet...a place where people trade/sell unused or gently used CPAP/BiPAP items? Thanks!

ebay/amazon is usually the best prices for mask parts, and you don't need an rx, nor for hoses, filters, etc.

[Cardsfan]

the website is https://www.cpap.com they are the sponsor of this forum.

Also, there is a thread on here titled "the great pillow exchange" or something like that. where people swap items. I'll try to find it and bump it up for you.

[LSAT]

I've seen really good deals on Craigslist, but you need to be careful. Buy locally if possible.

[Sir NoddinOff]

What size Swift FX nasal pillows do you use

[Wulfman...]

Right on the front page of the forum........ Just a few threads down from this one at the moment:

viewtopic/t36070/THE-GREAT-PILLOW-EXCHANGE.html

Currently, the last page is this one:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=36070&start=1200


Den

.

[dooger54]

Right on the front page of the forum........ Just a few threads down from this one at the moment:

viewtopic/t36070/THE-GREAT-PILLOW-EXCHANGE.html

Currently, the last page is this one:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=36070&start=1200


Den

.

Wow. And I thought that thread was actually something to do with CPAP pillows ! Dumb me!

[Sleeprider]

CharlieJ, it's worth calling the online suppliers including CPAP.com for quotes. They are limited by the manufacturer minimum advertised price policy for what they can show on the web site. If you know what you want, call and it's usually less than the posted price.

As mentioned, Amazon and Ebay can be good sources, and this forum occasionally has a member selling a machine. Craigslist can be a source for machines if you know exactly what you're doing and buy carefully and safely.

Good luck!

[Char1ieJ]

Folks, thank you for the tips and ideas. I'm heading over to the Great Pillow Exchange thread after posting this reply.
I don't do eBay -- too many crooks there. I will check Amazon & Craigslist, though. Also, I'll check cpap.com and call them as well.

My machine is good, but the humidifer tank needs to be replaced, as does my hose, mask (at least pillows) and chin strap.

I sincerely appreciate the help. God bless!
Char1ieJ

[Char1ieJ]

What size Swift FX nasal pillows do you use

Sir NoddinOff, I use the Medium nasal pillows in the Swift FX.
I have a set of Small nasal pillows that are brand new if anyone could use those as a trade, maybe.

[Sir NoddinOff]

What size Swift FX nasal pillows do you use

Sir NoddinOff, I use the Medium nasal pillows in the Swift FX.
I have a set of Small nasal pillows that are brand new if anyone could use those as a trade, maybe.

I'll look thru my box of CPAP stuff, I might have a few new ones left over from my time with the Swift FX nasal pillows. They came in a couple of three-size packs, so they'd be new but loose. I used large back then.

[JDS74]

Folks, thank you for the tips and ideas. I'm heading over to the Great Pillow Exchange thread after posting this reply. ... My machine is good, but the humidifer tank needs to be replaced, as does my hose, mask (at least pillows) and chin strap.

I sincerely appreciate the help. God bless!
Char1ieJ

Hi Charlie:
Why does the humidifier tank need to be replaced? The Respironics tanks last pretty much indefinitely with proper cleaning, etc. Same question for the hose. I used my original hose (non-heated on a model 750 - yours is a 760 and can take a heated hose) for three years before I put the system away when is was replaced with my current 960 ASV system.

Are you using distilled water in your humidifier? Using tap water will make the tank all gunky looking but that can be cleaned out and the tank made to look like new again.

PS: Check your PMs

[Char1ieJ]

Folks, thank you for the tips and ideas. I'm heading over to the Great Pillow Exchange thread after posting this reply. ... My machine is good, but the humidifer tank needs to be replaced, as does my hose, mask (at least pillows) and chin strap.

I sincerely appreciate the help. God bless!
Char1ieJ

Hi Charlie:
Why does the humidifier tank need to be replaced? The Respironics tanks last pretty much indefinitely with proper cleaning, etc. Same question for the hose. I used my original hose (non-heated on a model 750 - yours is a 760 and can take a heated hose) for three years before I put the system away when is was replaced with my current 960 ASV system.

Are you using distilled water in your humidifier? Using tap water will make the tank all gunky looking but that can be cleaned out and the tank made to look like new again.

PS: Check your PMs

I found that the tank does not need to be replaced. It was just "yucky" looking, as Pugsy put it -- from mineral buildup. I generally only use distilled water, but accidentally bought spring water once. Then, ran out & used tap water for a week. UGH! I washed it in vinegar/water solution yesterday and it's MUCH better now.
As for the hose, I had read a couple places that they need to be replaced from time to time. So, since mine has had ~15mths of use now, I assumed it would be a good idea to replace it. ?? Maybe, I'm wrong.

Which brings up a related question -- how does one know when pillows, a hose or mask cushion should be replaced. The obvious - tears & brittle, I get. But, short of things like that, how do you know when they should be replaced?

PS - PM reply sent! Thank you!

[JDS74]

Hoses need to be replaced when they fail. In your case, when it fails to heat.
I would work toward getting a backup though.

[palerider]

As for the hose, I had read a couple places that they need to be replaced from time to time. So, since mine has had ~15mths of use now, I assumed it would be a good idea to replace it. ?? Maybe, I'm wrong.

Which brings up a related question -- how does one know when pillows, a hose or mask cushion should be replaced. The obvious - tears & brittle, I get. But, short of things like that, how do you know when they should be replaced?

the "need" to replace most parts on a schedule is primarily driven by profit motives of the people selling you the shit.

hoses are good until they develop a leak, (cats!, being smashed or torn from abuse) or the ends get too soft and squidgy to hold on... and even then, you could do what I did with my first hose, and just tightly wrap some string around the end, or even put a rubber band around the end. I used my first hose for four years, until I treated myself to a 10 foot hose for more room to move.

pillows, cushions, same way, if they're still working, why replace them? when I got my first mask, a mirage quattro, I read here about how the cushions *HAD* to be replaced every month, or two, or six, or (tales vary).. so I bought a spare on ebay.

five *YEARS* later, the spare was still in it's bag, waiting for the first one to tear, give out, quit working, something. sure, the original one was a bit cloudy, and not as *pretty* as the crystal clear one, but it worked fine, my leaks were low, (using a mask liner) and it was still tough and still worked fine.

I had had, in that time, replaced the headgear three or four times, bought two replacement elbows, and wedged some felt in the forehead adjustment knob after the clicker bits broke off, but the mask was going fine still, until a bit around the hole where the elbow goes in finally wore out, and the elbow was popping off easily in my sleep...

then, I finally broke down and bought a new mask... five years.