question on how long a cpap machine lasts.....

jaso22 · Post by **jaso22** » Tue May 16, 2006 10:26 am

I have a Fisher & Paykel cpap machine. I have had it for a little over 3 years now. Have never had any issues. How long do these things last? How often should one change it out? I have a full face mask (comfortfull) It is about 9 months old. I use to break the head piece because I toss and turn so much. I lost a little weight and/or I guess I am getting use to it. I haven't broken it since September. I clean it at least twice a week. I was thinking of getting a new mask. Any recomendations on a full mask?

RedThunder94 · Post by **RedThunder94** » Tue May 16, 2006 4:16 pm

i have the comfortfull 2 and the flexifit 431, i like both but the 431 tends to leak more overnight, so i only use it for naps under 2 hours and i use the comfortfull 2 overnight. i rotate them because the comfortfull 2 leaves a red mark on the bridge of my nose that tends to get sore after using it for a while so i let my nose rest with the 431. hope that makes sense, anyways about the machines i dunno, i think as long as there are no issues or wierd noises coming from it why replace it?

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Tue May 16, 2006 5:59 pm

A XPAP machine last as long as it performs to specs, the warranty is usually two years. the mask is usually allowed replacement every 6 Mo.

I have heard of people using the same machine over 5 years, but they also could fail on day one, mileage may vary. Jim

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Tue May 16, 2006 6:36 pm

I have one old PB 318 machine that clocked up over 15,000 hours.

This is the model that more or less has a modified vaccume cleaner motor

In straight usage at say 8 hrs per night every night, it has run for at least 5 years which is pretty good.

There have been a few posts here in the past year about machines failing & being dumped - not worth repairing to the owner - one was a De Villbiss & another was a Resmed S7.

DSM

tooly125 · Post by **tooly125** » Tue May 16, 2006 6:42 pm

The flexifit 431 is a good mask but if you sweat at night I find it becomes very unstable and slides around. I have started to keep a washcloth handy so if i awake to a slippery leaky mask all I do is wipe face and mask then go back to sleep.I have kind of a high pressure so I really tighten the mask
to keep it from leaking and it still is nose friendly.

I started with the comfortfull 2 but it turned the bridge of my nose into an open sore in three nights.

I was able to try on an ultra mirage at my sleep center today seemed ok I have one on order.

I have a coworker who's machine seized up after 1 1/2 years but thats probably not too common(I hope)

RedThunder94 · Post by **RedThunder94** » Tue May 16, 2006 6:48 pm

good thing the warranty for most machines is 2 years, wow, so the comfortfull 2 bit your nose too? hmm, mine hasn't turned into an open sore cause i put a bandaid over the area every night before i go to sleep, it still hurts in the am but not as bad, must be a design flaw, but for some reason or another the 431 tends to leak if i wear it all night, but usually towards the early am when i'm prolly at the highest pressures, but below 14 it does good.

davem · Post by **davem** » Tue May 16, 2006 8:42 pm

I'm still using my Remstar Choice after 9 years. It's still going strong...knock on wood!

RedThunder94 · Post by **RedThunder94** » Tue May 16, 2006 8:50 pm

9 years, wow, i got an old respironics aria lx that only has 8.1 hours therapy time and about 30 something hours total blower time, when you turn it on it shows the software date of 1997 , still works like new though, i guess it will be a good backup just in case, so how many hours do you have on your choice? it does show that, right?

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Darth Vader Look · Post by **Darth Vader Look** » Tue May 16, 2006 9:49 pm

In Ontario, Canada the DME's have to warrant the machines for 3 years whether or not the manufacturer does. This is demanded by ADP (assistive devices program). Most manufacturers are only warranting the machines for 2 years and that could change to a lesser amount of time. Most machines should hold out for at least 5 years if taken care of but like goofproof says, mileage will vary. You would want to verify pressures levels with a manometer, purchased or made, every year at least.

In regards to warranties, most manufacturers of household appliances are reducing their warranties down from 2 and 3 years standard to a 1 year warranty. You have to pay if you want more. xPAP units may follow suit so don't be surprised.

davem · Post by **davem** » Wed May 17, 2006 8:49 pm

RedThunder94,

Funny you should ask. I never thought to look. The LCD on the back of the machine says 14,841.7 hrs. Guess that works out to be about 4.5 hrs a night for 9 years. Of course there were days I didn't/couldn't use it...

I received absolutely no directions or advice on using my CPAP. Didn't even know it was keeping track of my hours. My real incentive for staying with my therapy was my dad. He lived 20 years with a permanent tracheotomy.

I resisted having a sleep study done even though I knew I had all the signs and symptoms of apnea - I was terrified of having them cut a hole in my throat - I would rather have died. Fortunately for me, CPAP was in and tracheotomies were out.

Dave

RedThunder94 · Post by **RedThunder94** » Wed May 17, 2006 8:59 pm

[quote="davem"]RedThunder94,

Funny you should ask. I never thought to look. The LCD on the back of the machine says 14,841.7 hrs. Guess that works out to be about 4.5 hrs a night for 9 years. Of course there were days I didn't/couldn't use it...

I received absolutely no directions or advice on using my CPAP. Didn't even know it was keeping track of my hours. My real incentive for staying with my therapy was my dad. He lived 20 years with a permanent tracheotomy.

I resisted having a sleep study done even though I knew I had all the signs and symptoms of apnea - I was terrified of having them cut a hole in my throat - I would rather have died. Fortunately for me, CPAP was in and tracheotomies were out.

Dave

Nitro Dan · Post by **Nitro Dan** » Thu May 18, 2006 9:52 am

I have been on CPAP for 20 years, and just bought my 4th machine. My pressure is 18, so they have all been worked fairly hard. My last machine didn't last as long as the previous one, got about 8 years on that one.

brasshopper · Post by **brasshopper** » Thu May 18, 2006 10:44 am

Still on my first machine, from the late 1980's, I think the 1988 timeframe. It is an old Remstar, that uses the big oval filters. I noticed that CPAP.com still had them in stock so I bought some - I don't think I have replaced the filters more than once a year.

It was repaired once because it made a rattling noise. I was told when I was first given the machine that it needed to be readjusted every so often, like every six months. It has never been, really. Well, I've had a new prescription plugged into it once and it was checked when it was serviced. I finally broke down and bought a manometer from our friends at CPAP.com.

Generally hads gotten 5-8 hours of usage every day. Sometimes it got the usage all day since any momentary power failure would turn it on. At home, I got it a UPS just so that it would always have voltage and not come on. Sometimes I had to plug it in to an adapter in a light bulb, sometimes into 100 volts, sometimes 220, sometimes 147. Once, on the island of Utila, it ran on generator for a week, because the island policy was that they turned the power off at 11 PM so that people could sleep - but the resort had a generator to run the air conditioning. It only worked on 110 or 220 and not a continuous range - needed to be manually switched - 147 was an off beast.. I once tried to run it on 12 volts, even built the adapter that allowed it, but it required really heavy wire and a plug that was close to the battery - it was generally a better idea to invert the power and run it from 110. It wanted 12 volts - even a little voltage drop and it stopped. It has been to Europe 8-10 times, Australia at least half a dozen times, Japan several times, sometimes for months.

Maybe I have the high end one for longevity - or maybe I'm close. I no longer believe that the machine is working well, and I am trying to get it replaced (it was not provided by Medicare and I am now under Medicare). But I am going to do what I should have done in the first place, I am gonna check it with a manometer.

It does not have any LEDs, LCDs, just a ramp that does not work well so I don't use it. I am wondering if it might make a good pump to run aquariums? Maybe the fishies would sleep better.

sthnreb · Post by **sthnreb** » Thu May 18, 2006 2:34 pm

I have a cousin in Florida who has had an old Cpap in use for 10 years. He says it is louder and he will have to probably replace it soon. It sure looks like a stone age machine. Anyway, when I purchased my Bipap Pro 2 from Cpap.com I was told it should last for 10 years.

roadwarrior · Post by **roadwarrior** » Thu May 18, 2006 5:09 pm

I've been told by most of those in the area of CPAP therapy that the average life span of a machine exceeds 5 years. That is why insurance companies allow for a new CPAP every 5 years (on average anyway). I too am enjoying a new FP FlexFit 431. I checked out the different sizing inserts provided and felt the large one the best fit. So far I have NO leaks and I sleep on my side back and forth. Pretty darn sweet mask overall and NO more darned chin strap needed

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question on how long a cpap machine lasts.....

question on how long a cpap machine lasts.....

Old machines