What do you do with your old masks?

[DebboL]

My DME replaces my masks, hoses and head gear every 3 months. I definitely keep the straps as they tend to break. The hoses I have been washing and sterilizing to put away in case something happens. What does anyone else do with their headgear that is left over?

Deb

[chunkyfrog]

I have not thrown anything away.

[jlmoorekcmo]

To me 3 months sounds like a bit of overkill for the headgear and tubing, unless there is some other reason. Hope you aren't paying co-pays. Most insurance I thought only replaced the cushions every month, fame and headgear every 6 mo. I'm still using the hose I got with machine (Did just order new hose only for a longer hose)

[LSAT]

3 months is too soon....the DME just wants to sell you something. Masks rarely wear out. My Quattro is now 18 months old. I change the silicone cushion every 6 months or so. I still have the original straps also. I could get a new mask every 3 months but why...what would I gain?
My mask is functioning perfectly.

[MastrHiram]

My insurance company will pay for new pillows every month, but will only pay for new headgear every 6 months.

[ughwhatname]

I have been using Tap Pap since March. I'm using the original "mask" and cushions. During a cpap.com sale, I bought a back up, but haven't used it yet. I'm sure my DME assumes I'm non-compliant since they haven't heard from me since 30 days after I got my machine, then I met compliance and gave them their tattling device.

[Stormynights]

I send all of my usable leftovers to Pugsy to donate.

[DreamDiver]

Other than one new mask donated to me by Papit, I haven't bought anything new in several years.

[nanwilson]

The only things I have thrown away during my 3 years on the hose are some replaceable filters I have given away or traded some things but still have a ridicules stash of masks and hoses in my night stand drawers ... Do you need anything .
I do not get anything from a local DME as I do not have insurance, I either trade or buy out of my own pocket.

[Wulfman...]

My DME replaces my masks, hoses and head gear every 3 months. I definitely keep the straps as they tend to break. The hoses I have been washing and sterilizing to put away in case something happens. What does anyone else do with their headgear that is left over?

Deb

WHY would you (or let them) "replace" the entire mask when essentially every PART is replaceable? That sounds very wasteful or something shady is going on. Your profile shows that you use a Pilairo™ Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask.

I've never gotten any of my items from a brick & mortar DME......I've bought all of them out-of-pocket from online sellers (like CPAP(dot)COM) or from private individual sellers. And, I still have ALL of them.
I've used the ResMed Ultra Mirage Full Face mask for the eight + years of my therapy. All the parts are replaceable on it, too.
I'm still using the very same mask I started with......although I have about six backup masks and some still in sealed packages in their original boxes.
I got four years out of my first set of headgear.......I'm on my second set.
I got six years out of my first seal/cushion. It was still giving me good leak numbers, but I thought I'd try another to compare. I've been using my second one now for over two years. I have six spare (new) cushions for the UMFF masks, not counting the ones on the other masks.
I did break the forehead support when I dropped it on a hard floor three years ago and eventually replaced it with a new part after a couple of years of gluing it (it would hold for awhile).

Still using the very same hose I started with. (I have seven spares of various lengths......most still sealed in original packages)


Den

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[xdman911]

When you purchase a new mask does it always come with new headgear?

[Wulfman...]

When you purchase a new mask does it always come with new headgear?

Depends on where you purchase it. Most online sellers sell them complete with headgear or without or just the parts you want to buy.
Most brick & mortar DMEs will charge for each individual part......or whatever they can get away with.
With many nasal pillow masks, the DMEs used to keep two of the three sizes and only give the one for the user. Online sellers sell them with all the pillow sizes that come with them.


Den

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[DebboL]

I did some checking and the entire mask/hose is replaced every 6 months, the nasal pillows every 3 months. The headgear is usually every 3 months because I have found the hooks break on the Pilairo strap or they get stretched and don't fit as tight. My insurance pays for many of these items to be replaced so I have never questioned it. They replace it and I use it. I keep my extra hose for backup, as well as the extra pillows. Because I have Sjogrens they probably replace things quicker as it is an autoimmune disorder and bacteria could cause me a great deal of trouble. My DME has never requested me to buy anything or sent me anything in the mail. I actually get more emails from this site wanting me to buy stuff. Basically I just wanted to know what to do with extra masks!

Deb

[hyperlexis]

None of mine have yet failed but when they do or when the cushions or hoses go, the old worn out ones will go back to the manufacturer with a note asking them to recycle the plastic. Patients need to start demanding more accountability from the manufacturers. Either make the parts from easily recyclable materials, or they need to take them back and do it themself.

[DebboL]

None of mine have yet failed but when they do or when the cushions or hoses go, the old worn out ones will go back to the manufacturer with a note asking them to recycle the plastic. Patients need to start demanding more accountability from the manufacturers. Either make the parts from easily recyclable materials, or they need to take them back and do it themself.

hyperlexis I agree with this as when my first strap on my head gear broke I called the company and they told me I had to deal with my DME. As soon as I called the DME they sent me a new strap and sent the old one back to the company to show them what happened with it. I had only had it 3 months when the hook broke. Now they just seem to stretch out of shape however I am always glad to have the extras as I live too far away from my DME to go in and get new equipment on short term notice.