Mexico? Thailand? I mean, even these masks on the auction site are too much. I really need a mask that isn't going to destroy my eyes, but I can't afford to keep buying them at such outrageous prices. These things couldn't be worth so much? My family guessed it's worth at about $20. They about had a heart attack when I told them TWO HUNDRED! Why are they screwing us like this, the manufacturers?
I know I'm just preaching to the choir here, sorry but I'm frustrated
Cheaper masks anywhere?
While I would tend to agree that retail prices are a bit steep on most masks, you have to take a harder look at these things.
They're not all that cheap to build. They're designed to be used day in and day out, hold a relatively airtight seal, and stand up to daily cleaning, all while holding together and (for most people) not irritating the skin.
Additionally, they're not a super high-volume product.
They're not all that cheap to build. They're designed to be used day in and day out, hold a relatively airtight seal, and stand up to daily cleaning, all while holding together and (for most people) not irritating the skin.
Additionally, they're not a super high-volume product.
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C'mon, it's just a piece of plastic! I bet it doesn't cost anywhere near that price to manufacture these things. The 3 FF masks I've tried so far do not keep a seal because they don't fit my face. That's literally hundreds of $$ worth of masks for nothing. For this amount of money they should have come to my house and made me a custom fit mask plated in gold.
A good DME (yes, they're few and far between, but they do exist) would come to your house and help find a mask that fits you.MrRandom wrote:C'mon, it's just a piece of plastic! I bet it doesn't cost anywhere near that price to manufacture these things. The 3 FF masks I've tried so far do not keep a seal because they don't fit my face. That's literally hundreds of $$ worth of masks for nothing. For this amount of money they should have come to my house and made me a custom fit mask plated in gold.
Another option, is the mask insurance from cpap.com. You still have some financial investment, but less than the cost of the whole mask.
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sleepycarol
- Posts: 2461
- Joined: Thu Aug 30, 2007 7:25 pm
- Location: Show-Me State
- Contact:
I, too, feel that the prices are high.
But on the other hand, insurance will replace your mask every three months and the headgear every six months. Typically, most masks last longer than that with the proper care. But even at that break it down to a cost per night. If you mask last the 6 months then you have worn it for approximately 180 nights. Average the costs of the masks at $125.00 (some are higher and some cheaper) and you have less than a $1.00 per night in you mask. Less than a cup of coffee at most places.
Granted that not every mask will work for you or me for that matter -- but is it the manufacturers fault? Everyone's likes and tastes are different and what might be the perfect mask for me is another person's nightmare. So I am glad that there is a wide variety of masks to choose from. Otherwise it would be my luck to have that one mask that hates my face and delivers terrible therapy for me.
Although, I do admit most all of my masks have come from cpapauction or from the roulette thread cutting my cost per night even more.
Do you drink a cup of coffee or a can of soda? Do you grab a bite to eat out? If you do and think of the cost relative to what you get -- MY HEALTH is worth it to me.
But on the other hand, insurance will replace your mask every three months and the headgear every six months. Typically, most masks last longer than that with the proper care. But even at that break it down to a cost per night. If you mask last the 6 months then you have worn it for approximately 180 nights. Average the costs of the masks at $125.00 (some are higher and some cheaper) and you have less than a $1.00 per night in you mask. Less than a cup of coffee at most places.
Granted that not every mask will work for you or me for that matter -- but is it the manufacturers fault? Everyone's likes and tastes are different and what might be the perfect mask for me is another person's nightmare. So I am glad that there is a wide variety of masks to choose from. Otherwise it would be my luck to have that one mask that hates my face and delivers terrible therapy for me.
Although, I do admit most all of my masks have come from cpapauction or from the roulette thread cutting my cost per night even more.
Do you drink a cup of coffee or a can of soda? Do you grab a bite to eat out? If you do and think of the cost relative to what you get -- MY HEALTH is worth it to me.
Start Date: 8/30/2007 Pressure 9 - 15
I am not a doctor or other health care professional. Comments reflect my own personal experiences and opinions.
I am not a doctor or other health care professional. Comments reflect my own personal experiences and opinions.
I wouldn't complain so much if the masks I've tried actually fit me right and I wasn't having such a problem with my eyes. I can't wait 6 months for my insurance to replace my mask. The DME is not giving me any more masks.
And if the air really is coming through my tear ducts not my mask, I wonder how I would know that? I think this is good sleep, but I can't risk destroying my eyes
And if the air really is coming through my tear ducts not my mask, I wonder how I would know that? I think this is good sleep, but I can't risk destroying my eyes
If your eyes are having problems, see an eye doctor. They may be able to tell what the problem is and if it IS the xpap, they may be able to tell you what can be done about it.
I agree that the masks are very expensive. Most of my masks have been bought or traded here. This has saved me money, but it is still expensive.
When I get a mask I try every tweak I can find, and even try some of my own ideas. I do all I can to get that mask to work for me. It doesn't always work and those masks that I can't get to work I give away, so someone else can try it. The plus side to this is I have a few different masks now that DO work for me. If I need a FF, the UMFF works great now. I also have a few different nasal masks that work. If my nares get sore I switch to a different mask for a while.
I hope some of this helps,
Brenda
I agree that the masks are very expensive. Most of my masks have been bought or traded here. This has saved me money, but it is still expensive.
When I get a mask I try every tweak I can find, and even try some of my own ideas. I do all I can to get that mask to work for me. It doesn't always work and those masks that I can't get to work I give away, so someone else can try it. The plus side to this is I have a few different masks now that DO work for me. If I need a FF, the UMFF works great now. I also have a few different nasal masks that work. If my nares get sore I switch to a different mask for a while.
I hope some of this helps,
Brenda
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| Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control |
| Additional Comments: Love my papillow, Aussie heated hose and PAD-A-CHEEKS! Also use Optilife, UMFF(with PADACHEEK gasket), and Headrest masks Pressure; 10.5 |
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Thanks Brenda but I didn't have this problem with my eyes prior to using the CPAP, so I'm pretty sure that is the problem. I don't see what an eye doctor will do except suggest I stop using it. I do have an appt with an eye doctor soon since I haven't had my Rx checked in a few years. I will talk to him about it, but don't anticipate him having much answers for me.
Re: Cheaper masks anywhere?
Thailand ? Let's talk about Malaysia, the country next to Thailand. A price for a Swift 2 is RM 1000 = USD 315. In Singapore is about the same price.MrRandom wrote:Mexico? Thailand? I mean, even these masks on the auction site are too much.
The mask price in the US is the cheapest, if I am not wrong the cheapest in the world. Maybe in China, you can get cheap mask but do you really want to use it ?
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sleepycarol
- Posts: 2461
- Joined: Thu Aug 30, 2007 7:25 pm
- Location: Show-Me State
- Contact:
I know I am on several medications and they cost a LOT more than my masks do and I have to purchase them monthly!!
What is your health worth to you?
I know that for those on limited incomes the costs can be overwhelming -- but try craigslist.com, cpapauction.com, local ads, etc. for masks.
I placed an ad on my internet carrier's site (they have free ad listings) and purchased 6 masks that were new but without headgear for $15.00. The gentleman I purchased them from had been on cpap for quite some time and said his DME would bring a variety for him to try and if he tried them and didn't like them they would give him the mask but take the headgear.
Some may have trouble with the idea of using used masks, but if they are properly cleaned what is it any different from say eating at a restraurant and using their utensils, or going to the hospital for something and having them use "used" equipment on you. Granted the stuff has been cleaned thoroughly but so can used masks.
There are ways of keeping the cost down.
What is your health worth to you?
I know that for those on limited incomes the costs can be overwhelming -- but try craigslist.com, cpapauction.com, local ads, etc. for masks.
I placed an ad on my internet carrier's site (they have free ad listings) and purchased 6 masks that were new but without headgear for $15.00. The gentleman I purchased them from had been on cpap for quite some time and said his DME would bring a variety for him to try and if he tried them and didn't like them they would give him the mask but take the headgear.
Some may have trouble with the idea of using used masks, but if they are properly cleaned what is it any different from say eating at a restraurant and using their utensils, or going to the hospital for something and having them use "used" equipment on you. Granted the stuff has been cleaned thoroughly but so can used masks.
There are ways of keeping the cost down.
Start Date: 8/30/2007 Pressure 9 - 15
I am not a doctor or other health care professional. Comments reflect my own personal experiences and opinions.
I am not a doctor or other health care professional. Comments reflect my own personal experiences and opinions.
[quote="MrRandom"]I wouldn't complain so much if the masks I've tried actually fit me right and I wasn't having such a problem with my eyes. I can't wait 6 months for my insurance to replace my mask. The DME is not giving me any more masks.
And if the air really is coming through my tear ducts not my mask, I wonder how I would know that? I think this is good sleep, but I can't risk destroying my eyes :(
And if the air really is coming through my tear ducts not my mask, I wonder how I would know that? I think this is good sleep, but I can't risk destroying my eyes :(
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I have to say I agree that masks are way over priced. People have a hard time of affording medical care even with insurance. When a band-aid in the hospital costs over $1, I can't imagine how much less masks could be and should be. Most of us cannot afford "trying" masks to get one that fits and since DME's don't usually provide the services required for a proper fit, we the consumers end up forking out many bucks for masks we end up not being able to use.
Brooke