machines - rental or buy

[bsullivan]

We are hoping - depending on how everything goes - to be moving back to US, Dutchess County Hopefully, and wondering - what should we expect to pay - . Currently renting the machine. First invoice was 386 with mask, etc. Then its 86 euros a month - with the water tank, etc . which equates to about - just about 110 Us dollars per month, give or take a few.. Also recommendations as far as sleep doctors? I don't know what is going to be happening in next few months. But the thought of moving back "home" to Dutchess, gives James new hope and a reason to smile.

[cosmo]

What type of machine?

[BlackSpinner]

at that price for rentals you could order one from cpap.com and have it waiting for you when you get to the US. There they only rent because of insurance rules.

[bsullivan]

We initially probably won't have insurance -we don't have insurance here. just have to figure out which one and do the homework first as to which one to get. We didn't realize that he should be wearing during naps as well.

[jweeks]

Hopefully, and wondering - what should we expect to pay - . Currently renting the machine.

Hi,

Financially, it makes more sense to buy than rent. You can sometimes buy a machine for what 3 months of rent will cost. The only real reason to rent is if you don't know what type of machine you will end up with. For example, if you have high pressures or mixed apnea, you might need a more advanced machine, but doctors will often not go to a more advanced machine right away.

Medical "DME" firms are usually recommended by doctors and labs. They offer service in person and some will even come to your home. However, that service is spotty and you pay dearly. Some of the on-line places offer excellent service and they don't have the extra baggage fees. One example is our forum sponsor, cpap.com. The real item that DMEs can take advantage of you is giving you a "brick" machine, one that doesn't have in intelligence or data recording features. It is essential that you have these data features.

A run of the mill APAP machine can be around $700 US. If money is an issue, a good option is to buy a lightly used machine, such as those from Second Wind. They sanitize the units and give you a warranty, and they have modern machines for half or less of the original cost.

-john-

[chunkyfrog]

This is a good refenence, written by a very wise and wonderful woman here:
http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/

[bsullivan]

i had james sit down and type in another post what he has at the moment and ask about brands etc. We are probably going to buy - and get the one where we can get the info. We are renting here at the moment because I did mention that we are hoping to go back to the US. Depending on what happens with regard to the swine flu vaccine reaction investigation. The Apnea was not present before the vaccine, and James is not huge overweight child, not a toothpick, but not a huge 16 year old. And we don't eat a lot of junk food.

[Pugsy]

When is the expected move? It takes time to get in to see doctors and purchase of a machine require a prescription here in the US.
There might be some down time between arrival and seeing the doctor.

You can buy from secondwindcpap.com. They ship internationally and I don't think they require RX for international shipments.
They have some gently used and new open box specials. I have bought from them. Very helpful and above board.
http://www.secondwindcpap.com/

I can't comment on your issues with the vaccine. I don't know enough about it to have an opinion. That's why I didn't say anything in your other thread.

[bsullivan]

Getting a prescription probably won't be a problem - there is only one sleep study specialist in Ireland as far as I can gather, and she just moved here from US - Boston about a year ago! So that could work in our favour as far as the prescription . Hoping to be over by September, earlier possibly. But definitely by end of year.

[jweeks]

...James is not huge overweight child, not a toothpick, but not a huge 16 year old. And we don't eat a lot of junk food.

Hi,

Weight and neck size can be factors in the severity of OSA, but they are not the only factors. The real issue is geometry in the structure of your airway. You can be skinny as a rail and have OSA, and there are some very large people that don't have it. Some folks can get better with weight loss but others are unchanged or even get worse with weight loss. Don't let stigma get in the way of getting treatment. I had OSA as long as I remember, in my teens, and I suffered with it for 35 years before I could find a doctor that was willing to treat it.

-john-

[bridgetsullivan]

I've got a video on youtube with James petting a yellow labrador. Ive got it as swine flu vaccine reaction, pandemrix. If anyone wants to look, please feel free to.

[Justin Case]

I dont like renting.....you cant clean the cpap machine inside. I've rented before and yuk. I can taste the smoke and whatever when inhaling.

[jtmarten]

I bought my machine because I the DME only leased machines, and it was cheaper in the long run to purchase a good machine with data logging vs leasing a brick. Bought a new S9 Auto for $799 at secondwind.