Supplies for 2 years?

[Dolphinjon]

Greetings all. I'm new to the forum and to CPAP. I've had a Dreamstation Auto for about 10 days now. I'm suddenly sleeping well and not grumpy during the day (according to my wife).
We live mainly in Brazil, but are in the US until the end of the year. I've been looking, and CPAP supplies are not easy to find in Brazil, and are expensive. We live in the Amazon region where it's hot and humid much of the year, but very dry a few months a year. I'm looking at Amazon and eBay to buy supplies for two years. I'm currently using a P10 Nasal Pillow though I've thought about trying different.

I am new to CPAP (about 10 days so far) and it is making a huge difference. We are in the US, but will be going back to the Amazon region of Brazil at the end of the year. It will be two years before we come back to the US. CPAP supplies are hard to find there, and very expensive, so i want to stock up before our return.

Can anyone suggest what I should be getting, and how much of said items? I plan to buy from Amazon and eBay.

[Julie]

As you're new, you can be forgiven for not realizing that things change all the time - not necessarily, but often enough that you might order a huge supply of something now that will make no sense to use in six mos, never mind two yrs. Your own physiology can change, local conditions, prescribed (or not) meds, unexpected sleep disturbances, etc. etc. can all make a difference. Is there no one at all in the US who can be a go between for you re ordering and forwarding stuff when you need it based on conditions at the time vs now? I do understand about money but you don't want to lock yours up in things that may not be refundable when you discover they're no longer working... and you said yourself you might be changing masks (and may want to do so again in future). Certainly get filters, replacement mask cushions (tho' not at the rate the DME's suggest), baby wipes for the mask, any particularly fiddly small parts you think might break off, etc., but otherwise I wouldn't get much regardless of cost as you may not need it at all (some of us have even used the same masks - once we''re sure they work for us - for years (washing all the time can wear them unnecessarily).

One thing - are you in an area where smoke from the fires could impact your treatment? You might want to have the extra-fine filters on hand along with the longer use others just in case.

[Dolphinjon]

I realize things may change, but receiving stuff by mail isn't a good option. A small box costs about $60 to mail to Brazil and takes 1-2 months to arrive. If I'm lucky. And the import taxes would be $50-75 if I'm lucky. If I'm not they would be much higher.

Fires are a small issue where we are. But dust is a huge one. I figure I"ll buy up plenty of filters either way. Basically even with meds changing and other things, I won't really have the option to change masks and whatnot once I'm there unless someone visits us and brings things.

[Pugsy]

I would want a couple of spare hoses (the long hose from humidifier to mask). They will last a long time with common sense care but it never hurts to have a cheap generic hose just in case something happens to the good hose.

A spare water chamber....maybe even a spare of the spare.

At least one complete spare mask package.

If you continue with the P10...the headgear is the weakest link...it stretches out and while hot water washing will shrink it back well enough for a while...eventually it won't shrink so great. I would think at least 2 spare head gear above what is in the complete mask package.

Filters....depends on how dirty they get which depends on the air quality where you are at.
Some people get 6 months or more out of a filter and mine get yucky looking after a month but then I live out in the country where it is dusty and in an old, old farmhouse with old furnace, etc.
Cheap when bought in bulk though. Plan for one a month and if you don't need it you will have extra. I just bought 24 hypoallergenic filters for my ResMed from an EBay seller for a little less than $20 and that included shipping.

The P10 nasal pillows....depends on how long they last for you but I can get at least 6 months out of just one and they usually get retired from yellowing more than anything else. Silicone will age or turn yellow when exposed to the air. Looks yucky but doesn't really hurt anything.
You will probably have a better idea on this in another month or so. Insurance allows 2 per month but it is very, very rare for anyone to need to replace that often.
Probably at least half a dozen above what is in the complete mask package.

[Pugsy]

Just remembered the P10 frame...the part the nasal pillow attaches to. These are pretty much indestructible with common sense care unless a dog or cat gets hold of it. The spares in the complete mask packages should be sufficient. They are the most expensive part to replace anyway so it's fortunate it has a long life.

What size P10 nasal pillow are you using? I have some spares that are totally new that I would be happy to just give you.
So if you can use XSmall or Small....I can help out with that size.
I used to use this mask all the time but it is now my secondary mask so I don't need the stockpile of spare nasal pillows that I currently have.

[TropicalDiver]

I always like to have spare -- even more spares if it will take weeks to get a replacement! A few other considerations: a) Storage; b) How fast you need to replace things (as Pugsy noted, this can vary); c) Anything like extra dust/smoke or cat claws?

Knowing only what you have posted, this is what my list would include:
a) 24 (give or take) of the fine filters
b) Three of the pollen filters (these are designed to be washed but likely degrade after a bit)
c) Three humidifier tanks
d) Three hoses
e) Two (or perhaps three) complete mask kits
f) No idea on nasal cushions -- this varies a lot.
g) No idea on replacement head gear.

Now, all of that said, your supplies will likely last longer. My current tank and hose came with my machine and are one year old. I got my mask a year ago and it is fine (although I replace my cushions about every six weeks and replaced the headgear about six months ago).

[Dolphinjon]

I would want a couple of spare hoses (the long hose from humidifier to mask). They will last a long time with common sense care but it never hurts to have a cheap generic hose just in case something happens to the good hose.

A spare water chamber....maybe even a spare of the spare.

At least one complete spare mask package.

If you continue with the P10...the headgear is the weakest link...it stretches out and while hot water washing will shrink it back well enough for a while...eventually it won't shrink so great. I would think at least 2 spare head gear above what is in the complete mask package.

Filters....depends on how dirty they get which depends on the air quality where you are at.
Some people get 6 months or more out of a filter and mine get yucky looking after a month but then I live out in the country where it is dusty and in an old, old farmhouse with old furnace, etc.
Cheap when bought in bulk though. Plan for one a month and if you don't need it you will have extra. I just bought 24 hypoallergenic filters for my ResMed from an EBay seller for a little less than $20 and that included shipping.

The P10 nasal pillows....depends on how long they last for you but I can get at least 6 months out of just one and they usually get retired from yellowing more than anything else. Silicone will age or turn yellow when exposed to the air. Looks yucky but doesn't really hurt anything.
You will probably have a better idea on this in another month or so. Insurance allows 2 per month but it is very, very rare for anyone to need to replace that often.
Probably at least half a dozen above what is in the complete mask package.

Thank you! I was planning to get at least one more hose to take with me. Generic ones seem cheap so I figured a couple of them and maybe one more heated hose. The headgear on the P10 has surprised me at how quickly it has stretched out. I'll look for some replacements of those. And I plan to get filters for days. Our house gets dusty fast so I figure I'll go through those quickly there.

[prodigyplace]

Thank you! I was planning to get at least one more hose to take with me. Generic ones seem cheap so I figured a couple of them and maybe one more heated hose. The headgear on the P10 has surprised me at how quickly it has stretched out. I'll look for some replacements of those. And I plan to get filters for days. Our house gets dusty fast so I figure I'll go through those quickly there.

What size pillow are you using on your mask? Some if us here may have extra unused ones we can send you.

[Dolphinjon]

Just remembered the P10 frame...the part the nasal pillow attaches to. These are pretty much indestructible with common sense care unless a dog or cat gets hold of it. The spares in the complete mask packages should be sufficient. They are the most expensive part to replace anyway so it's fortunate it has a long life.

What size P10 nasal pillow are you using? I have some spares that are totally new that I would be happy to just give you.
So if you can use XSmall or Small....I can help out with that size.
I used to use this mask all the time but it is now my secondary mask so I don't need the stockpile of spare nasal pillows that I currently have.

I was wondering about the frame. That thing seems super sturdy and it seems to me like it would last quite a long time.

I'm using small cushions though I just got an XS from ebay to try. I tried it a bit and it seemed more comfortable but I need to give it a go for a couple of nights. It felt like I wasn't getting as much air, but I'm not sure.

[Dolphinjon]

I always like to have spare -- even more spares if it will take weeks to get a replacement! A few other considerations: a) Storage; b) How fast you need to replace things (as Pugsy noted, this can vary); c) Anything like extra dust/smoke or cat claws?

Knowing only what you have posted, this is what my list would include:
a) 24 (give or take) of the fine filters
b) Three of the pollen filters (these are designed to be washed but likely degrade after a bit)
c) Three humidifier tanks
d) Three hoses
e) Two (or perhaps three) complete mask kits
f) No idea on nasal cushions -- this varies a lot.
g) No idea on replacement head gear.

Now, all of that said, your supplies will likely last longer. My current tank and hose came with my machine and are one year old. I got my mask a year ago and it is fine (although I replace my cushions about every six weeks and replaced the headgear about six months ago).

Thank you for the advice! I like the ideas of having multiples even if I may not need them. That way I can divide them across suitcases so even if one is lost or stolen I have extras.

[D.H.]

Remember that electrical sockets in Brazil are types C (left) and N (right). The C is two round prongs that are a bit further apart than the US plugs. Type N is the same, but with a ground pin. You can fit a C into an N, but not the other way around.

Note that it's also possible that you'll find other types there. Electricity is either 220 volts or 127 volts and 60 hz. Either will work with your Dreamstation, so that's a non-issue.

[palerider]

Remember that

Remember that dh is best ignored... (Foe list)

[prodigyplace]

I'm using small cushions though I just got an XS from ebay to try. I tried it a bit and it seemed more comfortable but I need to give it a go for a couple of nights. It felt like I wasn't getting as much air, but I'm not sure.

If you decide the Small is better, I have one available. I use Medium. Just let me know here or by PM.

[LSAT]

Remember that electrical sockets in Brazil are types C (left) and N (right). The C is two round prongs that are a bit further apart than the US plugs. Type N is the same, but with a ground pin. You can fit a C into an N, but not the other way around.

Note that it's also possible that you'll find other types there. Electricity is either 220 volts or 127 volts and 60 hz. Either will work with your Dreamstation, so that's a non-issue.

They said "they live mainly in Brazil"...I'm sure they already know this. Why must you always waste a post with irrelevant obvious information?

[Dolphinjon]

Remember that electrical sockets in Brazil are types C (left) and N (right). The C is two round prongs that are a bit further apart than the US plugs. Type N is the same, but with a ground pin. You can fit a C into an N, but not the other way around.

Note that it's also possible that you'll find other types there. Electricity is either 220 volts or 127 volts and 60 hz. Either will work with your Dreamstation, so that's a non-issue.

Our house has both of those types of plugs. Plus older styles that are also for two-prong US style plugs. And US grounded plugs. And a combo thats grounded Brazil plugs and US plugs. It's an older house. Other houses and hotels are different. I travel with a pile of adapters...