Can I resue my old CPAP?

I was digging through some of my old stuff today and found my CPAP from 2010. I was about 18 when I first got it, used it for about a year or so, then stopped. Since then my sleep apnea has gotten slightly worse. I intend to see a doctor about it soon but my question for now is this; can I use my old CPAP until I get a new one or will it hurt me/make me sick in some way? Appreciate any help/advice.

They don't expire like an old medication. There are people using machines that are 20 years old. As long as it functions, it is fine to use. Just wipe off the dust, change the filter, and start using it. If the machine has data, get sleepyhead and use the data to help you dial in the right settings. We can help you with that here.

zoocrewphoto wrote: ↑

Wed Nov 14, 2018 10:54 pm

They don't expire like an old medication.

Funny thing about that, most medication doesn't actually expire either, no matter what they put on the labels.

https://www.propublica.org/article/the- ... tion-dates

What's worse, pharmacies lie about your prescriptions.

I got something recently, and instead of counting out a 3 month supply, they just stuck their label on the bottle the pills come in... only, the bottle said "expires 1-2021' the label the pharmacy put on it said "discard after 08/2019'

palerider wrote: ↑

Wed Nov 14, 2018 11:19 pm

zoocrewphoto wrote: ↑

Wed Nov 14, 2018 10:54 pm

They don't expire like an old medication.

Funny thing about that, most medication doesn't actually expire either, no matter what they put on the labels.

Some can actually get stronger with time. Unfortunately, my asthma inhalers do decline with time. Several years ago, I went to an event in a building that had flooded several months earlier. I knew within half an hour that there was still mold in the building. I used my inhaler, but it barely helped. I checked the date. It had expired a year and a half earlier. I hadn't been to the doctor in a long time, so I had to go in before I could get a new inhaler. Once I did get it, I felt much better after the first puff. It was definitely stronger. I had a similar experience a couple years ago. My asthma acted up, but my inhalers were all well past their expiration date. They helped, but not very much. I didn't have a current doctor then, had not met my deductible, and was late November. I did not want to pay for a doctor's visit just to get an inhaler. I posted on facebook, and a friend gave me a new inhaler that was just a month past the date. It worked great.

I also discovered that my flexeril (muscle relaxer) does lose strength too. Two days before my 3 week road trip, I was loading the van, and I pinched my sciatic nerve. I had a couple flexeril left from about 4 years earlier. I took them, but very little relief. The next day, I got some fresh ones, and within 2 hours, I was almost pain free. It cleared up over the next few days (on my trip).

I am not against using older medications. Heck, I used a cat medication once when I came down with a horrible sore throat the night before my nephew's wedding. I knew that prednisone would help since I have had this problem before. I went through everybody's medication looking for prednisone. I found an expired prescription for the cat. I looked up the dosage, and I took it. Worked great.

My first cpap was new in 2012, and it is still my main machine. My backup/travel machine is craigslist. Same model. Used, and I have no problem with that. Just recently, my boss gave me her husband's cpap machine. He died in September from cancer. No reason to let the machine go to waste. It is now my mom's second machine, which is good since she usually sleeps in the living room, but does sometimes move to the bedroom. This way, the machine doesn't have to get moved. I do not see a problem with using an older machine and/or a used machine if it is working fine. I had actually been looking for another S9 as a second machine for my mom. My boss had no idea that I was looking for another machine.

Just because something is a few years old, doesn't make it bad or useless.

zoocrewphoto wrote: ↑

Wed Nov 14, 2018 11:42 pm

palerider wrote: ↑

Wed Nov 14, 2018 11:19 pm

zoocrewphoto wrote: ↑

Wed Nov 14, 2018 10:54 pm

They don't expire like an old medication.

Funny thing about that, most medication doesn't actually expire either, no matter what they put on the labels.

Some can actually get stronger with time. Unfortunately, my asthma inhalers do decline with time. Several years ago, I went to an event in a building that had flooded several months earlier. I knew within half an hour that there was still mold in the building. I used my inhaler, but it barely helped. I checked the date. It had expired a year and a half earlier. I hadn't been to the doctor in a long time, so I had to go in before I could get a new inhaler. Once I did get it, I felt much better after the first puff. It was definitely stronger. I had a similar experience a couple years ago. My asthma acted up, but my inhalers were all well past their expiration date. They helped, but not very much. I didn't have a current doctor then, had not met my deductible, and was late November. I did not want to pay for a doctor's visit just to get an inhaler. I posted on facebook, and a friend gave me a new inhaler that was just a month past the date. It worked great.

I also discovered that my flexeril (muscle relaxer) does lose strength too. Two days before my 3 week road trip, I was loading the van, and I pinched my sciatic nerve. I had a couple flexeril left from about 4 years earlier. I took them, but very little relief. The next day, I got some fresh ones, and within 2 hours, I was almost pain free. It cleared up over the next few days (on my trip).
...
Just because something is a few years old, doesn't make it bad or useless.

In tests, the most stable meds are the tablets... the ones that are just solid... anything liquid wasn't found to have a very long shelf life.

The CPAP does not expire, but the hose and mask can get brittle. Also, change the filter and run it empty to air out before using.

To answer the thread title, I would say that

1. It depends on why you initially sued your CPAP.

2. Do you think you have a stronger case to resue & win?

Oh, You meant reuse. Sure if it is in good condition.

Nevermind carry on...

prodigyplace wrote: ↑

Thu Nov 15, 2018 6:48 am

To answer the thread title, I would say that

1. It depends on why you initially sued your CPAP.

2. Do you think you have a stronger case to resue & win?

Oh, You meant reuse. Sure if it is in good condition.

Nevermind carry on...

I have read that if aspirin smells like vinegar, it should be tossed out.
On prescriptions, the "discard by 1 year" is good ole fashioned CYA.
THEIRS, not yours.

palerider wrote: ↑

Thu Nov 15, 2018 12:34 am

zoocrewphoto wrote: ↑

Wed Nov 14, 2018 11:42 pm

palerider wrote: ↑

Wed Nov 14, 2018 11:19 pm

zoocrewphoto wrote: ↑

Wed Nov 14, 2018 10:54 pm

They don't expire like an old medication.

Funny thing about that, most medication doesn't actually expire either, no matter what they put on the labels.

Some can actually get stronger with time. Unfortunately, my asthma inhalers do decline with time. Several years ago, I went to an event in a building that had flooded several months earlier. I knew within half an hour that there was still mold in the building. I used my inhaler, but it barely helped. I checked the date. It had expired a year and a half earlier. I hadn't been to the doctor in a long time, so I had to go in before I could get a new inhaler. Once I did get it, I felt much better after the first puff. It was definitely stronger. I had a similar experience a couple years ago. My asthma acted up, but my inhalers were all well past their expiration date. They helped, but not very much. I didn't have a current doctor then, had not met my deductible, and was late November. I did not want to pay for a doctor's visit just to get an inhaler. I posted on facebook, and a friend gave me a new inhaler that was just a month past the date. It worked great.

I also discovered that my flexeril (muscle relaxer) does lose strength too. Two days before my 3 week road trip, I was loading the van, and I pinched my sciatic nerve. I had a couple flexeril left from about 4 years earlier. I took them, but very little relief. The next day, I got some fresh ones, and within 2 hours, I was almost pain free. It cleared up over the next few days (on my trip).
...
Just because something is a few years old, doesn't make it bad or useless.

In tests, the most stable meds are the tablets... the ones that are just solid... anything liquid wasn't found to have a very long shelf life.

I worked in medical logistics for 20 years. prior to 1970 or 71 no medications had expiation dates. expiration has more to do with the storage container than than the liquid or solid state of the item. glass bottles of iv fluids were good 5 yrs. plastic bag iv fluids are good 2 yrs. etc...

chunkyfrog wrote: ↑

Thu Nov 15, 2018 10:07 am

I have read that if aspirin smells like vinegar, it should be tossed out.
On prescriptions, the "discard by 1 year" is good ole fashioned CYA.
THEIRS, not yours.

in the old days before expiration dates we went by condition of the tablets, color, odor, flaking, breaking. etc.

The one potential problem with an old cpap is that the seals can leak and that 18 pressure may now be a 16 pressure. My DME tested my brother's old bipap and indeed one seal needed to be replaced. Works fine now.

When you haven't used a machine in a while, you may get a slightly smoky odor from the motor not being used for so long. I always thought that it was dust that caused that, but my bro says no, it just does sometimes.

As to medications, the FDA did a study some years back for the US Military and found that the majority of medications are 95% effective for 4 years AFTER expiration. I can't remember all the exceptions, but they included antibiotics, cremes and liquids. Most liquids are safe AND effective for 18 months after expiration. More recently, the FDA did not recommend holding heart medications more than a year after expiration. All of this presumes that the medications were stored in original containers, unopened, in a cool, dry and dark place. Lots of people still store meds in kitchens and bathrooms and honestly, you are probably best to throw those not long after expiration date.

Here's a link that discusses the original study (I don't think the original study is still online and alas, my copy of the pdf file is on the now dead computer hard drive). They have since studied about 600 common drugs.
https://www.thepharmaletter.com/article ... ired-drugs
http://archive.defense.gov/news/newsart ... x?id=44979

Oil in unused motors can gel with age--and even turn to something like shellac.
Listen carefully. If the motor sounds like it is laboring, service might be a good investment.