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CPAP Supplies: Tips on Finding a Good Online Store
Posted by Pam McKee at Feb 1st, 2009 in Sleep Disorders
Being on CPAP therapy is easier to live with if you regularly replace your CPAP cushions, hoses, filters and other supplies. Patients should consider the advantages to replacing their CPAP supplies through an online distributor. Buying online has great advantages as long as you avoid the risks outlined in this article.
Why is it so important to replace your CPAP supplies? There are two important reasons. First, your CPAP experience will be more effective. New supplies keeps the device working like new by avoiding air leaks that harm your treatment. Also, fresh supplies maintain the comfort of the equipment. Second, new supplies decrease the risk of developing respiratory infection. Even if you are cleaning your equipment every day, eventually tiny crevices and scratches form that become perfect spos for bacteria to collect.
Why bother with using your CPAP regularly? With clean, fresh CPAP supplies you will more likely use CPAP regularly, which means lowering your risk of cardiac arrest, diabetes, stroke, heart disease, or hypertension. Besides, you increase your chances of finally getting a good nights rest.
Don’t make the mistake of trying to save money and using unsanitary CPAP supplies. You know the saying, pennywise and pound foolish. Ending up with a lung infection is going to cost a lot more in extra medical bills. Think about how much it will cost you if you have a stroke due to not using CPAP regularly.
Sadly, many people suffer unnecessary discomfort with their CPAP because they didnt even realize how often they should be changing their supplies. (In general, you should replace cushions or pillows every 2-3 weeks, filters every 2-4 weeks, hoses about every month, and the entire mask assembly including headgear every 3-6 months).
A small investment in CPAP will save your health. It costs the same as a daily cup of coffee to wake up feeling refreshed from a comfortable and deep night’s sleep morning after morning.
Luckily buying online has made the CPAP experience even more convenient and cost effective. Some websites, including MySleepMask.com, will let you set-up a calendar for getting new supplies delivered to you on a regular schedule.
For people who are uninsured or underinsured, buying CPAP supplies online is necessary because it is so much cheaper. You can often get the same supplies for 30-50% cheaper than the local durable medical equipment company.
Now that you’re ready to buy online you need to be aware of the risks to avoid. Of course, you will shop around and compare prices. You’ll learn that buying from the biggest online vendor won’t protect you from being scammed or over-charged with hidden fees.
Your 4 essential tips for buying online:
1. Avoid websites that offer any brands other than ResMed, F&P or Respironics. Why? Because if a site promotes cheap brands, that is a very good indication that the website is not going to support its customers. Cheap CPAP equipment will mean more problems for their customer service to mess with unless they dont really plan on giving you good customer service.
2. Only buy from websites that are dealers with good reputations and authorized by the manufacturers. Why look for an authorized dealer? Because the website has to meet requirements to be authorized by the manufacturer, such as having good customer service, respecting warranties, etc. The National Apnea Association provides a short list of recommended dealers, which includes MySleepMask.
3. Buy only from a website that offers a mask-exchange program. These programs let you try a new model or size of mask without any risk: if it doesnt fit right then you return it and get a new model or size. MySleepMask is one website that offers this. Simply google cpap mask exchange program to find other dealers that offer this valuable benefit.
4. Make sure the website has respiratory therapists or other CPAP coaches who can help you trouble-shoot any problems you might have. And make sure this is offered for free. Getting this coaching for free will be useful and save you a ton of money: either by avoiding a trip to the doctors office or not paying the $100-$160 that some websites charge. Simply google free CPAP coaching to find a supplier who offers this.
Tags: Sleep Disorders
Dr. Todd Howard Wolynn
Pediatric Alliance Squirrel Hill
4070 Beechwood Blvd
Pittsburgh, PA 15217
(412) 521-6511
Dr. Todd Wolynn is a board certified pediatrician (1996) and internationally board certified lactation consultant (1995). Dr. Wolynn’s areas of interest and specialty, beyond general pediatrics, include breastfeeding, pediatric sleep disorders, vaccine research, complimentary and alternative medicine, and healthcare policy reform. Dr. Wolynn is also the founder and medical director of the Pediatric Sleep Disorder Program at Mercy Hospital of Pittsburgh. He has been actively involved in clinical vaccine research for over nine years working with studies that have helped bring such vaccines as the Human Papilloma Vaccine (HPV) to the market. For the past six years, he has served as a medical consultant to the pharmaceutical and health insurance industries. He serves as a staff pediatrician to The Children’s Institute and also serves as the consulting medical director to the Allegheny Intermediate Unit for their Center-Based Schools. Currently enrolled in Carnegie Mellon University’s Master of Medical Management program, Dr. Wolynn will graduate in March of 2008. He plans to use his combined experience to make effective changes in healthcare. His focus is on improving resources and the quality of care for pediatric patients and mother-baby breastfeeding dyads. Dr. Wolynn helped to create the Breastfeeding Center of Pittsburgh (which will hold a grand opening of its central Squirrel Hill site during the first week of August 2007).
In his free time Dr. Wolynn enjoys time with his wife, children and wacky Jack Russell Terrier. He likes science fiction/fantasy books and movies. Hiking, swimming and volleyball are all things he enjoys when time
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Absolutely, here are a couple:
Central Florida Sleep Centers
1121 N Central Ave
Kissimmee, FL 34741-4405
(407) 483-7667
Comprehensive Sleep Disorder Center
851 Douglas Ave
Altamonte Springs, FL 32714-2055
(407) 834-1023
Good luck!
You can't leave it untreated. When you stop breathing, your blood doesn't get oxygen. The danger isn't so much that you won't start breathing again hun, the danger is what happens when your body isn't getting enough oxygen + the danger of what happens when you DON'T SLEEP because when you wake up several times an hour due to not breathing (and aware of it or not, you do) you DON'T SLEEP.
Not enough oxygen = heart problems. Ever wake up with your heart beating wildly? Uh, huh…
Not enough oxygen = a whole lot of problems, especially cardiac.
Not enough sleep = more problems. Loss of concentration. Fatigue. That's just the tip of the iceburg.
Trust me, the c-pap you get used to (and it's hard to imagine, you do) and you won't even want to nap without one once your body and mind are reminded what REAL SLEEP feels like. That's what you get with a cpap. IF you don't like the first mask they try you on, move on to the next. There are a few different styles/varieties.
For the long run, lose weight, if you are overweight and you lose it you could lose the sleep apnea too. Main cause of sleep apea, obesity. Course thin people get it too but not so much, so if that's you ignore this advice. Easier said than done.
Next option: Learn to play the Didgeridoo. Seriously. It teaches you circular breathing.
But, while you are losing weight and learning to play the Didgeridoo, for goodness' sake get a CPAP and a good night's sleep. You have to take this seriously, your life is more important than keeping someone awake with your snoring or overcoming the mental road block involved with learning to use a CPAP.
Of course, see your doctor and get a sleep study first …
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I've been using a CPAP machine for a little while now and have found it to be a great help. I wake up more refreshed. The hardest part was getting use to the head gear. Sleep Apnea causes a person to have unrestful nights and generally stop breathing during sleep. Your CPAP machine has to be ordered by a doctor who specializes in Respiratory conditions such as a Pulmonary Physician. I had two Sleep studies. The first to confirm the diagnosis and the second to find the proper settings for my machine during sleep. I have Medicare and they are covering all the cost. There are many DME providers out there. Your physician will have a list of providers whom he uses. Sleep Apnea is a life threatening disorder, I'm sure that your Dr. will not be denied by any insurance company. I wish you the best, I'm sure it will all work out.