Where to buy machines cheap and like new

[goodgirlz8]

Can someone tell me where I should look to buy a new or like new machine for my husband. He can't afford to have a sleep study done but definitely has sleep apnea because of the snoring and constantly waking up gasping and he doesn't even know he does it. Please any help would be appreciated.

[forrestc]

Sad to say, for the most part, you're going to want/need a prescription for a CPAP machine. CPAP machines are considered medical equipment so they are treated a lot like prescription drugs - you need a prescription to buy one. With a prescription in hand, there are some relatively low-cost options out there (refurb, trade in), but without a prescription your options are limited.

I fortunately have good insurance, so I opted for a full sleep study after switching doctors to get a referral. One of the best things I've ever done. I do know that there are at-home sleep studies which are far less expensive than a full one. Have you talked to his doctor about this?

Depending on the severity, apnea is something you shouldn't mess with.

[grayghost4]

I have several new and used Resmed machine

This one ... $400 shipped to a US address :

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/hab/5540861368.html

others with more Hours on the for less

[Wulfman...]

Can someone tell me where I should look to buy a new or like new machine for my husband. He can't afford to have a sleep study done but definitely has sleep apnea because of the snoring and constantly waking up gasping and he doesn't even know he does it. Please any help would be appreciated.

Try http://www.secondwindcpap.com and see if you can find something. Pick something that collects data......like an Auto/APAP, although there a number of straight-pressure machines like a ResMed S9 "Elite" or a Philips/Respironics System One "Remstar Pro" which are also fully data-capable. It would be a good idea to stick with a Philips/Respironics or ResMed for a brand as the software is more readily available.

There are also a few people on this forum who periodically have machines for sale.
I've purchased several of mine (virtually new or lightly used) from forum members with excellent results.

Does anyone else in your family use or have a prescription for a CPAP machine?


Den

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[Wulfman...]

Sad to say, for the most part, you're going to want/need a prescription for a CPAP machine. CPAP machines are considered medical equipment so they are treated a lot like prescription drugs - you need a prescription to buy one. With a prescription in hand, there are some relatively low-cost options out there (refurb, trade in), but without a prescription your options are limited.

I fortunately have good insurance, so I opted for a full sleep study after switching doctors to get a referral. One of the best things I've ever done. I do know that there are at-home sleep studies which are far less expensive than a full one. Have you talked to his doctor about this?

Depending on the severity, apnea is something you shouldn't mess with.

Only from a "dealer", like a DME. Many machines and supplies are or can be sold or purchased from other sources.
Yes, that does somewhat limit the sources, but not enough to keep someone from acquiring one if they try other venues.

With a decent data-capable machine (even a straight-pressure one), a person can do a pretty good job at diagnosis and dialing-in their therapy settings.
If there ARE other issues like Central Apneas, then that may complicate things, but for the generic "garden variety" of OSA, most anyone with a little intelligence can do it.

And, some countries don't even require a prescription to buy one.


Den

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[Pugsy]

Secondwindcpap most likely will also require a RX unless international buyer.
If you know someone who has a RX for cpap then you could maybe use theirs. Otherwise you will need to buy from a private individual. I see grayghost4 has mentioned what he has. He's a good guy to buy from. Well known and trustworthy.

You can self diagnosis and self treat as long as all that is going on is plain vanilla Obstructive Sleep Apnea with some education. It can seem rather daunting at first but it can be done. We have several forum members who have gone that route. Stick with either the ResMed or Phillips Respironics brand...the data the full data machines collect is a bit more comprehensive than some of the other brands and software for either ResMed or Respironics is easy to obtain and use. For sure software data is needed for optimal therapy for those who are self treating.

In the unlikely event things are more complicated than plain OSA then you can cross that bridge if it pops up but the majority of people seem to have ordinary OSA.

[Krelvin]

Sad to say, for the most part, you're going to want/need a prescription for a CPAP machine. .

Posted by a member who has a total of 1 post on the forum, there are other ways outside of using a dealer if you have to. Used, private sellers, as posted by others above.

[BlackSpinner]

I have several new and used Resmed machine

This one ... $400 shipped to a US address :

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/hab/5540861368.html

others with more Hours on the for less

This is a responsible member of the board whom you can safely buy from.

[palerider]

Sad to say, for the most part, you're going to want/need a prescription for a CPAP machine. .

if you have no idea what you're blabbering about, it's usually better to just sit on your hands, and not make a fool of yourself.

[palerider]

I have several new and used Resmed machine

This one ... $400 shipped to a US address :

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/hab/5540861368.html

others with more Hours on the for less

This is a responsible member of the board whom you can safely buy from.

I second the endorsement.

[Violet West]

Can someone tell me where I should look to buy a new or like new machine for my husband. He can't afford to have a sleep study done but definitely has sleep apnea because of the snoring and constantly waking up gasping and he doesn't even know he does it. Please any help would be appreciated.

I cannot answer your question, but am sympathetic to the medical cost issue and the problems with partners caused by snoring. However, be aware that cpap therapy takes patience, support, and most of all, commitment. Don't spend the money if your husband is not fully on board and committed.

[Gasper62]

Try craigslist for local, non-Rx deals.

[ChicagoGranny]

snoring and constantly waking up gasping

Until you get him set up with a machine and mask, try to get him to stay off his back. Sleep only on the sides or stomach. This gives many people a little relief from the severity of apnea. But, it is not a "cure".

When you get a machine, you will need help to get the machine pressure settings right. Help is here in this forum.

[chunkyfrog]

Sad to say, for the most part, you're going to want/need a prescription for a CPAP machine. .

if you have no idea what you're blabbering about, it's usually better to just sit on your hands, and not make a fool of yourself.

+1,000
It should be a crime that the circus of medical acrobatics often stands in the way of life saving therapy--
all for the sake of a few lousy bucks.
First aid is not always patching up injuries in the woods, or giving cpr to a stranger.
Here, it means people helping each other, with no demand for remuneration.
Apparently, some people believe the sacred hurdles must be leaped--even when one is financially crippled.

[forrestc]

Sad to say, for the most part, you're going to want/need a prescription for a CPAP machine. .

if you have no idea what you're blabbering about, it's usually better to just sit on your hands, and not make a fool of yourself.

Would you like me to clarify what I'm blabbering about then?

In the US, without a prescription, you CANNOT buy a machine from a 'regular' dealer. None of the online dealers. And so on. I'm going to ignore the mask/tube/accessory issue since that gets complicated (complete vs parts) - but even that is simpler with a prescription.

Because these are considered medical devices, the FDA regulates their sale.

Without a prescription, you're limited to buying and selling in the 'grey market'. This means essentially buying and selling from an individual. Even then, the legality of this type of transaction is questionable - although any legal issues are more likely to fall on the seller instead of the purchaser. And before anyone mentions it. Yes, I agree, the chances of someone actually getting in trouble for selling a machine or two is remote - buying even less so, if buying is illegal at all.

With a prescription, there are numerous options for buying CPAP machines at relatively low cost. In addition, buying supplies and consumables get a lot easier. If you can get a prescription relatively easily, then it makes sense to do so. I was simply trying to encourage the original poster to look into lower-cost options than a full sleep study, while making sure they were aware that a prescription was generally required to purchase a CPAP machine. Many doctors will write a prescription for a home test which can be had for $250 or $300. Especially when the doctor gets told what he original poster said. Sounds like textbook apnea to me. Whether $250 or $300 is too much for a sleep test for the original poster, well, that's a different story. With confirmation of apnea from a home test, getting a prescription for a CPAP should be fairly easy, which makes everything else easier as well...

I seriously considered adding the craigslist/private party option to my post, but didn't feel like opening that can of worms - and figured others would mention that as an option, if it was appropriate on this board. I also chose that first sentence very carefully to mean that I am both sad that prescriptions are needed, and that they are only, for the most part, wanted and/or needed (as opposed to 100% needed).