How many people have a back up machine?

I will get a second machine when my plan lets me buy another unit. They will pay for a new unit every 5 years. October 2010 is the date! Hopefully some nifty new improvements, features etc. Looking forward to that model year. Maybe Honda and the Big Three could diversify into CPAP machines!

I have a back-up in case the primary breaks. It does not sit in a box in the back of my closet, It sits next to my recliner and gets used when I take a nap or watch a boring program on the TV.

Jerry

Fredman wrote:I will get a second machine when my plan lets me buy another unit. They will pay for a new unit every 5 years. October 2010 is the date! Hopefully some nifty new improvements, features etc. Looking forward to that model year. Maybe Honda and the Big Three could diversify into CPAP machines!

Hi FredMan,

While reading your post, it came to my mind that maybe by the year 2010, the machines may be greater with all the newest technologies... BUT, the manufacturers might make it virtually impossible for the patient (us) to change our own pressures????

With all the cpap police watching over us and complaining that we are chaning our own pressures to best suit our needs, will they will alert respironics and all the others to put a lock on that box???

Just a thought and it could be a big possibility that that could happen by then!

Something to consider, I might just buy that second machine now...

Take Care,

SleepyNoMore

I have a proactive DME (Lincare) and if my machine breaks, they will be johnny on the spot with a new one for me. I have an excellent RT who calls often to see how I'm doing and if I have any questions. He came to my home today for a visit and we discussed the stats I've been recording each day. He says I'm doing fine. I am confident that my DME will do what's needed to keep me in blowin' air.

Rippersmom

SleepyNoMore wrote:

Fredman wrote:I will get a second machine when my plan lets me buy another unit. They will pay for a new unit every 5 years. October 2010 is the date! Hopefully some nifty new improvements, features etc. Looking forward to that model year. Maybe Honda and the Big Three could diversify into CPAP machines!

Hi FredMan,

While reading your post, it came to my mind that maybe by the year 2010, the machines may be greater with all the newest technologies... BUT, the manufacturers might make it virtually impossible for the patient (us) to change our own pressures????

With all the cpap police watching over us and complaining that we are chaning our own pressures to best suit our needs, will they will alert respironics and all the others to put a lock on that box???

Just a thought and it could be a big possibility that that could happen by then!

Something to consider, I might just buy that second machine now...

Take Care,

SleepyNoMore

Nah......they wouldn't do that. In the first place, the DME employees wouldn't be able to figure out how to get into them then.......

Another reason is that there are many, many machines that are being sold by the online sellers and a goodly number that are eventually sold by the individuals who gave up on their therapy.......and/or died......

But, the final reason is that this therapy is not all that unlike folks with diabetes who have to monitor and adjust their medications......particularly if they're injecting insulin. The medical profession CANNOT mandate that we can't take control of our own therapy. They've been used to running this bluff for far too many years......and doing a very poor job of helping those who are not as "into" their therapy, as some of us are.

PS.....a question for you SNM......do you still have the Auto ("tank" version) that you had, prior to getting your M Series machine?

Den

Wulfman wrote:PS.....a question for you SNM......do you still have the Auto ("tank" version) that you had, prior to getting your M Series machine?

Den

Hi Den,

How's ya doin???

Yeah, I do have my classic tank... why???

I have a backup machine. I was lucky to find one at a yard sale with ~800 hours on it for $15. Perhaps as inportant
as having a backup machine is having a backup mask. I use a Ultra Mirage full face mask and have had one break
on me so I keep 2 backup mask. And of I also have a battery backup.

SleepyNoMore wrote:

Wulfman wrote:PS.....a question for you SNM......do you still have the Auto ("tank" version) that you had, prior to getting your M Series machine?

Den

Hi Den,

How's ya doin???

Yeah, I do have my classic tank... why???

Doin' pretty good.....been really busy lately. Damn cold out this way, but not a lot of snow like other parts of the country.

Just wanted to make sure that YOU had a backup machine.......since that's the theme of this thread. (I THOUGHT you did)

Den

Wulfman wrote:Doin' pretty good.....been really busy lately. Damn cold out this way, but not a lot of snow like other parts of the country.

Just wanted to make sure that YOU had a backup machine.......since that's the theme of this thread. (I THOUGHT you did)

Den

Den,

Yes, I do have that back-up machine but do not have a battery back-up on hand like you do. I live in CA. so we don't get many power outages or snow in my town but we did have a snow alert,lol that was supposed to hit our town this week (which never did)...


The last time we had that beautiful white stuff was 10 years ago and it was a good couple of inches !

My husband couldn't go to work because we had no chains for the car... , we have to travel 30 miles to get to the snow and we live down in the Valley, now don't start calling me a ValleyGirl,

Take Care,

SleepyNoMore

Yes...I have a backup machine. Thanks to cpapauction.com.

I too have a backup machine. It is a Respironics BiPap with bi-flex...the good ole' tank style I bought for $150.00 and it had only 14 original blower hours on it...I checked it out to make sure!! The guy who sold it to me did not realize what a gem he was selling. He actually did not even know what his insurance company had actually paid for it...said he didn't pay attention to what they paid, just wanted to get his copay back out of it. He had had gastric bypass surgery, and said he didn't need the machine anymore, and that he hadn't used it when he did need it because he "couldn't sleep with it". I felt very blessed with that find!!!!
Cindy

Classic 'tank', bought new just before they were delisted, only used a few times, plus a bunch of ex-masks (or unsuitable ones) that will do in a pinch. No battery back-up, but can get away with semi-upright sleep pretty well x a night.

WOW, Great responces.
Most everyone has a back up machine for peace of mind. Good thinking. I was one of those who thought my DME would be there in a pinch until a long holiday weekend machine failure and i had to slog through the weekend with very little sleep. If you look, you will find deals. There is a Resperonics Plus with C-Flexz for sale on CPAPauctions / never used for $99.00 right now. Someone should snag that thing as i'm sure the seller doesn't know the true value that machine has.
For my many power outages here in Oakland, Michigan. I got the marine deep cell battery. (also for camping) Along with that, Bass Pro has a solar panel specifically made to keep those batteries powered up at all times. I have the one foot by one foot cell and it will charge even on cloudy days. Not too bad on the wallet either considering i can take it all camping for a week without a worry.
Like i have mentioned in earlier posts, i have been on my Cpap for around 14 to 15 years now. Most of those years on the same machine. It still runs and is my back up machine. I too came across a machine at an estate sale and purchased it with 22 hours run time on it for $25.00. Unfortunately, that was the one that I tipped over and fried. I have reinforced my nightstand with Velcro straps to prevent that from happening again.
One last tip i ran across was the hose hanger offered on CPAP.com. It lifts your hose up in the air and off of your neck and face. This simple device has easily added 1 to 2 hours of sleep for me, each night. I struggled and was about to make my own hanger when i ran across this one. ($15.00) I just detach my hose every day and let it hang to dry out.
Well keep the spare machine thoughts coming. You may not realize it but people are learning as we write about what is normal to us now that we are hose heads. Neal

YA, got tired of unhooking my bedroom primary and bought another M series w/aflex m510 & now use the cflex m500 for travel & nappy poo's tim ....P.S. Welcome guy !

Yep, I have my original machine, a ResMed Elite, as a backup in case my M Series ever fails. Cannot imagine having to go one night without a machine. A couple of times I've tried to nap without my CPAP, and the "rest" was not at all restful!