Using CPAP machine without continued medical supervision?

Hi everyone, now I know that the usual answer to every medical question on the internet is "see your doctor", but my girlfriend was diagnosed with fairly severe sleep apnea a couple years back and is presently going through a period of time without medical insurance. So, she has a new machine that her insurance bought her (2 years old, but she really didn't use it) and a new mask. But now that 2 years have gone by and she's without insurance she can't see a sleep doctor right now...she will eventually be able to, but in the meantime is there any reason why she can't try to start fresh with her machine and use it as it was setup before for her? Do these machine require certain regular checks to be safe, or in all reality is she good to go?

The problem is that her need for pressure may have changed in the intervening untreated 2 years. But, depending on the type of machine, she may be able to "self-titrate" to find the right settings to treat her now.

If you can post the make and model of the machine, we can tell you if it has data capability and how to access the data. Then she can try using it at the pre-set settings and see what happens to her AHI numbers.

This can be done with a machine with no data, but it's MUCH, MUCH harder.

She should also be aware that the mask cushion and hose may have aged and cracked over all this time. and she will probably need to replace those parts.

Cpap machines generally don't need maintenance, other than replacing or washing air inlet filters. They should last for longer than 2 years even if used every night. What machine and mask does she have? Why hasn't she been using CPAP? The Cpap machine should still have the pressure and other settings per your girlfriend's prescriptions from the sleep study/doctor. In that sense, assuming the machine wasn't mistreated, it is probably ready to go. The filter at the air inlet may be dusty and need to be washed (if reusable sponge type) or replaced (if not). The mask may or may not be in good shape, depending on how long it was used, how it was stored, and how well the materials held up over time. It is easy enough to see if it still seals. Most likely the hoses are still good. Masks and hoses are also affordable at places like Cpap.com.

But, the real question is why hasn't your girlfriend been using that machine? Most likely, there are issues there that she needs to work through. She was diagnosed with sleep apnea and had a Cpap prescribed. She should commit herself to working through the issues and making the therapy work. Untreated sleep apnea does terrible things to the body and its organs. If your girlfriend is willing to ask questions, there are people here with the experience and knowhow to share concerning most of the problems experienced by new Cpap users.

It's a shame she has wasted two years, I hope she will be successful now with it. It's hard to believe she will make it work after not caring for two years, but we wish her the best. Without INS she sure needs the benefit better sleep and not being O2 deprived, and the extra damage it causes in the long run. Jim

It should be fine. It's possible that she needs more pressure than she did a few years ago, but even if that's true it won't hurt her to use the old pressure. And her pressure need is unlikely to have gone down unless she lost a lot of weight. The machines themselves don't really get any maintenance even when they are used daily.

As previous posters said, check the filters and replace if necessary. Look at any soft plastic on the mask - you should be able to tell if it's deteriorated - but it's probably fine. If not replacement parts can be bought for the mask online.

People here can probably answer just about any specific questions you come up with about either the equipment or the experience of using it.