A 33-year-old member asked:
Is it safe to use my father's old cpap breathing machine for sleep apnea?
3 doctor answers • 8 doctors weighed in
Dr. Gary Ledermananswered
Dentistry 42 years experience
Get a diagnosis: First you need an md to make a diagnosis and to determine the pressure. Using the machine would be ok, but certainly purchase a new mask and hoses. It should be a current design, and one the md is familiar with. It bears repeating that osa is a serious condition and requires professional diagnosis, management and monitoring. Do not try to manage this on your own! a most dangerous condition!
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Jeffrey Jarvisanswered
Dentistry 39 years experience
I wouldn't: Assuming you have had a sleep study yourself, and a CPAP has been recommended for you, and you have had the old machine cleaned and adjusted to fit your specific pressure needs, and you have new tubing, and filters changed, etc., etc., then ok, i guess. But why? The newer machines are much better...Quiter, more sophisiticed, auto adjusting, and record important data too. Go for a new one.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Vikas Jainanswered
Sleep Medicine 15 years experience
No: I would recommend against given:
1. Contamination - who knows how old or unused it has been which can lead to mold buildup. I would make sure that it was properly cleaned and disinfected.
2. His pressure settings may not be what you require. The best way to determine this would be with a CPAP titration to determine how settings should be adjusted for you specifically.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Robert Knox commented
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 39 years experience
take the CPAP device in to your sleep physician. the mask can be washed and re-used. But settings for CPAP are different from patient to patient - it will need to be fitted just for you.
Sep 4, 2013
Similar questions
A 35-year-old member asked:
Can you cure sleep apnea without a breathing machine?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
Dr. Reid Winickanswered
Dentistry 35 years experience
Sleep Appliance: Mild to moderate sleep apnea can be treated with a sleep appliance made by a dentist.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Aug 6, 2015
People also asked
Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere.
24/7 visits - just $44!
50% off with $15/month membership
Disclaimer:
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.