Millions of sleep apnea machines recalled over potential cancer risk

A voluntary recall of millions of CPAP machines used mainly to treat sleep apnea has left tens of thousands of people wondering if they've been inhaling cancer-causing toxins while they slept. CBS News consumer investigative correspondent Anna Werner is hearing from people who are now faced with hard choices.

Each weekday morning, "CBS Mornings” co-hosts Gayle King, Tony Dokoupil and Nate Burleson bring you the latest breaking news, smart conversation and in-depth feature reporting. "CBS Mornings" airs weekdays at 7 a.m. on CBS and 8 a.m. ET on CBSN.

[theexperiment]

Why isn’t testing for toxicity standard practice for these devices?

[greathornedowl]

What is AMAZING is that they treat them like nuclear warheads, try getting one without a prescription - you'd think I was trying to get morphine not a simple air pump

[tamra]

Insurance companies, including Medicare, should be compelled to approve a replacement (a different brand) immediately. People’s health and lives are at stake here. What is wrong with this country?

[WendyCH]

The company should have to replace the faulty machines with the new ones ASAP! Ridiculous.

[peace.]

Who the F can wait 12 months to have their machine fixed!?!?

[AnxiousAuntie]

It’s so much more than “getting a good night sleep”. You can die in your sleep. It can lead to strokes…

[stormchasingirl]

A recall means Phillips needs to send out replacements immediately at THEIR expense. Not the patients! Unreal these damn corporations!

[janinecarson]

I’m very lucky. I replaced my Phillips with another brand a few months before the recall, just by coincidence. Of course Phillips didn’t get complaints - no one knew about the danger! But my question is, what lung damage has already been done and what is Phillips going to do about it? Cancer doesn’t show up until years after exposure!

[marciastarr]

It's so much more then just not getting a good night's sleep. My worst test had me at 110 events per hour. Events = stopping breathing. People die at that level. My cognitive testing is so bad that my neurologist has had me dismissed from jury duty.
It can take up to a year before you adjust to using it and you get your brain back.
I've been at it for over 5 years. Finding the right Dr and the right machine and the right

[chunkylovergames]

I've used the same machine for 2 years now and I have to use it to keep my job. CLD drivers in California have to pass a DOT physical to maintain there license. If you have sleep apnea you have to show the doctor your using a cpap machine to pass the physical.

[laurirohr]

This is insane!
12 months to replace?
People need these to breathe.
You can die from sleep apnea.
Class action lawsuit people...do it!

[Mike-B.]

Then company should upgrade them all to the "2" machine or face class action lawsuits.

[amyhammond]

My CPAP store also said there is a nationwide shortage of CPAPs. So even if you can afford to buy one you are put on a waiting

[myskydive]

Why was I not notified about my machine? I just happened to see this. My doctor office or the supply company or Phillips should have sent something to tell patients.

[mmmpotstickers]

Continue to use my machine. Suffer from severe sleep apnea, and when tested, averaged about 70 interruptions per hour.

[ninaderosa]

My doctor advised my husband it was more of a risk to stop using it then to keep using it. Because his apnea so severe

[penniecarrel]

OMG I use this machine for mine. I've haven't gotten any notification about this. Need to call my medical supply company too bad its labor day.

[gregorys]

One of the problems, is when one or two corporations are the only ones in charge of most of a given product such as these machines. Some medical supplies such as medical equipment (same with big pharma) need to have as many corporate players in the game as possible. If one c-pap machine is under recall there are thousands of others available to the patient. Here Philips is the big player and refuses to help any faster than they choose.

[mdlclap]

Philips has also recalled their Bipap and Trilogy Ventilators which I use because of ALS. I could not survive without my ventilator like hundreds of other ALS patients. Our ventilators keep us alive.

[beverlytelles]

What's better...getting a good nights sleep or risk dying from cancer.