Where to get APAP without prescription

Hello everyone. I am waiting for a sleep study to be scheduled, but I'm 99% sure I have sleep apnea. I have learned so much just reading here the past week, and am now furious that this issue was not dx'd years ago as it should have been, given all my symptoms. I am getting desperate for relief, but everything is taking so long. I will be traveling abroad in May for a lifelong dream vacation, and had hoped to have my sleep apnea treated and feeling better by then. But between slow doctors and slow sleep study scheduling, I probably won't get able to jump through all the regulation hoops to do so. My husband suggested I just get an APAP machine and start using it to get some relief, but I don't know how to do that without a prescription. I'm very motivated, always very engaged in my own health care, and willing to dedicate whatever time and effort is needed to figuring this out in as timely a manner as possible. Can anybody point me in the right direction for acquiring an APAP machine (and mask, I guess) quickly without an Rx? Thanks in advance.

There are any number of them for sale on the forum from time to time.

Look for "grayghost4" on the forum. He's a good source for equipment.
You might want to register as a member, if you haven't already.

memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=72737

You can also buy some "mask kits" from online sellers like https://www.cpap.com
The "kits" don't require an Rx and neither do the mask parts........only complete masks require an Rx.

Do you have any family members who DO have a prescription? You may be able to get a machine on their Rx. It's been known to happen before.......


Den

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I second the suggestion of contacting grayghost4. You will need to register and be logged in to send him a private message.
He may even have a couple of masks handy.
If he doesn't...I might have something depending on what you are wanting to try.

Thank you so much. Pugsy, I may get back to you about a mask.

Check your local Craig's list. They can often be found there.

Amazon has them as well.

Thank you, everyone, for your help. I found one and it's on the way. Now I'm off to research masks ... I have a feeling that will be a little more complicated.

What machine are you getting?

As noted above, Craigslist is a pretty good place to find a used CPAP, especially if you live near a large city.

Cardsfan wrote:What machine are you getting?

ResMed Airsense 10 for Her.

You should go into your profile and add that machine info. to your profile info. It will make it easier for others to advise you in the future.

Cardsfan wrote:You should go into your profile and add that machine info. to your profile info. It will make it easier for others to advise you in the future.

Good idea, thanks. I will do so once it arrives and when I also have a mask.

Hi. Where did you get your machine and do you like it. I am in the same boat as you. Thank you!

I just bought a backup machine from Secondwind. No prescription required though it is used.

I bought my first machine used before my titration because I just couldn't wait any longer. For masks, I already knew I didn't breathe through my mouth, so just picked the most popular and went with that. At the time, that was the Swift FX nasal pillow. I have returned to that one as one of my two go-to masks. I tried the Airfit pillow and it is a great mask, but my head is just too big for it. If you have trouble getting ordinary hats to fit your head, this will be a problem for you too, otherwise, it's a good buy! There are also nasal masks and Full Face masks (FFM), but I have limited experience with them. Again, go for the most popular to start.

My go-to masks are the Dreamwear (nasal although DME calls it a modified pillow) and the Swift FX (pillow).