Why do we need a prescription for a face mask?

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
User avatar
noSLEEPforYOU
Posts: 46
Joined: Fri Dec 30, 2011 9:41 pm

Why do we need a prescription for a face mask?

Post by noSLEEPforYOU » Sat Feb 11, 2012 8:41 pm

Hello everyone
I have had it with this mask and I am trying to get a new one. I called the DME and they said what did you do to it. I had to tell her I took it to bed with me. Then I asked about the thirty day trial period that was explained to me prior to taking the thing home. She said she would have to look into that as if it were news to her. I explained that for some reason I can't get the thing to seal at all. I even tried additional bungee cords around the mask to hold it on. I am guessing that I somehow deformed it by keeping it so tight. The mask works fine until the ramp is over then the concert begins. Maybe a c clamp duct tape and screws into my scull would help. I hate constantly ranting on here, but I know I am not the only one on here that has experienced this mess.
Back to my subject, why would anyone need a prescription for a mask a hose or for that matter a cpap machine? Where are these teenagers abusing these machines and what are they doing to them? Is there an underground network of hose abuse?
Can we be trusted to put a mask on our face without supervision?
Since my DME is pathetic and never returns phone calls I figured I am just going to pay out of pocket and get a different mask with insurance. Nope I need a prescription. Sounds easy just call my doctor up play voice mail tag for a week and I will get a prescription. Well he doesn't return phone calls either.
So I went out bought some elastic and jell pads to try to make it through the weekend. Maybe I will get lucky and the DME will call me Monday, it's only been two weeks.
Why is something so simple such a pain in the ars?

Newbie Woman
Posts: 131
Joined: Sun Jul 31, 2011 10:45 pm

Re: Why do we need a prescription for a face mask?

Post by Newbie Woman » Sat Feb 11, 2012 9:05 pm

Can you get a copy of your original prescription from your doctor?

If that fails, Ebay folks can't sell you a mask but they can sell you a frame, straps, nasal pillows, etc.

The reason we need a prescription for a face mask is because left to our own devices, we might breathe too deeply and overdose on room air.

User avatar
LSAT
Posts: 13229
Joined: Sun Nov 16, 2008 10:11 am
Location: SE Wisconsin

Re: Why do we need a prescription for a face mask?

Post by LSAT » Sat Feb 11, 2012 9:09 pm

You only need a prescription for a machine and a mask...not for supplies. The original prescription should be good for AT LEAST a year...sometimes forever. You do not need a new prescription every time you need a new mask....(Only if you change DMEs). You should always have a copy of your original prescription and sleep study. Never give the original to the DME.

_________________
Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: Fisher & Paykel Vitera Full Face Mask with Headgear (S, M, or L Cushion)
Additional Comments: Back up is S9 Autoset...... Buckwheat hull pillow

User avatar
2 B Sleeping Soundly
Posts: 822
Joined: Sat Nov 05, 2011 2:24 pm
Location: Southern California

Re: Why do we need a prescription for a face mask?

Post by 2 B Sleeping Soundly » Sat Feb 11, 2012 9:46 pm

Newbie Woman wrote: The reason we need a prescription for a face mask is because left to our own devices, we might breathe too deeply and overdose on room air.
Love this! Very Funny

_________________
Machine: PR System One REMStar 60 Series Auto CPAP Machine
Mask: EasyLife Nasal CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: 11-09-11 Start PAP therapy. Current settings: APAP 13cmH2O - 17cmH2O / Ramp, off / A-Flex, off / Respironics Premium Chin Strap / Sleepyhead Software
One time a cop pulled me over for running a stop sign. He said, "Didn't you see the stop sign?" I said, "Yeah, but I don't believe everything I read." -- Steven Wright

icemanbryan
Posts: 40
Joined: Sun Jan 03, 2010 11:25 am
Location: Orange County CA
Contact:

Re: Why do we need a prescription for a face mask?

Post by icemanbryan » Sat Feb 11, 2012 9:53 pm

I buy through a major online supplier and, I have my Rx on file with them.
I can buy anything at anytime. It has been that way for a few years now.

_________________
MaskHumidifier
Additional Comments: Sleepyhead Software As Well

User avatar
soundersfootballclub
Posts: 218
Joined: Thu Jul 21, 2011 4:25 pm

Re: Why do we need a prescription for a face mask?

Post by soundersfootballclub » Sat Feb 11, 2012 9:58 pm

I've bought masks online without an RX. Look up different sellers they don't all require one. It's a scam that any of this equipment requires a prescription.

_________________
MaskHumidifier

User avatar
poppi2
Posts: 590
Joined: Thu Nov 18, 2010 2:54 pm
Location: Houston, near JSC

Re: Why do we need a prescription for a face mask?

Post by poppi2 » Sat Feb 11, 2012 10:41 pm

I printed off a copy of CPAP.COM's standard prescription form http://c0149421.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspac ... on-LMN.pdf and had my family doctor sign it.

I could gotten the signature from any of the following care providers:
-Medical Doctor
-Doctor of Osteopathy
-Psychiatrist
-Physicians Assistant
-Nurse Practitioners
-Dentist
-Naturopathic Physicians

So far, I've used CPAP.COM for my out-of-pocket expenses. If I choose another supplier, I will simply blank CPAP.COM's info. It looks like this prescription is good for 99 months.

Earl

_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: PAPCap, 3M Microfoam Surgical Tape, PoliGrip Strip, APAP 12.0 - 14.0 cm

User avatar
archangle
Posts: 9294
Joined: Sun Mar 27, 2011 11:55 am

Re: Why do we need a prescription for a face mask?

Post by archangle » Sat Feb 11, 2012 11:24 pm

The mask prescription requirement is there to let the doctors force you to come back on a regular basis. Yes, it's good to have the therapy monitored, but I suspect profit motive has more to do with it.

_________________
Mask: Swift™ FX Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments: Also SleepyHead, PRS1 Auto, Respironics Auto M series, Legacy Auto, and Legacy Plus
Please enter your equipment in your profile so we can help you.
Click here for information on the most common alternative to CPAP.
If it's midnight and a DME tells you it's dark outside, go and check for yourself.

Useful Links.

squallie2

Re: Why do we need a prescription for a face mask?

Post by squallie2 » Thu Dec 18, 2014 6:03 pm

To understand the reason behind "why do we need a prescription for a CPAP", you need only follow the money trail; it simply comes down to the Benjamin’s! Big pharm pays the FDA, FDA say a few novenas then give their blessings on the pharmaceutical drug, and "BAM", the drugs on the market. Everyone's rich and happy (San's us; however that doesn't matter)!
Seroquel for example is one "medication" that made more money than illegal street drugs (legally)! When the patent began to expire it became "Seroquel XR" to the rescue! Physician’s free samples for regular Seroquel were now at a moratorium, and ONLY SEROQUEL XR was provided to train us monkeys (and their insurance), to pay the highest amount possible (like price fixing).

Sell the product for the most you can, at any and all cost, regardless of everything and everyone because; Capitalism in America is DEAD as we know it! In its place; well Gordon Gekko said best with: "GREED IS GOOD!"

I am not a bleeding heart liberal; just a realist who hates seeing innocent, decent, hard working people gets screwed! You "CAN" get legal supplies; even legal "NEW" machines at a quarter of the insurance allowable amount!

Please post your questions, comments, concerns or if you would like to know where to get CPAP, Bi-PAP, VPAP Machines/Supplies legally.


Ciao,
Squallie

User avatar
Julie
Posts: 19898
Joined: Tue Feb 28, 2006 12:58 pm

Re: Why do we need a prescription for a face mask?

Post by Julie » Thu Dec 18, 2014 6:15 pm

We already know where to go - Cpap.com hosts the forum and has a great reputation here.

tan
Posts: 565
Joined: Sat Aug 30, 2014 11:58 am

Re: Why do we need a prescription for a face mask?

Post by tan » Thu Dec 18, 2014 6:58 pm

Probably this type of equipment can be used for torture. You know that one needs a special kind of license for that kind of activity? Or one can use a mask, especially FFM, to hide one's face to commit a robbery.

User avatar
grayghost4
Posts: 1554
Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2014 6:52 pm
Location: Norther Illinois
Contact:

Re: Why do we need a prescription for a face mask?

Post by grayghost4 » Thu Dec 18, 2014 7:01 pm

I think you can pruchase a scuba mask without a script. I might be able to adapt the hose to it ....I won't need a regulator.
If you're not part of the solution you're just scumming up the bottom of the beaker!

Get the Clinicians manual here : http://apneaboard.com/adjust-cpap-press ... tup-manual

User avatar
palerider
Posts: 32300
Joined: Wed Dec 16, 2009 5:43 pm
Location: Dallas(ish).

Re: Why do we need a prescription for a face mask?

Post by palerider » Thu Dec 18, 2014 7:42 pm

grayghost4 wrote:I think you can pruchase a scuba mask without a script. I might be able to adapt the hose to it ....I won't need a regulator.
in normal operation, scuba masks have pretty even pressure on both sides, might leak too much

_________________
Mask: Bleep DreamPort CPAP Mask Solution
Additional Comments: S9 VPAP Auto
Get OSCAR

Accounts to put on the foe list: dataq1, clownbell, gearchange, lynninnj, mper!?, DreamDiver, Geer1, almostadoctor, sleepgeek, ajack, stom, mogy, D.H., They often post misleading, timewasting stuff.

User avatar
LSAT
Posts: 13229
Joined: Sun Nov 16, 2008 10:11 am
Location: SE Wisconsin

Re: Why do we need a prescription for a face mask?

Post by LSAT » Thu Dec 18, 2014 8:40 pm

squallie2 wrote:To understand the reason behind "why do we need a prescription for a CPAP", you need only follow the money trail; it simply comes down to the Benjamin’s! Big pharm pays the FDA, FDA say a few novenas then give their blessings on the pharmaceutical drug, and "BAM", the drugs on the market. Everyone's rich and happy (San's us; however that doesn't matter)!
Seroquel for example is one "medication" that made more money than illegal street drugs (legally)! When the patent began to expire it became "Seroquel XR" to the rescue! Physician’s free samples for regular Seroquel were now at a moratorium, and ONLY SEROQUEL XR was provided to train us monkeys (and their insurance), to pay the highest amount possible (like price fixing).

Sell the product for the most you can, at any and all cost, regardless of everything and everyone because; Capitalism in America is DEAD as we know it! In its place; well Gordon Gekko said best with: "GREED IS GOOD!"

I am not a bleeding heart liberal; just a realist who hates seeing innocent, decent, hard working people gets screwed! You "CAN" get legal supplies; even legal "NEW" machines at a quarter of the insurance allowable amount!

Please post your questions, comments, concerns or if you would like to know where to get CPAP, Bi-PAP, VPAP Machines/Supplies legally.


Ciao,
Squallie

Show me

_________________
Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: Fisher & Paykel Vitera Full Face Mask with Headgear (S, M, or L Cushion)
Additional Comments: Back up is S9 Autoset...... Buckwheat hull pillow

User avatar
Sclark08
Posts: 475
Joined: Mon Feb 18, 2013 10:13 am

Re: Why do we need a prescription for a face mask?

Post by Sclark08 » Fri Dec 19, 2014 6:28 am

So DME's can bill you and your insurance. You shouldnt need an RX for anything but a machine in my opinion!