Prescription to order machine

[Mawk1]

Can't order a machine or a mask without a prescription from a doctor. Does this seem right to anyone? Are we talking controlled substances here? Can we not have humidifiers, respirators/masks and fans in our homes without prescriptions? That's essentially what these machines are, right? What a racket. Anyone have any advice for me on how to deal with this situation? I don't need a doctor to tell me I snore (that's what wives are for!).

[cflame1]

get your GP to give you a script... or get a machine off craig's list

[jmcanzo]

Find a friend with OSA and a Rx then have them purchase a back up machine that you pay for.....

[chunkyfrog]

Ask your dentist to write one.

[Hosehead4ever]

I don't quite get the whole needing a prescription thing either. I was planning on using one of these techniques to get my BF a machine (if we can ever afford it) since he is uninsured.

[Mawk1]

Ask your dentist to write one.

That would be ideal. The website says physician however. What's the scoop?

[cflame1]

FDA regulation

[archangle]

I'm sure there is an element of the medical mafia protecting their profits by making CPAP equipment prescription only.

However, do you really want to have the patent medical scammers pushing CPAP machines for everyone? Teenage clerks at your local big box stores selling cheap, badly designed Chinese made (or US made) boxes?

Computer generated Billy Mays imitations yelling that you need the new WONDERPAP? Plus if you order now, you get this home acupuncture kit and homeopathy kit free. (Just pay separate shipping and handling.) Heck, they're already selling antisnore sprays and dental appliances on TV.

Or for that matter, the general public who doesn't bother to read the labels on medicines or instructions on electronics adjusting their own CPAP machines? Paranoid overprotective mothers getting little Billy a CPAP he doesn't need and tinkering with the pressure?

Or a bunch of ads from overpriced scammers like the people selling the medicare scam scooters on TV every few minutes? Of course, even being a prescription product doesn't necessarily stop the medical TV ad scams. Lot at all the annoying ads trying to get people to decide they need the new grossly overpriced prescription BP med, blood thinner, cholesterol cure, GERD drug, etc. They're not as bad as the phony ED meds, weight loss products, dietary supplements, etc.

[Otter]

Paranoid overprotective mothers getting little Billy a CPAP he doesn't need and tinkering with the pressure?

I hadn't considered that angle, and you do have a point there. But for the rest, I think that CPAP would be a hard sell to people who don't need it. Even people who do need it have a hard time adjusting. Until someone invents the mask to end all masks, CPAP will never become cool or popular.

Also, there are very few walking contraindications, and there are many OTC drugs that are clearly more dangerous. Hence, it's hard to see a good reason to make CPAP equipment prescription only. I suspect that it remains so largely because the FDA doesn't differentiate among the respiratory therapies.

[purple]

Gee. Maybe because one needs a titration study? Might it be that one really should have a doctor at least recommend the machine settings the first time?

If people can buy them over the counter then it will be like all my over the counter drugs which I now take, the insurance company will not pay for them (in this case the machine, and the continuing expense of the masks).

[Otter]

Gee. Maybe because one needs a titration study?

Does one?

Might it be that one really should have a doctor at least recommend the machine settings the first time?

Perhaps. I didn't, and I'm doing fine, but I agree that it certainly wouldn't hurt. Which is more dangerous, though, running CPAP at 14 cm h2o when you could be at 7 cm, or taking 8000mg/day of acetaminophen when the maximum recommended is 4000mg?

If people can buy them over the counter then it will be like all my over the counter drugs which I now take, the insurance company will not pay for them (in this case the machine, and the continuing expense of the masks).

Okay, that's a reason. I'm not sure anything based on the insanity of our medical insurance system could be called a good reason. But if insurance won't pay for prescribed equipment if a prescription isn't required to buy, removing that requirement might do more harm than good.