Returnable Masks

[saltyk9]

Hi,

I am getting my first CPAP next week... it's actually a PR System One BiPAP Auto. It is going to have everything except the mask.
This is going to be my first machine and I have never even used one before...I had to buy it on the black market since I don't have a prescription.

1) Where can I buy a mask without a prescription?
2) Where can I buy a mask without a prescription that will allow me to return it within a certain amount of days at no charge?

I have no clue what type of mask I need. I can breathe through my nose so I don't think I want a full face mask.

Thanks

[Janknitz]

Your only chance to get a "returnable" mask is with a prescription because legitimate vendors ( including online suppliers) are the only ones who have deals with mask manufacturers so they can be credited for returned masks.

ANY doctor or dentist can write a prescription for "CPAP mask of patient's choice" so it's not THAT hard to get a prescription. If you are really stuck you can try to find inexpensive mask "parts" on eBay ( sellers are not allowed to sell entire masks but often if you buy a part they will "give" you the rest of the mask for "free", or try Craigslist. But you will not be able to return masks purchased this way.

[Pugsy]

1) Where can I buy a mask without a prescription?

Ebay but you will have to build it piece by piece. Not difficult. The mask I use is easily obtained at Ebay this way.
Craigslist is another source.

2) Where can I buy a mask without a prescription that will allow me to return it within a certain amount of days at no charge?

No where that I know of online or any place else, without RX.
Even with RX would be hard to find someone to accept a returned mask. If you could get a RX from a friendly source some suppliers let you purchase return insurance but that adds to the initial cost.

Without RX you are very limited in your choices.

[LSAT]

Hi,

I am getting my first CPAP next week... it's actually a PR System One BiPAP Auto. It is going to have everything except the mask.
This is going to be my first machine and I have never even used one before...I had to buy it on the black market since I don't have a prescription.

1) Where can I buy a mask without a prescription?
2) Where can I buy a mask without a prescription that will allow me to return it within a certain amount of days at no charge?

I have no clue what type of mask I need. I can breathe through my nose so I don't think I want a full face mask.

Thanks

How do you know that you have OSA? IF you do have OSA, how will you determine the correct pressure?
What makes you think that you need a BIPAP vs a CPAP? You are treading on dangerous ground.

[saltyk9]

I had a sleep study done and my AHI was a 4, therefore I "do not have OSA". I did not even have the sleep study done for OSA, I had it done because I have many of the symptoms for it, but mostly because I thought I had UARS. I have a lot of spontaneous arousals and severe bruxism. Because I did not get a diagnosis for OSA I didn't get a script for cpap.

I bought one online instead. I do not know that I need a bi-pap vs. a cpap...just kind of winged it. Also going to wing the pressure setting, but doesn't the auto mean it selects the pressure itself?

[Julie]

Hi - just because you can breathe through your nose does not mean you don't open your mouth to do it when you're asleep, especially if you have air being pumped in at a regular rate - happens to lots of us.

[tbone421998]

I had a sleep study done and my AHI was a 4, therefore I "do not have OSA". I did not even have the sleep study done for OSA, I had it done because I have many of the symptoms for it, but mostly because I thought I had UARS. I have a lot of spontaneous arousals and severe bruxism. Because I did not get a diagnosis for OSA I didn't get a script for cpap.

I bought one online instead. I do not know that I need a bi-pap vs. a cpap...just kind of winged it. Also going to wing the pressure setting, but doesn't the auto mean it selects the pressure itself?

It's actually considered good therapy if you have an AHI under 5 with CPAP. I don't know any reason for you to use a cpap if your AHI is 4. I'm only in my second month of therapy and I would be happy averaging 4 AHI.

[saltyk9]

Well it is all relative I guess. I feel like crap every day and wake up feeling like I have not slept at all. Haven't awaken from sleep in over 15 years refreshed.
Like I said, I expected my AHI to be low even before getting the study done...what I went in for was Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome.
I figured I would try CPAP before going for an oral appliance because it is much cheaper.

[saltyk9]

Since I have to wing buying a mask without every trying one...
Is there a certain type (nasal pillows, nasal, full-face) that tends to be more compliant than the rest?
Is there a certain brand that tends to be more compliant?
Thanks.

[Pugsy]

Since I have to wing buying a mask without every trying one...
Is there a certain type (nasal pillows, nasal, full-face) that tends to be more compliant than the rest?
Is there a certain brand that tends to be more compliant?

Mask preference is highly personal choice. I love the nasal pillow type. I hate the others.
cpap.com offers reviews and shows which masks are purchased more frequently.

Nasal pillows are probably the easiest to maintain a seal simply because of less surface contact. The one I currently use is very popular along with its slightly different "cousin" the Swift LT. I used it till the Swift FX was released.

Should you opt for nasal pillow type of mask make sure that you get the 3 sizes of nasal pillows because you won't know which size fits you the best. Some people love them some people hate them. What works for one person may be a disaster for the next person but you have to start with something. Get a common mask and if it doesn't work there is usually someone who wants to try something else and often you can sell it and recoup at least a portion of your cost.

[Janknitz]

I'm not positive an auto will work for self titration if your AHI is so low. The auto-adusting feature responds to events, I'm not sure UARS symptoms will cause the machine to adjust the pressure. So the machine may stay at 4 all night, but that may not be an optimal pressure for you.

I may be wrong--perhaps someone who knows more will chime in here.

You might have to run it in fixed CPAP mode and gradually increase the pressure to go by how you feel. You should stick with a particular pressure for several nights in a row to make sure it was the pressure change and not something else that changed the way you feel in the morning. Be sure to watch the data carefully (use software, NOT the screen data) to make sure you don't cause NEW problems like centrals.

Be aware that many of us (me included) think the Swift nasal pillow masks are great, but if you're "on your own" you should be aware that the pillows wear out in as little as two weeks (your mileage may vary) so you'll be constantly replacing them.

[FizzyWater]

1) Where can I buy a mask without a prescription?

I've seen new masks (although I assume they're "remainders" or masks no longer being manufactured) on Amazon.com. The ComfortGel nasal mask has been there for a couple weeks for about $40 US.