Travel machine - do I need another prescription?

[Minky]

I want to buy a second machine for backup and travel purposes. My prescription is a lifetime prescription for APAP, masks, supplies, etc. I bought my first machine from CPAP.com a few weeks ago.

If I want to buy a second machine, can I do that with my existing prescription, or will I need another prescription for a second APAP?

Also, does anyone have a good suggestion for a travel-sized APAP?

Thanks!

[chunkyfrog]

Using your own money, the only limit is availability!

[englandsf]

You might want to think about a duplicate of your main machine - that way you have a travel and spare machine at the same time. I have 2 S9 set up that are identical but one never goes anywhere. I'll probably rotate them after a year to even out the hours...

[JDS74]

I have purchased two 750 Auto BiPap machines on my original prescription and two 960 ASV machines on a separate new prescription. And a separate machine privately. No one asked if I had used either of the prescriptions before.

The only way I can think of that might be a problem is if you buy additional machines for sale to a third party who, for whatever reason, can't get a prescription. That might be construed as acting as a DME without a license to do so. Selling an older machine that you no longer use doesn't seem to be any issue at all. Craig's List has many sold that way. I think that eBay, for whatever reason, blocks such sales, but that is the impression that I have and not direct knowledge of eBay's rules.

[Wulfman...]

I want to buy a second machine for backup and travel purposes. My prescription is a lifetime prescription for APAP, masks, supplies, etc. I bought my first machine from CPAP.com a few weeks ago.

If I want to buy a second machine, can I do that with my existing prescription, or will I need another prescription for a second APAP?

Also, does anyone have a good suggestion for a travel-sized APAP?

Thanks!

As has been indicated, buy as many as you can afford.
Over three years (2005 - 2007), I purchased four machines from CPAP.COM with the one Rx they have on file for me.


Den

.

[Sleeprider]

I have purchased two 750 Auto BiPap machines on my original prescription and two 960 ASV machines on a separate new prescription. And a separate machine privately. No one asked if I had used either of the prescriptions before.

The only way I can think of that might be a problem is if you buy additional machines for sale to a third party who, for whatever reason, can't get a prescription. That might be construed as acting as a DME without a license to do so. Selling an older machine that you no longer use doesn't seem to be any issue at all. Craig's List has many sold that way. I think that eBay, for whatever reason, blocks such sales, but that is the impression that I have and not direct knowledge of eBay's rules.

Craigslist rules prohibit sales of medical devices requiring a prescription, but no one enforces it.

Prohibited

Users must comply with all applicable laws, the CL terms of use, and all posted site rules.

Here is a partial list of goods, services, and content prohibited on craigslist:

weapons; firearms/guns and components; BB/pellet, stun, and spear guns; etc
ammunition, clips, cartridges, reloading materials, gunpowder, fireworks, explosives
recalled items; hazardous materials; body parts/fluids; unsanitized bedding/clothing
prescription drugs, medical devices; controlled substances and related items
alcohol or tobacco; unpackaged or adulterated food or cosmetics
child pornography; bestiality; offers or solicitation of illegal prostitution
pet sales (re-homing with small adoption fee ok), animal parts, stud service
false, misleading, deceptive, or fraudulent content; bait and switch; keyword spam
offensive, obscene, defamatory, threatening, or malicious postings or email
anyone’s personal, identifying, confidential or proprietary information
food stamps, WIC vouchers, SNAP or WIC goods, governmental assistance
stolen property, property with serial number removed/altered, burglary tools, etc
ID cards, licenses, police insignia, government documents, birth certificates, etc
US military items not demilitarized in accord with Defense Department policy
counterfeit, replica, or pirated items; tickets or gift cards that restrict transfer
lottery or raffle tickets, sweepstakes entries, slot machines, gambling items
spam; miscategorized, overposted, cross-posted, or nonlocal content
postings or email the primary purpose of which is to drive traffic to a website
postings or email offering, promoting, or linking to unsolicited products or services
affiliate marketing; network, or multi-level marketing; pyramid schemes
any good, service, or content that violates the law or legal rights of others

Please don't use CL for these purposes, and flag anyone else you see doing so

[Neecerie]

I want to buy a second machine for backup and travel purposes. My prescription is a lifetime prescription for APAP, masks, supplies, etc. I bought my first machine from CPAP.com a few weeks ago.

If I want to buy a second machine, can I do that with my existing prescription, or will I need another prescription for a second APAP?

Also, does anyone have a good suggestion for a travel-sized APAP?

Thanks!

As has been indicated, buy as many as you can afford.
Over three years (2005 - 2007), I purchased four machines from CPAP.COM with the one Rx they have on file for me.


Den

.

Do you happen to know if CPAP.com has an issue if your prescription is for a specific machine....will they sell you a different machine ?

(I can indeed just go get another rx for a general machine, thats no issue, I just want to know if i should go do that the next time i see one of my doctors)

[Krelvin]

Their policy is on their website. https://www.cpap.com/cpap-faq/Prescriptions.html

Basically you need to have an RX for the type of machine (not brand Per se).

They have a whole section on the various types of CPAP/BiLevel/ASV etc.. machines.

[TangledHose]

I want to buy a second machine for backup and travel purposes. My prescription is a lifetime prescription for APAP, masks, supplies, etc. I bought my first machine from CPAP.com a few weeks ago.

If I want to buy a second machine, can I do that with my existing prescription, or will I need another prescription for a second APAP?

Also, does anyone have a good suggestion for a travel-sized APAP?

Thanks!

You also asked about travel sized machines, I can tell you whatever you do DON'T BUY a Z1 ........they don't blow, they SUCK!!!!

Transcend is ok, be aware that these very small machine will be louder to you at the mask than a machine like your Airsense despite their decibel level claims. I like my Transcend Auto, but you do have to adjust to higher perceived noise levels....their little motors have to spin faster and the resulting air flow has more turbulence in the hose, they breath fine, but are noisier at the mask end.

[Neecerie]

Their policy is on their website. https://www.cpap.com/cpap-faq/Prescriptions.html

Basically you need to have an RX for the type of machine (not brand Per se).

They have a whole section on the various types of CPAP/BiLevel/ASV etc.. machines.

oh cool.....*slaps her own wrist for not looking first*

Thank you!

[Wulfman...]

Do you happen to know if CPAP.com has an issue if your prescription is for a specific machine....will they sell you a different machine ?

(I can indeed just go get another rx for a general machine, thats no issue, I just want to know if i should go do that the next time i see one of my doctors)

As per the link Krelvin provided, if you have a prescription for an APAP, that's all you can buy with it. If you have a prescription for a CPAP, you can purchase either a CPAP or an APAP. Reason being is that CPAP prescriptions are for single pressures and the machines will only run in a single pressure. An APAP prescription is usually for a range of pressures, even though they can be run in a range of pressures or single pressure.


Den

.

[Neecerie]

I want to buy a second machine for backup and travel purposes. My prescription is a lifetime prescription for APAP, masks, supplies, etc. I bought my first machine from CPAP.com a few weeks ago.

If I want to buy a second machine, can I do that with my existing prescription, or will I need another prescription for a second APAP?

Also, does anyone have a good suggestion for a travel-sized APAP?

Thanks!

You also asked about travel sized machines, I can tell you whatever you do DON'T BUY a Z1 ........they don't blow, they SUCK!!!!

Transcend is ok, be aware that these very small machine will be louder to you at the mask than a machine like your Airsense despite their decibel level claims. I like my Transcend Auto, but you do have to adjust to higher perceived noise levels....their little motors have to spin faster and the resulting air flow has more turbulence in the hose, they breath fine, but are noisier at the mask end.

I knew not to get a z1 from reading here...

Yes....the reviews mention the noise...however I am going to iceland...with a super low strict carry on limit...so even without the humidifier my main machine is BIG and will mean less clothes....I will live with the noise, considering I also will need the multiple plugs.

Can't have everything.

[RogerSC]

Not sure that this would work for your trip, but they usually don't count a cpap as a regular carry-on. They know what cpaps are, and you can just remind them that it's medical equipment. So, if you can have at most one carry-on, then you are special and can have two. One of them is your cpap, medical equipment, and the other is your carry-on for what you would normally take with you.

What I did was to go to Secondwindcpap and got a used cpap just like the one that I use at home, which was great traveling in Europe for 3 weeks, and for subsequent shorter trips. I've never had it counted as a carry-on, and only once had to take it out of its carrying case. The carrying case for my cpap has a strap that goes over the handle on my wheelie bag (or bag with wheels, if you like *smile*). So when I have my large wheeled bag with me, I don't even have to carry the cpap, it gets toted around on the handle of the large bag.

You'd have to check with your airlines about this, but I doubt that they're different than anyone else.

[TangledHose]

I have used both the Z1 and two models of the Transcend, the straight cpap model and the auto model. I get the really small machines because I do long motorcycle trips and obviously there is a packing space issue when traveling this way. Both Transcend machines worked very well for me, just took a little while longer the first night to adjust to the higher noise level, and no problems after that short adjustment period on the first night, so I can recomend the Transcend machines.

The Z1 is so bad to breath with because of the exhale pressure relief algorithm that I find it almost impossible to use, I downloaded their newer (third) algorithm and it was no better. That machine fought me on inhale and exhale, it's just plain terrible, so I can't recomend that machine, and I saw that their new Auto machine still uses the same three exhale relief choices. I actually think they would be more usable if they allowed the user to turn that feature completely off, but you can't, they force the user to use one of the three exhale relief modes. When you breath on them it's like there is a delay between the inhale and exhale and it does not match up to a normal breathing pattern. It's too bad because the Z1 has some other nice features like buttons on the machine that allow you to adjust all the settings directly on the cpap machine, whereas on the Transcend you have to attach the Transcend to a computer and use the computer program to set pressures, ramp and such, so that's a little cumbersome. Of course once you have the Transcend all set up you're good to go, and it's still nice and small, great for limited packing space!

Let me know if you want to purchase my Z1.....I'll give you a great price on it......LOL