looking for affordable apap machine (newbie)

not diagnosed. cant afford to see a doctor. can someone tell me how and where i can go about getting an affordable apap machine without a prescription. also what kind should i get? i dont have money or time to wait and go throughdoctors

Why do you think you need a machine? If sleepiness alone is the problem, there could be many reasons not related to OSA...

There are ways to get machines without a script but it's important to have an idea of your symptoms beforehand because there are different machines that address different problems.

Welcome to the forum.

Where are you located?

The most common choice of purchasing a cpap/apap machine without RX is a private party purchase.
Online vendors will likely require a RX to be on file.
So Craigslist is an option....sometimes you can find a machine on Amazon and the seller won't require a RX but these will be brand new machines and price may be higher than you want.
Gently used low hour machine bought privately is probably the least expensive way to go.

You need to know your models though...and DIYing the diagnosing and treating of sleep apnea can be done but involves a significant learning curve.
You want a full efficacy data machine (not all apaps offer full data) that has easy to obtain and use software so you can monitor your therapy.

We have several forum members here who went down the self diagnosing and self treating road quite successfully...so it can be done but there is a learning curve involved to do it correctly.

curiousbetsy69 wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 21, 2019 7:21 am

not diagnosed. cant afford to see a doctor. can someone tell me how and where i can go about getting an affordable apap machine without a prescription. also what kind should i get? i dont have money or time to wait and go throughdoctors

welcome to the zoo! forum member lsat sells machines and is highly regarded here on the forum.

i wouldn't be surprised if he sees your post and has an offer for you.

good luck!

hello

I have a 0 hour resmed VPAP ADAPT SV, with case , that I bought as a back up and never used ,hasn't been out of the case , the doctors had me on the wrong machine for a long time

let me know if this would help

chris

To the OP:

If you're in the US, you're supposed to get diagnosed and then get a prescription. In other words, "if you can't afford to do it by the books, you should not be treated."

Although I have issues with the availability of health care in the U.S., my concerns do little to for you in the immediate future.

One possibility is this site, which can help you get a second hand machine (including authorization) ===> https://www.secondwindcpap.com/

You might also try this site. They require a prescription, but perhaps you can speak to them about getting one ===> https://www.sleepapnea.org/community/cp ... e-program/

In any case, you want to get one that is compatible with OSCAR, as you'll need to use this software to figure out what your setting should be.

Do not listen to D.H. he tends to just blab with no sense what so ever.
Yes, you can get a machine without a prescription and without a $$$ date with the doctor. As has been stated there are folks that dabble in new and used machine, LSAT is one and he is trustworthy. You definately need an auto machine so that you can get data and there are those here that will help you to figure out your best for you. Please describe what your symptoms are and the reason why you think you need a cpap machine, so that those that know more than me can help you out with your descisions.

Good luck, you have come to the right place to get the best help there is..., WELCOME.

Cheers
Nan

curiousbetsy69 wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 21, 2019 7:21 am

not diagnosed. cant afford to see a doctor. can someone tell me how and where i can go about getting an affordable apap machine without a prescription. also what kind should i get? i dont have money or time to wait and go throughdoctors

Welcome. Many of us wish we had found this place before getting fleeced for expensive sleep tests and equipment. The experts here will help. You are off to a good beginning by coming here. Lsat often has used equipment at a fair deal. My backup machine came from him and is identical to my main machine for which I and my insurance company are still paying for.

curiousbetsy69 wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 21, 2019 7:21 am

not diagnosed. cant afford to see a doctor. can someone tell me how and where i can go about getting an affordable apap machine without a prescription. also what kind should i get? i dont have money or time to wait and go throughdoctors

Three questions:
1) Can you please describe your symptoms?
2) What is affordable to you?
3) Are you equipped and willing to the adjustments yourself?

You could do an in-home sleep study -- that would be less expensive than some of the alternatives. I will add that I have personally found much value in dealing with my sleep doc (who also serves as my DME) -- especially in the first year or two.

If you are going the self diagnosed route, you will need a machine (typically comes with power supply, unit, humidifier tank, sd card, filter, and hose) and a mask (typically has headgear, frame, and cushion -- but different types/models may differ). To do the self titration, you will need a machine that is supported by Oscar (full data and, ideally, auto adjusting, a copy of the clinician manual, a sd card reader, and a computer that supports Oscar.

I tend to prefer resmed machines. A few that come to mind would be the S9 Vauto (older), Air Curve 20 Vauto, Airsense 10 autoset for her, and the airsense 10 autoset. As others have noted, no script means you are most likely going to be dealing with a used machine from a private seller -- craigslist, facebook marketplace, etc. Masks also require a script but you can buy the component parts and assemble your own mask so lots of places to buy new. That is easy -- getting the style, model, and size of mask that works best for you is a challenge.

I would caution against self treatment without diagnosis you might be wasting your money. At least push for a home sleep study. If you met your deductible then a lab study might be worth pursuing. Good luck.

If you still insist on self treating then check out Craig's list and look for a modern low hour machine.