[diob]

I have a fear that my CPAP machine will die one day while I'm away from home, such as vacation overseas or during a business trip. I literally no longer can sleep without it, I have anatomical sleep apnea (perfectly fit), but it's quite severe (79 AHI).

I once forgot it on a trip to a different state, and tried to sleep in the hotel but basically just had insomnia, as I could no longer pass out when I woke up from the apneas. Terrifying to think I did so earlier in my life.

Anyways, I lucked out as I went to craigslist and found one during that trip the next day.

But even if I was home, I'm no longer eligible for a CPAP since my last sleep study was roughly 13 years ago. Apparently they think my anatomy is magically improved since then, aka the US medical system wants their cut of my time / money to keep living.

So even my recent new purchases are from folks on craigslist.

It's wild they would rather me go through another sleep study when during my initial one they cut it short because I had such severe apnea (of the sort where I could have a heart attack without it). They hooked me up to a machine within around an hr or so. Now that I'm older, the risk is even worse.

[babar]

If you haven't already, you should try making an appointment with a sleep doctor. Mine was able to write me a new prescription without a new sleep study, just a regular office visit. Make those insurance companies pay for what you are entitled to!

[m463]

Happened to me once. Water chamber broke in checked luggage. I slept poorly for a few days far from home.

Thinking back later:

- I wonder if I could have sealed the area where the water chamber goes and done it water-free?

- I should have taken 1x extra parts for everything

- I have a complete second setup, maybe I should have taken that?

thing is, the 100's of times I didn't need to "overthink" things set my "over" and "appropriate" thinking levels and I thought i was ok.

as to the sleep study - it is LOTS less invasive nowadays. You probably take a device home with you, strap it to your body while you sleep and return it the next day. None of this "sleep in hospital setting" nonsense.

[EA-3167]

You’re correct! My mother had just such a study a few years ago and it was utterly convenient.

[vidarh]

I found it weird to realise CPAP machines requires prescriptions some places. In the UK you can just order one next delivery from Amazon.

[wmil]

The US (as well as other countries) has weird hangups because there's not a lot of granularity in prescription rules and insurance won't cover things unless they require a prescription.

So patients and doctors fight to have things continue to be restricted so that their workplace insurance will pay for it.

[sjducb]

CPAP machines require a prescription in the UK.

https://www.hope2sleep.co.uk/cpap-machines-sleep-apnoea.html

Amazon is breaking the law by shipping one to you. I suspect there is very little enforcement of this law, which is why Amazon is unknowingly breaking it.

[vidarh]

I can't find anything to support the claim that they require a prescription from any authoritative source. The page you reference cites guidelines from an association that has no legal power. The relevant Act seems to only define a prescription regime for medication, and to only specify category classifications for medical devices for the purpose of certification, not restrictions on purchase. But I'm not a lawyer.

Which law is it you think Amazon would be breaking?

EDIT: In fact the page you linked itself points out that the "prescription" they are talking about is in fact not a prescription. "When the word 'prescription' is used for the purchase or rental of a CPAP machine, this is not like a standard prescription which GP's provide for medication."

[wilj]

There are a number of places you can get an online prescription for a CPAP/APAP, and they're not that expensive to buy outright.

I was able to get a new prescription for < $100, and bought a new APAP for about $600, no new sleep study required.

[kotaKat]

... much like we have the sketchy telehealth services out there, some online CPAP shops will have 'prescription renewal' services available for like $50-100.

If you already have an OSA diagnosis you don't need a new sleep study for a new script provided the doctor is just willing to sign off a new prescription for supplies.

I've had a CPAP part failure when I traveled - I used a Dreamstation Go with its special 12mm tubing. The tubing split and I had a hell of a time finding replacement 15mm tubing in the city I was in. I stopped into a random durable medical equipment supplier and went "heyyyyy can I buy a hose I'm really screwed right now!" and they just slipped me a new hose out the back door and shook my hand. Then I had to have a friend 3D-print me a hose adapter... field-expedient medicine is fun.

My current travel setup is now designed to accept as many standard parts as I can ('standard' 15mm tubing available at Walmart/Walgreens/CVS, a 'standard' CPAP mask, and the machine is adapted to use USB-C Power Delivery so I just need a 100W PD source or better to run everything (even battery).

[askvictor]

If it's that crucial, then you need redundancy. A backup travel CPAP might be worth investing in.