Do you need an RX to switch from mask to nasal pillows?

I’ve had my machine for a few years, and to say I’m lacking support is an understatement. Every test scheduled and decisions made were behind the scenes through insurance or by telephone. An appt was made for me to pick up my machine and I was clueless about the possibility of having a choice on equipment. I am tired of the full face mask and would love to try nasal pillows, but the whole process was weirdly traumatic for me and I’d like to avoid it, if possible. Also, my insurance stopped covering all but one supply company, and they’re hard to get ahold of and don’t seem particularly knowledgeable. So, my question is, would it be safe to try nasal pillows without an RX, and then go through the hassle of it only if they work for me?
Thanks!

The mask you choose is a matter of comfort. You don't need a special RX indicating a type of mask. For most suppliers, however, they do require an RX to show that your doctor has prescribed CPAP therapy. If you have any type of CPAP RX you can go anywhere. If you do not have a CPAP RX you are limited to places that do not require an RX..like Amazon and ebay. ...If the pillow mask works for you...what hassle???

It is totally safe for you to try any mask type that you might want to try.
Some DME suppliers will say they require a change in RX because of the way the original RX was written but most won't need anything more than a request from you to try a different mask type.

If your DME is not helpful there are ways to get a different mask on your own if you wish to pay out of pocket.
If you have a copy of your cpap RX...you can order online from some place like cpap.com which has a free 30 day return policy so if you hate the mask you can return it and get a refund.
If you don't have a RX copy then you have to use some place like Amazon or Ebay or buy the mask parts and build your own mask from cpap.com. Replacement parts don't require a RX. Only complete mask packages require a RX at the places online that require a RX.

So if you want to try a different mask then just try it. There is no medical reason that would point it to being unsafe.

Just to echo what LSAT and Pugsy said, if your DME gives you trouble, switch.

It's possible your unhelpful doctor specified a particular mask, which some DMEs not view as a 'generic mask choice', you can either change DME, or go back and request a rx stating "mask of patient's choice" type wording on the rx.

My GP has also been fine with prescribing “cpap mask - patient preference” knowing that I use it religiously.

jdm5 wrote: ↑

Sun Oct 25, 2020 5:06 pm

My GP has also been fine with prescribing “cpap mask - patient preference” knowing that I use it religiously.

"Patient preference" should be automatic on any mask prescription.
But, or course, "cranial rectosis" reigns supreme.
The patient needs to insist on flexibility, as comfort is essential to effective therapy.

Interesting...When I got my last machine about 15 months ago, my doctor wrote an RX for a machine. From that point on. I have never needed anything else. My DME rightly assumes that if you are using a CPAp, you need a mask. My Generic RX is good until I get my next machine.

Google the term I mentioned earlier.
It explains so much.
It afflicts physicians, suppliers, and insurance pinheads equally.

The recommendation from my 2nd sleep study with CPAP titration report read, "Auto CPAP at a pressure of 8-20cm/H2O with heated humidification using best fitted mask". I presume this was the wording of the prescript that went to the DME(?). Back in March 2020 the DME RT came to the house to setup up the CPAP and fit the mask. She asked if I had a mask preference, I stated I was a mouth breather during the titration test, and she recommended a full face mask which I fitted for and I've been using. For this reason, at least in my case, I believe a request for a mask change would go to the DME.

Thanks for the responses. So I guess the real question should have been... once my machine is set up for a certain pressure (which has been left that way fir a few years now because I wouldn’t know how to change it if I wanted to) would the same settings work with a different type of mask? Like, do you have to have higher/lower pressure for different types of masks?

For the most part the same pressure can be used with all mask types.
Now there are some special situations where a minor change might be needed but that is because the mask might alter the airway position a little. Usually it is when someone goes from a nasal mask to a full face mask and sometimes that lower strap alters the airway just a little bit and a little more pressure might be needed.
This doesn't always happen though...just a sometimes thing. It hurts nothing to start out with the same pressure though and then evaluate the results to see if a minor change might need to be met.

I have tried out all sorts of masks over the years and never really had a need to change the pressure.
Now I have known of a few people who go from a full face mask to a nasal mask and they find they can get by with maybe 2 or 3 cm less pressure and that's always a nice thing especially if their pressure needs were on the high side. Always nice to be able to use a little less and still get good results.

But big changes in pressure needs....no. Sometimes minor changes and sometimes no changes.