Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro and Sleep Apnea

Hi

I'm going to be climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro for 9 days in September. I have been recently diagnosed with sleep apnea and require a CPAP. I know I can travel with my machine, but, for travel machines, will I have issues operating it at elevations of over 11k feet? I think what I am most concerned about is temperature (it gets really cold, but I can combat that with my sub zero sleeping bag), and then just the use of the machine in high altitude low 02 rich areas.

Any one with experience doing this, let me know!

Thanks!

I hope you'rr not pranking us. Anyway, the answer to your questions is 'yes' there will probably be a lot of issues to resolve. Someone with high altitude experience and cold temperatures will probably be along soon. Good luck with that ambitious trip.

Yeah, not a prank.

African Kilimanjaro conditions are harsh, and the elevation is no joke. I know camera equipment and other electronics sometimes struggle there bc of the below freezing temps, so I was hoping to get some added insight. But im excited either way!

Thanks!

I certainly would not be excited about adding a CPAP and a power source to all the other things strapped to my back...how about adding a long extension cord with a heater.

I have a limited experience with 14,000 ft above sea level. Thinner air up there bothered me. I went down to 11,000 ft to sleep with my machine and had to increase my normal pressure settings. I experienced more apnea events.

I can not imagine the issues you face heading up that "Hill"

In all have fun!

internetkat wrote:Hi

I'm going to be climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro for 9 days in September. I have been recently diagnosed with sleep apnea and require a CPAP. I know I can travel with my machine, but, for travel machines, will I have issues operating it at elevations of over 11k feet? I think what I am most concerned about is temperature (it gets really cold, but I can combat that with my sub zero sleeping bag), and then just the use of the machine in high altitude low 02 rich areas.

Any one with experience doing this, let me know!

Thanks!

You fail to mention what your recent climbing experience is, how you plan to train, what your sleep study results showed, how you plan to power the machine, etc.

A man must be considered as a whole. Pulling out snippets and making recommendations is just plain wrong.

I dont have any experience nor have I had a patient with that type of experience. Most new cpap machines will compensate for altitude changes but I am not sure until what altitude. You may want to check with the manufacturer. Another therapy you may want to look into or talk with your MD about is Provent. Some pts will use this when they travel. May be something that would work better at those temps and altitude.
Have fun!

teachcsg wrote:I dont have any experience

teachcsg wrote:nor have I had a patient

teachcsg wrote:Most new cpap machines

teachcsg wrote: I am not sure

teachcsg wrote: may

teachcsg wrote:may

teachcsg wrote:Some

Why even post?

internetkat wrote:Hi

I'm going to be climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro for 9 days in September. I have been recently diagnosed with sleep apnea and require a CPAP. I know I can travel with my machine, but, for travel machines, will I have issues operating it at elevations of over 11k feet? I think what I am most concerned about is temperature (it gets really cold, but I can combat that with my sub zero sleeping bag), and then just the use of the machine in high altitude low 02 rich areas.

Any one with experience doing this, let me know!

Thanks!

Most of us, try to make or lives with sleep apnea as pain less as possible, but some want to make as much trouble for themselves as they can. I'm sure many obstacles will need to be overcome, I hope deep sea diving and living underwater isn't on your bucket list, as XPAP machines don't like water.

I'll be setting here in my hopefully warm house, hoping the furnace and power stay on! Jim

I have slept with CPAP at higher elevations up to 10,500 feet, but have not tried doing that on battery power. I would think getting a power source(s) to your high camp is the biggest challenge.

Hang Fire wrote:

teachcsg wrote:I dont have any experience

teachcsg wrote:nor have I had a patient

teachcsg wrote:Most new cpap machines

teachcsg wrote: I am not sure

teachcsg wrote: may

teachcsg wrote:may

teachcsg wrote:Some

Why even post?

It hasn't stopped you Hang Fire....

Hi,
How did you get on with Cpap and Kilimanjaro?

Seeing as the non-member OP only posted once (last Feb), it's unlikely he'll be back to comment.

He/She probably did not survive the climb.

Hmm, a guest with an improbable/foolhardy/dangerous proposal.
Any chance we've been punked?