First Time CPAP User. So Much To Learn!

[bro5mo]

I had my sleep study two weeks ago. I don't even have the report yet, but the tracings told the tale. It backs up what my nurse/wife has been telling me for years. YOU HAVE SLEEP APNEA!

I used my connections and got the machine ahead of the results. A bit unorthodox, but I needed it. Last night was my first night and I elected to use the mouth/nasal mask instead of just the nasal mask. I woke up twice and just needed a break from the mask so I was up twice for about five minutes each. While I was asleep I was OUT! I have not slept so well since my 20's. I will need to get used to it, but call me motivated.

Of the many things I need to learn, one is all about traveling with CPAP. I'm a pilot. The FAA is strict about treatment and mask usage so I need to be on top of my game. I'm grounded due to a valve replacement anyway so I decided now was the time to get tested and start using the machine.

Does anyone travel with the Phillips SYS One and just leave the humidifier at home? Any tips on traveling for this nubster?

Thanks in advance and thanks for the wealth of information and shared knowledge on this site!

Rick

[PST]

Welcome. I never bother with the humidifier on my travel machine, but that is a very subjective choice. Humidity is vital to some people's comfort, unnecessary or even annoying to others. If you go without, you will not be alone.

[LSAT]

I recently saw something about this device.....It could be handy for travel.

http://www.cpap-supply.com/Z1-Heat-Mois ... 0-2100.htm

[yippeekia]

Welcome! I don't travel with my humidifier and use it at home only rarely. I did recently have a terrible cold. I had a back-up full face mask just for this challenge. As it turns out, I cranked up the humidity and air temperature, and it really helped my congestion. It felt good and kept me breathing better than without. So, I won't have to use a full face mask. So, you may find it helpful, maybe when you have a cold, maybe not. Like many things with CPAP therapy, there are personal preferences and it just takes time to figure what works best for you.

Good Luck!

[kteague]

I'd like to suggest you experiment with the humidity while you are home from work. If your travel times are short it's one thing but it would be rough to be on a long trip and find out the hard way you needed the humidity. I used to take my backup machine when away, which has no humidifier. Until I was away longer one time and realized too late I was not ok. Inside my airways even the air breathed naturally felt like hot razor blades were slicing my inner nasal passages. Using CPAP was impossible. Hopefully you'll have time to figure out your tolerances. Keep in mind the air in hotels may be different from your air at home.