First Business Trip with CPAP

[Fafner]

I have my first business trip (to Miami)since start CPAP therapy on August 4th. It will be a four-overnights. I have a leter from my doctor that should meet current FAA regulations re. the machine istelf.

My concerns are;

>I use the humidifier but am not going to try to carry containers of distilled water on board. I hope it can easily be found near the hotel.
> should i use my cpap carrying case and treat it as a carry-on? I will have a over the shoulder bag for papers and books as it is and wonder if I will have pay extra or it OR should I pack the machine inside the larger piece of luggage which is being checked?
>should i avoid the above issues and NOT take the CPAP along? Can I manage without it for four nights?

During my 30 days of usage thus far, my wife reports i have stopped snoring and that from what she can observe, i have kept my mouth closed throughout the night. I believe that I have avoided any serious leakage. I cannot say however that I have feeling particularly better. I will see my doctor before the trip for a download of my smartcard data however. That may answer my questions about how I am progressing.

[Slinky]

Unfortunately, you have a bottom of the line Respironics CPAP - unless you made a mistake in the CPAP you chose to list in your signature. The only data the data card from a Respironics M Series Plus w/C-Flex is going to provide is your compliance data (usage) which is of absolutely NO VALUE TO YOU, only to the local DME supplier so that they can get paid by your insurance. YOU know how often you use your CPAP and YOU have a pretty good idea of how many hours you slept w/it that night. All compliance data does is prove to the DME supplier, your doctor and your insurance that you are telling the truth when you tell them how often you use it. Big hairy ape deal.

IF you have the time before your trip, take the Plus back to your DME supplier and INSIST that they exchange it for a Respironics M Series Pro w/C-Flex. The "Pro" is the key word in that model name. If you don't have time before your trip ASAP after you get back from Miami TAKE IT BACK AND INSIST ON AN EXCHANGE W/THE PRO. It is CRITICAL that you do this BEFORE you've had your equipment 30 days if you want any kind of full data capability!

If you can find the time, call your insurance company and ask them what local DME CPAP suppliers they are contracted with. Hopefully you will have the option of more than just this one. That would give you some extra bargaining room. Which one wants your business bad enough to provide a good fully data capable CPAP?

Keep in mind: YOU are paying for this equipment whether out of pocket or thru insurance, YOU are the one to enjoy the benefits, or endure the consequences, of the use of this equipment. YOU are going to living/sleeping w/this CPAP for the next 5 years. Be DIPLOMATIC, but BE FIRM.

Why not take one 20 oz bottle of distilled water? That should easily fit in your luggage. You don't NEED to change the distilled water in your integrated humidifier EVERY night. Just keep adding more distilled water to the water left in it each morning. Many hotels now do have distilled water on hand or a small shop nearby that sells it.

NEVER check your CPAP in baggage, either separately or in your larger luggage. NEVER! Take it as a carry-on in its own case.

[plus1hdcp]

I do not like the idea of packing the CPAP with the checked luggage, it would be difficult to protect the machine in case of rough handling by the baggage carriers. With this being said, I believe that you are limited to one carry-on item so check with your carrier to see if the Dr. script will allow you to have a second carry-on. I have not had to travel via air carrier with my xPAP so please post how your trip was WITH your machine. You should not leave the machine at home.

Good luck

[JeffH]

I NEVER pack my machine when traveling. I ALWAYS carry it on and the airlines can't keep you from doing so and it doesn't count against your carry on total. The thought of being separated from my machine in some far away place sends chills down my spine.

JeffH

[tangents]

Fafner,

Like the others said, NEVER pack your CPAP with your luggage. Carry it on in its case. When you go through the security checkpoint, take the machine out of the case and send it through in one of those grey bins. They will confiscate it momentarily and swipe it's inputs/outputs for chemicals, and give it back to you.

Buy some filtered (Disani, Aquafina, etc) water at your hotel, it will work just fine. Take an extension cord, and some string, binder clip and hair scrunchie for hose management options.

Big hairy ape deal

Thanks for the visual, Slinky!

Good luck on your trip,
Cathy

[freepostg]

I've never had a problem getting through security with a regular sized water bottle filled with distilled. Once they see the script and the machine, no worries.

[wlo2008]

this is from the sleep apnea support group.

Revised rules from TSA for CPAP Updated 8/13/2008
I spoke with the Division Manager, Disability Programs Division at the Transportation Security Administration who advised that all TSA screeners have received training on this procedure for screening CPAP devices. I have it on good authority that a 2 1/2 gallon zip-lock will accommodate most CPAP machines.

http://www.tsa.dhs.gov/travelers/airtra ... /cpap.shtm

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Machine

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Machines

CPAPs are allowed through security checkpoints once they have undergone screening.

Passengers will be required to take their CPAP machine out of its carrying case and place the device in a bin for x-ray screening. Facemasks and tubing can remain in the carrying case.

In addition to x-ray inspection of your CPAP machine, a visual and physical inspection, and Explosive Trace Detection (ETD) sampling will be required.

To facilitate CPAP machine hygiene and cleanliness:

Once out of the carrying case, you can place your CPAP machine in a clear plastic bag before placing the device in the bin. You will need to provide/bring your own plastic bag.

Upon request, TSOs will change their gloves prior to performing the visual and physical inspection, and ETD sampling of your CPAP machine. The CPAP will need to be removed from the plastic bag by the TSO to conduct the ETD sampling.

Upon request, TSOs will clean the table where the ETD sampling will be conducted.

Upon request, TSOs will change the ETD sampling media before conducting the ETD sampling.

[Guest]

1. when travelling, I've used bottled water with no negative impact.
2. NEVER check the CPAP in luggage. It is a medical device and does not count against your carry-on limit.
3. Take it, you need it.

[Grump]

Definitely take it with you. I've been on CPAP since January and have taken my CPAP to Florida, the Caribbean, Toronto and Australia. Absolutely no problems at all, it just takes longer to go through Security with several bins (one for the CPAP, one for the laptop, one for shoes, belt, cell phone, etc ....) and the (almost) inevitable swabbing of the CPAP.

Like a previous poster noted, take an extensions cord and a three way outlet adaptor. Buy a bottle of water at your destination and it shouldn't be a problem for four nights.

[silver123]

I also picked up a single prong surge protector that easily fits in the travel bag for my equipment. Never hurts to be cautious and I always have my home machine on a surge protector strip.

I carry a copy of my prescription and a medical necessity letter dated and signed by my doc in case I am everychallenged coming on the plane with the extra backback I always put the equipment in as extra protection than just the barely padded Respironics bag.

I've only been challenged by Northwest becuase they only allow one carryon of any kind. Business women who carry a purse and a laptop are told they have too many carry-ons, which is ridiculous. I don't fly Northwest any longer. I'm expecting airlines to get tighter about this issue so the backup paperwork is important, I believe.

Good luck!

[bdp522]

If you call ahead, most hotels will be happy to have distilled water waiting for you when you arrive. Just tell them you need it for a medical device.

Brenda

[Fafner]

re. the trip..

My conference in Miami was officially cancelled minutes ago because of impending arrival of Hurricane Ike. But now I am armed with all of your helpful advice.

Re. the smart card..

Indeed I was mistaken about the data my machine is collecting. It is as "slinky" informed me only collecting "compliance data". I did see my sleep doctor yesterday and told him I would like to be more personally involved in monitoring my therapy via software purchase and downloads at home. He was surprised yet pleased and said he would call the DME provider and arrange for an exchange to a REMSTAR PRO M series with C Flex. The compliance data was good and agreed with the diary I had been keeping of sleep behaviors.

Since i see the doctor next in two months I didn't want to wait to get more details about how therapy is going. The doctor did seem pleased with my report of cessation of snoring, sleeping with closed mouth, belief that I am not having excessive leakage, loss of 10 lbs in the last 2 months and just tolerating the machine in general. These observations corroborated by my wife. He said all of these things showed something good was happening.

He was less pleased that I was not dreaming (or at least remembering) and that I could not say I felt more rested or energetic.

Many many thanks!

Phil

[birdshell]

Phil,

You had great advice from other esteemed forum members.

Please, though, do not fret too much over feeling better. It took me a long time. (Read the section under the yellow lightbulb [Our Wisdom] under the topic: Help For New or Struggling CPAP Users )

SHHHH! Don't tell, but I suspect that the "never had such a good night's sleep" phenomenon is pretty unusual. Those who experience that miracle night are just so surprised that they exclaim, "I NEVER slept better," over and over.

Karen,
Who wishes you good sleep and good travelling

[tangents]

Phil,

While traveling with CPAP is not a big deal, I am glad for you that your trip was cancelled, so you can get some more time under your hose before taking the show on the road.

Your doctor sounds like a real keeper! Getting a data capable machine with that little work is a huge deal. Way to go!

I got a data capable machine a month or two into my therapy, because I was not feeling rested yet. Seeing that my therapy was on track kind of allowed me to be patient while my body healed. It took every bit of four months before 8 hours was enough sleep for me. Even now I sometimes go 11-12 hours on the weekend. (my machine and I assimilate - resistance is futile...)

Good luck, and keep posting your questions.

Cathy