newbi worried about Sandy

[ladyjanern]

Hello, newbie here who just past night 100 with my CPAP. I have been compliant for every one of those nights. yea me! I am starting to get concerned about talk of flooding from Sandy here on the East Coast but more important power outages. I don't have a generator or a battery back up. I've been more concerned in the last 3 months with insurance, pressure settings, humidification and a good fitting mask and haven't thought of the what if.

So what does one do.. just go without CPAP till power is restored? I'm wondering why the DME didn't address this.

Be safe and I'm praying the power doesn't go out.

[MobyTheMinnow]

See if you can find a power inverter so you can use your car. Targus makes a 90 watt inverter for laptops with a 1 120 watt plug. Sure you have to sleep in the car and keep it running but it is sleep. Other options are leave town and get a motel.

[eeckel]

I bought a 30 day supply of Provent because of the New York Times article about the efficacy of the technology found in a multi center randomized controlled trial research . But then I read the threads here about Provent and everyones doubts about the therapy. I haven't tried Provent yet. I live on the east coast and if my power goes out I will finally take a chance and try Provent. I have some international travel in South America coming up in high altitude countries and I need to decide if Provent is a reasonable alternative to CPAP when traveling. I'm confused about this decision.

[Pugsy]

If one has no choice but to sleep without cpap machine then I would be using a recliner and as much of an upright position as possible. Not ideal by any means but if other options are not available it should help somewhat.

[SleepyToo2]

Sorry to be mean, but if you have left it until after 4:00 PM on Sunday to be worried about Sandy, you are too late to be able to buy very much. I was lucky to find a deep cycle battery yesterday, but they had sold out of inverters. I did discover an inverter in the garage, so I am in luck. I also have a jump-starter for a truck that I picked up from Pepboys, but it only has enough power for one night. It does have a 110 volt outlet and a 12-volt lighter socket that I used 2 nights ago to test it again. I also have the Respironics cable for the lighter socket. So, back-ups are reasonably easy to find, but planning is essential - not waiting until just before the power goes out.

I did see a propane generator that looks like it might do whatever is necessary for a reasonable price on BJs web site - but it is web-order only. Again, too late for Sandy. The price was reasonable, so I think I will be getting one when the power comes back on - if it goes off. The chances of power outages are very high in the area that I live in.

So, if the power stays off longer than your back-up system, the "recliner" approach sounds like the best. I do not have a recliner, but I do have an oral appliance that might help me get through the worst of the nights. Not that I will know exactly how well without the CPAP. I guess the oximeter may help ...

Stay safe ... even if it means going to a relative/friend outside the affected area - which is huge, I know!

[Sloop]

Other options are leave town and get a motel.

I suspect the power outtages will be epic. Depending on where she lives, it is possible she'd have to drive 500 miles to find power.

[Lizistired]

I would look for a Diehard 1150 Jump Starter. There is another thread going about them now. It will run DC or AC and has USB ports to charge other devices. I got mine at Ace Hardware for $129. It has a built in charger and comes with a cigarette lighter plug adapter to charge from your car.