Why,? Why do I keep using this machine?

[Bubbles2024]

Before I used thisschine my life was happier although it was filled with anxiety and stress. Still is but since getting this machine my temper is shorter I spend more days in a dark mental state. I'm tired of dealing with DMEs and want to tell them ef off I just pay for stuff if I don't have to deal with you ever again. Crazy thing is the people on the other end are just making a living and have no say over company policy shit and corporate greed. Anyways rant over just having one of those days. 40 days in and waking up with straps on my face and my nose feeling beat and all the other fun stuff just had me down.

[Miss Emerita]

Good rant! So what are the DME people doing that makes you mad?

Also, is your mask bugging you? What mask are you using?

And while I'm at it: what machine are you using? Maybe you could put your mask and machine in your profile so the information will be right there whenever someone reads your posts.

[Pugsy]

Some history

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=188371&p=1456496#p1456496

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=188462&p=1457190#p1457190

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=188372&p=1456521#p145652

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=188367&p=1456487#p1456487

[Bubbles2024]

Miss E to answer your question the tell me what my payment is before releasing my actual statement telling what I am paying for. They told me it was a part of a billing campaign. I want to know is this rental, supplies, what before I pay. They have a number so they should be able to telle what I'm paying for. I asked if I could opt out of campaign and just get my bill with my invoice. No response. There website is crap and they haven't contacted my insurance. They lied to me about my insurance.

I was trying to change my profile but I can't. So it's a resmed 11 set to Apap and a n30i cushion. The headgear annoys me as it puts pressure on my cheeks and I'm tired of my nose feeling abused overnight. I started with the pillows they broke down tissue in my nose. I won't do a full face because of side effects to teeth and nose. I wear glasses can't have the bridge of my nose gets hurt. Also do t want hose in front. So I have to either quit or figure out what I have.

Plus I just got back from a great vacation machine makes, packing and unpacking way longer. Where do you store your used stuff and how will I ever get all the stuff on my motorcycle especially for a week long trip or even an overnight.

Just tired of this running my life. I'm extra worried when I go back to work. Keeping up with orders,maintenance, payments, etc.

[robbob2112]

Who is your DME - btw most of us using insurance HATE the dme -

I use apria and they are the worlds worst when it comes to billing -

Bill me fine 2 months then they can't get approval because they didn't submit a auth request soon enough, or submit the bill 1 day prior to the auth request. Don't get the dr to approve the auth.... And my favorite - from the beginning of the year they have been billing me as if it was private pay/noinsurance - $2300 so far - never mind I have called and given them the insurance information 4 times - the last time they called I spoke to the "supervisor" and they said they were not allowed to call the insurance to work it out.... WTF?? So I called the insurace and had them call Apria - ...they wouldn't talk to her because they didn't have permission ... so now I had to waste time on a 3 way call to tell them ... YES you can talk to the insurance to work out payment ...

AND, on a separate note - I asked Apria how many more months I had to run before I owned the machine and they tell me "it is supplamental oxygen, it is always a rental" ... sigh... with my insurance after 10 months I own it subject to compliance

I talked to the insurance about switching DME and they said I could at anytime, but adviced against it since that would result in a new machine, return this one, and start the 10 month count over again....

So in 2 months I will tell Apria to pack sand and call a DME on my insurance plan to get masks/supplies auto-mailed to me.... I have about 8 months worth stored already

[Bubbles2024]

OMG .. I have ROTECh... The stories.... I just hope that in 2 months insurance is correct and after buy out with 20% on me and 80% on insurance the rental is a done deal and I can tell Rotech to pack sand. I go see a resp therapist for fitting free of charge than my insurance gets an EOD for 300.00 plus.... Honestly so tired of this and I'm only 30 days in.

[robysue1]

Plus I just got back from a great vacation machine makes, packing and unpacking way longer. Where do you store your used stuff and how will I ever get all the stuff on my motorcycle especially for a week long trip or even an overnight.

You learn that packing the machine doesn't really take that much time and effort: You dump the water from the humidifier tank and put everything in the carrying case. It takes me about 10 minutes to pack up both my machine and my husband's machine. When traveling, the hardest thing about setting up the machines is finding plugs on both sides of the bed since I'm setting up two machines rather than one. Even so, it takes no more than 15 minutes or so to get everything set up to run both machines before we go to bed.

As for storing your "used stuff": When you're traveling, the travel carrying bag has room for the hose and the mask as well as the machine and its cord. If you're paranoid, it's easy enough to pack an extra hose and an extra mask cushion in case something happens. And the machines have gotten smaller through the years. If there is storage space for something the size of book backpack on your motorcycle, you ought to be able to shove the CPAP carrying bag in the storage compartment. It is useful to put an extension cord in either the carrying bag or your suitcase since some hotel rooms don't have convenient plugs near the bed.

As for the water for the humidifier tank when you are on the road, you can do any of the following:

• Turn the humidifier completely off. Your nose may hate you if it likes some moisture, but this is an option.
• Pack some distilled water if there is room or buy it on the road.
• Use bottled water or, even (gasp) tap water if the tap water is safe to drink. Lots of folks object to this idea, but more than a few of us have done this when traveling. In my opinion the biggest problem with using something other than distilled water is that you will likely get some mineral deposits on the heating plate. Soaking the tub with some diluted white vinegar is enough to get rid of them.

As for CPAP cleaning supplies when you're traveling? Just don't bother taking them with you on the road. Seriously: The DMEs make it sound like you've got to spend all this time and effort cleaning the hoses and the mask on a frequent basis. Many of us around here seldom clean our hoses anywhere near as often as the DMEs say we should. And it is perfectly OK to not even think about cleaning the hose when you are on the road. As for the mask cushion, wiping it off with a damp washcloth or rinsing it in some water is more than enough to get the mask clean enough to use when you're on the road. (Heck I don't even clean my nasal pillows or my husband's full face mask cushion every day even when we're at home.)

It's always worth giving the filter a good examination before you pack up: If it looks dirty, go ahead and change it. (Filters are the one thing that I tend to want to change more frequently than the DME says they should be changed. And they're cheap enough for me to just buy them without going through my insurance, which is particularly stingy with its filter allowance.) Filters are also small enough to slip several into the carrying bag if you prefer to change them frequently.

Now if you want to camp with the CPAP without electricity, then you will need some kind of battery and the appropriate cord to run the machine off the battery. Battery kits made specifically for CPAP machines can be bought, but they're not cheap. They are reasonably small however and quite portable.

[robysue1]

Just tired of this running my life. I'm extra worried when I go back to work. Keeping up with orders,maintenance, payments, etc.

Orders, maintenance, payments, etc for CPAP related stuff? Or work related stuff?

If it's CPAP related stuff, you will fall into some kind of routine that works for you.

For replacing/buying the supplies, I largely ignore going through my insurance for almost everything since I have a 50% copay for all CPAP related supplies and the DME's "mark-up" on equipment bought with insurance means my copay is almost as much as if I just bought the stuff from CPAP.com without insurance. Yes, both my machine and my husband's first machine were bought using insurance. A few of our masks were bought using insurance. And back when I was starting out, I bought a few humidifier tanks with insurance money. And I bought hoses and pillows every time my insurance company would pay for a new hose for the first couple of years until I had a nice supply of hoses.

But after I got my new AIrCurve 10 using insurance the (new) DME keeps phoning me multiple times reminding me it is time to reorder supplies when I already have enough of them. Most of the equipment will last much longer than the DMEs say, and the DMEs will try to sell you everything under the sun just as soon as your insurance will pay for it. At the start, it's worth going ahead and ordering those extras until you build up a nice supply. But after you've got a two or three hoses, some spare mask cushions, an extra headgear or two, and an extra humidifier tank or two, you can tell the DME that you will let them know if/when you intend to order something through them.

So right now I buy mask cushions and/or headgear (usually through CPAP.com rather than through our insurance approved DME) when one of us needs them. I'll buy filters at the local drug store when I run out. And when we switched from PR machines to Resmed AirCurve 10s during the pandemic, I bought a couple of extra humidifier tanks through CPAP.com rather than waiting for the insurance-dictated "replacement" period to end so I could get a new one.

It's also worth noting that the hoses and humidifier tanks last a very, very long time. We never throw the hoses out unless there's an actual hole or tear in the hose. Or the coupling has gotten so loose that it won't stay on my husband's mask. I am not sure I've ever thrown a humidifier tank out because I don't think I've ever had a humidifier tank break. Yes, it's worth buy the "replacements" the first several times your insurance says you're eligible for them. But you don't need to throw out the perfectly good equipment just because you've bought an extra. Once you have a reasonable supply of them, simply quit buying them until you need to.

Maintenance mainly means cleaning the equipment. And this is largely personal preference. When I first started out, I was meticulous about trying to clean everything as frequently as the user manuals and DME told me they should be cleaned. And I worried because my insurance was so stingy when it came to replacing filters, which because I live in a dusty old house I wanted to change much more frequently than my insurance and DME said they needed to be replaced.

Eventually I simply got tired of all the cleaning. (I'm not a great housekeeper.) And so I started "skipping" the cleaning when I didn't feel like it. And I noticed that the hoses still stayed clean and my nasal pillows still felt "fine" (rather than "gross or oily") even if I went several days without actually cleaning them or replacing them with an alternate pair. By the end of my first year or so of PAPing? I was no longer cleaning the equipment on any kind of a regular basis. And by the time my husband starting PAPing a couple of years later, he really didn't care how frequently I cleaned the equipment and he was seldom bugged enough by anything to clean anything himself.

Now? When I realize I can't remember the last time I washed the hoses, I'll swap them out for clean hoses on each machine. I'll swap out my pillows when they seem to start having problems with collapsing inner cones and I'll swap my husband's cushion when it looks or feels greasy and gross. (He has a much oiler face than I do.) When I accumulate enough "dirty" stuff on the top of the chest in the bedroom, I'll wash it all on a Saturday or Sunday and the process starts over.

I'm a bit more careful with the humidifier tanks since I don't want mold or mildew to start growing in them. While we typically just top off the tank each night with distilled water (when we're at home), I do try to empty the tank completely at least once a week. When I think about it, I will soak them in diluted distilled white vinegar for several hours just to kill whatever microscopic things that might be growing in them.

[robysue1]

So it's a resmed 11 set to Apap and a n30i cushion. The headgear annoys me as it puts pressure on my cheeks and I'm tired of my nose feeling abused overnight. I started with the pillows they broke down tissue in my nose. I won't do a full face because of side effects to teeth and nose. I wear glasses can't have the bridge of my nose gets hurt. Also do t want hose in front. So I have to either quit or figure out what I have.

Sounds like you need to try some different nasal masks to find one that is less irritating to your cheeks and nose. Even masks that look similar can feel quite different when you use them. And no mask is "perfect" for everybody.

It is worth having the DME clarify their mask return policy for new CPAPers. Most places will allow a new user to swap out the mask for 30 days or so if it is simply not working out for them. Some people go through a half a dozen or more masks before they find one that they can tolerate, and even "like".

The Resmed N30i has the hose attachment at the top of the head and tubes that the air flows through that go over the cheeks. You might do better with a mask that has the hose attachment at the front so the straps going over the cheeks are less bulky. There are several such masks that don't have the forehead support that makes it hard to wear glasses while you have the mask on. You might want to look at some of the following masks at CPAP.com and see if your DME would be willing to swap out the N30i for one of them:

• Resmed N30. This mask is similar to the N30i you are using, but the hose attaches at the front instead of the top of the head. The softer, fabric sides may put less pressure on your cheeks than the plastic air tubing on the sides of the N30i does.
• Resmed N20. The headgear is more substantial than the N30 and the N30i, but that may actually mean it can put less pressure on your cheeks.
• Resmed Airtouch N20. Similar to the Airtouch 20, but with a memory foam mask cushion.
• Fisher and Paykel Solo. This one has about as minimal of headgear as you can get with a nasal mask. But the nasal cushion may be too close to nasal pillows for your taste.

As for the abuse your nose is taking every night, there are things that can be done to help. But it would help us help you if you would describe how your nose is feeling abused: Is it feeling chapped from the air being blown in the mask? Or is it feeling sore from being pushed by the mask during the night? Or is it something else?

Lots of folks have sore noses and/or sore nostrils when starting out. But what to do really depends on what kind of "sore" your nose is experiencing. So describe how the nose feels when it's being abused, and we'll be able to make suggestions that can help protect your poor nose from the abuse.

[robbob2112]

Now if you want to camp with the CPAP without electricity, then you will need some kind of battery and the appropriate cord to run the machine off the battery. Battery kits made specifically for CPAP machines can be bought, but they're not cheap. They are reasonably small however and quite portable.

This is my solution for backup power and camping and extended outages from storms

https://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Threa ... #pid520822

[Bubbles2024]

Thank you all for your responses. The problem I have is the carry case won't hold my toiletries too.now that I have the machine instead of two small bags I have three small toiletry bags. They are the size of approved carry on for airplanes and are clear plastic. I wish it all fit in one bag. For the camper I bought a clear plastic container that will hold all but my distilled water jugs. That won't go for bike or air travel. I need a solution for all travel so I don't have to reconfigure Everytime.

If I can get all the toiletries in the issued carry case it would work in my saddle bag most likely. The opening is small though. If I need an extension cord probably just go buy one.

Water is what it is where I am.

I only took wipes for cleaning last week. I have been doing a full clean once a week. Those days make me so mood maybe I should do it every two weeks.

I only need a battery when I go to parents. I may not go this year because I don't want to have to deal with a battery and the noise and the seeing me like this. They will be coming here soon but won't be staying with us so I will get to see them.

I love the solar idea but takes up way to much space and involves way To many parts. Glad it works for you.

How do you store all your extras at home after you stock pile when insurance pays. Containers, bags etc?

Mask fit issues....
My DME allowed one different one in first 30 days. That period is up and I tried two. As said before for so many reasons I don't want a hose in front and no full face mask. I don't want nerve damage, sores, breakouts, bridge of nose to hurt and get sores making wearing glasses uncomfortable, teeth too move etc. I don't want mouth tape or chin straps. Glad they work for some of you though. I don't want the hose touching any part of my body. I'm also tired of feeling like the straps are going to slide up into my eyeballs. The current cushion flaps on the bottom of the skin between my nose and feels like it's been beat in the morning. I also got a pimple sore on my nose and yes I do care what I look like. So it is a big deal. I use ayr gel nightly. I did trade out the resmed strap for the dream strap and that seems to help a little with the frame wanting to slide into my eyeballs.

I do appreciate the suggestions but none of them have hose on top.

Thank you all for being helpful.

[robbob2112]

If it helps -
For air travel your CPAP is counted as a medical device and not considered against your carry-on allowance. It is not required but you can buy a medical device tag to add to the case to remind the desk people of that fact.

I was using a cardboard box - moving box 1.5cuft - but I got a 2 drawer plastic case from the thrift shop for a couple of bucks that my spares fit into for the most part. I do have overflow still in the box of all the different types of masks I tried when I was starting out as well as some of the other spares that won't fit in the closet plastic box. I tried 9 different masks mostly out of pocket before I settled on the F30 or the F20.

There is nothing wrong with people 'seeing' you with a cpap - it is just a simple medical condition and you are treating it properly.

I tried a variety of the nose plug/pillow style when I was still wearing glasses and they all wanted to pull my nose up onto my forehead before they sealed right. The N20 works if you are a nose breather and either tape the mouth, wear a collar, or a mouth device.

The style I found that worked the best was the standard F30. I could wear my glasses with it and read or watch TV without a problem. I tried the N30i/P30i/P20/etc before I got to that one. Then I had issues with it pinching the sides of my nose and it hurt to use after a few days and the WIDE wouldn't seal. So, I switched to the F&P Evora FFM - it looks just like the F30 but it has a slightly wider medium mask that didn't pinch. I was able to read with it and all the like and wear it with no trouble.

I do trade off different versions of mask from time to time when one causes a rubbing or other issue. I got cataract surgery done in January and don't need glasses anymore.

For contact point issues I use a tiny dab of this on the face before putting on the mask - been using the same tub I started with for 9 months now and it still has over 1/2 in it. This is also good for when the insides of your nose get dried out or irritated. It is intended for use with oxygen when your nose is dried out and it won't hurt your skin at all. Whatever you do, don't use vasaline - it dries things out.
https://www.amazon.com/Aquegel-Breathe- ... B00EEA5MSW

Like the resmed masks ending in 'i' there is a top feed version. You can look on cpap.com or any of the other websites and find a few different top feed version.

I wipe the nose piece daily and do a full clean of everything maybe once a month, maybe longer. I have 3 hoses I am rotating through so when I start to get a smell or some other issue I swap to the clean hose and just air dry the old one good and set it aside. When they are all dirty I wash them all at once. I have another 3 hoses that are still in the package.

For the tank I empty it daily and set it aside open to air dry. I use deionized reverse osmosis water in it at home so never a problem with mineral buildup. When I do travel I usually just used bottled water or tap water and still empty it or set it open to dry. If there is visible build up when I get back I clean with a bit of vinegar.

The hose cover that is soft and velvety helps a lot when you are sleeping with a mask that has the hose in front - it takes away the plastic feel and I never notice the hose is there once I am settled in. The other thing that might help you is a hose hanger, it keeps the hose up off you.

Something like this
https://www.amazon.com/Support-Height_A ... B0BYHDQ679


For mask fit - read this - it sounds like you might be using the straps to tight.
https://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.p ... _Jeffy1958

[robysue1]

Mask fit issues....
My DME allowed one different one in first 30 days. That period is up and I tried two. As said before for so many reasons I don't want a hose in front and no full face mask.

What were the other masks you have tried?

And I have reread everything you've written and I haven't found a specific reason for not wanting a hose in front. I really think that a mask like the N30 instead of the N30i might solve some of your current problems. In particular, getting the air hose off your cheeks will make the mask sound less loud to you when you are lying in bed listening to the sound of your own breathing and the fan in the CPAP.

I don't want nerve damage, sores, breakouts, bridge of nose to hurt and get sores making wearing glasses uncomfortable, teeth too move etc. I don't want mouth tape or chin straps.

None of this applies to swapping the N30i out for the N30. The N30i and the N30 essentially have the same headgear design, except that the side straps of the N30 are just cloth---they don't have an air hose inside of them.

Have you ever tried a mask like the N30?

I don't want the hose touching any part of my body.

I don't like the bare hose touching my body either. And yet I use both the Swift FX and P10 nasal pillows masks that have the hose in front all the time.

You wonder: How do I keep the hose from touching my body? Here's how: I have both the main hose and the short mask hose in hose cozies. The fleece jackets for the hoses make them not feel like a hose when they they do touch my body. Now, because my nose loves the humidity set to its max setting and I get rainout issues I also run the hose under the covers and next to me, but because it is covered up in a fleece hose cozy it does not feel like a cold, plastic CPAP hose. It feels rather like a stuffed toy to be honest.

My husband wears a traditional FFM with a forehead support---my version of a mask from hell. His mask also attaches at the front. His hose never touches his body because he routes the hose up and over the headboard rather than running the hose under the covers.

Many folks around here have either bought or made hose hanging systems that help prevent the hose from touching the body as well as giving more freedom to turn over in bed without getting tangled up in the hose.

I'm also tired of feeling like the straps are going to slide up into my eyeballs.

This is another sign that your current mask is not working for you and that you need to try something different.

Here's what the Resmed N30i looks like:

Which part of the headgear feels like it's going to slide into your eyeballs? The top part above where the back strap comes in? Or the bottom part below where the back strap comes in? If you can answer that question, it would go a long way towards helping us make suggestions on what alternative masks you might want to consider.

I did trade out the resmed strap for the dream strap and that seems to help a little with the frame wanting to slide into my eyeballs.

I'm not sure what you mean by the "dream strap". Do you mean the back strap of the PR DreamWear mask? To be honest, I'm not sure how switching just the back strap might help with the feeling that the frame wants to slide into your eyeballs.

But if switching the back strap helped, did you consider just using the PR DreamWear nasal mask itself. That mask does have the hose attached at the top of the head:

The current cushion flaps on the bottom of the skin between my nose and feels like it's been beat in the morning.

Have you tried looking at Padacheek [https://www.padacheek.com] for a mask liner for the mask cushion itself? While I didn't see anything specifically listed for the Resmed N30i, she has a lot of liner styles that might work. Or you can contact her directly through her web page and ask if she could design something for you.

The idea behind the mask liner is that they prevent the silicone in the mask itself from touching your skin. She designs the liners, pads, and cozies so they do not interfere with the exhaust venting of the mask. The fabric she uses for the liners that go over the mask cushions are high quality and have a smooth, cool satiny feel. They come in a wide variety of colors and last a long time.

Note: Padacheek is a long time member here, but doesn't post much. Many of us have used her products through the years. They are high quality and last a long, long time. And if you don't see what you are looking for on her site, she is usually amenable to designing something for your needs. Back when I was just starting out, she designed a pad that covered the entire silicone part of the frame for me. I still use that pad when ever I use the Swift FX, even though it's now well over 10 years old. I also use her nasal pillow liners/cozies on a regular basis for both my P10 and my Swift FX masks. They last a long time. You can either hand wash them or toss them into the washer and dryer---she recommends a gentil cycle and low heat. In the winter time when I use them regularly, I do find I have to swap them out far more often than the pillows themselves because I drool a lot while sleeping. I typically toss a whole bunch of dirty ones in a zipper style lingerie bag and toss it into the wash with an appropriate load of clothes.

I also got a pimple sore on my nose and yes I do care what I look like. So it is a big deal.

Using a Padacheek liner should help prevent pimples.

I use ayr gel nightly.

Another product that can also help with the CPAP-skin related problems is Lansinoh nipple cream for nursing mothers. It's pure lanolin and does a really good job of soothing sore skin as well as helping it heal and preventing the problem once the skin has healed. A little goes a long, long way and it's easy to find in the baby aisle at most grocery and drug stores. And it may be cheaper than the Ayr gel you are currently using.

[robysue1]

Thank you all for your responses. The problem I have is the carry case won't hold my toiletries too.now that I have the machine instead of two small bags I have three small toiletry bags.

In all seriousness, consider cutting back on the toiletries that you regard as "essential" for travel. My husband and I share one extremely small "dopp kit" bag for all the toiletries that both of us use on a regular basis. Really examine just how much make-up and hair products and body products you really need to bring on trips.

I only took wipes for cleaning last week. I have been doing a full clean once a week. Those days make me so mood maybe I should do it every two weeks.

What do you mean by a "full clean"?

If you wipe or rinse the mask cushion daily, you probably don't need to be doing much of anything else for taking care of the mask cushion.

How do you store all your extras at home after you stock pile when insurance pays. Containers, bags etc?

I just use a dresser drawer. It's large enough to store everything we've accumulated. I use the top of the dresser to pile stuff that has been used and swapped out until I'm good and ready to actually clean it all. For me, I'd rather clean a whole bunch of hoses and masks all at once every few months than one hose and mask every single week. It doesn't take that much longer to clean 4 or 5 hoses than it takes to clean 1 or 2. It doesn't take any longer to clean a whole bunch of nasal pillows and FFM cushions than it takes to clean one of each. I just put what I'm cleaning in the bathroom sink and soak it for a few hours and then rinse well. (I prefer to just use diluted vinegar-water to soak the hoses and humidifier tanks; sometimes I use a tiny bit of a neutral smelling dishwashing liquid to soak the nasal pillows and mask cushions instead of the vinegar-water.) After rinsing, I hang the hoses to dry on an over the door set of robe/clothing hooks in the bedroom and put the rest of the stuff on a towel on top of the dresser to air dry. I then stick everything back in the drawer, usually the next day.

[robysue1]

I only need a battery when I go to parents. I may not go this year because I don't want to have to deal with a battery and the noise and the seeing me like this. They will be coming here soon but won't be staying with us so I will get to see them.

Get over the shame. Seriously---your parents won't be bothered by your using a CPAP when both you and they are asleep.

As for the noise: The modern xPAPs are very quiet. It seems loud to your ears because you are right next to the machine and with the Resmed N30i mask you are using, the noise of the machine's fan and your own breathing is likely being amplified and conducted directly into your ears through your skull since the air hose is running right along side your cheek bones. No-one else hears that conducted noise, and if you switched to a mask where the hose attached in front instead of on the top of your head, you might hear a whole lot less noise.

And why would you need batteries to run the CPAP at your parents' house? Do your parents live off grid? Or do they live outside the US with different electrical setup? With the appropriate adapter plug a CPAP will run off the standard power available in any country worldwide. And the adapter plugs are small enough to just stick in the CPAP carrying case. (My husband and I traveled in Europe and Turkey for 45 days in 2022 with both CPAPs in tow and had no problems at all using the CPAPs with adapter plugs every we went.)

If your parents really do live off grid, then it might be reasonable to buy a battery and solar kit and leave them stored at your parents' house so that you don't have to transport the additional equipment for your visits.

I love the solar idea but takes up way to much space and involves way To many parts. Glad it works for you.

We do car camping and right now we just plug the batteries in at the campsite restroom every 2 or 3 days for about 3 or 4 hours to recharge. I'd love to have a solar panel for charging so that we could do more primitive camping for longer than a couple of nights.