tried a night without my APAP...

[Ren]

BAD idea! Went camping for one night on the Labor Day weekend, and figured I could go one night without it. Boy was I wrong. Tossed and turned for a couple hours, feeling like I was choking to death. My throat got wicked sore too; I presume from the irritation of those 2 surfaces that haven't met much in a while getting to know each other again. Around 3:30am went and slept sitting up in the car for a couple hours.

Thankfully there is a wealth of info here about running xPAP on battery. Needless to say I'll be looking deeper into that before the next camping trip!

On another note, since I've been on xPAP for several months now, and the past 4-5 weeks on data-capable APAP, but don't feel significantly better, I'm headed for my 3rd PSG followed by the MSLT next week. My numbers appear pretty decent; mask leak in the range expected, AHI under 2. But I'm still using the office chair as an upright cot. Wish me luck!

[goose]

Hey Ren,
Don't expect miracles!!!!!
I've been doing this for over a year and I'm still looking for that magic moment!!!! Same as you, good numbers, good mask, great machine.......
I feel better now than I ever did before xPAP -- but the morning after my titration?? I'm still looking for another day like that!!!! As long as I still feel good I know it's working.....

My only time of non-compliance was a night in January where our power went out -- and stayed out for a week. I tried one night without the machine and went down to Wal-Mart the next afternoon and bought a Marine Deep Cycle battery. It will run the machine (without the humidifier) for about a week, but I charge it every 3rd or 4th day so it doesn't get too low on charge. I used the generator to run the charger!!! If you need to run the humidifier you may want to look at the inverter solutions mentioned here on the forum. I can live without mine for a few days -- especially in the winter if the power goes out (it's usually raining like crazy and blowing harder)......
My system consists of the two cables (for the Respironics M-Series APAP) from cpap.com and the Marine Deep Cycle battery, though I could have gotten by cheaper by going to an auto supply house or RV supply house for the battery to cigarette lighter cable.

Good luck!!! Let us know how it works out and what system you decide on....
cheers
goose

[gasp]

I am a firm believer that we lose our ability to tell how we are in comparison to where we were. I believe that if I were able to push a magic button and be whisked back to pre XPAP, I would be surprised at how much more tired I was then and of course then how much better I'm doing now.

When I ask those who live closest to me if they think I'm better now than I was over a year ago, they all heartily agree I'm doing better now. They say I was more cranky then, that I was less tolerant, and that I looked physically more tired. I agree. Even my worst nights now, like recently waking up multiple times to clear my hose and mask of water, dry my face, and resume sleep is infinitely better than gasping for air all night long.

[gasp]

Added note: let us know what battery arrangement you come up with and how you like it.

[goose]

Totally agree Gasp -- the worst night on xPAP is far better than the best night pre-xPAP (and I do remember!!!!!!)

cheers
goose

[Snoredog]

do like caveman did, go sleep by a big rock or tree that way you only get bite by a rapid skunk ....or sasquatch

hopefully you have a backup machine to take camping, get campfire smoke in your good machine and you will regret that more than a lost night of sleep.

[wlo2008]

I feel a sleep one day, in the afternoon and woke up with the worst headacke ever. But then it is always hard for me to have it everywhere I go in the house sense I tend to doze off a lot. LOL

[-SWS]

do like caveman did, go sleep by a big rock or tree that way you only get bite by a rapid skunk ....or sasquatch

The occasional affectionate bite from a rapidly-advancing skunk, such as Pepé Le Pew, is not my greatest concern. It's those lethargic skunks---the ones with the crazy eyes and froth hanging from the mouth---that can get even Sasquatch loping and lumbering the other way.

As a side note I got a post card from him the other day. It was postmarked from Naboo, where he owns a summer vacation hut. As usual his vacation greeting contained a brief diatribe about not being able to get work ever since Hollywood type cast him as Chewbacca.

[Blackneto]

Ren, my only response is:

Dummy

Now don't do it again.

I can only say that because I though I could do it a few weeks ago.
What a disaster.

That reminds me I need to get my prescription from the doc "So I can get a used machine for travel and not incur extra expense"

yeah that's my excuse.