CPAP use in public

DougVK · Post by **DougVK** » Mon May 23, 2011 12:46 am

I am talking about on a plane or train with other passengers. To me it seems like a choosing between either being embarrassed by terrible snoring (for those of us with OSA), and the embarrassment of using a CPAP in public. I might have to fly on 20+ hour flight this summer, and I have no idea what I will do.

DougVK · Post by **DougVK** » Mon May 23, 2011 12:58 am

Come to think of it planes do not have plugs for passengers to use,also I guess it would look foolish to use it out in the public. Can you imagine the stares.

oscar98 · Post by **oscar98** » Mon May 23, 2011 1:11 am

I think when I first started CPAP it may have bothered me but now I would just do it and not worry about what anyone thinks. If I try to sleep without it I get migraines and feel hungover and crappy. Theirs no way I would let worrying what strangers think end up in me feeling crappy because I opted not to use it.

It really is a personal choice and I know some airlines will allow you to use them in flight but if you are like me and feel crappy after even one night without I would try not to worry what others think. Besides they would probably rather you wear the CPAP than keep them awake with snoring.

Good luck

redjoe · Post by **redjoe** » Mon May 23, 2011 4:03 am

I've not been in this situation, but I'm quite certain my health would take precedence over any possible embarrassment. I'd use the machine. I've been "on the hose" for just shy of two months, and never want to be without it again, even for one night. As for power on the plane, check with your airline. I understand that some of them do have access to plugs, and will accommodate you with enough advance notice.

Bert_Mathews · Post by **Bert_Mathews** » Mon May 23, 2011 6:39 am

I'VE USER it on a plane <to Germany> and on bus trip to Nevada with a battery pack....
Had loot of gookers but the kids were the best & most fun!
My health means more than a few people with little knowledge.........

Do you stare at a person with a arm in a sling or a cast on the arm????
How about a person using Oxygen ???????
Bert

JayC · Post by **JayC** » Mon May 23, 2011 7:25 am

I will use it in public....still entertain train travel, and will book it and use cpap in coach overnight once the train is again cheaper than the current airfares!! I feel better AND sleep silenter WITH the mask, so everyone wins!!!! I seem to have lost the ability to be embarrassed in that way around strangers. Maybe it is related to completely shaving my head when my Mom was losing her hair because of chemo as part of cancer treatment. It is only hair, it is only a mask (that does good things for me!), it is not me or my self-esteem......

Yes, I imagine the kids seeing it will be the most fun!!!! Sometimes, when people stare at others, it is with interest, awe, amazement........not ridicule...... If you are self conscious to your own detriment (not wearing mask in public) that is not a good place to stay....

All the best!
J

nanwilson · Post by **nanwilson** » Mon May 23, 2011 7:54 am

Yes I wear it on a plane, on a train, in the car. What do you do when you are on crutches, wear a cast, use a wheelchair,on oxygen......I don't understand why you would be embarassed, its all health related. If an adult makes a snide comment they are the ones that should be embarassed for being rude, NOT YOU!

Sheriff Buford · Post by **Sheriff Buford** » Mon May 23, 2011 8:02 am

To me, the issue is if you can get "quality" sleep on the plane AND using cpap. I never was good at getting rest on a plane. I would doze, but no quality sleep. Knowing that, I wouldn't use it on the plane. That being said, I have seen people appear to get great sleep... so go ahead and use it if you can get the quality sleep you need.

Sheriff

dtsm · Post by **dtsm** » Mon May 23, 2011 8:43 am

I've taken several trans-pacific flights with cpap, averaging 6-8 hrs of solid sleep. Can't beat it, and better than a do not disturb sign when flight attendants come around for meal service

chunkyfrog · Post by **chunkyfrog** » Mon May 23, 2011 9:11 am

Is it embarrassing to help save a life? --your own? --a stranger's?
There is nothing attractive about loud snoring, gasping, or even having a heart attack or stroke on an airplane.
Vanity be damned!

TalonNYC · Post by **TalonNYC** » Mon May 23, 2011 9:53 am

There was a great posting on this kind of thing in Mike Moran's book LOL

I've been considering this one, as I'll probably have to hop on some very long flights later this year. I would get a battery pack and go for it. The flight attendants won't bother you, and hey - you might just get a full aisle to yourself, if your seat-mates have issues looking at the CPAP.

Anyway, MUCH better than sitting next to a person who's snoring loud enough to rattle the wings.

pap4life · Post by **pap4life** » Mon May 23, 2011 10:01 am

People may glance but I doubt that they will stare!!. Why care what other people think!!
Some people may only have one leg. They will get a glance, but never a stare!!
My health is more important to me then the glance of someone I don;t know!!!!

Sheriff Buford · Post by **Sheriff Buford** » Mon May 23, 2011 10:06 am

Heck, when I was in the hospital, I was ignored real good because of my cpap mask. I can imagine a flight attendant really ignoring you!!

Sheriff

LinkC · Post by **LinkC** » Mon May 23, 2011 10:33 am

I've used it on a train...in a "cabin-ette" (48"x78" - seats fold down flat and upper bunk folds down from wall). Power dropped in the night and the entire car filled with snoring. There were several CPAPers on board!

I, like Buford, don't sleep well on planes anyway...but sitting somewhat upright lets me doze without full-on apneas. My machine stays in the overhead. And my battery stays at home.

M.D.Hosehead · Post by **M.D.Hosehead** » Mon May 23, 2011 10:40 am

If I don't use it, I snore loudly. Other passengers like that a lot less.

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