Traveling with CPAP

[beechnut]

After trying to adjust to CPAP therapy for several months I finally gave up. I had not used my CPAP equipment for several months until 2 nights ago. I received the Swift FX nasal pillows and so far so good. I have gone about 5 hours each night but am still bothered by the noise. It just seems to roar in my head. Earplugs did not help so the next purchase will be a white noise machine.
Any tips and encouragement would be appreciated.

Also, I will be traveling this week and just curious if there are any issues getting through security with CPAP??

[scrapper]

Can you move the machine down by the floor, as far away from the bed as you can get with the hose you've got, and still able to comfortably move and sleep? Place the machine on a towel too, as long as it's filter and venting is out one of the sides........

I like the Swift FX also........but have a different machine that doesn't bother me in the least.....

Let me encourage you to get back on the machine, full-time, every night......you will feel much better and more importantly, live longer...... Sleep apnea is deadly....and once you get used to the machine and find the right mask, it's hard to even consider sleeping without it.....

On travelling........I put the machine and the humidifer in separate zip lock bags........opened the case just like I do my computer when I go through security at airports, and don't have a bit of trouble. For hoteling it, one of the best tips I rec'd here was to carry extra outlet plugs and an extension cord--and I've used them almost every time. When I travel, I either use plain bottled water, or just tap water--I do not carry distilled water.

Conquer this! You're on the right track.........and you've come to the right place for help!

[beechnut]

Thank you. I have retrofitted a bedside cabinet to put the machine in . It helped, but I will definitely try the towel.

[dtsm]

For me, the machine is quiet but what is usually loud is the mask and the exhalation port. You can hear the exhalation of the Swift Fx, right? That should 'mask' any sound from the cpap unit.

Re travel, most folks recommend

1. Getting luggage tag for your cpap carry-on. You can buy on cpap.com or print one yourself and go to Staples for lamination ($1.00)
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/medica ... pment.html
http://www.mindspring.com/~jimw203@mind ... -Tag_1.pdf
http://www.mindspring.com/~jimw203@mind ... -Tag_2.pdf

2. Bring a copy of your Rx

3. Print out copy of TSA guidelines as backup proof that it doesn't count as extra carry-on - don't check in it!
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/ ... index.shtm

[imtired]

i got used to the noise breathing with the swift fx after only a few days. after a while i started waking up sleeping on my front (must be a good thing i havnt slept that way since i was about 15) because of the air blowing on the pillow. this is the only noise that will wake me up now and i just adjust the mask so it blows somewhere else.

[aroche]

I travel regularly and found that I rarely have problems with TSA. However, I have found that they want you to remove the compressor portion off your unit from any baggage, and place it in a tub just like you would any electronic device. They will also want to swab it for explosive residue. Be aware that they will sometimes be very careless with your bag for the unit. I sent my system through the xray with the humidifier, hose, and mask still in the bag. After passing through the magnetometer I found my CPAP bag upside down in a pile of other items coming through the XRay machine. Fortunately I had removed the compressor for them.

As far as water goes, I generally pickup distilled water when I get to my destination. I have had to use bottled water in my humidifier in a pinch, but only distilled leaves no residue on the warming plate, so I make it a point to find the distilled. If I don't finish the water off before I leave for home I just leave it since the cost of distilled is so small.

I would also recommend that you find out the altitude of your destination if you do not have auto-altitude adjust on your CPAP. I have noticed a difference of only 1000ft can make a difference in my treatment and sleep.

[bearded_two]

Flying with CPAP within the US is more or less painless. Take your machine out of the case, put it in its own tray, and send it through x-ray so that TSA can take it to a table to swab it. You don't have to tell them about it, they will know that is a CPAP machine when they see the x-ray; the screener will call somebody over to take it and swab it. Leave everything else in your CPAP bag and put it through x-ray like any other bag. After your other stuff goes through x-ray and you go through the magnetometer, go over to the swabbing table and pick up your machine.

[araminta]

The food that i have in my carry on bag gets just as much if not more scrutinized than my cpap.
That loaf of dense flax seed bread stumps 'em everytime.

[sheldons65]

I don't have a special tag or anything. Often I use bottled water. Clean your humidifier out with a white vinegar solution to remove deposits.

An extension cord really helps. One of those brown or white simple cords you find around Christmas is good. I use an 8 or 6 foot one.


I'm in Brazil right now and have traveled around in Brazil on airlines. No worries!

[bailachel]

I travel for work almost every week and have found that it isn't really a problem, just an extra couple of minutes in security. I leave the machine in the case, but open it so that they can see it. I leave the hose in it's pocket. I put the mask in a clear zip bag so they don't have to touch it, and place it in the bin next to the case. I always tell them that I am sending a CPAP machine through just as it is about to enter the xray and request that the person who is going to swab it, please change their gloves first. (The TSA regs. require them to do this if requested.) They swab the machine right in the case. Then all I have to do is put the mask back in the case, zip it up, and go.

[srwesely]

About the noise--I'm far from an expert, however the noise of my machine was bothering me also. I've found if I play a CD softly on my alarm/CD player next to my bed, I don't hear the noise so much. Stick to slow, relaxing music. I even did a gregorian chant CD and actually dozed off before getting to the end of it. I can't just play the radio, because the radio squeals with interference when the machine is on.

[beechnut]

Thanks for all the tips. I have gone 3 nights now on my "restart" with cpap and have averaged 4 to 4 1/2 hours which is better than before. However this morning I had awful marks on my face so I think with the Swift FX tighter is not better. I am definately going to try a soft CD. I read on this forum several months ago of a XM Satellite station that several folks commented on but can't seem to find the post ..
There is quite a discussion going on about the Swift FX and all I can say it seems to be making big difference with my compliance though I know Iim not there yet.

[imtired]

However this morning I had awful marks on my face so I think with the Swift FX tighter is not better. ..
There is quite a discussion going on about the Swift FX and all I can say it seems to be making big difference with my compliance though I know Iim not there yet.

Swift FX is the only mask i have tried. tight is bad. loosen it almost to the point of it falling off and it will be very comfortable. it will take a few days of bad leaks to get used to it but you will learn to sleep without it falling off and your nose wont hurt anymore