NEW cpap user and travel... ?

[abby123]

Hi there, I am very new to this, in fact, I'm picking up my machine, etc... today. Please pardon my "green-ness". I have moderate sleep apnea (guessing for many, many years) I am motivated to get started because I feel very sleep deprived.... like a walking zombie.

I initially had a diagnostic overnight study (something like 21 apneas/hour?), then returned for a titration sleep study. Told my pressure is 11. I get heart palpitations that wake me up and gasping for air. Was told I have very small airways by ENT.

Anyway, I have a trip planned soon that involves a flight and then staying in hotel room with husband and kids for a week. Should I hold off on starting cpap until after my trip? or just go for it? Is the machine something I should check in baggage OR carry it on? It looks large (not really sure yet).

Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!!!

[Pugsy]

Welcome to the forum.

Don't put off using the machine.
Take the machine. It will come in its own little travel bag (think about the size of a laptop travel bag)...the machine itself is about the size of a large novel. In the United States since it is considered a medical device it doesn't count against your carry on luggage count. It will slip easily under the seat in front of you and still allow room for your purse/handbag unless you carry a really handbag .

People will tell you to carry it on instead of packing in suitcase..ever see how they treat your luggage when loading on the plane?? They aren't very careful...especially if your luggage is soft sided instead of hard material. Ever hear of luggage getting lost? Yep, it happens especially if there are connecting flights involved.
That said...I have packed mine BUT only when I am flying with no changes or layovers and I pack it in its travel case with extra padding all around it.
I have also carried it on..when suitcase was too heavy otherwise. Not a big deal. TSA agents pretty much never bat an eye anymore.
I also have a back up machine in case mine was damaged or got lost.
Packing it into checked luggage is not something I would really advise a person to do but I am okay with it myself... I have a back up machine available at home and carrying extra stuff in general is extremely hard on my neck and back even though it doesn't weigh much. Even my purse is kept small so that I don't have that added weight.
So just because I do it...doesn't mean that it is the best way to do it.

Final decision is up to you whether you take it or not though. If you take to cpap like a duck to water it won't be a big deal but if you happen to have significant issues adapting, using or whatever...it may just be easier not to add that stress while on the vacation.

[kwikwater]

Seems a bit mundane, ... but I always travel with a lightweight 6-10' extension cord. It's amazing how even newer hotels don't have a plugin available where you need it. I started it when my first road trip after CPAP was going to involve farmhouses that were built before electricity hit the farm. Big bedrooms and one outlet per room!

[abby123]

Great advice Pugsy and kwikwater. Thank you!
I'm going to carry it on (didn't know it comes in a bag). And I will call the hotel re: the outlet.

I hope it doesn't disturb the family... I think my hubby thinks this is an "optional" medical need.
I should probably bring along a nighlight or small flashlight so I don't wake everyone up if I need to adjust things.

I have about 6 days of home cpap use before I depart. I hope it goes well... finger crossed.

[Pugsy]

The S9 is really very quiet. I doubt anyone will hear the machine itself. Now they might hear you fiddling with things or if a leak goes wild.
My husband used to poke me in the ribs to wake me up to tell me to put my mask on and turn on the machine.
Silly man..it was already on but he couldn't hear it. I tried to tell him in a nice polite way that poking a sleep bear in the middle of the night wasn't the smartest thing to do...so I showed him where to place his hand over my face to feel the vented air moving so he could be reassured the mask and machine was on and not risk having his arm chewed off by the grumpy sleeping bear in the middle of the night.

Word of warning when taking your machine...go over the items carefully to make sure you don't leave something at home that is important...like the power supply or hose....I did the hose thing once when I went to visit my daughter. Brought everything but the long hose. Didn't realize it until 10:30 on a Friday night. Had to do without the machine for the first time in 4 years...horrible sleep what little I had.
Then I had to try to find someone in Las Vegas that was open on the Saturday after the 4th of July that would sell me a long hose. Would you believe in a city that large there was only one? Several places were open but none that carried the cpap hose.
Finally found one... $30 for a cheap $6 hose. Expensive lesson learned.

[abby123]

Good idea, I will do a full inventory before I leave! Guess I will just need to buy distilled water once at my destination.
That is sweet that your husband is watching out for you Pugsy. LOL re: sleeping bear.

I'll add to my packing list: earplugs (for them!) in case I have a leak or something. Thanks!

[chunkyfrog]

I wish I'd had my machine several years ago, when traveling with family.
We shared a room (up to 7 of us), and numerous times I would wake up with everyone sitting up already awake from my snoring.
It makes you feel really self-conscious--and one time everyone was laughing!

[xyz]

> I always travel with a lightweight 6-10' extension cord.

Great advice that every traveler should follow.

> I will call the hotel re: the outlet.

Don't bother.

The (likely) new kid who answers the phone can't possibly know the location of the outlets in every room that they have. The rooms will differ anyway. And no telling which room you'll get upon arrival.

Just be sure to bring a long, lightweight extension cord.

Count on that one outlet in your room to be behind the headboard, lol. Well, seems like it often is.

[CRMW]

I've done quit a bit of traveling for work with a CPAP and xyz nailed it with the extension cord. I've also been in a similar situation as Pugsy, once I forgot the power cord and once the hose became separated from the end connector. After the power cord situation, I now set up the machine as soon as I get checked in to allow me time to correct any issues. Also, you may need to become imaginative due to the lack of available DME's at all hours. I found a power cord for a Remstar tank in a hardware store on a Sunday and managed to fix the hose by cutting off the hose, pulling the old pieces out of the end and threading in the cut section. A touch of glue between the connector and the hose and it still works.

NOTE: If you try the glue trick, I made sure to use very little and did not get any on the inside of the tubing as I was unsure of off-gassing with this glue. Lots of electrical tape will do the trick as well for a temp fix to a hose.

Chris