A week without CPAP, how big an issue?

[Pugsy]

Ems...I hear you.
You know some people don't experience the daytime symptoms to the same extent as others. We all have that YMMV sticker on us. In my case my OSA causes my O2 to drop to 70ish%. I get massive killer headaches from it and have to pee every hour on the hour. So I had a horrible night and day after my one and only time of having to totally go without the machine. Was a good wake up reminder of how bad things used to be that I had sort of forgotten.
I might try some sort of mouth guard or those Provent things if I was planning a float on the Snake River...otherwise I bring my gear because I have learned that it isn't much of a vacation if I feel like total crap the whole time. Now if I didn't feel like total crap when I skipped a night...might be a different story there but for me I do and it's significant enough that I don't go without it unless something unforeseen happens. And I can joke about the Snake River float but it won't ever happen...too far away and I can't leave here for that long.

[Captain_Midnight]

JB, a few years back, an acquaintance of mine left for a Christmas vacation without his xpap. Sadly, he did not survive the trip.

Can I say for certain that not having the machine was the cause? Of course not, but that is my strong suspicion.

.

[ems]

Chillbit and ems, help me understand how you're going to know in advance which nights an apnea episode is likely to trigger a heart attack or stroke, and which nights it is not likely to happen.

It sounds to me as if your AHI must not have been very high to start with; perhaps you don't really need therapy at all. If you can pick the nights it's necessary and teach us how you do it you'll be very popular here.

My AHI was high to start with - now never more than around 2. And, of course, I can't know in advance when I might have an apnea episode. I also have no idea if I'll get hit by a car or drop dead while I'm out exercising. I'm quite sure I had SA long before I was diagnosed with it - I would guess around six years - and happily I'm still here.

As I said earlier, if it becomes apparent that my health has changed in some way as I age, then of course I will think differently.

I think we all pick and choose. Not worrying if I skip a few nights is what I choose.

[ems]

Had a thought... I feel NO DIFFERENT with or without my machine. My doctor prescribed a BPAP bc she thought it would help with migraines. It didn't. "Maybe" I get up to pee less and I'm not even sure about that. Now, if I felt a huge difference or at least some difference at all, maybe I'd see the need to take my machine every place I go. I use my machine for the oxygen I know it provides - that's it. The lowest it went during my sleep study was 86, I believe. I think if I could say that I feel so much better since I'm on BPAP, then maybe I would be more encouraged to take it with me when I go on vacation. But, I don't. So, again, we pick and choose. You know what I choose.

[jencat824]

I would never, never, never go on a trip without my CPAP. When we were without power for 8 days, I used a generator. After that experience I purchased a generator & am considering a whole home generator.

For travel, I would consider taking just the CPAP, leaving behind the humidifier. If I was to be sleeping without electricity, I would purchase a battery & take that to run the CPAP. I would absolutely NOT EVEN CONSIDER sleeping without CPAP.

IMHO the trip would be ruined by my feeling so bad without the CPAP and my OSA is severe enough I would be afraid to chance it without it. Only you know how much being without it effects you. Try a night to see how you feel. About the compliance issue, I would contact the insurance company & see what they say.

Hope you have a wonderful trip & stay safe.
Jen

[Kiralynx]

Consider your CPAP the most important item you could possibly pack.

I had to do without mine for most of a week in 2012 because of no power due to Hurricane Isaac. The result was, before the next hurricane season, we installed a very expensive whole house generator. I will not go without my machine again if it is possible.

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You will NOT enjoy your trip if you are exhausted. Really. You won't.

[Catlizg]

Although a newbie, gotta add my two cents here...hAving been in the medical field I was quite well aware of the dangers even with mild to moderate apnea. With virtually no symptoms other than lack of sleep, it was quite surprising to discover I am considered to have severe OSA, with O2 as low as 79%. Once they told me that, I knew I would be as compliant as humanly possible. I'm all for moderation, but not in this area. I fell asleep one afternoon for about a half-hour without my mask. Did I feel any different? Nope. Will I ever do it again. Nope. It's virtually Russian Roulette with no odds in your favor. Eventually, it will get you, whether it's a half hour nap, a week without, or years without. You could leave the humidifier at home or if you've got the money, but one of the really compact travel units. When you balance the number if folks saying bring vs. those saying don't bother, the numbers speak for themselves; these are really experienced people

Whatever you choose, enjoy your vacation.

[Bill44133]

Chillbit and ems, help me understand how you're going to know in advance which nights an apnea episode is likely to trigger a heart attack or stroke, and which nights it is not likely to happen.

It sounds to me as if your AHI must not have been very high to start with; perhaps you don't really need therapy at all. If you can pick the nights it's necessary and teach us how you do it you'll be very popular here.

Old Dude they can NOT know in advance anything.. It is bad advise to this new person. Who already had a mini-stroke.

Here is a quote from Jersey Bikers first posting:

I tend to get long winded on my first introductory post to online forums . Late last November at the age of 58 I had a transient ischemic attack (TIA). After 2 days in a medical center and dozens of test they could not figure out what caused the attack (thank goodness for good medical insurance). .

JerseyBiker here is my advise on your question. I will not sugar coat it for you.
Figure out away to take your CPAP with you and use it or park your ass at home

Let me know if you really want to know how I feel about it.

[BlackSpinner]

It really depends on what you original tests say. My O2 dropped to 56% - no way am I ever subjecting my body and brain to that kind of stress.
If you did go without your cpap you will probably say you were doing fine. However it is a well documented fact that people who are sleep deprived believe that they are doing just fine, even when you show them their test scores. It is rather like being drunk, a drunk rarely knows just how impaired they really are.

So in essence choosing to go on you long bike trip without your cpap machine is like choosing to drive while under the influence of alcohol. The effects on your judgement and skill is the same.

[jencat824]

So in essence choosing to go on you long bike trip without your cpap machine is like choosing to drive while under the influence of alcohol. The effects on your judgement and skill is the same.

Well said!

[Todzo]

As you can tell from my username and avatar I'm a biker. My wife and I take at least one but sometimes 2 (week long) motorcycle trips a year. I also do a couple weekend rides. I am very limited on how much baggage I can carry on my bike. My CPAP system with humidifier came in a nice carry case but it's quite large and bulky. I don't know if I can bring it with me along with the clothes and other necessities we need. I know that sometimes when you start taking certain medications that you can not stop taking them suddenly because doing say can cause problems. Are there any such concerns with stopping CPAP once you start? The other related issue is that my CPAP gear is rented by my medical insurance from Apria Healthcare for a year. After a year it is mine to keep but in the meantime I have to send them the SD memory card each month to show that I am in compliance. I wonder if I miss a week would I no longer be in compliance even if I use it all the rest of the month?

Some things to consider:

Without CPAP you will likely not sleep well and so:

You are likely to become a danger on the road

You are likely to become cranky toward others

It is likely to reduce your libido and cause erectile dysfunction.

It is likely to reduce your enjoyment of the trip.

[kteague]

Was trying to keep an open mind, but glad your first post was referenced. I hadn't made the connection. Really, with your medical history, I can now say without feeling like an alarmist that you, of all people, need to not see your treatment as an inconvenience but a welcome tool to mitigate your already increased risk of stroke. You were fortunate to receive a warning with that TIA. Don't take your second chance lightly. (Just erased my soapbox lecture. Family history makes this a hot button issue with me.)

[JerseyBiker]

WOW!!! What a response. I can't tell you how much I appreciate so much advice from so many. I will make sure there will be room for my CPAP machine. I will as many have suggested leave the humidifier which will almost cut the size in half. Thanks

[Bill44133]

WOW!!! What a response. I can't tell you how much I appreciate so much advice from so many. I will make sure there will be room for my CPAP machine. I will as many have suggested leave the humidifier which will almost cut the size in half. Thanks

+1 Smart Man..

Be safe in your travel and have a good time

[icipher]

JB, a few years back, an acquaintance of mine left for a Christmas vacation without his xpap. Sadly, he did not survive the trip.

Can I say for certain that not having the machine was the cause? Of course not, but that is my strong suspicion.

.

What happened to him? Accident related or a sudden physical issue that caused his death?