how to travel with oxygen for cpap?

pearlhilb wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 21, 2021 1:14 pm

Thank you so much for your thoughtful reply and questions.

I live at 6,000 feet, so definitely at altitude.

I was diagnosed with "moderate, positional obstructive sleep apnea" in 2016 after an overnight test at a sleep clinic. I have that report.

I had an episode of atrial fibrillation two years ago while traveling without my cpap and during a hugely stressful time. Since then I haven't had another episode, though I have occasional irregular heartbeats that never last more than a couple of seconds.

I had an at-home overnight pulse oximetry test in January 2020 which showed that my oxygen went down to 84% at some point. I think that's why my doctor added the oxygen--I use the lowest setting on the Inogen, setting 1. A second overnight oximetry test in June 2020 WITH the oxygen added showed I stayed above 90% all of the time. The lowest oxygen level for that test was 90%.

Your suggestion about doing another pulse ox test is great. I'll check with my doctor or get an overnight oximetry device (I got one once and had problems with it, so I'll research it and start over with that).

My machine is DSX500H11C. I did register for the recall and they said my machine was one of the problematic units. I didn't know that DreamStation 2s are ok--I will ask about getting updated to one of those.

I was not familiar with DreamMapper but just looked it up and will get set up. I do look at the data on the machine itself, which includes therapy hours, AHI, mask fit, and periodic breathing. I'm not sure what the periodic breathing is about. But it sounds like the DreamMapper might compile this info in a more usable form?

I think I hit all of the questions--? Thank you SO MUCH for helping me think this through.

clownbell wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 21, 2021 3:23 pm

Without intending to step on any expert toes here, I would like to challenge one assumption. Does OP actually NEED continuous flow oxygen? Or would pulse flow portable oxygen concentrators be sufficient?

palerider wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 21, 2021 5:36 pm

clownbell wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 21, 2021 3:23 pm

Without intending to step on any expert toes here, I would like to challenge one assumption. Does OP actually NEED continuous flow oxygen? Or would pulse flow portable oxygen concentrators be sufficient?

Pulsed concentrators don't work with CPAP.

IF OP really needs supox on CPAP, then they need continuous flow.

klm49 wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 21, 2021 5:09 pm

pearlhilb wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 21, 2021 1:14 pm

Thank you so much for your thoughtful reply and questions.

I live at 6,000 feet, so definitely at altitude.

I was diagnosed with "moderate, positional obstructive sleep apnea" in 2016 after an overnight test at a sleep clinic. I have that report.

I had an episode of atrial fibrillation two years ago while traveling without my cpap and during a hugely stressful time. Since then I haven't had another episode, though I have occasional irregular heartbeats that never last more than a couple of seconds.

I had an at-home overnight pulse oximetry test in January 2020 which showed that my oxygen went down to 84% at some point. I think that's why my doctor added the oxygen--I use the lowest setting on the Inogen, setting 1. A second overnight oximetry test in June 2020 WITH the oxygen added showed I stayed above 90% all of the time. The lowest oxygen level for that test was 90%.

Your suggestion about doing another pulse ox test is great. I'll check with my doctor or get an overnight oximetry device (I got one once and had problems with it, so I'll research it and start over with that).

My machine is DSX500H11C. I did register for the recall and they said my machine was one of the problematic units. I didn't know that DreamStation 2s are ok--I will ask about getting updated to one of those.

I was not familiar with DreamMapper but just looked it up and will get set up. I do look at the data on the machine itself, which includes therapy hours, AHI, mask fit, and periodic breathing. I'm not sure what the periodic breathing is about. But it sounds like the DreamMapper might compile this info in a more usable form?

I think I hit all of the questions--? Thank you SO MUCH for helping me think this through.

Aloing with getting Oscar I would get an SPO2 monitor so you can actually see what is happening. Adjusting CPAP therapy isn't necessarily going to solve an I2 problem. I use a CMS50F from Contec, others here seem to be using the Wellu O2 ring.

pearlhilb wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 21, 2021 11:43 pm

klm49 wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 21, 2021 5:09 pm

pearlhilb wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 21, 2021 1:14 pm

Thank you so much for your thoughtful reply and questions.

I live at 6,000 feet, so definitely at altitude.

I was diagnosed with "moderate, positional obstructive sleep apnea" in 2016 after an overnight test at a sleep clinic. I have that report.

I had an episode of atrial fibrillation two years ago while traveling without my cpap and during a hugely stressful time. Since then I haven't had another episode, though I have occasional irregular heartbeats that never last more than a couple of seconds.

I had an at-home overnight pulse oximetry test in January 2020 which showed that my oxygen went down to 84% at some point. I think that's why my doctor added the oxygen--I use the lowest setting on the Inogen, setting 1. A second overnight oximetry test in June 2020 WITH the oxygen added showed I stayed above 90% all of the time. The lowest oxygen level for that test was 90%.

Your suggestion about doing another pulse ox test is great. I'll check with my doctor or get an overnight oximetry device (I got one once and had problems with it, so I'll research it and start over with that).

My machine is DSX500H11C. I did register for the recall and they said my machine was one of the problematic units. I didn't know that DreamStation 2s are ok--I will ask about getting updated to one of those.

I was not familiar with DreamMapper but just looked it up and will get set up. I do look at the data on the machine itself, which includes therapy hours, AHI, mask fit, and periodic breathing. I'm not sure what the periodic breathing is about. But it sounds like the DreamMapper might compile this info in a more usable form?

I think I hit all of the questions--? Thank you SO MUCH for helping me think this through.

Aloing with getting Oscar I would get an SPO2 monitor so you can actually see what is happening. Adjusting CPAP therapy isn't necessarily going to solve an I2 problem. I use a CMS50F from Contec, others here seem to be using the Wellu O2 ring.

Thanks for the reply and the recommendations for the monitor. What is an I2?

Pugsy wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 21, 2021 2:13 pm

Actually this software is much more comprehensive in data points.

OSCAR https://www.sleepfiles.com/OSCAR/
http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.ph ... stallation
http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.ph ... rpretation

If you want/need member input see this thread for which graphs and format
viewtopic/t158560/How-to-post-images-for-review.html

I needed the model number to know if it was compatible with OSCAR...it is.
The DreamStation 2 models are NOT compatible with OSCAR at this time.

Using this software we can at least monitor the basics and see if the therapy is optimal.

Your doctor may have opted for adding O2 because of altitude....so first make sure your OSA is well treated and then talk to you doctor about have a pulse oximeter test while using cpap at home and see what your O2 levels are...then decide if continued adding of O2 is needed for you.
Altitude does impact things a bit even if your OSA is optimally treated.
You may or may not still need the added O2 at bedtime. Won't hurt to verify one way or the other.

klm49 wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 21, 2021 5:05 pm

clownbell wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 21, 2021 3:23 pm

Without intending to step on any expert toes here, I would like to challenge one assumption. Does OP actually NEED continuous flow oxygen? Or would pulse flow portable oxygen concentrators be sufficient? The theory behind pulse dose oxygen concentrators is that they supply oxygen when you need it -- i.e. on the inhale. Obviously, you wouldn't be ingesting oxygen on the exhale. Did the doc actually prescribe/require continuous? And is the doc is competent in this regard?

My wife has been on oxygen for about 6 years. Kaiser prescribed a stationary concentrator at home and a portable for travel and daily running-around. #hen we travel, the portable oxygen concentrator does the job at night just fine. Her oxygen sat does NOT fall with the portable oxygen concentrator bleeding into the PAP hose. The Inogen portable concentrators cost ~$2500 retail but only weigh about 6 pounds.

Travels like a dream. Getting on the airplane does not pose a problem as long as you comply with the airline's requirements as to excess battery time. Different airline carriers have different rules (crazy, right?) so check it out well in advance of traveling. And of course they have paperwork for you.

A thought to explore. Again - without stepping on anyone's toes.

If you read the documentation with pulse dose portable concentrators you will see that they state it will not work with CPAP.
Pulse does machines depend on sensing your inhale to release the oxygen. They can't do this with the CPAP air flow.
"Although there are pulse flow units that can be used 24/7, it should be noted that pulse dose units are not compatible with CPAP or BiPAP machines."
https://www.1stclassmed.com/continuous- ... pulse-flow

chunkyfrog wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 22, 2021 10:19 pm

If you are thinking of getting a nightmarestation 2, forget about Oscar.
The SOB's at respironics are scrambling the data, to prevent consumer viewing.