TRAVELING WITH YOUR cpap

Lugging this unwieldy thing around, especially on a plane on Thanksgiving is a bit of a hassle. I also worry I may damage it since I already had to replace one. That, plus the airport security makes me think twice about bringing it, but I'm beginning to look at it as a "can't live(or sleep) without it" issue, so I guess that answers my quandary.

My wife says I still snore when I doze off at the sofa, and I'm still restless when I wake up once in a while.

Anyone with the same quandary?

No quandry here, rudyhyu! Not even a flicker of a second thought. You're right on about seeing your cpap as a requirement for living and sleeping....not to mention being able to get up in the morning without stumbling, feeling dizzy & drunk, being addle-brained, unable to think or remember or respond to simple questions...Should I go on to the parts about the continuing damage to your brain, your heart, your other internal organs, which is compounded by "choosing apnea events" rather than the inconvenience of carrying this little machine? Yup, you answered your own question before you finished writing the post....just needed a reminder nudge, right?

rudyhyu wrote:Lugging this unwieldy thing around, especially on a plane on Thanksgiving is a bit of a hassle. I also worry I may damage it since I already had to replace one. That, plus the airport security makes me think twice about bringing it, but I'm beginning to look at it as a "can't live(or sleep) without it" issue, so I guess that answers my quandary. ... Anyone with the same quandary?

Sure. It's a hassle. But it's a lot less of a hassle than having a heart attack. My grandfather almost certainly died due to complications from untreated sleep apnea. He died in his sleep at a fairly early age. Like you, though I can fall asleep on the sofa without it, I just feel SO much better when I use my unit. So, it's just one of those things. Glasses are a nuisance. But it's better than having an accident because you could not see well. The consequences of not using the therapy are very well established and the nuisance factor is not too bad.

rudyhyu wrote:... My wife says I still snore when I doze off at the sofa, and I'm still restless when I wake up once in a while. ...

Ditto. It's actually pretty normal for anyone. The important thing is that in general you feel better with the xPAP therapy. And if not, work with your healthcare team to get better results. It is way, way to important for you and your family to ignore it.

I hope you enjoy Thanksgiving and hang in there. You'll be amazed at how much you get used to living with this. It's the "living" part that matters. And I mean that in all the ways that can be understood. You will live better. And you will live.

So, welcome and enjoy the journey.

No quandary here! I fly with mine about 6-8 times per year. Why would I want to be too exhausted to enjoy my vacation? (Or to do the work I've traveled halfway across the country to do, as the case may be.)