The Social Aspect of Traveling

As a relatively new CPAP user (4-5 months in), I am only now realizing that sleeping in hotels, camping, and staying at people's houses has now taken on a whole new element.

And, I've been avoiding it.

Today was Bay to Breakers in San Fran, and I was supposed to stay with a group of people at a friend's friend's house so we could all wake up circa 5:30am and hit the race. My friend is in town from Chicago, newly engaged, and I haven't spent fun quality time with her in 2 years (I've known her since she was 5). Alas, last night (Saturday) as I was about to head up to San Francisco for the night, I backed out. First, 5:30am is just ridiculous for me. But second, I was just too uncomfortable bringing the CPAP to someone's house that I didn't know and having the group accomodate me by letting me and my friend sleep in the bedroom (so I wouldn't be on the couch with the machine in the morning when everyone was getting ready).

I guess, I'm just saying, it's awkward. And, this is actually the second time I've skipped out on staying in SF with friends in town and missed out on socializing and being together.

Are the days of crashing with friends in hotel rooms and staying over at people's houses on the weekends over?

well I can only tell you about the first (and only) time I traveled with cpap. It was about 5 days after I started it (last november) and I was a nervous wreck about it. I was staying at a friend's house and I just told her I had this sleep machine and mask I needed to wear as I had just been diagnosed with a sleep disorder. She said, Oh my brother-in-law has one of those.
end of topic. I did have a guest room and that helped me a lot. so I completely sympathize with your feelings and I can only say that I think the straightforward approach is best.

Hi Meghan

Restrictions imposed by others are sometimes hard to circumvent.

Restrictions imposed by ourselves can be even harder

I would be backing off for a 5.30 start too, but that would be all.

Giving them a ring, seeing what the options are, getting an idea of their attitude, and then go visit with your friend anyhow, thats what life is all about. Don't let your machine be a problem when staying away from home. Just be matter of fact about it, and "act as if" it were the most normal thing in the world. (and soon it will be )

cheers

Mars

Get a longer hose if necessary so you can stash the CPAP where convenient and route it to wherever you want to sleep. Be sure and carry an extension cord. Bring a small bottle of distilled water for the humidifier. Remove the humidifier chamber from the machine when you're not using it so someone doesn't move the machine on you and destroy your machine. Be sure to figure out how to stash the machine and route the hose such that no one else can snag on it or trip over it. If you decide to not take the humidifier, be sure you have any extra fittings or whatever to use the machine without the humidifier.

When I was first introducing the mask to my relative's kids, I put it on, turned it on, and showed them how I could blow air out my mouth all the time while breathing. Sort of gave them a "Wow, cool" reaction instead of a "Yuck!" reaction.

Crashing is still possible, just not as totally spontaneously as before. If there is a possibility that you might need or want to stay over, either for fun or logistic reasons, or ease, you will need to take your gear with you.

Your attitudes of shame or not wanting to inconvenience others will not serve you nor your friends....so work on that.

Hey, the machine is far quieter than the snoring many/most did pre CPAP, so, really, this is better!!!

These are your friends...they care about you. And if they are strangers, who cares what they think about your equipment!!

All the best....

J (a former spontaneous crasher who still sleeps over on a couch occasionally, and uses lithium battery sometimes when doing so to avoid cord running!!)

MeghanRF wrote: Are the days of crashing with friends in hotel rooms and staying over at people's houses on the weekends over?

Odds are high that someone in every group has sleep apnea and is undiagnosed and untreated. You might set an example that would lead them to get something done and save their health from being destroyed.

Don't restrict your social life.

What nightmonkey said, and how do you know there won't be other hoseheads there?

Once you are prepared for being a CPAP traveller - extension lead, plug adapter etc - you have more freedom than most! You can sleep anywhere there's an electrical socket ... on a train, on a plane, and travel all over the world where there's power!!

I know it's hard to admit to 'being different', especially at bedtime! But most people are very understanding and you don't know how many other secret xPAP users there are out there, including amongst your friends. Much better to be brave and tell them about your condition. It's a REAL GENUINE MEDICAL CONDITION. Just like a diabetic needs supplementary insulin, a person with a broken leg their crutch and plaster, you need your machine. It's discreet, not noisy and probably once you're using it, you'll probably be asleep faster than any of them. And once you're asleep TOUGH if they don't like it, you're not awake to hear their comments.

TWO VERY IMPORTANT POINTS.

At least you won't be the snorer who keeps the rest of the group awake!
and
When the alarm goes off at 5.30 am, you most likely will be the one who's had the most restful sleep and in the best position to enjoy the day ahead!!

GO FOR IT. LIFE IS FOR LIVING, AND XPAP HELPS US TO MAKE THE MOST OF OUR WAKING HOURS.

I guess I'm different.
I would welcome the chance to show off my cool equipment.
It might even help tip somebody away from the road of denial--saving a life.
CPAP does not embarrass me--but waking everyone up with my snoring made my face a little pink.

I used to dread going to friend's places (in fact most friends at whose place I stay have long bought earplugs they used when I came over ) and hotels (some have really wafer thin walls, I was always afraid of hearing someone at breakfast say how bad he'd slept because of the train going past all night in the room next door ).
Now, it is soooooo much easier!!!
My friends were happy to know I was treating my condition (and got rid of their stock of earplugs!!) and next door neighbours in hotels don't need to bang on the wall anymore
CPAP has probably given you a new lease of life, enjoy it!!

Alsacienne wrote:Once you are prepared for being a CPAP traveller - extension lead, plug adapter etc - you have more freedom than most! You can sleep anywhere there's an electrical socket ... on a train, on a plane, and travel all over the world where there's power!!

Good luck finding the electrical outlet on an Amtrak train, getting one of the seats near the outlet, or even being able to plug in if you find it. I suspect it's not real easy on an airplane either, but I haven't flown in a while.

The last few times I traveled before CPAP I was SO embarassed by my snoring and how hard it was for the people sharing a room with me to sleep. My snoring could literally take the roof off the house--but the only way to stop it was not to sleep!

Now I don't have to be embarassed by THAT anymore--looking funny in the mask is no big deal.

I think if

Good luck finding the electrical outlet on an Amtrak train

Not all of us are from the US .... but I enjoyed my trip with Amtrak between Washington DC and Chicago and from Chicago to Emeryville in a roomette and had an accessible plug and an excellent quality of sleep!

NightMonkey wrote: Odds are high that someone in every group has sleep apnea and is undiagnosed and untreated. You might set an example that would lead them to get something done and save their health from being destroyed.

That's an excellent point! I'll bet everyone you know is acquainted with SOMEONE who uses CPAP or has untreated OSA. Friend, family member or extended family.

It isn't as odd as you think. And you just MIGHT save someone's life...literally.