Looking for travel mini CPAP

[Tess]

Hello, helpful people.

I've passed the two-month mark and am feeling pretty good but still no surge of energy.  Maybe it's not going to happen because of my age (66) or maybe it will take longer.

Anyway I'm asking opinions about a small travel machine.  I've searched the forum and can't seem to find what I'm seeking. 

I have two weeklong vacation trips planned in the next 6 months.  Both involve flying and one will be overseas.  

So I started to look around for a mini. (My ResMed AirSense 10 weighs about 2.5 lbs. and will take up a goodly portion of my one carry-on suitcase even without the humidifier.)

The very nice-looking and very small ResMed costs $900-plus.  Yikes. 

Then I find an XT Fit mini machine with hose for $209.  The reviews on the online site are good.  

Any opinions on mini machines?  For travel, I want a basic machine for breathing.  No bells and whistles.

[Crimson Nape]

A medical device (CPAP) doesn't count against the number of allowed carryons.

[pholynyk]

The first thing about travelling with a CPAP machine is that when it is in the bag it came in it doesn't count as part of your carry-on bags. You can't pack non-medical items in with the CPAP machine, mask and power brick, but everything related to the CPAP travels free. Sure, it's another bag, but it's not that hard to manage with your one carry-on and your purse.

That's how I did it, and it worked well. I got to keep all my bells and whistles, too.

[PaulaO2]

The carry-on rule is for any US carrier no matter where they take off from. As long as they operate in the US and land in the US, they must follow the US law. Most European airlines follow the same "medical is not counted" bag rule.

Take your CPAP with you. You are new to this and need to keep consistency. Instead, remove the humidifier. You may have to get a part that covers the hole but it will be cheaper than a new machine.

[Tess]

Thank you for the responses.  I knew it is allowable carry-on but I hadn't considered about being a beginner and sticking with what I know.

My CPAP and I are friends now but not such close friends that I wanted to drag it around with me.  I think I still don't think of it as a medical necessity because I'm a beginner and because I went my whole life without it and functioned okay.  Plus I had a crappy sleep doctor who never emphasized any medical necessity.

Also, you get what you pay for.  I read more reviews and the $200 machine is very noisy.

[Tampa Jim]

I went my whole life without a CPAP ... until I needed one.
Fortunately, my diagnosis came before anything tragic occurred.
Today, I dropped nearly $1,000 on a second unit/mask.
There's no chance I'm going backward at this point.
I feel SO much better nowadays, no more Atrial Fibrillation, etc.
Don't skimp on health or safety, it's too important.

BTW, I did save $$$ by making phone calls to DME suppliers.
Best wishes, hope you find what you need.

[Tess]

Thanks, Tampa Jim.  I'm going to try calling around.  I think I will spending the big bucks for a good small unit and use it before I go, so I'm used to it.  

Carrying the giant padded bag I got with my ResMed is not an option, even without the humidifier.

[Tampa Jim]

I got a really good deal by calling Supplier #26.
They shipped UPS Next Day Air at no charge.
Very friendly/helpful staff, efficient process top to bottom.
You will need to e-mail/fax your RX to them.

If you have any specific questions, let me know.
I've unpacked and explored my new unit, it's awesome.
And the smaller 12mm hose is really sweet.

[Mosquitobait]

Tess, consider a used S9. You can separate the humidifier making it much, much lighter. The S9 has the same algorithm as the Airsense, so no difference in pressure. You could also get an S9 cpap instead of auto (I prefer a backup that matches what I have, but cost and time may be an issue for you). The Slimline hose works on both S9 and Airsense as do the filters. Don't know where you live, but my local Craigslist has 3 S9 auto units, $200-225 right now, so they can be had at a reasonable rate and can later be used for your backup as well.

Note: Make sure you have the appropriate adapters for European electrics.

[David Govan]

Search my name for long posts about travel A/CPAP options.

My solution is the Philips Respironics Dreamstation Go.

Soooo much easier than my S9 for traveling.