Traveling with CPAP

[Cooljulutah]

Thanks for your comments, KSMatthew! It sounds like its best to carry my cpap on the plane. I'm just wondering how I'll juggle it all - laptop, purse, suitcase or duffle bag, cpap machine. I'll have to be careful to not bang people in the head as I'm walking down the aisle of the plane trying to find my seat!

[Cooljulutah]

Thanks, trish6hundred! I'm sure I'm nervous for nothing about talking to my co-worker about my cpap - she seems like a really nice gal, so I'm sure it'll be a great trip! (She works in a different office, so I don't know her very well.)

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Thanks for the extension cord suggestion, pupcamper! I hate the lack of outlets in hotel rooms - especially close to the bed! I'll add that to my packing list!

[Cooljulutah]

Thanks for sharing this information, PaulaO2! Your post was especially helpful! I don't know much about power cords and surge protectors, so I'll try using an extension cord this time and hopefully that'll be all I need!

[Ockrocket]

Thanks, Steve! I appreciate your comments (especially #5)! I know I shouldn't be embarrassed, but I think most people feel that sleep apnea is a snoring disease - I know I did. I guess I'll just help educate her if she doesn't understand!

Strangely enough, I don't snore, though I am deemed to have sleep apnea.

The only time I have ever snored (and even then, very rarely) is if I sleep on my back.

I have been a side sleeper all my life, and now even more so due to back pain issues.

After a vehicle crash where I fell asleep at the wheel, my licence was suspended until medical clearance was issued subject to finding a cause with a raft of specialist's tests. 

Following numerous cardio/neuro/blood/respiratory, and other assorted tests.. the only thing they could come up with was mild sleep apnea following a home test where I was forced to sleep on my back (and subsequently snored a couple of times during the night).

The real reason for the crash was pure fatigue following a decade of only sleeping 4.5 to 5.5 hours a night, and even that was poor quality broken sleep.

On the upside of it all... CPAP has forced me to be more diligent about getting 7 to 8 hours plus of sleep per night.
I have also trained myself to fall asleep faster, now I'm out in two or three minutes most nights instead of the 30 to 60 minutes it used to take me. 
And I am getting a deeper sleep with less waking during the night, in the past I was awake instantly if a pin dropped.. now I wouldn't wake if a bomb dropped it seems. 

Once you get settled in to your routine with it you will have no problem sleeping and travelling with a CPAP machine.. and your health is more important to you than what others may think of you. 

You will have a blast on your trip.. just do a good job of what you are going there for, kick back after hours with your work colleague for a meal and a social drink, and don't stress about the CPAP aspect. 

Safe travels and good times to you. 

Cheers,
Ock.

[holden4th]

After traveling to Tasmania and back with my APAP machine I've learned a few things about how to make travelling with a machine much easier. An extension cord and multi plug are a must! Once you are plugged in a sleeping then that's all that matters.

I'm flying to the UK in April. I know that Emirates doesn't approve the use of PAP machines onboard without a battery but reading all the posts about flying with Emirates I'll just plug in and go to sleep. I'm in business class and will have a dedicated power supply.

[C0mbe]

After traveling to Tasmania and back with my APAP machine I've learned a few things about how to make travelling with a machine much easier. An extension cord and multi plug are a must! Once you are plugged in a sleeping then that's all that matters.

This is probably the best advice I have heard re: travelling.  I do a fair share of travelling myself, and I found out the hard way that sometimes there isn't a plug close the bed.  Ill never understand why there aren't plugs near a bed, but it does happen.

[PaulaO2]

With the increased use of cell phones and tablets and people wanting them near the bed vs across the room like a laptop, outlets near the bed are becoming popular again. Prior to that, I've had to do some tricky things in hotel rooms to get my CPAP going.

As for juggling everything on the plane, consolidate. In order for the CPAP to be considered medical luggage and exempt from the carryon limitations (at least in the US), it can only have medical equipment in it. Put your purse in your check through luggage and only have on you what you really need. Get a small clutch or something that fits in a pocket of your laptop bag for your I.D.s, credit cards, etc. It makes TSA check so much easier. Same with the laptop bag. Organize everything so it is clear on the xray machine.

I use a wheelchair so I am usually the first one on the plane (and the last one off). I see sooooo many people struggle with multiple bags or big huge bags that really should not be considered a carry on. Just to avoid the baggage claim. Add in a CPAP bag and it is a disaster for the person and everyone around them. Not worth it.

[KSMatthew]

Thanks for your comments, KSMatthew! It sounds like its best to carry my cpap on the plane. I'm just wondering how I'll juggle it all - laptop, purse, suitcase or duffle bag, cpap machine. I'll have to be careful to not bang people in the head as I'm walking down the aisle of the plane trying to find my seat!

Suitcase, if a carry on, is your one bag carry on limit.

One personal item that can fit under the seat:  I have a backpack that holds whatever laptop I have, along with other things.  I'm a guy, no purse, but you can shove a purse inside and that all counts as one.

CPAP is separate.

[stanleydean]

Ten years ago, our most recent flight, we flew cross country.  I had to take along an O2 concentrator  as well as my CPAP machine. CPAP went in checkled luggage and O2 concentrator in carry on. That worked OK then but maybe not in 2017. The trip included a cruise, compared to a cruise ship cabin most hotel rooms have receptacles galore. Fortunately I  had extension cords and multiple outllet plugs. Just another example of traveling with medical equipment.

[Mosquitobait]

Paula, thanks so much for the tips (well, all of you really!).

My sister and I shared a room for a couple of nights and I often use a white noise generator on my Ipod. Ask if your roomie would like that instead and decide together which one works for you. I like ocean waves. In my case though, my sister had a cpap for 10 years (no longer needs it), so she's well familiar with it.