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Holiday/Vacation Usage Importance & Cleaning...... - beetee - 08-08-2024
Hello,
I'm going on holiday/vacation for 3 weeks next month, I recently started my CPAP therapy (Resmed Autosense 10) and having been adjusting to it for the last 4 weeks since i started therapy.
I have two questions
1. Intially (for the hassle of dragging it around) I was considering (since i'm so new to the therapy) to just leaving the machine at home and have a holiday/vacation without it. My rationale was that, being so new to the therapy it would not be such a big issue to skip it during this time, and i don't have any further travel planned for at least 10 months after this trip, if at all.
Additionally I don't know where the plug outlet/sockets will be located in the rooms of the multiple hotels i am staying in. In the past i have stayed in rooms where the plug socket/outlets are on the opposite side of the room next to the Tv, and in those cases it would be too far away to power & connect the machine, I'm also not looking to upgrade my rooms or spend any more money.
Reading more about this, what i found were people saying that it is a mistake (no matter how long you have been using the therapy) to not take the machine on holiday/vacation, and that you should always take it with you and try to use it if you can.
So after reading that, it has made me have a rethink and now I'm strongly considering taking the machine with me, Do you guys think its ok to skip the therapy for 3 weeks, or essential to take it and use it?
2. I will be staying in multiple large hotels, that employ lots of daily cleaning maids for cleaning the rooms, therefore it would be highly unlikley that they would not touch or move mask items which i have washed and left out to dry, and i'm not keen on people touching or moving my mask equipment.
Additionally if i have a few beers or late nights, or am rushed out of the hotel in the morning (as travelling with friends) It may be the case that i don't wash my face mask anymore than once in a week
Is this another reason not to travel with the device?, how much of a germ and/or bacteria issue is it if the face mask is not cleaned more than 2-3 times during 3 weeks of a holiday/vacation? and what about if the hose pipe is not washed during the 3 weeks, would that present any respiratory or health risks?
Thanks
RE: Holiday/Vacation Usage Importance & Cleaning...... - Tampa Jim - 08-08-2024
Take it, always.
A good, Iron Forge 18 gauge 10' extension cord, on Amazon, is $13.99, weight 9.6 ounces. Distance issues resolved.
We don't clean daily, we're healthy and suffering no ill effects, decades later. Our opinion, we take in worse in public.
Our masks are disconnected and placed inside one of the dresser drawers, etc. within the room. Wrapped in a towel.
Side note, drinking & sleep apnea aren't best buddies. Something to consider from a health perspective. Best wishes.
RE: Holiday/Vacation Usage Importance & Cleaning...... - sauerkraut - 08-08-2024
beetee;
I've been using APAP an AS 11 almost 2 years ..
I would travel with the machine .. Pack a 10 ft. light duty extension cord ..
They don't weigh much and take up little space .. Mine fits in the bag the
CPAP came with .. You will sleep better ..
There is no reason You need to wash Your hose for the three weeks of vacation ..
The only part of the mask that needs washing is the cushion .. Every other day
should be enough.. Or pack some baby wipes and wipe the cushion just before
bed .. That will work also ..
Good Luck have a great time ..
RE: Holiday/Vacation Usage Importance & Cleaning...... - Big Guy - 08-08-2024
I'm going to swim upstream and say don't worry about taking it. I took a 2 yr. hiatus from CPAP Therapy before starting back up on it.
Enjoy your vacation!
RE: Holiday/Vacation Usage Importance & Cleaning...... - Rickyricardo - 08-09-2024
Large hotels have more outlets than a typical bedroom does (and forty light switches) and your cable and power cable are probably over 10' already. Just unplug the bedside lamp and use that outlet if you have to.
You don't need to wash anything daily. And maids have seen 1,000 CPAP machines just like airlines have.
Why have 3 weeks of poor sleep especially on vacation?
RE: Holiday/Vacation Usage Importance & Cleaning...... - beetee - 08-10-2024
Thanks for all the input
(08-08-2024, 09:25 PM)Big Guy Wrote: I'm going to swim upstream and say don't worry about taking it. I took a 2 yr. hiatus from CPAP Therapy before starting back up on it.
Enjoy your vacation!
Wow ok, that's an interesting take. Yes i still do wonder just how bad it would be to not take it.
After all i've only started therapy for the first time 4 weeks ago, so i'm probably not going to get great nights of sleep until i'm used to using it, I kinda wondered if it would be that bad without it for just 3 weeks.
RE: Holiday/Vacation Usage Importance & Cleaning...... - sauerkraut - 08-10-2024
beetee;
Then Why bother to ask ??
Its 3 to 1 take the APAP !!
RE: Holiday/Vacation Usage Importance & Cleaning...... - Big Guy - 08-10-2024
if you have any doubts, I'd then say take it! Better to have it with you if needed.
RE: Holiday/Vacation Usage Importance & Cleaning...... - HalfAsleep - 08-11-2024
Use mask wipes. Much easier than trying to wash in a sink. I would also avoid baby wipes, since they are either doused in obscure chemicals and oils that could irritate delicate nasal passages (or get oil on your silicon mask, which can degrade it or make it slide around) or almost all water with no cleanser of any kind. A wipe that’s straight water won’t clean anything, except for wiping away butt poop or sticky hands. Masks have to be cleaned; so, too, the humidifier tank.
If you have a compliance obligation for your xPAP unit, you’ll need to take it with you. Otherwise, you’ll be noncompliant and could have your machine re-claimed. So, there’s that….
If you can’t get distilled water, use bottled regular water for the humidifier, i.e. not water from the hotel tap. No telling what’s in the water in unfamiliar places.
If going by air, call your airline in advance to make sure you can take the unit as extra hand luggage and not have to check it in. It counts as medical equipment. Don’t allow airport security personnel to handle any item in the bag, unless maybe they put on fresh gloves.
RE: Holiday/Vacation Usage Importance & Cleaning...... - Homerec130 - 08-11-2024
Definitely take it with you. If I travel alone for one or two nights, I have been known to forgo it. I have an extension cord and surge protector I keep in my bag. I have a travel bag that holds both of our machines and supplies (as well as my wife's meds).
If you are concerned about the maids and the like, don't worry. They've seen them before and probably much worse. Still concerned, stick it in a drawer.