quote:

Originally posted by Sigmund: Is flying with a CPAP doable? FWIW, we have easy going, friendly TSA at MLI.

Easy peasy. If you don't have TSA Pre-Check, you'll need to take it out of the suitcase and let them scan it just like your computer. At least that's true for Orlando TSA when I was there 3 weeks ago.

I think I'm on my 5th machine. First two were BiPAPs, 3rd one was a CPAP (didn't sleep well with it), 4th was a CPAP replacement due to a recall, and went back to a BiPAP. I vastly prefer a BiPAP.

I've been on Nasal pillows the entire time. I'm a pretty active sleeper and spend about 60% on left side, 30% on right side, and 10% on back. The ResMed AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear is my current one and the best one yet.

I was hospitalized about 5 years ago, and the hospital's sleep therapy slackers took 19 hours to show up after the order. They claim they only had a full face mask, and also claim they only had a machine that was combo CPAP and ventilator. Not sure if any of that was true, but that combination of equipment was awful. When I rolled over in my sleep, it would detect a temp leak, and that damn thing would ramp up to a bazillion cfm and practically blow my lungs out. I didn't sleep for shit between the mask, the machine, and the middle of the night blood draws.

quote:

Originally posted by Tailhook 84:

quote:

Originally posted by Sigmund: Is flying with a CPAP doable? FWIW, we have easy going, friendly TSA at MLI.

Easy peasy. If you don't have TSA Pre-Check, you'll need to take it out of the suitcase and let them scan it just like your computer. At least that's true for Orlando TSA when I was there 3 weeks ago.

I have PreCheck and don't have to take it out at any of the domestic terminals at Houston Bush, but I have to take it out at their international terminal.

I always had a battery with my first two CPAPs and slept with the CPAP on overnight flights. FAA and airlines have a bug up their ass about plugging a CPAP into the outlet.

I had an international trip a couple months back, went to buy a battery for the new machine, and was shocked that the price had doubled on something already overpriced. My coworker lent me his, and I checked with both airlines on CPAP battery size and it was compliant. On the return trip, I got grilled by 3 levels of security in Frankfurt Airport over the size of the battery. Apparently, airport security has a size restriction different than Lufthansa (i.e. Germany's flagship airline). I thought they were going to confiscate my coworker's battery and I was going to have to spend $600 to replace it. Fortunately, the 3rd security guy cleared me to leave security with my coworker's battery.

Get it and use it. I used the Resmat nasel pads. If you don’t dream now you will after you get used to it. It changed my life while I used it. I don’t use mine anymore since I’ve lost 60 pounds. Sleep apnea went away.

the good news is that a cpap counts as a medical device, so it does not count against your 2 carry on bags. you can carry it outside your carryon, and have 3 total bags. if the gate agent says anything, just tell them it's medical.

I bought on my own a travel cpap, much smaller machine, light hose and it fits in my carryon. The resmed airmini. It doesn't have the heated hose and water tank and all the fancy stuff, but is much easier to travel with. It's kinda pricey at 1084, but well worth it, for travel.
https://www.cpap.com/productpa...rfit-p10-mask-bundle

For many a cpap is a huge quality of life improvement. I’ve been using the same cpap for about 8 years and use it every night. Waiting for an appointment for an updated sleep study. I’ve had good luck with the respironics wisp nasal mask. They had me on an xl, but I had major leaks until I convinced them a large was a better fit. My pressure is 18 so it’s rather high. I experimented with dreamwear nasal pillows and they were awesome, for about 3-4 days. My pressure is just too high for those and they couldn’t keep a seal or stretched out.

After 30 nights of using this (problems with DME so I bought my own), I have the following observations.

I appreciate all the positive comments about how wonderful this is to get me going on it but, frankly, it's a bunch of crap. This thing sucks (or blows depending on your mindset). It will always suck. It's a pain in the ass and you will not convince me otherwise. Wearing it, cleaning it, making sure the hose is in the right place when I go to sleep, adjusting for no leaks, all of it sucks. If God had intended me to sleep with a mask on, I would have popped out of Mom with one.

That said:

The dreams are cool.

The mid-afternoon drowsiness is gone.

AHI has gone from 33.2 to 3 and saturation is staying in the 90's, so I might actually live longer. And... since living longer is good, I'll keep using it.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: pace40,

quote:

Originally posted by pace40:
After 30 nights of using this (problems with DME so I bought my own), I have the following observations.

I appreciate all the positive comments about how wonderful this is to get me going on it but, frankly, it's a bunch of crap. This thing sucks (or blows depending on your mindset). It will always suck. It's a pain in the ass and you will not convince me otherwise. Wearing it, cleaning it, making sure the hose is in the right place when I go to sleep, adjusting for no leaks, all of it sucks. If God had intended me to sleep with a mask on, I would have popped out of Mom with one.

That said:

The dreams are cool.

The mid-afternoon drowsiness is gone.

AHI has gone from 33.2 to 3 and saturation is staying in the 90's, so I might actually live longer. And... since living longer is good, I'll keep using it.

I've had a BPAP machine for over a year.
It is a Luna G3 BPAP 25A Bi-Level CPAP Machine.
Allegedly one of the best on the market.

I've tired to use it 4 times throughout the year and gave up each time.
Each time I had a positive attitude that this time it would work for me.

I've tired every kind of mask and had the same issue with them all.
The most comfortable is the nasal mask.
Most recently tired was the F20 full face I think.

I do snore, wife and I sleep in separate rooms.
Not just the snoring but we have opposite work schedules.

The issue is;
I breathe thru my nose.
I'll fall asleep with my tongue against the roof of my mouth.
But as I fall asleep, my tongue relaxes and the air flows into my nose and straight out of my mouth.
I'm not breathing in thru my mouth, there is just an endless flow of air out.
A chin strap didn't help, it just caused chipmunk cheeks until the air was eventually was forced out of my mouth.
I never got more than 2 hours of sleep before I'd wake up gasping for air even though it was blowing out of my mouth.
After waking up in a panic, I can't get back to sleep with or without it.

Another issue is that they stay it can weeks or months to adapt.
I drive for a living.
I can't go to work on 2 to 4 hours of broken sleep every night trying to adapt to not being able to breathe with the machine strapped to my face and then drive 650 miles a day..

My doctor's response, "It should be working", well it doesn't.
He changed pressures and other settings but I get the same results

Everyone states how life-changing these machines are.
I don't see it, I can't sleep with the air flowing non-stop out my mouth..

Glad it seems to work for y'all..

Thanks for the tips on flying with a CPAP. We do have Pre-Check, plus we sit at the pointy end with fewer limits on carry ons.

I appreciate the heads up on battery size, I’ll look into that once we set our itinerary.

I travel somewhat often. VA provided me my CPAP and I'm wondering if they'll also order me the mini for when I travel.

Only thing I pay for is the distilled water that goes into the CPAP. The VA provides everything from the CPAP to chin straps to masks to hoses to carrying case.

quote:

Originally posted by Edmond:
... VA provided me my CPAP and I'm wondering if they'll also order me the mini for when I travel...

Medicare and/or TriCare for Life paid for what my wife has. We're getting older and limiting our travels, we have no plans to spend our own money for a mini.

Does Medicare Cover Travel Machines?

Travel CPAP machines are covered through Medicare Part B’s Durable Medical Equipment policy, just like any other machine. However, if you choose to go with a travel machine, remember that Medicare will only cover one machine every five years, so if you want a regular CPAP device, you will need to purchase it out of pocket.

https://www.cpap.com/blog/does...cover-cpap-machines/

I identify with everyone on here and their CPAP journey. I was put on CPAP ten years ago. I dont think I ever slept a night throughout while wearing it. It was always something. claustrophobia, air leaking into my eyes, drooling into the mask etc. I finally went last year and got a septoplasty. It improved my breathing 100%. I feel so much better in all aspects of my life. I dont use CPAP anymore since getting my nose fixed. I recommend to anyone to get addressed to see if structural issues maybe a mitigating factor in your apnea. Another thing I have done is "mouth taping". You cant do it if you cant breathe through your nose though. I was able to do it after my surgery and it's been a game changer. Good luck my friends.

Another flying question: Is there a special ID card? Mrs. Sigmund's doctor told her to get a medical ID card for TSA, is this acceptable?

https://www.tsa.gov/sites/defa...ication_card_508.pdf

I just got mine 2 weeks ago. I’m going to ask for a different mask as the nose mask (not full face) is not working for me. I do sleep better. My case was mild apnea, but low blood oxygen.

If you're using a nasal pillow, or nose-only system, keep your nose hairs trimmed frequently. Every week or two I'm reminded that my nose hairs are growing back and the airflow tickles them as they grow which gets quite annoying.

Tony.

Nasal Pillows for me also, been using for long time now. probably 10 years.

I'm a mouth breather so pillows didn't work at all. Currently using an F20 but if I move, it wakes me up. I'm getting about 6 hours of use per night but hope I can get that up to at least 7 once the new pup sleeps past 5am. I have the newer F40 on order. Maybe the less rigid frame will help. Did I mention this sucks?

quote:

Originally posted by Sigmund:
Another flying question: Is there a special ID card? Mrs. Sigmund's doctor told her to get a medical ID card for TSA, is this acceptable?

https://www.tsa.gov/sites/defa...ication_card_508.pdf

I have flown with mine (Resmed 11) several times in the bag it comes in. Have yet to be required to remove it at TSA. Have yet to be asked about a TSA card. Have yet to have anyone at a gate give it a second look, ask to open, or consolidate down to two (2) bags. Move with confidence and if anyone questions you on it, remind them to mind their own.

100% thread drift but good info for new users:
If you are getting your unit via insurance, it will be invoiced as "medical equipment.". This means that it will be "rented" to you similar to a medical device you would return (think wheel chairs and hospital beds). You know you won't return it as it is now something you see as a "life saving device."

If you have met your maximum out of pocket deductible, make sure you absolutely insist on a single bill for the device. If you don't, the device provider will continue with monthly invoicing like they would a hospital bed. Should the end of the year come, your deductible will reset and you'll be on the hook for some out of pocket until the device is "rented to own" (something like ten (10) months).

In failing to do so, I had to pay for half (1/2) of my machine instead of insurance paying 100%. The fault wasn't that of my insurance, several times they said they would gladly pay since out of pocket was met. The fault lies squarely with the company called Adapt Health/Aerocare. They refused to single invoice.

Warning, if this applies to you, do anything possible NOT to use Adapt Health/Aerocare.

quote:

Originally posted by ffips: ... Have yet to be required to remove it at TSA. Have yet to be asked about a TSA card. Have yet to have anyone at a gate give it a second look, ask to open, or consolidate down to two (2) bags....

My exact experience four weeks ago. I don't think a medical ID card is necessary for a CPAP machine.