New here. A few questions. Air travel?

[rmcfee]

I am glad to have found this forum since I was recently diagnosed with Apnea. I was told all my life ( I am 49 now) that I snored VERY loudly so maybe it is all related.
Anyways I am using the CPAP now. I can sleep fine with the mask until I wake up to go to the bathroom (5 AM or so) and then I fall asleep before I get the mask back on. I miss a couple of hours this way.

At first I dreamed more vividly. Maybe getting into REM finally. Now I don't recall the dreams so much but am sleepier in the morning! Could it be that I am in deeper sleep and it therefore is harder to wake up?
Anyone here have experience travelling by air with CPAP units? Is it a hassle?
Thanks.

[dcryandc]

Welcome!

When traveling by air, you will have to take out your XPAP machine at the TSA security check-point for them to do a hand-check. I always put my machine in a very large plastic bag, so that when it's out in one of those bins, it's still somewhat protected. Good TSA screeners will even just reach in the bag to do the "swipe" test on it.

As far as using the machine on airplanes, I have done that on overnight international flights, if the plane has a power port at the seat. I bought an airline travel adaptor to use if the seat has any type of power plug-in. I have gotten 4-5 hours of XPAP sleep on international flights that way.

As far as foreign travel, make sure that you have an adaptor kit for different types of outlet plugs. Your machine will work on either type of electric current, as long as you can plug it into the wall...and a good extension cord for hotel rooms is also very useful.

[Julie]

It's important that you get your mask back on at 5 a.m. otherwise you will continue to feel sleepy. Every hour you sleep without it, is an hour lost to OSA.

[dvejr]

Why take mask off to go toilet? I don't. I just disconnect the hose....
Doug

[rmcfee]

Thanks for the responses. I guess it would make more sense to use the "quick connect" and leave the mask on. I will try it tonight!
It is just that the mask is still very foreign feeling.