flying

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
sharlan
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flying

Post by sharlan » Fri Dec 21, 2007 10:33 am

I am sure this sounds silly, but..........I am flying cross country next month, at night. My snoring is so loud without my cpap, that it can be heard upstairs when I am downstairs, and vice versa.

I am really concerned about falling asleep and disturbing the entire plane. I am flying from midnight to 7 am, so I know I will fall asleep, regardless of how hard I try to stay awake.

Any suggestions????????


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Post by Guest » Fri Dec 21, 2007 11:09 am

Bring extra earplugs and offer them to your seatmates.

And then realize the rest of the plane is full of undiagnosed apneics and you will probably not be the loudest snorer of all.

You have my permission to quit stressing about this now.
Babs

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6PtStar
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Post by 6PtStar » Fri Dec 21, 2007 12:13 pm

My understanding is that you can take it with you and use it on the plane. I have not done it but I have read posts where others have. Do a search or maybe some of those who have do it will wade in here and give you the details.

Jerry

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Roadie
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Post by Roadie » Fri Dec 21, 2007 12:32 pm

My experience has been that some airlines allow the use of my battery powered CPAP while others do not. Below is my experience in the last couple of months. It can change depending of the flight crew, so your experiences may be different.

Recent airlines that have NOT allowed my to use CPAP...

United Airlines
United Express
Delta


Recent airlines that HAVE allowed me to use CPAP...

American Airlines
American Eagle
Alaska Airlines


Check with the lead flight attendant as you board the plane. Remember you can not argue with the flight crew, if they say no then just accept the no and move along, they have the power to absolutely ruin your day if they want to. They will probably want to make absolutely sure that you are not using compressed oxygen. Of course you and I know that simple CPAP does not use any form of compressed oxygen, but that is probably what their chief concern will be.

good luck,

Roadie

Traveling sucks... Traveling with CPAP blows.

I'd rather be diving, then it is a good thing to breathe through your mouth.

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NeedinZs
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Post by NeedinZs » Fri Dec 21, 2007 12:36 pm

No, you don't sound silly. I remember being at my NEW in-laws, the ENTIRE family was there, we were watching a movie and next thing I know, I gasp and awaken, to find the whole family staring at me. I don't know how long I had been snoring! I was SO embarrassed. This was way before I found out I had apnea.

Anyway, one thing that might help (if it's dark enough and secluded enough)
is you might try a poli-grip strip on the inner side of your lips. I have found that they help from keeping your mouth from dropping open, which would help you not to snore. Also however you usually get rid of your nasal congestion, do that beforehand, so you can breathe through your nose. Just a thought....

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momadams
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Post by momadams » Fri Dec 21, 2007 1:17 pm

I had a phone call from Southwest saying it was OK to use battery powered CPAP in flight.
Shari


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Guest

Post by Guest » Fri Dec 21, 2007 1:57 pm

As bad as I sored before CPAP I never had a problem with snoring on a plane. Apparently my throat doesn't close up while I am sitting in a reclined position.


sharlan
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Post by sharlan » Fri Dec 21, 2007 10:01 pm

I snore with my mouth closed, also while sitting up.

I never thought about using a portable cpap. I will check with Continental.


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