Anyone "take breaks" from their CPAP?

[Billy6]

We went over to Normandy for the 65th Anniversary of the invasion, and thought to myself, if those boys could sleep in foxholes in the cold and rain, I could do without my machine for a few days, so I left it all at home, and we travelled light.

[BlackSpinner]

if those boys could sleep in foxholes in the cold and rain,

Most of those boys were 18-25 and many never came home.

[BeanMeScot]

Pick a week between now and September and give it a try. If your therapy has been working, I guarantee you will rethink your plan.

This. People tend to do worse after using CPAP for a while if they go off because their body and brain are used to the air and have lost a lot of coping mechanisms that they had been using for years to survive. You will probably feel much worse than you did before going on CPAP.

[kteague]

Sorry, RIP, not gonna cosign you on that proposal! But here's my amended proposal - If your apnea is mild and you don't require a high pressure, testing a dental device in advance doesn't seem unreasonable. Wearing one with your machine and checking the data could give you an idea how well it prevents events (maybe even testing it with an oximeter). Vacations are to enjoy. Would be a shame to get in the middle of it and realize you'd made a mistake. Let us know what you decide and how it goes. Hope your cruise is wonderful.
Kathy
P.S. If we asked you that, what would your advice be?

[plr66]

Wow. Remind yourself of how you felt every day without cpap! I can't even imagine wanting to risk destroying my cruise with feeling like that. Or ANY day with feeling like that. Why would you? It is just such a small amount of effort to take your machine and supplies with you and set it up in your cabin. What do you anticipate will present a problem for you with doing that??

[TheDreamer]

Since I was forced to take a break from CPAP after my first 3 weeks. That was a miserable 10 days without CPAP (it was supposed to be 2 weeks, but I couldn't stand it any more....) I was just starting to feel the benefits of CPAP when I was made to stop....that pesky MRSA infection of sore on nose bridge. If only I hadn't gone into the doctor's office about something else (sinus infection).

Though I could see cruise being a hassle....can't keep that cabin steward out of the cabin...unlike staying in a hotel, housekeeping canl stay out during the you're whole stay.

Though I look forward to going on a cruise some day again. It has been 3.5 years since my last cruise...so I'm due for one next year (assuming I can afford it).

I (first) cruised in 2000, I next/last cruised in 2005....

OTOH, my doctor did say that there should be nothing wrong with me taking a break from CPAP now and then, since I survived up until now.... but those missing days in my compliance report are because the machine failed to record anything for that day. And, he said before he asked for my compliance report that he isn't big brother on how long or when I use it, etc.

The Dreamer.

[RipVW]

I never, ever miss a night of CPAP! In my view, every untreated apnea event is potentially harmful. Recalling those two times (pre-CPAP) that I awoke gasping for air as I tried to restart breathing again was enough for me. Not a good idea to ever miss a night!

[plr66]

...Though I could see cruise being a hassle....can't keep that cabin steward out of the cabin...unlike staying in a hotel, housekeeping canl stay out during the you're whole stay.The Dreamer.

I do disagree with this comment. My own experience is that it takes exactly 10 extra minutes in the mornings to empty the humidifier, wipe it dry or just stick a kleenex in the hose connection hole, place it in a safe place, then place the machine in its case. Hose gets put in the top of the cpap case (because I use passover humidity and no problem with rainout--otherwise, sling it over the hook on the back of the bathroom door). My mask nasal pillows are cleaned with a Lysol wipe and put in a mesh bag in my hygiene bag in the bathroom, where it can dry during the day open to the air. No sweat.

I really promise that this routine is just no problem. And I feel secure when I leave my hotel room (or your cabin room) that there will be no accident of housekeeping knocking the machine off the table or touching my mask and hose.

[Bearded_One]

I just put the hose and mask in the nightstand drawer, the cabin stewards never bothered my CPAP. Notify the cruise company before the cruise that you will be using a CPAP and that you will need distilled or demineralized water. Bring a lightweight 15 foot extension cord and a set of outlet adapters.

[whatrdreamsmadeof]

So, have you signed the form that says, "I agree to be buried at Sea?" Perplexed as to why you would take the chance.

[mars]

People tend to do worse after using CPAP for a while if they go off because their body and brain are used to the air and have lost a lot of coping mechanisms that they had been using for years to survive. You will probably feel much worse than you did before going on CPAP.

Hi All

I am not sure if it is applicable to CPAP experience, but I do know if someone stops using alcohol or drugs for a while, and then goes back on them, the effect of the alcohol or drugs is much greater than it was when they stopped. Some people call this the progression of the "disease", I call it loss of tolerance. Does the same apply to CPAP therapy - I have no idea, but BeanMeScot's post is worth thinking about. And you can always experiment at home before you go.

If you do decide to travel without your machine, which I personally would not, unless crossing a desert on foot without access to electricity, I suggest you consider taking an oximeter. You can set it to wake you up if your SPO2 goes below a safe level. Sure, you will probably get interrupted sleep, but the sleep you get will not be oxygen deprived. And if you have to have a nap in the afternoon, you can also use it then whilst sunbathing etc.

But really, I would take the machine.

cheers

Mars

[Muse-Inc]

Take a break? Are you nuts? Pre-CPAP for me was hideous. I'm having events now making me remember just how horrible it was. Besides, the risks of what can happen wo xPAP are waaay too high. I don't even nap or ease back to 'rest my eyes' wo it...I like being alive too much.

[roster]

...... People tend to do worse after using CPAP for a while if they go off because their body and brain are used to the air and have lost a lot of coping mechanisms that they had been using for years to survive. ........

Definitely Beanie,

There are good studies that show the hematocrit levels of untreated sleep apnea patients are much higher than normal. This is one of the coping mechanisms in response to chronic hypoxia. High hematocrit levels are capable of getting more of a limited supply of oxygen to the body's organs quicker.

There is some evidence and more studies will be done to support a hypothesis that the mitochondria actually change to better support chronic hypoxia.

If you get a good CPAP therapy going, hematocrit levels will return to normal and mitochondria conditions will revert to normal. Now "take a break" and your body will not be able to cope with hypoxia in the same way it did before you were treated with CPAP.

I have told the story before about four buddies who were flying to Colorado on a hunting trip. When they got to the Charlotte airport, one of them realized he forgot the bag with his CPAP machine. His buddies told him to go home to get it and catch up with them the next day. The CPAPer said, "No, I will be OK for just a few days."

While in Colorado the three buddies had to make arrangements to ship him home in a box.

[newname]

You could ask your sleep doctor. When I had sinus surgery I had to sleep without cpap and my sleep doctor said it was fine. Just think of the time from when you had your sleep study until you got your machine. You slept without it then, and sometimes they make you wait as long as a month to get the machine.
Too bad cruise ships and hotels don't keep cpap machines on hand to loan people. Then you'd only have to carry your mask and hose.

[MurphysLaw]

I went to sleep the other night without cpap due to a power outage. The abrupt awakening from a sound sleep was an instant reminder of why I continue with this therapy. I couldn't imagine going a week without it.