Alternatives to CPAP while traveling

One of my favorite things to do is travel. So I think the most depressing thing about being diagnosed with OSA was the worry that I can't travel anymore like I used to. For example, if I'm backpacking somewhere, I don't like to carry too many items and I also might not have power or distilled water where I end up. So lugging my CPAP with me would be a challenge/impossible. Maybe when I'm older (I'm 26) I'll be able to afford nice hotel rooms etc, but for now I'm usually sleeping in cheap hostels.

So should I just not bring my CPAP if I'm taking a short trip to an underdeveloped country? Are there any alternatives to the CPAP that might be somewhat effective? I've been reading about mouthpieces (or nasal guards like Provent) being kind of effective and it would be lovely if I could bring something small that might help out a little for the short term.

What do you do when you travel somewhere and can't bring your CPAP?

Thank you!

There are small machines made for travelling, and you don't need distilled water for short periods... tap water is fine depending on where you'll be. There are small battery packs made especially for travel, camping, etc... and you can investigate all these using the search bar on Cpap.com... plus lots of people here will give you ideas. Going without Cpap for a 'fun' trip can quickly turn out to be anything but fun!

Sleeping in cheap hotels should not deter you from using your CPAP......they all have electricity.. Any clean water can be used for a few days with no problems. In fact you could go without your humidifier and not have to worry about water or weight.

OSAdude76 wrote:One of my favorite things to do is travel. So I think the most depressing thing about being diagnosed with OSA was the worry that I can't travel anymore like I used to. For example, if I'm backpacking somewhere, I don't like to carry too many items and I also might not have power or distilled water where I end up. So lugging my CPAP with me would be a challenge/impossible. Maybe when I'm older (I'm 26) I'll be able to afford nice hotel rooms etc, but for now I'm usually sleeping in cheap hostels.

So should I just not bring my CPAP if I'm taking a short trip to an underdeveloped country? Are there any alternatives to the CPAP that might be somewhat effective? I've been reading about mouthpieces (or nasal guards like Provent) being kind of effective and it would be lovely if I could bring something small that might help out a little for the short term.

What do you do when you travel somewhere and can't bring your CPAP?

Thank you!

First of all, you need to find out what the "source" of your OSA is before buying the wrong items to try to compensate for it.......if that's even possible. Is it in your nasal passages or your throat or your jaw structure of something else?

I've never been in, nor would I allow myself to be in that position. Even when we travel to see relatives, I take two of everything in case I get in a situation where one of my machines gets left at one place and I'm now in another place and may need to stay overnight. (Hasn't happened yet, but that's how I plan for the unexpected.)

And, having had to "travel" (or commute) for a living or as part of my job, in my retirement, I now HATE to travel.


Den

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Julie wrote:There are small machines made for travelling, and you don't need distilled water for short periods... tap water is fine depending on where you'll be. There are small battery packs made especially for travel, camping, etc... and you can investigate all these using the search bar on Cpap.com... plus lots of people here will give you ideas. Going without Cpap for a 'fun' trip can quickly turn out to be anything but fun!

Hi Julie - I know there are small machines for traveling and battery packs too, but aren't the battery packs usually expensive - like upwards of $300? I wonder if it's possible for someone to make a small machine that could use C or D cell batteries to power it? That would be ideal for those who like to travel/ camp, or those of us in areas where bad weather can often cut out power (for me - hurricanes.) If someone could invent that, they could make a small fortune, I would think

Thank you all for the replies! Apparently, I have large tonsils and when my throat muscles relax while sleeping, the OSA occurs because my tonsils get in the way. My doctor said the mouthpiece thing could open up my throat somewhat, but wouldn't be as effective as CPAP.

Are extra CPAP machines typically covered by insurance? The travel friendly ones seem super expensive and I cannot afford them.

Just bring your regular machine. Include all the obvious components, plus an extension cord.
When flying, carry it on--NEVER check it. It's a freebie in the US.
Enjoying a trip requires all the night time oxygen you are used to.
Leave anything else at home, but this is number ONE to bring.

OSAdude76 wrote:Thank you all for the replies! Apparently, I have large tonsils and when my throat muscles relax while sleeping, the OSA occurs because my tonsils get in the way. My doctor said the mouthpiece thing could open up my throat somewhat, but wouldn't be as effective as CPAP.

Are extra CPAP machines typically covered by insurance? The travel friendly ones seem super expensive and I cannot afford them.

No. But, lightly used (or even "never-used") machines can be acquired if you do some looking around.

Try:

http://www.secondwindcpap.com

Or, some people find some good deals on Craigslist, but you need to know what you're looking for and be price savvy.
The downside is some people have gotten "burned" on CL, too.

Although mine are older machines, about 3 - 5 years ago I picked up at least 5 of them for about $150 or less, each.
Several had heated humidifiers with them.......and some ( 3 ) were virtually unused ( 10 or less blower hours ).


Den

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The simple answer, try holding your breath for the 2 or 3 days you plan to be gone. If that doesn't seam comfortable, BRING YOUR CPAP.

Wulfman... wrote:

OSAdude76 wrote:Thank you all for the replies! Apparently, I have large tonsils and when my throat muscles relax while sleeping, the OSA occurs because my tonsils get in the way. My doctor said the mouthpiece thing could open up my throat somewhat, but wouldn't be as effective as CPAP.

Are extra CPAP machines typically covered by insurance? The travel friendly ones seem super expensive and I cannot afford them.

No. But, lightly used (or even "never-used") machines can be acquired if you do some looking around.

Try:

http://www.secondwindcpap.com

Or, some people find some good deals on Craigslist, but you need to know what you're looking for and be price savvy.
The downside is some people have gotten "burned" on CL, too.

Although mine are older machines, about 3 - 5 years ago I picked up at least 5 of them for about $150 or less, each.
Several had heated humidifiers with them.......and some ( 3 ) were virtually unused ( 10 or less blower hours ).


Den

.

OSAdude- Den is right that you can probably find a good deal on Craigslist in your area if you know what you are looking for. I suggest putting 'cpap' in the search box, as there likely isn't a separate category for just cpap supplies and they could be listed in multiple places. Another tip: you can go to https://www.cpap.com and browse through their machines to see what you might like as far as travel size, or do some research on the internet. This way, you know what it is you might be looking for and you can get an idea of what the new cost is versus used. Also - if it doesn't matter to you that the travel machine be 'data capable', you can save a bunch of money and just get what's called a "brick" in this forum (you can search that term here.) You might find a used 'brick' at a local DME for a relatively low cost; also check out Facebook for local garage sales/ people selling cpap machines.

Thank you all so much for the advice! I'll definitely look into an inexpensive travel CPAP machine when I have some money. I guess I'm just considering not bring my CPAP now if I take a quick trip because my CPAP is still making my sleep worse. I hope I adjust soon because the constant insomnia is killing me

OSAdude76 wrote:Thank you all so much for the advice! I'll definitely look into an inexpensive travel CPAP machine when I have some money. I guess I'm just considering not bring my CPAP now if I take a quick trip because my CPAP is still making my sleep worse. I hope I adjust soon because the constant insomnia is killing me

When are you going to post your sleepyhead charts? There are some very smart people here who can help you tweak your settings for optimal therapy.

Search the forum site. There are forum members who backpack, river raft, stay in hostels, travel to Europe, take motor cycle trips---all kinds of adventures. Some have purchased travel machines, others have purchased inexpensive older machines, left the humidifier home, and found ways to cut battery costs.

My son travels on his motorcycle and uses his regular machine, just packs it up in his saddle bags. He has a small battery pack that he puts in with his machine for when he sleeps in his tent. He is also a hunter and uses the same set up, machine and battery, and sleeps in his tent..... even when the weather takes a big dip.
I too travel, but I am an old lady , so I use my motorhome. When camping off the grid I have a battery setup for my cpap.

There are many alternatives, batteries, solar power,...just do some reading and you will find what others do......................NEVER sleep without your cpap!!

If you are going to travel you can't skimp on your health, what the point of going somewhere if you feel like crap when you are there or have a stroke or accident due to sleep deprivation?
Skip one trip and stay home and you will have saved enough money for a new to cpap machine plus batteries that you can use for years.

If you can't or won't figure out how to use XPAP on travel, you have no bussiness leaving home! Jim