CPAP machines and a tear!

[Kharn]

1) Get a 12v adapter, it is much more efficient when running off of a battery than running an inverter and the 120v power supply.
2) Turn off the humidifier while camping in anything other than the desert, the air will usually be much more humid than your home, so it saves a lot of battery power (also, some units will not run the humidifier while using the 12v adapter)
3) Put a velcro strap around the unit in your tear so it doesn't fall down and break anything.
4) Buy a 9' hose for home use, normally you only get a 6' and they're very easy to get wrapped up in and wake up to your unit crashing to the floor. If the humidifier gets inverted, you'll get water in your hose and have to clear it out before you can get back to sleep (and even then, it will be super-wet the rest of the night).
5) Always bring a 10'+ extension cord when you travel, many hotels do not have power outlets near the bed without losing a lamp or alarm clock.

And if at all possible, tell your medical provider you want one with zero lights while you sleep. My girlfriend's has three bright blue LEDs that run the entire time it is operating, she has to cover it with a cornhole bag so we can sleep.

[asianflava]

It was the best sleep I had in years when I got it - but my apnea was weight induced. Last year I dropped 50+ lbs, got my now 47 year old body in shape, and mothballed the machine once and for all.

As a child, I'd get tonsillitis often, my tonsils are quite large. I'm sure gaining weight didn't help anything either.

Have they checked your oxygen levels? I have to be on oxygen 24/7 which is a real problem for me to design a TD to hold the oxygen machine!

I use an oxygen concentrator at night, but when I travel I don't use it. I think our elevation may have something to do with it. They monitored my O2 levels during my sleep study and found that it dropped, even with a CPAP. From the first time I used it in the study, I noticed a difference. The big thing I noticed was that I had more dreams. I couldn't remember the last time I dreamt before that. I still only sleep for about 6hrs, but it's a much better quality sleep.

[redveloce]

I can also help out here. I use a CPAP while camping.

I have a Resmed S9, which is very quiet, and I purchased the 12v power cord (about $100 IIRC). I put a lot of time into researching what I would need to do for camping after I got it, and the best/cheapest idea I found was a portable 'Jump Starter' battery. I purchased a Diehard Portable Power 1150, because it had 22Ah, which was the most I could find at the time. My calculations based on reports of what my machine should draw (I don't remember the numbers anymore), showed that without the humidifier the battery SHOULD be ok for a 3 day camping trip, possibly shutting down near the end of the last night.

I have used it camping many times since then, and can report that the results are much better than expected! After a 4 night camping trip WITH the humidifier the readout on the battery still showed 30-40%! I have yet to have it shut down on me, but I have one battery unit die because a little on/off rocker switch got bumped in transport, and it was days before I realized what had happened. Sears replaced the unit no questions asked.

Just a side note of advice about equipment. Be sure to check prices, as well as reviews for the supplier you go through. I've had HUGE issues with my local supplier, especially their billing. They go through a 3rd party billing company that likes to send collections threats at the same time as the bill, sometimes BEFORE the actual bill. Also, the last mask I bought from them cost me $175 AFTER insurance. The same mask can be bought from an online CPAP store for $100 without insurance. NEVER again!

I'm not sure what the rules are for putting company names in the forums, so I left all of that out. If you want to know who to avoid, send me a PM.

[asianflava]

I use a Philips System One, it's pretty small and portable. I really didn't have a choice, I just got what they gave me. Ironically, this unit ISN'T the unit that my wife's company makes. I'm under her insurance and they gave me a competitor's product. There is a battery backup available for it, but I found out that it doesn't last long. I just use the cigarette lighter adapter for it.

The company I got it from has been pretty good. I use nasal pillows, but sometimes I use a full mask when I'm stuffed up. They sent me the full face one when I was due for a replacement, I kept using the old one so I could have 2 kinds. They keep sending me consumables faster than I can use them. Their replacement schedule is super conservative doubling the service life is no problem, I guess they have it that way so that they can bill the insurance company ASAP. I have a spare for everything, including several masks, replacement pillows, hoses, filters, etc. I guess it depends on your insurance though. I'm on my second machine, the first one acted flaky and they replaced it under warranty. It would still work, but it had a hard time starting. It would reboot 2 or 3 times before it would run.

[jonw]

After a sleep study my wife sleeps with a CPAP machine. It sure made a big difference for her.

Her machine runs off a 24v DC power block so I put 120v outlets in my teardrop mostly for the CPAP machine. If not attached to shore power I have a 750W Harbor Freight inverter hooked up to an Optima deep cycle battery.

On a recent trip of using the battery only for a few occasional 12v lights and the CPAP machince we got about 1.5 nights of CPAP use before the inverter low power alarm went off. I had hoped we would have gotten more before running out, so now I'm looking into charging the battery via solar or the car alternator.

Doing it over again we might look for a 12v CPAP machine (if there is such a thing) that could be connected directly to the battery.

[pmowers]

I bought an Everest 2 for camping and travel, it is about the size of a Kleenex cube, you could get a 12 adapter for it. Love it, but the company had a fire and went out of business. I second the comments about the long hose, not using the humidifier, and velcroing down the machine to keep it from bonking you in the head. Another recommendation I have, based on experience, is look at where your air intake is pointing. 2 guys, 1 tent and a chili supper can make for an uncomfortable night when the air is being "ram-jetted" through your nasal passages...

[CliffinGA]

Thank you all for the info and suggestions on what to look out for when I get the machine. I dont think I'll have a problem as far as powering it as I have both power sources in the tear. Several of the cpap's I've researched on line are perfect for the tear and it looks as if I won't have to build a shelf for it as the mattress in the tear is only 6" and I will have 4 - 5" between the matress and the wall for it to set. Since the wife is cold natured the a/c is on my side of the tear so I will face the intaketowards it. I will get the longer hose and will try to get it w/o the lights.I was amazed at how small several on the cpaps are with some I looked at on line being around 1lb and the size of two pool table balls/ I may end up with 2 units as I travel with work during the week and it will make it easier. I am over weight but I think I've had this for a while as I have always snored ever since I was a teenager.

The bi-focals will be insteresting but the nice lady doing the fitting was amazed my pupils are centered (?!?!) and said it should be an easy transition, I'm just tired of having to take my glasses off to read or to work on my computer or to check over newly installed cabinets looking for isuues.

Cliff

[jeff0520]

I use a Philips System One, it's pretty small and portable.

I've been using a CPAP for 10 years now. This is the same one I have in my work truck. It's the best one I ever had. That being said...WARNING! It runs on native 12v DC, and the wall plug is a power pack to make 12 v DC. IT CANNOT BE PLUGGED INTO A VEHICLE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING!. The charging voltage is too high. In my truck I have a deep cycle battery in a plastic battery box with a 12v socket installed in the side of the box. I cut the plug ends off a couple dead 12v appliances, and made a double male cord. During the day I plug one end into the battery, and the other end into the truck. The battery charges all day, and will run my CPAP for most of a week on a full charge. Doing it this way, there's never a danger of forgetting to unplug my CPAP and spiking it with 14 volts.
The CPAP is whisper quiet, and no trouble at all. I hope you love your machine as much as I love mine.

PRO TIPS:
1.) CPAP machines and supplies are available on amazon.com WAY cheaper than the home health places charge. We got my last machine off Amazon, brand new, and paid less for it that the home health place wanted us to pay for the 20% copay!
2.) Buy an extra one to keep in the teardrop. They aren't THAT expensive on amazon, and forgetting your machine will ruin a trip once you are used to it. As a bonus, you will have a complete second rig in case of mechanical failure in the middle of the night

Hope that helps
Jeff

[CarlLaFong]

Believe me, I'm not casting stones nor am I aware of anyone's particular medical issues. That being said, I am always amazed at what it takes to get people to take care of themselves. There is direct correlation between the national obesity pandemic and sleep apnea, yet so many will choose a CPAP rather than join a gym and drop some weight. They would rather get a scooter or diabetes than put down the cheeseburger. We're killing ourselves. 65% of American adults are overweight or obese.
I am at least 25 pounds over where I would like to be. I began hitting the gym and watching my intake and have dropped about 12 pounds. The swelling in my ankles has gone down a bit, I don't snore as badly and my energy level has gone up markedly.
Just sayin'...............................

[ParTaxer]

I have used a CPAP for over ten years. I camp with mine all the time and just lay it on the mattress ( no water with mine). I would try it without the humidifier first. Its much less maintenance. An inverter from DC to AC works when there is no electricity available. It draws very little current. Give it a good try for a couple of weeks and you will find that you associate good sleep with having the mask on. Before CPAP, I would fall asleep in the middle of the afternoon ( once at a stoplight ), now I have even energy all day long. Good Luck!

[asianflava]

Believe me, I'm not casting stones nor am I aware of anyone's particular medical issues. That being said, I am always amazed at what it takes to get people to take care of themselves. There is direct correlation between the national obesity pandemic and sleep apnea, yet so many will choose a CPAP rather than join a gym and drop some weight.

Thanks for the generalization Debbie Downer, but there reasons other than obesity for requiring a CPAP.

[smatthew]

Believe me, I'm not casting stones nor am I aware of anyone's particular medical issues. That being said, I am always amazed at what it takes to get people to take care of themselves. There is direct correlation between the national obesity pandemic and sleep apnea, yet so many will choose a CPAP rather than join a gym and drop some weight. They would rather get a scooter or diabetes than put down the cheeseburger. We're killing ourselves. 65% of American adults are overweight or obese.
I am at least 25 pounds over where I would like to be. I began hitting the gym and watching my intake and have dropped about 12 pounds. The swelling in my ankles has gone down a bit, I don't snore as badly and my energy level has gone up markedly.
Just sayin'...............................

I'm on a CPAP machine, and i'm a 6', 160#, 32yo male. BMI of 21.7. So no, no obesity here. Just because you're over weight - doesn't mean we all are.

[CarlLaFong]

Perhaps a refresher class in reading comprehension might be in order. That is the very reason that I prefaced my statement the way that I did.. Debbie Downer??? The facts stand for themselves. Look it up. Ask any doctor. Fat people suffer from sleep apnea far more than thin people. Smokers get lung cancer and emphysema far more often than non smokers. I am not naive enough to not realize that perfectly healthy folks get all sorts of diseases and conditions that are normally associated with poor lifestyle choices. I am also fully aware that my own weight issue is partially responsible for some of my health problems. Perhaps removing one's head from the sand and getting a healthy dose of reality is the best prescription. Cancer and seven different blood pressure meds has given me a new outlook. That's me though. I'm just stating what I know to be true. Take care of yourself, get some exercise, loose some weight, get a colonoscopy, a prostate exam, a mammogram, be pro active about your health. If being a Pollyanna and thinking everything is hunky dory as you scoot along in your Rascal, chowing down on a Krispy Kreme while wondering why the sore on your foot won't heal, by all means go for it. I don't want to be a buzz kill.
It surprises me how ugly people can get when they think I'm pointing a finger at them personally. I am just making a general statement. Take it or leave it.
Sermon is over

[jeff0520]

Believe me, I'm not casting stones nor am I aware of anyone's particular medical issues. That being said, I am always amazed at what it takes to get people to take care of themselves. There is direct correlation between the national obesity pandemic and sleep apnea, yet so many will choose a CPAP rather than join a gym and drop some weight. They would rather get a scooter or diabetes than put down the cheeseburger. We're killing ourselves. 65% of American adults are overweight or obese.
I am at least 25 pounds over where I would like to be. I began hitting the gym and watching my intake and have dropped about 12 pounds. The swelling in my ankles has gone down a bit, I don't snore as badly and my energy level has gone up markedly.
Just sayin'...............................

My sleep apnea started when I was a scrawny elementary school kid and skinny as a rail. As a kid I exhibited the signs of pediatric sleep deprivation including hyperactivity, and difficulty maintaining attention. I also suffered from violent night terrors. At the time sleep disorders were not well understood, and therefore not diagnosed.
I didn't start puitting on my spare tire until I started driving over the road truck. I was having trouble staying awake at the wheel, so I would often snack to maintain alertness. The Native Americans had an old saying, "Food is sleep." It's not a good long term solution for obvious reasons, but it works to get you through a particular day.
Since going on my CPAP machine 10 years ago, I have steadily lost weight, partially from increased daytime energy, and partially because I switched from Van to Flatbed, and I get dramatically more exercise. My sleep apnea is caused by the natural internal shape of my sinuses and throat. It is a genetically inherited family trait. We all snore like freight trains, including my second cousin Robin, who is 5'1" tall, and 90 pounds soaking wet with rocks in her pockets. There is a surgical option, but the tissue involved grows back as often as not, so with a 50% failure rate, it seems silly to me to go through the pain and danger of surgery when it's as likely to fail as not.
I am now 70 pounds lighter, and my sleep apnea is the same as it's always been. I understand that there is a direct link between sleep apnea and obesity, but it's NOT cut and dried as to which is the cause and which is the effect. That relationship varies from patient to patient.
My wife also uses a CPAP. Her issue is NOT sleep apnea. It's a cardiac rhythm problem caused by neurological problems that result from her genetically inherited rheumatoid arthritis. The CPAP increases her oxygen saturation levels to compensate for the episodes of tachycardia and arrhythmia caused by the neuro issue.
I know it's very popular right now to blame obiesity for every problem, and in many cases, that might be true. The problem is that it's not as simple as that. In a surprisingly large number of cases, obiesity is a symptom of a larger underlying issue. Quit simply judging fat people for being fat, and realize that issue may grow out of another health issue that is beyond their control

[CarlLaFong]

Sigh.................I give up.
To the remedial readers and to the easily offended, I am not calling anyone on this board fat. I am also not saying that all apnea is caused by obesity. Please re read my initial post and try to absorb the meaning of the first statement that I made. The medical FACT is, sleep apnea and obesity are both rising at, roughly, the same degree. I know that this has to be some weird coincidence just as diabetes and obesity are also rising at the same rate. I suppose it's some Commie plot or the result of aliens controlling our thoughts. So, to put a lid on this provocative subject, I will address the one person, in the known universe, who's apnea is related to their weight. Avoid fast food and buy a treadmill. To the 99.99999999999999999999999999999999 % who have issues beyond their control, as Emily Litella used to say, "Never mind."