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[infopri]

Thanks again.

BTW, for any CPAP users there, exactly how portable is the thing, really?  Have you encountered difficulties flying with it, for instance?

The CPAP machine (including mask, hoses, etc.) is considered "medical equipment"  by the TSA, which means you can hand-carry it aboard the aircraft without it counting as part of your carry-on allotment.  (In other words, you can take whatever you would normally carry on, PLUS the CPAP machine.)  Do not put your CPAP machine in your checked baggage, both because it is to vulnerable to damage and because you cannot afford to risk that the airline will lose it.  (In the same vein, you should never put your medications in your checked luggage; put all meds in your carry-on.)  On some smaller planes, you may have to "nose-check" your carry-on bag (including your CPAP machine) because there are no overhead compartments or they're very small, and that's reasonably safe--less opportunity for the airline to lose it than checked luggage--but I'd make sure the machine was packed well in terms of protecting it from rough handling.

That said, most (all?) airports will make you take the CPAP machine out of your carry-on bag at security, in the same way you have to take out your laptop and your liquids.  Most airports simply make you put it in its own bin--just like the laptop--but the airport in MyCity is (for no good reason) a pain when My Better Half flies because they always want to use their chemical bomb sniffers on it, too.  (This process doesn't hurt the machine at all, but it's a pain in the butt because of the extra few minutes' delay.)  No other airport--including the NYC airports--has ever insisted on doing this, in MBH's experience.

One more thought:  My Better Half opted to get a second machine for travel purposes.  His original machine (almost 10 years ago) was big and clunky, and by the time he decided to get the second machine, much smaller/lighter ones were available, making them much easier to travel with than his old one.  (His old one eventually got old enough, though, that the insurance paid for a replacement, so now the one he uses at home is also small and light.)  Your insurance probably won't pay for a travel machine (ours didn't), so you'll have to decide whether it's worth it to you.  If your machine is a good travel size, you may not need a travel version.

[tee_bee]

Infopri's experience is exactly the same as mine. And I have thought about the travel machine. Some of them have batteries, so that you can use them on the plane. But that would make it too bulky for me, and my newish machine is a lot more compact than the older ones, just like Infopri noted.

Sorry my post was repetitive--I think Infopri and I submitted simultaneously!

[infopri]

Tee_bee posted just moments before I did, so I didn't see the post--but he's absolutely right on every single point.  The one thing I would add is that the other reason you want to empty the humidifier is that the TSA won't let you take more than 3 ounces of water past security (and it has to be in an approved container)--even for medical use.  So empty the humidifier and get new water at your destination.

I can't emphasize enough how important that extension cord is, for all the reasons tee_bee outlined.

Your choice on whether to put your CPAP in your regular carry-on or not.  Tee_bee is right about two bags giving you flexibility on the plane, but it's also a second bag you have to juggle, especially after you collect your checked bag (if you have one).  My Better Half opted for the one-bag approach. 

YES on having a spare mask and spare set of hoses that you just keep in your travel bag.

After you travel with the machine the first time or two, it will seem routine to you.  And yes, the TSA knows what a CPAP machine is.  Just remind (politely!) them to handle it gently.

Happy travels.

[bookishone]

I was flying recently and the TSA guy corralling us all into line was kind of funny: "Please, folks, remember to take out of your bags any laptops, video cameras, or marriage-saving CPAP machines...."

[tee_bee]

I was flying recently and the TSA guy corralling us all into line was kind of funny: "Please, folks, remember to take out of your bags any laptops, video cameras, or marriage-saving CPAP machines...."

Oh, that's such a winner. My wife would heartily endorse that.

[relocated_southerner]

I hope that I don't have my first one until  the Capsule Camera has been perfected instead.

http://www.drugs.com/news/capsule-camera-instead-colonoscopy-31289.html

[tee_bee]

You still have to do the colon cleaning part. This doesn't alleviate the worst part. The scope part is the best--lots of yummy sedatives.....

[gennimom]

Yes, the sedatives! My only problem with them was the last time (I don't think I mentioned this earlier), but if anyone else going through this has any issues with sedatives (mine is they don't give me enough!), make sure to tell them that BEFORE the procedure. The last time I had one I was aware of what they were doing. It was very uncomfortable. That was probably a function of all the scar tissue I have in that region making it difficult to move the whatever it is called down there. The doc did mention he had a rough time of it. I would think it would only take a cc or three more to make me unaware.

[dept_geek]

My doc asked (twice!) if I had any issues with pain killers, sedatives, etc. If they don't ask -- yes tell them.  Got part way thru the procedure, and she hit something that hurt.. they immediately stopped and gave me more drugs.  Terrific doc - I really like her.


CPAP folk -- where did you get a second one? from the folks who provided the first? Someplace else?  and how did you get it set?  I am traveling more now (too often....) and am looking for a smaller one that still does what it is supposed to do for travel. Recommendations?

Some gate agents haven't gotten the word that CPAPs are not considered part of your allotment, so you may have to remind them.. I had one try and tell me I couldn't carry it on as I already had a bag.  Finally had to tell her it was a breathing machine and that did the trick. Not too clever, that one....  The TSA people - you just tell them it's medical equipment and they seem to do OK.  No problems (except for the one gate agent) traveling both in the US and Europe.

One you get used to the machine, it's the best invention ever. Being able to function for 8 full hours was a major miracle here.

[tee_bee]

CPAP folk -- where did you get a second one? from the folks who provided the first? Someplace else?  and how did you get it set?  I am traveling more now (too often....) and am looking for a smaller one that still does what it is supposed to do for travel. Recommendations?

I am not a shill for them (honest!) and I've not ordered from them yet, because most of my supplies are covered by insurance, but I've been impressed with this outfit: http://www.cpap-supply.com/

They have a new machine called Transcend that weighs about a pound. I want it! It's $500, but their prices are really good compared to my local vendors because they don't really do insurance, so they offer good cash prices.

I hope that helps! If anyone has ordered from this outfit or any other supplier, do let us know (mods, maybe you want us to start a separate CPAP thread?).

Oh, and I totally agree--the machine is magical.

[dept_geek]

Thanks, tee-bee!  The mask I like requires a script, so I need to rattle the cage of my resp guy to see what he can do.

[infopri]

CPAP folk -- where did you get a second one? from the folks who provided the first? Someplace else?  and how did you get it set?  I am traveling more now (too often....) and am looking for a smaller one that still does what it is supposed to do for travel. Recommendations?

I am not a shill for them (honest!) and I've not ordered from them yet, because most of my supplies are covered by insurance, but I've been impressed with this outfit: http://www.cpap-supply.com/

My Better Half got his travel machine from  from cpap.com.  He sent them his (required) prescription, and they set it for him--but they also sent him the "secret instructions" so that he could have set it himself.

The replacement for his home machine came from the same people who provided the first machine and who have a relationship with our insurance company.  If your machine is big and bulky, check with your machine provider and your insurance company.  It turns out, they will replace it once it passes a certain age (for us, it was four years, but we didn't know that until about seven years in!), and the new ones are very compact and lightweight.  So you might be able to get your insurance to pay for a new one, which you could then also use as a travel machine.  (Just buy a spare mask and hoses.)

[dept_geek]

The replacement for his home machine came from the same people who provided the first machine and who have a relationship with our insurance company.  If your machine is big and bulky, check with your machine provider and your insurance company.  It turns out, they will replace it once it passes a certain age (for us, it was four years, but we didn't know that until about seven years in!), and the new ones are very compact and lightweight.  So you might be able to get your insurance to pay for a new one, which you could then also use as a travel machine.  (Just buy a spare mask and hoses.)

Exciting adventure trying to do just this.. Company 1 (who sold me my first CPAP) no longer does CPAP work. Sigh. They gave me a reference and that company was really nice. They are working thru all the paperwork to see if I can get/buy/? a travel machine. My machine hit the magic replace age (5 years) last month, but it still works just fine. Maybe I can get a new (smaller/lighter) one thr my insurance.  Thanks for the link, too. 

Sorry K16 for hijacking your thread. I'm happy to hear your test went well.

[infopri]

My machine hit the magic replace age (5 years) last month, but it still works just fine. Maybe I can get a new (smaller/lighter) one thr my insurance.

Don't be so sure.  We thought My Better Half's machine was working just fine, too.  But he saw a neurologist for an unrelated problem, and she insisted that he go back to the sleep doctor for an apnea recheck.  Two discoveries came out of this: One is that the machine was still set to the prescribed pressure, but it wasn't necessarily delivering the prescribed amount.  They get out of calibration, or whatever.  The other discovery, after a new sleep study, was that MBH's prescription had changed over time.  It makes sense, when you think about it: His weight (and most people's) fluctuated over the seven years, and his body changed in other ways that affected the apnea.  So this conversation with the new company and your insurance company is worth pursuing just based on the age of the machine (no matter how functional it seems to be) and the passage of time since your prescription was written.  Getting a newer, smaller, lighter machine turns out be lagniappe.

So (to bring the hijack back to the OP), take note: After a few years, you should revisit your sleep doctor and inquire about a follow-up sleep study, and periodically you should have your CPAP company test your machine to ensure that it's delivering the prescribed pressure.