The C. P. A. P. thread

[Scr77]

Oh, I should add. A large part of that 50% failure rate is due to personal and emotional reasons. Build a good support network, and talk to people who have gone through it. The encouragement or understanding you can get can mean the difference between success on CPAP and failure.

To that end, anyone that needs someone to talk to, feel free to drop me a line anytime.

Thanks a lot for the detailed explanation.

 

[cove]

I was 32% compliant after the first 6 months of use. Once I had a great mask my results went up sharply and now I don’t sleep without my CPAP. You have to realize it is helping your health and keep at it.
My attempt to use a very portable unit was a failure so I deleted the humidifier in my S8 Resmed and all good.

 

[Happy Dude]

I snore and know I can’t sleep on my back, but are fine on my side - I’m not tired. I’ve been hesitant to investigate as I hold a heavy vehicle licence and have heard stories of licences being suspended until diagnosis has be finalised.

Anyone care to expand on the diagnosis process? I presume you can’t just purchase a machine?

There's nothing to stop you purchasing a CPAP machine. You can do it online. The experience posted by Scott K was identical to mine. I found it to be very worthwhile and a real eye-opener (somewhat ironically) but not essential to the process.

 

[Scott K]

There's nothing to stop you purchasing a CPAP machine. You can do it online. The experience posted by Scott K was identical to mine. I found it to be very worthwhile and a real eye-opener (somewhat ironically) but not essential to the process.

Agreed.
I would point anyone looking to 'just buy' towards an APAP machine. Messing with the pressures of a dedicated, but cheaper, CPAP without assistance is risky.
Now.... Mask selection. Oh god that's a much more complicated subject.

 

[cove]

Once I found the mask that suited me I bought five and have stuck with that one. Then I started wearing an eye mask and did the same process of elimination until I found one that really suited me. I am using a Martin Grant one now. That has helped me sleep better and longer.

 

[SJH]

I’ve used a CPAP machine since 2003 and it certainly produced immediate and profound results for me. My current machine is a Resmed S9.

Relevant to travel:
I’ve used CPAP machines on BA, QF, and EK airplanes many times since first doing so in 2013, always connected to the plane’s AC power supply and have never (previously) had a problem – until now.

This past weekend I returned from a trip to Europe travelling both ways with Emirates. On the final DXB to SYD leg cabin crew informed me I could not connect my CPAP machine to the plane’s AC power supply and insisted I disconnect it. This is clearly a big problem for a CPAP user a couple of hours into a 13 hour “overnight” flight. It never occurred to me to re-check airline policy on CPAP machines having checked it some time ago and having used my CPAP machine connected the AC power so many times in the past without a problem. I accept due criticism for not having done this.

Is there any logical reason why Emirates and some other airlines preclude the connection of a CPAP machine to their planes’ AC power and insist instead that you must carry substantial battery power if you wish to use your machine? I have a Powerstation II with two interconnected batteries so I can do this if neccessary, it just a real nuisance to do so.

Is there a technical reason . . . or is it just the airlines relieving themselves of any possible responsibility for the supply of AC power to the CPAP user?

With the humidifier switched off or disconnected the typical CPAP machine draws no more current/power that a lap top power supply.

Surely liability for the AC power supply can be avoided by way of an appropriate standard agreement between the airline and the CPAP user. The risk to a traveller from being prevented from using their CPAP machine is far greater than the possibility of experiencing an AC power failure.

Can anyone shed light on this matter?

 

[cove]

I have had some dodgy power supply on flights so I carry the battery as a just in case.
I am using a Martin Grant blackout eye mask for a sound sleep these days.

 

[coriander]

Relevant to travel:
I’ve used CPAP machines on BA, QF, and EK airplanes many times since first doing so in 2013, always connected to the plane’s AC power supply and have never (previously) had a problem – until now.

Similarly, I've used CPAP on QF, CX, AY, AA on AC power without issue, but had a similar problem in January this year on EK. We'd flown QF MEL-DXB in F on QF, then were coming home in F on EK via SIN (all on QFF points booked through QF. My CPAP machine usage is listed in my QF passenger profile). We flew DXB-SIN departing at the ungodly hour of at 0345 out of DXB in F: not off to a good start as the doors on my suite were jammed open and the pop-up drink drawer was stuck half open so couldn't get soft-drinks out and couldn't push it down to turn off light inside it - bl##dy hopeless!).

I put my CPAP on and went to sleep. Two hours later I was shaken awake, telling me to disconnect my AirMini as "it is a danger to the electrical system on this aircraft". I complied, took off my mask, turned the Airmini off and went back to sleep.

I was shaken awake again 30 minutes later. "What now?" "You must pack your CPAP machine into your luggage!" "I'm not using it!" "Doesn't matter, you must pack it away as we can't keep watching you!" In F my hand carry-on is down the front of my suite, so I stood up to retrieve it. The FA then removed my mattress and brought the seat up to its upright position. I packed away the CPAP machine and asked for my mattress. "Sorry, sir, we can't let you have it any more, but you would you like a shower?" "No it's now 7am DXB time and I've had no sleep - I want to get another couple of hours' sleep" "Sorry but you can have a shower early, perhaps a champagne?...."

"May I use my laptop?" "Yes, of course, sir" "May I connect it to the aircraft power?" "Yes sir you may".
"My laptop power supply draws 65W." "No problem sir" "But you won't let me use my 20W AirMini!"

"It uses a different sort of electricity......" I gave up.

On landing at SIN. I enquired about using the machine on the SIN-MEL sector in 3 days' time. I was told that I needed special forms that, along with a certificate from my doctor, had to be with Emirates 72 hours before the flight. That couldn't be arranged in time so I dropped the subject completely.

Three days later I was boarding the SIN-MEL flight. My boarding pass buzzed red and I was called off to one side. I was asked if I was carrying my CPAP machine. I replied I was. I was then told "You must not take it out of your carry-on. We have informed the CSM that you are carrying that machine and he has instructions to watch you throughout the flight!" (You naughty naughty schoolboy, you!). Was this really the legendary Emirates first class experience I'd heard so much about?

On coming in to MEL the following morning, the CSM was doing his rounds and asked me how the flight was. Very sarcastically I said "well you should know, you've been told to watch me all night." He looked at me in total disbelief. I then related what had happened to me on the DXB-SIN flight and at SIN airport. He apologised profusely, appalled at the treatment - he said he'd not been "warned" about me. He also said that Emirates' policy on CPAP machine caused him many issues with passengers all annoyed at being told that they couldn't use their machines onboard.

Fired up, I filled out their online complaint form (when you ring them, they fob yuo off, directing you to their website). That was January. I've not heard anything back from Emirates since then.

I'm still angry about my treatment (but you might have guessed that!).

 

[sinophile888]

I am appalled!!!!

 

[Scott K]

Similarly, I've used CPAP on QF, CX, AY, AA on AC power without issue .

Different kind of electricity? I guess these guys are FAs for their people skills rather than being engineers.

... oh wait....

That’s patronising, appalling and outright disgusting. And it’s not like you are in an economy seat.

 

[Jamie Keane]

Flew qantas Perth to Las Vegas a few months ago. Very good process - qantas very easy to get approval as list of the approved machines outlined. My machine the airsense10 was easy to use but had a small bottle water to use for each leg I traveled. Each leg the csm came over and was very positive and made the experience comfortable. Also helped being in business class on the trip. The a330 and 787 business class does provide good privacy and also adequate bench area to place machine. Did wish a few others had a cpap onboard.

 

[cove]

Yes I hear folks snore even when I am in the pointy end of the plane.

 

[OZDUCK]

Yes I hear folks snore even when I am in the pointy end of the plane.

Yes I don't try to sleep - the whole plane would hear me snore! The couple of times I tried my CPAP on CD it it didn't seem to work. On the flight to Spain I tried to use it only to find that the power cord plug was broken.

 

[VPS]

I need to get a new machine and I like the idea of this one - anyone had any experience with this one?

Philips DreamStation GO CPAP (fixed pressure) Travel CPAP - Sydney Sleep Centre

Phillips currently have it on special for $1311 and I like the idea of the small size as I currently have one for home and a small one for travel but this should be suitable for both.

 

[Scott K]

I need to get a new machine and I like the idea of this one - anyone had any experience with this one?

Philips DreamStation GO CPAP (fixed pressure) Travel CPAP - Sydney Sleep Centre

Phillips currently have it on special for $1311 and I like the idea of the small size as I currently have one for home and a small one for travel but this should be suitable for both.

Do you usually use a fixed pressure machine? Or is your regular one an APAP?

 

[VPS]

Fixed pressure

 

[OZDUCK]

I have being thinking about getting a travel CPAP (auto) for myself as I am beginning to tire of carrying my full size one around. I have been looking at the Transcend one as it seems to be about half the weight of the Philips machine (and cheaper). But I really don't now if either one is better or even a good machine. I don't use a humidifier.

 

[Steady]

I’m happy with my Transend for travel- noisier than my full size one but small and light. I arrived home from a holiday to find my full size one not working- not sure if it is repairable or if I will need to buy a new one

 

[VPS]

I have being thinking about getting a travel CPAP (auto) for myself as I am beginning to tire of carrying my full size one around. I have been looking at the Transcend one as it seems to be about half the weight of the Philips machine (and cheaper). But I really don't now if either one is better or even a good machine. I don't use a humidifier.

The thing I don't like about the Transcend is that it isn't auto on and the hose attachment isn't particularly strong and it's easy to pull out. Happy to discuss further if you want.

 

[OZDUCK]

The thing I don't like about the Transcend is that it isn't auto on and the hose attachment isn't particularly strong and it's easy to pull out. Happy to discuss further if you want.

Thanks - any decision is still a bit in the future to get too serious about. I did notice the lack of auto-start and the funny/odd plastic hose adapter. Looking around very few people have good words to say about travel machines - most reckon they are much noisier. And of course a lot have concerns about a humidifier function.