Anyone use a mini travel CPAP machine

[theGinsue]

I have severe sleep apnea (obstrucctive and centralized) and need a CPAP to get any rest when I sleep.

When I travel for work (which is several times/year) I take my old Phillips CPAP without the humidifier chamber. It works well, but is somewhat bulky in my limited suitcase space.

When I dry camp during hunting season I don't take a CPAP with my at all as I have no way to power it without running a generator throughout the night and pissing off my hunting companions. I sleep horribly during the two weeks I'm out.

I'm looking to get a mini travel CPAP machine (which my insurance won't cover). There are several options out there that have optional battery packs that you can purchase to power them when there is no power available and are small and lightweight which is great for luggage transportation.

I KNOW we have several other CPAP users on this site and was wondering if any of you have a mini travel unit that could tell me whatyou have, your likes & dislikes, etc. If you'd prefer to discuss via PM's, that would be fine with me - but may prevent someone else wanting/needing this info from getting it as well.

So, anyone?

[iego]

There are deep cycle Marine Batteries that (with a DC/AC inverter) can drive a CPAP for a decent amount of time. You could use Solar Panels to recharge them during the day.

Otherwise, in civilization, I would consider having two CPAPs, and ship one of them to where I am traveling.

-John

[theGinsue]

For hunting/camping: I've considered the deep cycle battery solution, but the cost of the battery, adding more solar panels to my existing 90w panel (which gets my camper batteries to 70%) and then the charge time on the generator in the evening negates any benefit over getting a travel CPAP whose optional battery packs can be charged in 2 hrs with my generator. Plus, I'd still have to come up with a solution for traveling for work.

Shipping to/from my work locations isn't practical as it's sometimes overseas and my only mailing location would have to be my hotel (can't ship to the work locations). Eventually the costs of shipping the unit back and forth would outweigh the cost of buying a mini travel unit and having it with me (and I could use it on the plane when I nap too).

[iego]

I have a battery that I used as a backup for my Mother's CPAP that I can give you, if you would like it. I'll have to look and see if I can find it, but I am hoping it is in the garage (big and heavy.)

-John

[Gman]

I'm checking this out to see what others are doing. I have a ResMed AirSense 10 and it's fairly compact.

I have heard about travel CPAP units about the size of a soda can, but I have no experience with them.

Here's one;

[theGinsue]

Thank you very much for the offer, but "big and heavy" , even with my camper, is something I'm trying to avoid. I downgraded my gear that I took along with me [in the camper, not while actively hunting] this year by over 50 lbs - and still realize that I have another 50+ I need to trim.

[Irving]

How does one find out if they need a CPAP? Just make an appointment with a doctor?

[iego]

You take a "sleep study" and they put a device on your head (CPAP) that measures how you are breathing.

If you have a number of "events," where you stop breathing, etc., then they know you have sleep apnea, and a CPAP may be warranted.

-John

[Irving]

So find some sort of sleep doctor? I know I snore badly and wonder if I don't have full blown sleep apnea. I'll get around to checking it out, thanks. Back to helping Ginsue.

[iego]

With a lot of snoring, and if you don't feel rested in the morning, then a sleep study might be in order.

The CPAP keeps your airway open with constant pressure, which helps you breath better, and sleep better.

-John