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Travel CPAP machine anyone?

amyzng

I do a good deal of traveling and use a Cpap machine for sleep apnea (Respironic). I have been considering buying a travel CPAP machine. They are not cheap and I was looking to hear if anyone else has had experience with a scaled down model, which one, and drawbacks. My CPAP has traveled the world but it would be easier if I could be more "nimble" with a sleeker model.
Thanks for advice and any shopping links you might have.

Comments

British

I looked into travel CPAPS a couple of years ago when I thought I was going to need CPAP but they were hard to find and one had been recalled and withdrawn. CPAP ended up not being suitable for me and I now have an INSPIRE device which of course is awesome for travel, just a control which looks exactly like a computer mouse and works for obstructive sleep apnea, not central sleep apnea.

cvc

I don't have a "nimble" CPAP but was surprised when getting information for our upcoming riverboat cruise. We were advised that we could call Tauck and they would have distilled water on board for my CPAP. They added that info to my profile so I won't need to call for future cruises. They advised us they couldn't make arrangements at hotels, but having distilled water on the riverboat will be a great convenience.

Claudia Sails

I don't have personal experience but a friend bought a small travel machine ($1000 ball park) that was none returnable. Turns out she's allergic to whatever the hoses are made out of and hasn't been able to use it. Tauck did provide her with distilled water on the river cruise we went on which was very convenient.

Dottie D

I bought a ResMed Mini for around $800 and it has worked well. No distilled water needed and though not as small as I would like, fits in the backpack or carryon. It’s still bothersome though, and I do have an appointment with an ENT doc to discuss the INSPIRE device that British has. Hope I’m approved for it.

I bought my device through Adapt Health, which is the DME company that supplied my big machine.

British

I bought my regular machine from there too, about $1000 and it ddi not work for me, I can’t use masks with my eye condition, I explained that, so a total waste, anyone want one?1️⃣

British

Dottie D. Feel free to PM if you want first hand experience of Inspire.

Grandmas

The travel CPAP HAS NEVER REALLY WORKED. It seems to b a design issue as the hose/tube disconnects through the night.
We bring the regular on all our trips and it is considered a 'medical device' so it is not counted as carry on luggage,

Gena Taylor

Let Tauck know you need distilled water. It will be in your room. I emailed the concierge at the hotels requesting water, and it was in each room when I arrived. Our pulmonologist did not feel the travel CPAP was worth the expense; it is not a whole lot smaller or lighter than the regular one.

Folsomdoc

We were able to try one without buying. Saves a little space but still need tubes and a mask. The line we tried id not use a water humidifier but a disc that generated humidity and had to be periodically replaced. We passed.

Dottie D

I have never had any trouble with the tube disconnecting through the night. Even though the airlines don’t count it, the main reason I prefer it for traveling is that I can fit it in my backpack and not have a separate carryon piece.

Claudia Sails

I'm not sure that a cpap not counting as carry on luggage is all that helpful. You still have to schlep the thing. Even when Tauck does most of the luggage handling, there are still going to be times I have to deal with my own bags like unloading them from the car, moving them around before checking them, plus any additional travel we do. On coach tours most people bring their small bags down on their own and either stow in the carryon compartment below the bus on try to find a secure location on board. I don't want to pack anymore bags than I can reasonably handle on my own.

jonmacks

I have a ResMed Mini that I bought about 5 years ago, and use it for all of my travels. I have even used it on the airplane. I find it works very well for me. It is certainly more compact than my full size machine. I usually pack it in my backpack to carry on the plane. I don't have to worry about having distilled water, though my outstanding travel agent still keeps ordering distilled water for me on our travels. I think I finally convinced her to remove this "need" from her file on me. I would recommend this machine.

PJBS

I have a ResMed travel machine and consider it a waste of money. The problem for me is that there are limited masks options and I don't like any of them. I am used to nasal pillow but the P10 mask does not stay sealed on me. Without a good seal what is the use? My husband does not like it for this reason either. Also, the travel machine work with disks for humidity vs distilled water. They cost about $10 each and last for 30 day, not 30 uses. I find if I am away for 1 night, I just take my regular machine vs wasting a disk for one use. The humidifier disk part of the mask and lays on your face at night, really bad design!!! Who needs more tracks on their face? I love that Tauck will provide distilled water! Save your money for when they improve the mask selection and humidification is my advise..

Grandmas

Claudia I suggest u buy a travel cpap. U can come to your own conclusion. We would much rather have had the t ravel RES MED cpap work.
It did not. So schlep it is

Claudia Sails

I don't use a CPAP. My experience is based on traveling with a couple who both use one neither of whom were particularly good at packing light. The same 2 week trip that I went carryon only (because we would be doing independent travel after our Tauck tour) they both had full sized checked bags, the largest allowed carryon roller and personal items. Life was way easier for me. I know my limitations.

jonmacks

My ResMed mini is about one third the size and weight of my regular ResMed 11. It fits easily into my backpack, rather than juggling another carryon item that can be forgotten and left behind. Replacement cartridges on Amazon cost $4 apiece. I have no problem with my N20 nasal mask, which I also use on my regular CPAP machine. I travel a lot, and the convenience is worth the cost. I can't tell the difference in humidity between my mini and my regular CPAP.

British

What about the countries that don’t have electricity at night or it goes on and off, we have been to those. Is the travel one battery operated? .

jonmacks

No, the ResMed Mini travel CPAP is not battery operated. If the power goes off, you're SOL. My wife would just have to put up with my snoring until the power comes back on. The device helps me sleep better, but it is not life threatening if it goes off. I have traveled to all seven continents and about 100 countries in the past 25 years, and I have been lucky enough to have never encountered a power outage during one of my trips. I don't know, maybe I'm overdue for one on this trip. I'll let you know if it happens.

JanFickeissen_2015

I have a small Transcend which while very small does still require plug and tubing. Main difference from my home machine is lack of humidity chamber. I have used an HME (humidity exchange) and I also take a small sponge and small dish in which I put both water and a few drops of lavender essential oil. Humidifies and relaxes.

British

Interestingly, I watched a TV show about Toronto airport this week and apparently a CPAP machine has to be approved for travel there. A passenger had problems because they had not had their device pre approved and I think got escorted off the plane for arguing with the attendants.

RalphScognamiglio

Resmed CPAP MINI is the way to go. All you need is a Power source near the bed. you do not need to mess with distilled water.

GeorgeSwift

My travel CPAP worked great on Tauck’s 3 river cruise two years ago. No need for distilled water, but I’ve found they are a little louder than my regular CPAP. Not a problem on the MS Savor, however, as the AC drowned out the slight increase in noise.

They are much easier to pack! And you don’t need to go searching for any distilled water. I haven’t tried the humidifier disk, but travel CPAP seems to work fine without.

I’ll be using it again on my upcoming ROAM trip on the Upper Danube!