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I have to confess that the whole idea of taking my machine away on holiday with me cramps my style when it comes to going away. The thought of not having my car nearby as a base is unattractive. I like to travel with my laptop and my clothes (plus loads of medications etc) and the thought of yet another bag full of equipment and an extension lead puts me off.

When we might want to go camping (I don't think so anymore!!) we would need a rechargeable battery and they are quite heavy I understand. Overseas we have to think about different voltages and travel by train involves loads of shoulder bags or wheely bags! I've stopped taking a special pillow with me now and just make do! I always go to the sorts of hotels where I know I will be catered for so spontaneity goes flying out of the window!

How do others cope with this sort of thing? I know you can get special labels for cpap bags for airlines and coaches but it would be great to hear if anyone has found a good solution. It would be so nice to have a totally portable cpap system for these occasions. The gadgets like dental devices, airway opening nasal strips and copper rings simply won't help those of us with severe OSA.

 Rosemary  

 

 

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My faithful CPAP is my No 1 priority for packing on holidays, as there's no way I want to spend a hard-earnt holiday suffering with all the old symptoms.  In this country we travel a lot on the trains, seeing as hubby works on them, and I put it in my trolley with wheels which never leaves my sight.

I've also travelled abroad with it, and those CPAP luggage tags you mentioned, we sell on the Hope2Sleep website.They've certainly made life easier at the airport, as the officials have just read it and there's never been a problem.  In fact I've never been asked for the letter I permanently carry in my CPAP bag from the hospital.  The other thing I love about it, is that it clearly states it's a medical device, so that if people look at me and wonder why I've got extra hand luggage to them I feel justified.

Another MUST for travel is an extension lead, as it's surprising how many hotels don't have a socket near the bed.  Guess who forgot to pack one last week for a trip to Liverpool? LOL.  Fortunately, the hotel came to my rescue.

I've made a mess of this reply already! Is it in the correct place? Probably not!

Anyway, Kath, thank you as always. I'll have to get one of those travel tags because that sounds like a great idea. Maybe I'll get a bigger wheelie bag so I can put the cpap or the apap into that with my other luggage and reduce the number of separate items I have to carry!

I'll be going on the train to Brugge next spring so I need to get over my difficulty with this.

Rosemary   

Kath Hope said:

My faithful CPAP is my No 1 priority for packing on holidays, as there's no way I want to spend a hard-earnt holiday suffering with all the old symptoms.  In this country we travel a lot on the trains, seeing as hubby works on them, and I put it in my trolley with wheels which never leaves my sight.

I've also travelled abroad with it, and those CPAP luggage tags you mentioned, we sell on the Hope2Sleep website.They've certainly made life easier at the airport, as the officials have just read it and there's never been a problem.  In fact I've never been asked for the letter I permanently carry in my CPAP bag from the hospital.  The other thing I love about it, is that it clearly states it's a medical device, so that if people look at me and wonder why I've got extra hand luggage to them I feel justified.

Another MUST for travel is an extension lead, as it's surprising how many hotels don't have a socket near the bed.  Guess who forgot to pack one last week for a trip to Liverpool? LOL.  Fortunately, the hotel came to my rescue.

i always take mine with me couldnt live without it LOL.   took it to greece in my hand luggage with no problem.  the only problem with being abroad was the low power i thought it had stopped working but soon got used to it.  my daughter had the same complaint about her hairdryer LOL

i take mine along just like a piece of hand luggage, i also have a letter in case i have problems going through airport security but half a dozen flights later no problem, i even have a small extension lead just in case the sockets are not next to the bed.

its nothing to get worried about just enjoy!!!!!!!!

Thank you Dennis and Diane. I'll take your advice and take it as straightforward.

 

Rosemary  

hi all,just been away in my camper and had no electric hook up,BAD MISTAKE.always used my ciggy lighter for 12volt supply on my old machine,but the new machine a resmed escape 2 you MUST have the 12v addapter which converts it to make it work,the trouble is i blew up two machines before i realized it.the hospital was not happy with me but gave me a third machine and told me to buy an addapter from resmed they are £50 each phew.as we were going back to the camper i bought an inverter which converts 12v to 240v problem solved and cost £25 result.just warning everyone to be very carefull on holiday.
Whoops, guess you're not Patient of the Month then LOL.   Thanks for the warning Martin.

martin mucznik said:
hi all,just been away in my camper and had no electric hook up,BAD MISTAKE.always used my ciggy lighter for 12volt supply on my old machine,but the new machine a resmed escape 2 you MUST have the 12v addapter which converts it to make it work,the trouble is i blew up two machines before i realized it.the hospital was not happy with me but gave me a third machine and told me to buy an addapter from resmed they are £50 each phew.as we were going back to the camper i bought an inverter which converts 12v to 240v problem solved and cost £25 result.just warning everyone to be very carefull on holiday.
Had same problem until i purchased a portable called BreatheX Journey which lasts 8 to 12 hour per charge and is about 10"x6"x4" and is very light can't tell you which to get due to your pressure settings but try "www.breathex.com".D Carmody
How long have you had it David?  As far as I'm aware they've unfortunately discontinued this great little machine :(

David Carmody said:
Had same problem until i puschased a portable called BreatheX Journey which lasts 8 to 12 hour per charge and is about 10"x6"x4" and is very light can't tell you which to get due to your pressure settings but try "www.breathex.com".D Carmody
I bought it in June 2005. Did not know it was discontinued I had better take good care of this one then.
Yes, guard it with your life as I think you'd have difficulty getting spares.

David Carmody said:
I bought it in June 2005. Did not know it was discontinued I had better take good care of this one then.

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