CPAP machine and batteries

brirene wrote:

Reddog1 wrote:


What I am not clear on is does the machine have a healing effect, or just temporary relief?

As I understand, this is not an age issue.I personally knoe two people between 45 and 50 that have Apnea.

Wayne

Temporary. It only works while the machine is on. True, it's not an age issue. Often considered to be a weight issue, as excess weight and flesh causes the airway to close when relaxed, as in sleeping (obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA). The CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) forces the airway open, allowing unobstructed breathing. So the only potential "cure" is losing weight, or surgery to reduce the material blocking the airway.

Please define temporary.

Reddog1 wrote:


What I am not clear on is does the machine have a healing effect, or just temporary relief?

As I understand, this is not an age issue.I personally knoe two people between 45 and 50 that have Apnea.

Wayne

Temporary. It only works while the machine is on. True, it's not an age issue. Often considered to be a weight issue, as excess weight and flesh causes the airway to close when relaxed, as in sleeping (obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA). The CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) forces the airway open, allowing unobstructed breathing. So the only potential "cure" is losing weight, or surgery to reduce the material blocking the airway.

I have a 12 volt cord that I plug into the outlet that is there for a TV. I don't have a TV, so no problem there. I always use the humidifier, set on the highest setting. I need it due to my condition. My 2 batteries do fine, they would run the lights and cpap for at least 3 days without charging if I'm not running the furnace.

tonymull wrote:
IF you have severe apnea, then no, going without is hardly an option. You may not die, but you'll get little sleep, dreaming of drowning, suffocating, etc and waking up every few minutes gasping for breath....so put that one aside. ...

My Apnea is not at all as severe as this. I sure hope it never is. I often question I even need the machine, but my doctor says I do not have to use it, that there are worse ways to die than in your sleep. He says testing showed I stop breathing often when I sleep. He also says it is very unlikely I would die if I occasionally did not use the machine.

I had a tough time getting a nose mask that worked for me. It appears I move all over when I sleep. I also have aligeries that frequently cause sinus issues.

What I am not clear on is does the machine have a healing effect, or just temporary relief?

As I understand, this is not an age issue.I personally knoe two people between 45 and 50 that have Apnea.

Wayne

Don't feel sorry for us CPAP users. Our condition can be controlled by a machine. Non-sleeping life goes on as before, or probably better because we get better rest.

To be able to get out there, drive, camp, hike, whatever we all do and whatever medical issues we live with - - we should be grateful every day to be able to keep on doing it! I am 70 years old, have been RV camping for over 60 of those years, and hope to continue for quite a few more years to come.

Golly!
I really feel for you folks who need the C-PAP. At only 70, I am still not needing one, and since I have a form of Lymphocytic Leukemia, I wonder if one is in my future when the disease starts really depleting my red blood cells till I can't get enough oxygen.
I do live in the desert, and usually camp in the desert as well. Last year on our trip to the north west, and North and South Dakota, Montana, Oregon, and Idaho,I did experience a couple bad nights at the altitudes over 9000 feet. So....I will have to get with my Hematologist, and find out!!

~DJ~ wrote:
I don't use the humidifier even at home. Never could tell the difference and much less chance of a yeast or mold infection!!

For those of us who need the humidifier, a reminder: drain and dry it every day. The mask needs to be disassembled, cleaned, and dried daily. The hose should be rinsed daily. I do a more thorough cleaning with soapy water, rinse, and dry once a week. Include the machine's filter and the headgear.

Nobody every mentions these aspects of CPAP camping. The camper can get to looking like a CPAP laundry room!

Also, if you use a humidifier you need to make room to carry along a jug of distilled water.

IF you have severe apnea, then no, going without is hardly an option. You may not die, but you'll get little sleep, dreaming of drowning, suffocating, etc and waking up every few minutes gasping for breath....so put that one aside. As for running 2 hondas? That wasn't for a cpap, they don't take much juice. He was running his air conditioner. I don't know of any cpap that can't run of 12v DC, you just need the adapter.

The relative humidity where you are makes a big difference on whether you need a humidifier feature turned on or not. Relative humidity of the air also makes a significant difference on how much water your humidifier uses each night. At least for me.
I live in the desert, and a lot of my travels are out west in dry country. The humidifier feature is a must for me. It is always on the high heat setting.

And, yes, I can sleep without the Cpap machine, but it is usually a miserable nights sleep of frequent wake-ups and vivid bad dreams.

Yes, people can and do die from sleep apnea, hence the CPAP.

What I learned about mine, ResMed S9 with detachable water tank is that it is actually 24 volts. And I think most CPAPs are hence the black box in the 120 volt power cord. It reduces 120 to 24. You don't want 120 volts strapped to your face if something went wrong!!

I had bad luck using a 440 watt converter in my camper. First you are converting 12 volts to 120 then back to 24. Every time I exhaled the converter would turn on and make the fan noise. I'm glad I tried it at home first.

Then Tiger4x4 told me about cpap.com where I was able to order a 12 volt power cord specifically for my machine. VA doesn't furnish them. It works well. I don't use the humidifier even at home. Never could tell the difference and much less chance of a yeast or mold infection!!