CPAP machine and batteries

Just a note that if you are in the position of having to pay for your CPAP, be aware that sleep centers charge about double for the same machine you can get online...just need a prescription.

Here in the states, the DOT also incorporated that into renewal of any CDL medical card. If you have sleep apnea, you must be on a CPAP machine and have a certification that it is used Within compliance.. If you do not have that certification with you at the time of your medical card renewal, you will get rejected .. No medical card, no CDL license .. I need 2 compliance letter, one for my sleep apnea and one for my pacemaker ..

Reddog1 wrote:

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

I Canada you are required to use it if you want to keep driving not using it they can take your drivers license away and being a commercial driver it is not an option for me DOT in Canada make us commercial drivers jump through hoops to keep our license but as I can see my batteries will be suffice to do the job, that's what I needed to know and as it seems everyone with the machine does not run out of battery power, I can also get a 12v adapter for my machine for free, our Government also pays 75% of the cost of the machine so all is good. Could also add 2 more AGM's to the battery bank if needed but seems I will not need to do that. Wayne as for the healing effect it will keep you from a possible heart attack and if you have diabetes it will help regulate blood sugars my oxygen was down to 62% at night now with the machine I am up to 96%, got to help but only been on the machine for 3 weeks, I have a loaner from the cpap company for 1 month before I have to purchase one so my Dr. can make sure it's the machine I need.

Thanks for all the info

David

I have used nothing but tap water in my cpap humidifier for 5 years with no problems. I use the highest setting, so it goes through a full tank of water in 10 hours. If any minerals start to accumulate, it is a 20 second process to wipe it off. Distilled water is an unnecessary inconvenience.

I, too, wonder if everybody who does a sleep test gets prescribed a CPAP. The test was very uncomfortable. Strap all sorts of wires to a person, tell them to sleep in a room where there are cameras and microphones pointed at them and see if you have normal sleep! When they guy came in to "wake" me at 2AM, I was not sure I even slept. But then he put the CPAP on for the rest of the night and I slept better than I had in years.

I use a ResMed S9 machine with the humidity attachment and 12V cord purchased from cpap.com. I have one 12V battery, an 80 watt solar panel, an LED lights throughout. I have not had a problem with power when boondocking. I think the first night of camping, with the CPAP attached, earplugs on and fresh air all around is when I get some of my best sleep ever.

Back when I was tent camping, my snoring bothered everybody within earshot and my kids complained a lot. I used to struggle trying to power the thing in a tent with all sorts of battery and solar charging contraptions. So being in a truck camper, sleeping on a real bed with my CPAP attached is pure heaven. I agree with others and am very grateful to be able to have this level of comfort while camping. So many others have health issues that are more difficult to deal with.

While weight is a risk factor my doctor said that close to half of his patients are of normal or below normal weight. Age is also a risk factor. Genetics is the largest risk factor. Something else many people don't realize is that the distilled water thing is mostly to prevent mineral buildup inside the tank, not inside you. The water enters you as vapor and carries no minerals with it. So while you may ruin the humidifier after a while, you won't ruin you. A cpap won't cure apnea but it will allow the many symptoms to heal over time. Not sure why but I don't need the humidity when camping, don't miss it at all, yet at home I need a high setting. On some machines the humidifier will not work on battery.

It may not be a popular thought, but I do wonder if in fact a CPAP is really being pushed by the test centers. At this point, I have not yet met someone that has had the sleep test and was told they had no problem.

I am using the machine more for my wife than any one else. She says I do not snore with the CPAP. I honestly cannot say I sleep better or feel better the next day. It is very typical that I wake several times a night, with or without the machine. I often wake because of the machine, so I will simply leave it off, and go back to sleep. I absolutely understand not everyone shares my experience.

I regularly use my CPAP for severe apnea. I did purchase the high priced Respironics 12v DC battery and case which powers the unit for 2-3 nights without compromising my on-board batteries (4) - 6 volt batteries in the MH. I know that I'm paranoid, but the unit works well in this configuration and I can use other on-board electrical devices without concern. I try not to use the humidifier on battery power unless absolutely necessary.

I just spent a month in Mexico and used an old CPAP machine with the humidifier removed. It is difficult to reliably get distilled water in Mexico, and there is usually high humidity so I don't miss the humidifier, and it is easier to travel with a smaller unit.

While traveling in Africa without reliable power I used a Z-Quiet oral device with moderate success. I also used an ear-loop surgical mask to increase the inhaled humidity. I carry it for emergencies.

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.

Hmmm - my sleep center stressed that it was NOT a weight issue. Solely genetics. Neck size and "shake the room" snoring by one or both parents are some of the predictors. I had neither, and was considered a very low chance patient, but did the sleep study anyway (for cardiac just-in-case reasons), and yep - now I too have a CPAP.

Running two Costco 6v batteries, through a 600w inverter, to the humidified CPAP. Easily went 3 days, while also using LED lighting, TV/DVD player, water pump, and very, very limited heat. Didn't need it longer, so unsure if I could have gone for 4!

Reddog1 wrote:

brirene wrote:

Reddog1 wrote:


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



Wayne

Temporary.

Please define temporary.

I think you already did; cpap doesn't "cure" sleep apnea, it only treats it. As you stated, temporary relief. You may sleep better, but when you turn off the machine, you still have sleep apnea. Much like an inhaler doesn't "cure" asthma.