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Permalink Reply by Mike on October 12, 2009 at 10:09am

it would be ideal for you to carry the doctor's prescription for the machine with you on the plane in case TSA gives you a hard time. That said, i've never done that myself -- i've always relied on the TSA officers to know the law on this -- that it's a medical device that does not count as a carry on and that you are entitled to bring on the plane with you. And most all of them do. If one gives you a hard time, just ask for the supervisor.

You should also be prepared to take the machine out and put it in a separate tray at the security check -- just like a laptop. they almost always want to run the explosives test on it, and you might as well anticipate that and make it easy for them to do.

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Permalink Reply by Mary Z on October 12, 2009 at 10:31am

Thanks Mike, this helps.

Mary Zimlich

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Permalink Reply by 99 on October 12, 2009 at 1:06pm

my sleep nurse said she would write a letter to carry should i wish to fly,
i have not done this but intend to very soon
in addition i will carry my sleepvantage card issued by resmed clearly stating i have sleep apnea

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Permalink Reply by David Kiguel on October 12, 2009 at 4:50pm

Mary,
I fly regularly and can advice you the following:
1. Don't check-in your machine, always carry it with you. The machine should not be counted for the carry-on limit as it is considered a medical device.
2. Carry your machine in a plastic bag (I usually use a freezer bag). The reason is my # 3.
3. When going through security, put the machine on a regular tray to go through the X-ray scaqnning, same as required for laptops. Keep it in the plastic bag as you don't want your machine contaminated by the possible germs or dirty. You don't know what has been on the tray before.
4. If the security staff ask to further inspect the machine, kindly ask that they put a clean pair of gloves before taking it off the plastic bag. They always do it, in my experience only once the person complained that the gloves were clean but still changed them.
I hope this helps,
David

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Permalink Reply by Mary Z on October 12, 2009 at 5:02pm

Thanks Dave,
Will do. ResMed sent me a letter and I will also get a prescription from the doc.
Definately will use the plastic bags.

Mary Zimlich

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Permalink Reply by Mike on October 12, 2009 at 5:23pm

i didn't think of the plastic bag or the clean pair of gloves, but those are excellent suggestions that I'll certainly act on for my next flight.

David Kiguel said:

Mary,
I fly regularly and can advice you the following:
1. Don't check-in your machine, always carry it with you. The machine should not be counted for the carry-on limit as it is considered a medical device.
2. Carry your machine in a plastic bag (I usually use a freezer bag). The reason is my # 3.
3. When going through security, put the machine on a regular tray to go through the X-ray scaqnning, same as required for laptops. Keep it in the plastic bag as you don't want your machine contaminated by the possible germs or dirty. You don't know what has been on the tray before.
4. If the security staff ask to further inspect the machine, kindly ask that they put a clean pair of gloves before taking it off the plastic bag. They always do it, in my experience only once the person complained that the gloves were clean but still changed them.
I hope this helps,
David

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Permalink Reply by susan mccord on October 12, 2009 at 6:12pm

Hi Mary--I agree with all the above-mentioned precautions. Also want to let you, and SG, know about a

CPAP/BiPAP medical ID tag I've ordered for when I travel via air for the first time with my CPAP in

November also. You can order from the website below: (DirectHomeMedical is the company)

directhomemedical.com CPAP/BiPAP (specific) ID tag, heavy-duty, $6.95--no shipping charge.
(they accept credit card payment)

Happy traveling!

Susan McCord :-)

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Permalink Reply by Jerri Lynn on October 12, 2009 at 6:13pm

Ok, keep in mind I'm a new-bee just starting to learn......so is it REALLY necessary that I take my CPAP on trips with me......after all, I've lived all these years with OSA and without CPAP so how would a few nights without it harm me?

Also, off the subject of travel, I'm having a 15 year old tibial rod removed from my L leg followed by as TKR all in one surgery. My surgeon is concerned about the CPAP and mumbled something about this being a lengthy surgery and having to discuss the OSA situation with some colleagues. He said I may have to spend a night in ICU as a precautionary measure. What's with that? I've had three other surgeries this year before they officially diagnosed OSA and while I spent time in ICU, it had nothing to do with OSA.

Thanks for any info anyone can provide.

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Permalink Reply by susan mccord on October 12, 2009 at 6:36pm

Hi Jerri--I can only speak for myself re: this subject. I would NEVER spend a night anywhere without CPAP now that I know the danger. You might be okay, but how do you know for sure when you might completely stop breathing? (That's my thought for myself---I consider myself lucky to have survived till I was diagnosed).

Re: surgery--this is an EXCELLENT MD you have, and I'd absolutely follow the treatment team's recs. I now know that they have CPAPs in hospitals specifically for surgery patients. It's IMPERATIVE that you remind your anesthesiologist JUST PRIOR to surgery that you have apnea and are on CPAP. It's his job to monitor you during surgery. If they want to put you in ICU afterwards, GOOD FOR THEM!!! There's a lot of concern about AFTER surgery when you're in a room and no one's monitoring you closely. It's GREAT to know there's a hospital (yours!) being this pro-active in protecting apnea patients. Let 'em take care of you, girl!!!!

Way, way better safe than sorry. To say nothing of dead........!

Susan McCord :-

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Permalink Reply by birdshell on October 12, 2009 at 7:54pm

This is absolutely just my own experience, but...

My mother had surgery and is a non-compliant apneic who self-treats by sleeping upright in her chair for about 90% of her sleep time. I spoke to the anesthesiologist and he assured me that anyone (anesthetist or anesthesiologist) adminstering anesthesia always watches out for any breathing problem. So, I would think it might be a good idea to ask for a visit with the anesthesiology service before the surgery, and I mean BEFORE the day of the surgery while being prepped.

It may be overly cautious, but after having a few surgeries, and some life-threatening complications, I trust NOTHING to chance anymore. My complications had nothing to do with breathing, except that the first one as an adult had a rather new anesthesiologist doing the surgery. He reported that he had had a bit of trouble inserting the tube; further investigation revealed that I should always tell the anesthesiology service to use the "sniff" position. The following 4 surgeries that year, I did so. The same thing happened with my next two surgeries. (I have general anesthesia for MOST surgeries and surgical procedures.) I had no further problems.

I now wonder, since I was dx'd with OSA and started using CPAP about 9 years after that surgery, if the "sniff" position has to do with my anatomical propensity for sleep disordered breathing?


Jerri Mathis said:

Ok, keep in mind I'm a new-bee just starting to learn......so is it REALLY necessary that I take my CPAP on trips with me......after all, I've lived all these years with OSA and without CPAP so how would a few nights without it harm me?

Also, off the subject of travel, I'm having a 15 year old tibial rod removed from my L leg followed by as TKR all in one surgery. My surgeon is concerned about the CPAP and mumbled something about this being a lengthy surgery and having to discuss the OSA situation with some colleagues. He said I may have to spend a night in ICU as a precautionary measure. What's with that? I've had three other surgeries this year before they officially diagnosed OSA and while I spent time in ICU, it had nothing to do with OSA.

Thanks for any info anyone can provide.

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Permalink Reply by gordon on October 13, 2009 at 4:54pm

I told security what it was. Don't say "It's not a bomb!.They get irate at that!" ONLY carry it on. Don't let it out of your site. Put it in the overhead storage where it is cushined, the electronics inside should'nt be jarred around.Put other stuff around it or on your seat next to you if empty is good. Lay it down carefully, the backpk is nicely cushioned, but don't let anyone steal it , or kick it! at the airport. They might steal it not even knowing what it is. I take it everywhere, and pack a 10ft
standard extension cord, many hotels the outlet is far away. I think mine(Respironics REMstar Plus) takes batteries, but
why do that if not needed? Make sure you empty the water, dry well, and you can put a ziplock bag over the humidifyer
water holder and slide it back in position, no moisture can get in the machine. Sleep well, anywhere.(hopefully).

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Permalink Reply by susan mccord on October 13, 2009 at 5:22pm

Gordon, I hadn't even thought about taking an extension cord. Thanks for THAT idea!! When you say "standard" do you mean we shouldn't use a heavy duty extension?

I've been concerned about the possible jostling of my equipment during airline travel. Can that data info get screwed up if the machine is moved around too much???

Susan McCord :-)

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