Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Listening Point - General Discussion :: CPAP for sleep apnea in BWCA
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paul1264 |
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brunsdennis |
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ekffazr |
its vacation and its the BWCA, if its nap time, have a nice nap. Fish will be biting when you get up(hopefully) besides nothing like a good snorer to keep the nocturnal food hunters away LOL |
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paul1264 |
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greasebucket |
Sounds like some people were suggesting leaving the CPAP at home. If you choose to do so, let me offer you some advice on what you can do to reduce the severity of your apnea on the trip. (I am a long-time BWCA paddler, but also a sleep specialist...) You should know the severity of your apnea. Typically this is measured by the number of apneas per hour, or the number of arousals per hour (called the RDI, or AHI). You should know if your apnea was more severe in different positions, and in different stages of sleep. This information is in the copy of the sleep study report that was generated after your night at the sleep lab (or, maybe in your home, depending on where you had a study done...) You could use this information to adopt behaviors that will make your apnea less severe. For example, don't drink alcohol on your trip, since it is a depressant and will cause the muscles in your upper airway to relax, worsening your apnea. Avoiding sleeping on your back may help, if your apnea is positional (i.e., if it occurred more on your back then on your side). Some people have apnea in all positions. If your apnea is mild, you could probably cope without the CPAP for the trip. But if your apnea is severe, for your restfulness and for your cardiovascular function, it would be best to bring the CPAP-so I hope you find a lightweight battery. good luck. gb |
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paul1264 |
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Arkansas Man |
Bruce |
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motdur |
Brunton Solo |
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VoyageurNorth |
I have a good friend who has sleep apnea. She still goes on canoe trips but doesn't take the machine because of the weight. She doesn't get great sleep on a trip, so that would help her a lot. |
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Spartan1 |
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paul1264 |
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paul1264 |
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paul1264 |
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hp |
I have followed the development of the BreatheX that Reddcin noted. They are nearly ready to ship their first of production....I have had discussions with a few of the Hoffman Labs staff. I plan to use www.cpap.com for the purchase. No pricing available yet. You would need to fax them a copy of your prescription to complete the order. I like doing business with these guys. The BreatheX uses a small lithium-ion battery that will provide 1-1/2 to 2 nights therapy, depending on your pressure setting. Extra batteries can be ordered so that it should be quite easy to get nightly therapy during a bwca/q trip. This unit only works on the battery.....there is no option to plug it in to 120v. However, they will include a plug-in type battery charger. This design further saves on the overall weight. The biggest technology breakthrough with this product is it's small and lightweight blower motor. Since I sometimes travel a lot by air, the BreatheX will make a better solution to long in-flight and hotel use compared to some of the other boat-anchors out there. I studied the photovoltaic route and found that you still need a pretty hefty battery, plus the new thin film solar cells are a bit pricey. I'll be happy to provide feedback after I get mine and have tried it out. HP |
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reddcin |
http://www.breathex.com/ One battery last 2 days and they are lite! |
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VoyageurNorth |
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adam |
I have seen some solar panels you can buy for backpacks and such. I have no idea what they can power. link It still might not be worth the expense or the hastle to bring it in. I say if you enjoy the boundary waters until 3pm and then are worn out, then so be it and enjoy what you can. |
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Arkansas Man |
Bruce |