Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Gear Forum :: Sleep Apnea & CPAP machine in the BWCA
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gutmon |
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Corndog |
I found this to be an excellent article on using CPAP in the wilderness on a river trip. |
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old_salt |
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tobiedog |
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bassnut |
Uvula trimming and Pillar's were both office procedures under a local--I drove myself home afterwards. |
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AprilPony |
We've been looking into portable CPAP machines, and found a low weight one (Everest 3) that has rechargeable battery cells. We think we could recharge the cells using one of the compact solar panels you can get at an camping store like REI. Anyone out there have any experience with this sort of issue? We usually go for 5 nights and were planning a trip for this fall in late September. Any ideas would help a lot! |
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KevinL |
You are right as it makes a heck of a difference. I used a CPAP for two and a half years and what a difference it was to start dreaming again. I had gastric bypass 15 months ago and have lost 160 pounds now and I don't need it anymore. I snore a little from time to time, but originally they told me at Mayo I was waking up 47 times an hour. What a surprise when the sleep doc said I didn't need it anymore. Good Luck. KL |
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bumabu |
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Amok |
I was at 97 per hr, had my tonsils removed (they were huge) and that cleared up the snoring and brought me DOWN to 49 per hour. I'm hoping if I drop another 35lbs maybe I'll have a happy ending like KevinL :) Sleep apnea SUCKS and I can't imagine sleeping w/o my cpap anymore!!! On a side note, in Europe they do surgery first and a Cpap is used if that doesn't work. So I still have options :D |
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nonamesleft47 |
Oh, for the OP, if you can afford it why not go ahead and get the machine, several batteries and the charger and give it a go at home. If it will work at home it it will work in the BW. You might look at RadioShack for the solar panels. I'd get the largest one possible. The only experience I have with solar panels is the one on my deer feeder. I upgraded it with one 2x the size recommended and it keeps the 12v battery charged year round but granted it's only operating 3x a day for 30 seconds. |
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Amok |
quote bumabu: "HA HA my brother takes that big 12 volt on our camping trips in the boat as well. I was thinking about the OTHER surgery, where they add strips along the upper palate of your mouth to stiffen the air passage. The CHEAP surgery, not the huge one when u have to eat thru a straw! But when I last checked, they would not use that procedure on someone with more than 20 per hour apnea. The surgery you had is much more brutal than anything I've even contemplated. (removal of part of the upper/lower palate) quote nonamesleft: "My problem is that I can't sleep on my back because my uvula and tonsils make a nice airtight patch, right over my airway. I tried the c-pap and couldn't sleep at all with it on. My only other option is surgery. I've heard some bad stories about adults having their tonsils removed and uvula trimmed and since I've never had surgery, I'm downright scared. For those of you that have had it, how bad was it? Was it worth it? I'm thinking maybe I'll do it this winter." I'd say that if you can afford it, do it. Tonsils are no big deal, but maybe I'm an exception. They kept me overnight at the hospital, I was the 'old' guy (38 at the time). I was bugging them all night because I kept eating all of their popsicles! They were amazed that I was even up and around like nothing had happened :) The OTHER stuff, tho, IDK. I'd have to research it a bit more before deciding on the other surgery. |
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CaptChad |
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bumabu |
As for the surgery: Uvula was trimmed, Grooves melted into the back of my tongue, deviated sceptum fixed (again), and turbinate bones in the outer portion of my nose were ground down as well. This was the worst month of my life as far as pain goes. Recovery was about 3 weeks of severe discomfort and pain, while on a liquid diet. I lost 30 pounds. BUT I feel great and dont have to deal with a CPAP, well worth it! |
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Old Hoosier |
I recommend you look for the battery powered portable CPAP as it likely is 12, 18 or 24 volt machine. The 12 volt is preferred. Then get a small car battery - specifically a SMALL one you can carry. They even have handles and should weigh about 15-20 lbs max. There are small "roll up" solar panels which are very durable for about $50 that should re-charge the battery daily. The key to success is to understand how much current (amps)the CPAP requires and multiply this number times perhaps 6 hrs (night's sleep.) Roughly the same energy must be restored by the solar panel to keep the battery charged. The good news is the daytime sun is much longer than night, so this requires less solar power. Example - the portable CPAP requires 1.5 amps to run and he sleeps 6 hours per night = 9 amp hours. The sun shines on average 12 hours per day so you need 9 amp hours divided by 12 hours = 3/4 amp solar panel. This could be a single panel or even 2 panels that generate half this needed current (now 3/8 amp if 2 panels). If I have confused you, I apologize. Feel free to Email me. I am an engineer who works for battery company. I will help you. Old Hoosier |
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nonamesleft47 |
I'm not too afraid of the tonsils but I work in a hospital and have asked around about the uvula trim/removal, they all say it's painful and you have to learn to swallow again although I could stand to lose 30 lbs. For someone with a fairly charmed life so far as pain goes to volunteer for it, kind of goes against my thinking but I can see that it is only going to get worse so I'm thinking around Christmas break I'll go under the knife. |
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Amok |
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