View Full Version : CPAP machine and thru hike
I am in the first stages of planning my tru hike in 2017 and I use a CPAP machine every night. I have found some lightweight machines and portable battery packs to power the device. I have two questions has anyone had any experience in using solar chargers on the trail and does anyone have any advice or experience in using a CPAP on the trail. Thanks for the help everyone.
Kevin
Rocket Jones
05-22-2015, 11:56
Solar chargers don't work well on the AT. It's sometimes called the "long green tunnel".
swisscross
05-22-2015, 12:08
I too use a cpap every night.
Ask your sleep doc if a mouth piece will work for you.
Seems most dentist are now providing them.
How severe is your sleep apnea?
Are you in any real health danger not using it or do you just sleep better with it.
There are many different degrees of SA.
I wanted to give the mouth piece a try but my insurance is not providing coverage yet (many are) and it was going to cost me over 2 grand. I am sure there are less expensive options but I would want to have another sleep study done while using it to be sure I was making a wise choice.
With the cpap your doc can see how much air pressure you need and make pressure changes if required. Cannot do that with a mouth piece.
No way would I even consider carrying my cpap into the woods.
I am usually so tired after hiking all day I sleep well enough.
I am so addicted to my machine.
Why I waited so long to start using one is beyond me.
Good luck and stay healthy.
I look forward to other comments as I want a solution also.
I have Severe Apnea and I am using the CPAP at about 17 Bars of pressure at this time. I am looking into the mouth piece option and surgery option at this time but are waiting for more of my weight to come off before I pull the gun on the cash or cut options. I started using mine after I fell asleap at a stoplight and rolled out into traffic and totaled my car and the car that hit me in 1999. Thanks for the solar charger answer Rocket Jones.
Look into the Duke University Fitness center to help shed the weight and do away with the CPAP.
I just a post on Facebook today about a wireless, battery powered mini cpap. It's called "airing." I hope this helps.
swisscross
05-22-2015, 16:12
Look into the Duke University Fitness center to help shed the weight and do away with the CPAP.
Easy to armchair.....
Not all sleep apnea is caused by lack fitness or excessive weight.
Mine is caused by a smaller than normal airway.
swisscross
05-22-2015, 16:27
I just a post on Facebook today about a wireless, battery powered mini cpap. It's called "airing." I hope this helps.
That is freaking killer.
Not available but hopefully soon.
Thanks Swisscross I just looked at the Airing information they have available at this time and will be following closely. I am working on the weight and am down 115 pounds and working on my last 145 before I hit the trail in 2017, but I also have a extremely narrow airway in the back of my throat that is the major cause of my apnea.
Kevin
My husband was diagnosed with severe apnea over 10 years ago and told he had an extremely small airway.
He successfully used a CPaP for the past 10 years.
In the last year, he has lost almost 70 pounds and is within 20 pounds of his ideal weight. Last weekend we went away, and he forgot the CPAP. Not only did he not snore, but he also said he felt fully rested.
For many (NOT all), weight is the big factor. This past week, he called and spoke to the doctor. He was scheduled for a sleep study to see if he has "slimmed out of apnea." They told him that he may have slimmed down to be the right fitt for his airway. (hopefully!).
I wonder if Hiking all day everyday, drinking water with somewhat healthy diet, sleeping in Nature, would return one to more natural rhythms... I have found that it works for me, the cumulative affect of a more balanced lifestyle.
I too use a cpap every night.
Ask your sleep doc if a mouth piece will work for you.
Seems most dentist are now providing them.
How severe is your sleep apnea?
Are you in any real health danger not using it or do you just sleep better with it.
There are many different degrees of SA.
I wanted to give the mouth piece a try but my insurance is not providing coverage yet (many are) and it was going to cost me over 2 grand. I am sure there are less expensive options but I would want to have another sleep study done while using it to be sure I was making a wise choice.
With the cpap your doc can see how much air pressure you need and make pressure changes if required. Cannot do that with a mouth piece.
No way would I even consider carrying my cpap into the woods.
I am usually so tired after hiking all day I sleep well enough.
I am so addicted to my machine.
Why I waited so long to start using one is beyond me.
Good luck and stay healthy.
I look forward to other comments as I want a solution also.
you could get a drugstore or amazon oximeter and check your blood oxygen with a mouthpiece. I intermittantly used therasnore I bought on ebay and it was shipped from england where you can get off the shelf. thats a good brand.
I use a CPAP but will be talking about my not using it while hiking on the trail. I have done a few short hikes on the AT (5 days or less) and really don't see how I would take it along. Just too heavy and no consistent power source. On the days I have not used the CPAP when on a hike, I have slept fine but I am only moderately affected. I don't really have a concern with not using it during a thru hike attempt, my concern is that because of non-use, my coverage for it may be cancelled.
I recently discovered that when I sleep with a backpack on, with a pillow in it prevents me from sleeping on my back. Since I have been doing this no more headaches, no snoring and a much better sleep. I am getting so use to the pack when I sleep, that I hardly know I have it on most of the time.
couscous
05-26-2015, 00:12
Hopefully you are among the 99% that have obstructive (OSA) or complex sleep apnea so you have multiple options. Those of us with central (CSA) sleep apnea do not have an obstruction or snoring, so we have limited options. We can deal with the fatigue, stay home, or find a unit / battery combination that lasts 6-8 days between recharges. The Transcend Auto with (4) batteries would accomplish this, but add 6+ pounds of weight - bulk - and the risk of taking $1,500+ worth of electronics out into the elements. http://www.mytranscend.com
Due to the hesitancy of sleep specialists to write a prescription for a CPAP unit they are unfamiliar with - the unwillingness of many medical supply vendors to get information about other product lines - and the requirement of a new prescription to purchase any CPAP unit (even with your own funds), all make gaining access to lighter units designed for travel and battery power much more difficult than it needs to be for existing users. (IMHO)
Thanks for starting the thread! I'm sure I will learn some new things from the posts.
I recently discovered that when I sleep with a backpack on, with a pillow in it prevents me from sleeping on my back. Since I have been doing this no more headaches, no snoring and a much better sleep. I am getting so use to the pack when I sleep, that I hardly know I have it on most of the time.
I was diagnosed with position related sleep apnea.... meaning I only had it when I slept on my back. Instead of a Cpap, my prescription was to put a rubber-band a tennis ball into the back of my PJ's to condition me to not sleep on my back. This had a negative effect, in that I woke wide-awake each time I rolled onto my back - and the tennis ball. I switched out to a squishy foam piece attached to my PJ's, which did the job - conditioned me to roll back to my side to avoid the discomfort of having the foam piece underneath me.
Francis Sawyer
05-26-2015, 08:56
Don't take this the wrong way but maybe you should stay home .
Lucky-Dog
05-26-2015, 10:17
Kevin:
Thank you for your post. I also use a CPAP machine every night in order to get quality REM sleep. Without my machine I could not function.
My plans are to use a Remstar CPAP (without vaporizer) weighing 2 lb. 2 oz., the mask and hose weighing 8 oz., and a Battery Geek NC 2000 battery weighing 5 lb.
Battery Geek is now saying the NC 2000 is good for 3 nights and maybe 4 nights of sleep.
Being able to stay on the trail for 3 nights is a good starting point. Right now I am only able to take day trips without the machine.
Carrying the extra weight is better than not being out overnight.
Later, if I want to stay out longer, I would consider adding a military grade solar charger.
Even in a wooded section of the trail there are open sections with full sunlight.
Stopping for an hour or two in the middle of the day to rest and partially recharge my CPAP battery does not seem that much of a sacrifice.
I usually stop for a rest period about that time anyway.
Good luck to you and please let us know what works for you.
Best regards..................Lucky-Dog
Thanks Lucky-Dog I was looking into getting a new machine. I was looking at the trancend EZEX at .9 pounds with 3 of the external batteries that should provide 5-6 days of power for a total battery weight of 4.5 pounds without mask and hose it puts the total at 5.4 pounds. From my planning I should be able to get a recharge in town stops. I am working on a lightweight multi charge that would allow me to use one plug to charge while leaving most of equipment in the pack. I am also looking into moding some of the Anchor batterypacks to be used to power the CPAP machine because they have a better energy density than the ones from the Trancend at a lower weight and about $200 cheaper per pack. I will keep you informed about the progress and how it works if you would like.
Kevin
Rolls Kanardly
05-26-2015, 19:10
My last sleep apnea test showed I needed a Bipap set at 26/22. Although when my last Bipap died I was going to use my cpap until my new machine arrived I found out 15 on the Cpap was good enough. Although I awake to roll over all most every hour I still am usually rested. This sleep apnea was going to kill my AT thru hike dream but these portables are giving me some hope. I sure would like to hear from someone that has used the portables. I have adjusted my pack and with an extra battery pack my pack is still around 40 lbs. I dropped some clothing, extra fuel, camp shoes, and got rid of my 100 oz hydration bladder. I will spend a little more on resupplies but if it works it will be worth it. My bottles are cheaper and thinner to save some weight so they may not last the trip but again is it okay. Please PM me or email if you got any good results.
Rolls
My wife has sleep apnea. She sleeps very well in a reclined position on her back without a machine.
I wonder how it would be to use a hammock and adjust it so you can sleep at a 45 degree on your back.
Flounder940
05-27-2015, 17:47
It will probably take a couple years for this to come to market, but found it interesting for those that suffer from sleep apnea:
http://www.fundairing.com/#first-ever-micro-cpap
Rolls Kanardly
05-27-2015, 19:28
It will probably take a couple years for this to come to market, but found it interesting for those that suffer from sleep apnea:
http://www.fundairing.com/#first-ever-micro-cpap
This appears to attempt to keep the nose passages open. My sleep apnea is deeper in my throat as I think most are at least for all the reading I have done. Rolls
Flounder940
05-27-2015, 21:31
I it actually pumps air into the nostrils and is supposed to work the same way as the cpap/mask does.
Not exactly sure about your CPAP, but it might just also be a good idea to take a pulse oximeter with you just as a precaution to make sure it's doing its job especially in high altitudes.
Mouser999
08-09-2015, 12:54
My specialist suggested Theravent nasal strips when not using cpap. Gonna try for my next overnight. The firm has special going on ( I'm not connected to firm)
I recently discovered that when I sleep with a backpack on, with a pillow in it prevents me from sleeping on my back. Since I have been doing this no more headaches, no snoring and a much better sleep. I am getting so use to the pack when I sleep, that I hardly know I have it on most of the time.
Ran into a short stout hiker named "bagworm" in the smokies. He had two tennis balls sewn in the back of this sleep t-shirt - made for a funny look around camp. He slept fully in his bag without even his head showing and snored so hard he vibrated the entire shelter floor.
Kevin,
I did not read everyone's reply, but I can tell you the mouth piece works very well for me as I have mild sleep apnea. It is definitely a better way to go. Check with your Pulmonologist. you will probably need a sleep study if you have not already had one. The mouth piece comes in a upper & lower mouth guard looking prosthetic the hooks together and helps prevent your lower jaw to go slack and occlude the airway. I paid $825 and was worth every bit of it!
My wife has sleep apnea. She sleeps very well in a reclined position on her back without a machine.
I wonder how it would be to use a hammock and adjust it so you can sleep at a 45 degree on your back.
I have sleep apnea and I hammock camp, I am Hammock forums also. I have found that I sleep better in a hammock but I still need to take some tylenol PM and "better" is not "good sleep."
When I car camp I lug my CPAP, a marine battery, and an inverter along with me. When I hike, kayak or canoe camp, I do without. I strongly suspect that the more I do without, the better off I will be. I think that thing is addictive, like a drug!
Well to follow up I got a small second hand CPAP machine and have ripped the innards out of the case and are in the middle of repacking it into a smaller lighter carbon fiber box that I have made for it and have modified the electrical system to accept a micro usb input for power so I can use Anchor battery packs for power. I am getting about 12-14 hours on a charge now at 17 bars of pressure. I am looking at the durability and reliability at this point.
Rocket Jones
08-27-2015, 20:03
Sounds like you might have the makings of a marketable product. Good luck and keep us informed on the final specs. I'm curious about the weight and size you manage to get down to.
Wise Old Owl
08-27-2015, 22:41
Interesting thread but it needs to be said, I have a lot of fat around the neck - at age 18 I was bicycling 60 miles and day, now not at all. That was my first operation, I have had two subsequent operations to correct cleft pallet, deviated septum, uvula removal. They even removed nasal pallets.
I am a huge fan of the Cpap. but it required loosing a lot of weight,
Do yourself a favor - get real help &join a program - I joined LA weight loss and it was a tremendous help. Today it other company's. And a FYI Hammocks rule for us as we are at an angle that helps.
Feel free to PM. Enough said. We are here to help.
Just throwing this in here: http://hdmusa.com/
I don't use a CPAP but it's a local outfit. Interviewed there once. These are designed to be portable and battery-operated.
FiftyNine
05-16-2016, 23:25
I am doing a small section hike this coming weekend. I have a cpap (Transcend auto with the pressure set at 8) I am using a c-100 battery and i can get about 3 nights on one charge, It makes absolutely NO Noise. It is the quietest thing I have ever seen. I do plan on using my tent, but I do not snore when I am using it, but don't want to bother anyone in case the battery dies or I take it off. I am going to try to limit my time on it. The important thing is to get enough restful sleep to continue hiking the next day without being wore down. The biggest problem is it adds 4 lbs to my pack. (battery, cpap, chargers with cords, mask and tubing) I am still trying to keep the weight with food and water at no more than 30 lbs. I believe it will be close. I did 5 miles this past weekend with most of my gear. I put stuff in to replace the weight of the food and was carrying 3 liters of water and It weighed in at 28 lbs.
FiftyNine
06-02-2016, 12:23
I am doing a small section hike this coming weekend. I have a cpap (Transcend auto with the pressure set at 8) I am using a c-100 battery and i can get about 3 nights on one charge, It makes absolutely NO Noise. It is the quietest thing I have ever seen. I do plan on using my tent, but I do not snore when I am using it, but don't want to bother anyone in case the battery dies or I take it off. I am going to try to limit my time on it. The important thing is to get enough restful sleep to continue hiking the next day without being wore down. The biggest problem is it adds 4 lbs to my pack. (battery, cpap, chargers with cords, mask and tubing) I am still trying to keep the weight with food and water at no more than 30 lbs. I believe it will be close. I did 5 miles this past weekend with most of my gear. I put stuff in to replace the weight of the food and was carrying 3 liters of water and It weighed in at 28 lbs.
I just used the cpap for two nights on the AT with no problem but doing a thru hike would be very difficult with it. I would have to find someplace to recharge every 3 days. While this is possible for much of the trail, it would be very inconvenient and would slow me down big time. An additional battery would add another 1 1/2 pounds to the 4 lbs the cpap equipment already takes up in the pack. - I am planning a flip flop thru hike starting in April of 2017.
kayak karl
06-02-2016, 12:46
maybe, maybe not soon enough. pretty risky move if it doesn't work.
i use bipap machine (http://sleep-land.com/bipap-vs-cpap/) for 4 years and If you have moderate or mild obstructive sleep apnea, you can use this sleep apnea chin straps. The chin strap fits your head, down to your chin in a way that it will keep your mouth shut while sleeping. The advantage of using this apnea sleep aid is that it encourages you to breath more naturally via your nose.