Do I? Don't I?

[ElleCee]

I am in a right old quandry and getting frustrated because I haven't made a decision yet.

Do I take my apap on holiday?

For taking it:
I get a much improved nights sleep and am in a better mood for it. I only wake a couple of times in the night.

Flor leaving it at home:
It is heavy, takes up much valuable space.
I cannot use it in Amazon so for one week out of the 4 it will be useless.
I cannot use it on the long haul flight.
I wake up every 45 mins throughout the night.

HELP !!

[Tigers Fan]

No contest! Either take it sans huimidifier or buy a travel machine pronto.

One week without good sleep is bad but four weeks is helll on wheels!

[ElleCee]

Thanks TF,
I agree, although I cant afford to buy another machine but the Icon does have the humidifier built in so couldn't leave that bit at home even if I wanted to. I did try taking out the water chamber and was going to try storing the hose inside but it needs the chamber to get a seal on the top so it all has to come if I take it.
I have gone through big backpack again and taken out a few things I can possibly manage without.
I am getting a slightly larger carry on back pack on Tuesday so will try my best to get it in. I am going to need a letter from the clinic if I do take it. There is no way I would leave it at an airport because they wont let me take it on board.

Thanks for the advice.
Lorraine xx

[Tigers Fan]

Now why on earth do you suppose they wouldn't let you take a CPAP on board a plane? What possible reason? You don't make a fuss about it, they won't make a fuss about it.

Calm down, dear!

[ElleCee]

TF,
I agree that most airlines would take it and when I have flown before I have never had any problems, but, as we are going to some pretty out of the way places I dont want to get into difficulties if I can't summon up enough spanish to exlain what it is for.
Better safe than sorry is my motto in this instance.

Lorraine

[Tigers Fan]

I have been to 47% of the nations in this world (FaceBook tells me) and I speak only English and mime.

If you are able to understand what is being asked - What's it for? in whichever language - all you have to do is hold your cupped hand over your mouth and nose and breathe in an exagerated manner.

That will not be your problem, though. The problem arises if the official's brother/uncle/aunt/father/sister/de dah has OSA and can't get/doesn't have a CPAP - especially a shiny APAP!

Another reason for not making a fuss about your CPAP. Think of it as a hairdrier? Do you tell people you have a hairdrier in your bag?

A bribe usually works (if you know how to give a bribe, to whom and how much) but if the worse comes to the worse, get dramatic! Throw hysterics!

But calm down, dear - all will be fine and trouble free. Just forget you are carrying CPAP. Relax. Enjoy. Always remember that real thicko s have been before you and managed well.

[Grumpy]

spanish letter!

I'm sure it can't be that difficult to get someone to write a note in Spanish explaining what your equipment is for. Alternatively, did your machine not come with instructions in multiple languages?

[Barely Awake]

I now have a vision of TF in an airport terminal surrounded by unshaven armed guards (a bit like a clip from a 1960s episode of the Saint) wearing white gloves and doing the mime of feeling his way along a glass wall...

Haven't flown since British Midland stopped doing the best breakfast service in the world; but I don't think I would contemplate going anywhere without my CPAP full stop! Easy for me to say as I need more than twice the pressure you require Lorraine; but you surely can't go that length of time without restoraing your energy properly with proper kip?

[ElleCee]

You are right of course. A month with little sleep does not bear thinking about so if I can possibly get it in my hand luggage I will be taking it.
That now makes me wonder if I have to get it insured? It is not mine, it belongs to the Sleep centre.

Lorraine

[Tigers Fan]

It is insured! Part of your travel insurance ......

You have taken out travel insurance???????

[jackieb]

I have mine covered on my home insurance as well

[ElleCee]

Yes, I have travel insurance. But I didnt tell them I have OSA,, it was bad enough going over my recent operations and being told I am not covered for anything medical arising from them.
Don't the hospitals have insurance on it as well?

And yes, decided that I am definitely going to take it, it just about fits in my new larger back pack. I will put my socks at the bottom of the back pack for extra padding incase I drop it over the edge of a mountain by mistake.

Lorraine xx

[Tigers Fan]

I told my travel insurers that I have OSA but did not take out extra cover for it. That keeps the insurance valid.

[ElleCee]

Baffled of Crawley

Can anyone tell me, why, when trying to get medical insurance cover for a holiday, if you tell them you have OSA and do not use a cpap you are ok and they will cover you with no penalties but as soon as you say you use cpap they load the premium?
I cannot understand this, I would have thought if you were having successful treatment you were less of a risk then if you weren't.
Can anyone enlighten me?

Thanks

[Tigers Fan]

If you have OSA and do not use a CPAP there are two possibilities as far as underwriters are concerned - your OSA is so mild you do not need CPAP and/or you are nuts and it would be discrimination to load the premium.

If you are being treated, then clearly your OSA is severe and you might explode whilst clubbing or fall asleep whilst sky diving.

Surely, the question is - what is there about OSA that might cause a medical claim? I couldn't/can't think of anything so don't take the cover/pay the exrtra premium.

As I'm 6' 4" tall, I find concussion insurance is prohibitive even if I promise to wear a crash helmet at all times. Stubbed big toe insurance is another silly one! Just 'cos I have big feet am I more likely to stub my big toes than you? And don't even think about Being Frightened By Big Hairy Spiders insurance!