Ruby

Thanks, Sherry. I just changed to the correct link.

I am copying and pasting your ideas and comments so I can pass them along to the powers that be. Keep them coming. I really do appreciate this topic!

I agree--knowing that someone has answered your post is essential.

Right now there is an Urgent Action Alert for all of us who suffer with sleep apnea or other sleep disorders. We have the chance to send an official Congressional Sign On Letter to our Representatives asking them to listen to our needs.

My name is Kathy Page (although my posting name is Ruby) and I am currently chair for the Alliance of Sleep Apnea Partners (ASAP). We are a newly formed 501 (c)(3) organization aimed at getting quality information to sleep apnea patients. There are eight board members with six of those having sleep apnea--so we truly understand the need for help.

I am asking for each of you to go to the link provided here and take the time to do what it asks. Our voices need to be heard by people who can help find funding for research and public health awareness. Supporting each other as is done on this forum is wonderful; but if we want more, we have to work for it. Please join me in sending a message.

Thank you!

https://project-sleep.com/action-alert-urge-your-representative-to-join-critical-sleep-letter/?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=c0f8da5f-c534-41ee-938b-bb4e42c664c4

Thanks to both of you! My main issue is a flight from Hamburg to Oslo, Norway that says no carry on bags. All checked bags are $50 apiece. Not only do I NOT want to pay $50 for my CPAP but I don't want it thrown in with all the other luggage. In the US you have to have your machine in it's approved bag so I doubt I could put it in my backpack. I'll have to check out the correct adapter for where we will be going.

Has anyone traveled outside of US (or anywhere actually) and either didn't take/use their CPAP or used another option? We may travel to Germany in September and there are so many baggage costs and restrictions that I would love to leave my machine behind. The travel machines are out of my price range and I'm not sure how well they work anyway. Any creditable suggestions?

Each person is so different that experiences can vary widely. Did your doctor tell you to try CPAP treatment? With all the other issues you have it sounds like it is something to seriously consider. Will it your other issues? Probably not but it could help them. I also have restless legs and I can't say using CPAP has helped but then it might be worse if I didn't. When your sleep quality deteriorates, it is natural that anxiety comes into play.

I do hope others chime in on this with their experiences. Good luck.

Usually all headgear comes in different sizes--I don't know of any that comes as a one-size fits all. Finding the correct size would be better than trying to fix it yourself however, you do what you think best.

I don't think there is an answer for this. Every person is different especially in facial structure. That's one of the worst parts of CPAP use, finding the mask that works best for you. Often insurance companies limit the number they let you try and it gets expensive paying out of pocket. I started out with nasal pillows, went to nasal mask and now have a full-face mask but went through several before finding the one I like best.

The more we know and learn the less we know and achieve sometimes.