Sierra

My understanding is that the flight regulations are international, and they can't refuse medical equipment like a CPAP. It does not count as a carry on. But, check with the airline you are actually flying with. There is no advantage putting your CPAP in a backpack. Keep it separate so it does not count against your carry on and personal item (large purse) that is allowed. From experience I can tell you that the best carry on to use with a CPAP is one that has an extension handle with two bars -- at least with the ResMed travel case. It fits nicely right over the handle and slides down the two bars. The two bars and the velcro strap between them keeps it in place while you wheel it around the airport. My wife tried to use a backpack carry on combo bag that had a single bar extension on the pull out handle. It was a gong show, as the CPAP bag kept spinning around the handle.

I believe the only way to find out is to do a sleep test with the MAD in use. Hopefully the dentist participants here will comment.

Aviation regulations designate CPAP devices as a necessary medical device. They are allowed to be taken as an extra carry on, at no extra cost. Have traveled with my ResMed A10 many times. The travel case that comes with the CPAP or at least the ResMed is very handy. It has a strap on it that slips over the extension handle on most carry on luggage pieces. Most CPAP devices are suitable for 110 or 220 volts. Check the name plate on the power supply. You just need an adapter to plug them into the 220 volt outlets. When you go through the security check you will have to take the CPAP out of the case, and remove the water container and put it in the tray separately. Don't ask me why, that is what they make me do! I have never attempted to use a CPAP on the plane. That would be a little more difficult, but still possible. Some overseas flight depending on the plane and class of seat will have an AC outlet that should be capable of powering a CPAP. You would have to check with your specific airline.

What machine and mask do you have?

I think the only real mainstream reasonable alternative to the CPAP is the MAD or Mandibular Advancement Device. They need to be fitted by a dentist. There are a couple of dentists that check in here now and then. They may be able to help you out some with them. I have no experience. In the mean time here is an article to look at. It may help you sleep!

MAD vs CPAP

What are your main issues with the CPAP? I may have some suggestions to help. I hated it when I first started, but now I even look forward to putting it on for the night...

I remember my first night as being awful as well. It was almost as bad as the night I had when I did the home sleep study. I recall thinking that I should get up and throw the whole thing out the window! But, things have gotten much better, and now I actually look forward to putting on the equipment for the night.

My wife started out using using a nasal mask and did have some comfort issues. I have used a nasal pillow mask (ResMed AirFit P10) and find it more comfortable than others I have tried. My wife has also switched to a nasal pillow mask. Getting the right mask and fit is probably the biggest part of getting a CPAP to work well. It is a bit of a trial and error thing. The heated tube is good to have. When you get that you can put the humidity control in Auto. Here is a copy of a post I made to another user, that may help some with the comfort issues.

"Here is a link to a more technical manual that the basic user guide.

AirSense 10 Technical Manual

Here is how I set my machine for comfort and convenience. If you refer to page 14 on how to get into the Settings Menu, and then page 15 for the settings menu table. I will assume for an example your minimum pressure is 9 and the max is 15 cm. Go down to the comfort section.

Ramp Time - I set it to Auto. This will hold the initial pressure until you fall asleep instead of ramping it up over a fixed time period. I find that to me more comfortable.

Start Pressure - I would set it to 7 cm. If you feel short of air, then set it a little higher, but you can't set it higher than your minimum pressure.

EPR - I would turn it on. This will reduce pressure on exhale.

EPR Type - I find that to minimize pressure during the treatment part of the night, I set it to Ramp Only. This reduced pressure on exhale only during the ramp period for comfort. Also the EPR reduces the effectiveness of the treatment pressure, so the overall pressure is likely to be less when it is turned off during treatment.

EPR Level - I set at 3 cm. If the Start Pressure is 7 cm then it will cut back to 4 on exhale during the ramp.

Climate Control - should default to Auto if you have a heated hose.

Tube Temp - Set to 27 C or 81 F.

When I am starting to get ready for bed, I scroll down the user menu and turn on the prewarm function. It warms up the water and is more comfortable going to sleep."

Hope that helps some. Any questions just ask.

I have always had this issue, and tried wearing a full face mask, but could not tolerate it. I resorted to trying different chin straps, and they worked to some degree. The Breathewear Halo seemed to be the best of what I have tried. I now use mouth taping and find that to be more comfortable. Some people report that they can control it by keeping their tongue at the top of their mouth right behind their top teeth. I find that does work until I fall asleep, and then my tongue does what it wants to do, not what I want it to do!

He may do better with a nasal pillow style mask like the Fisher & Paykel Brevida, or the ResMed AirFit P10. They fit more on the bottom of the nose and I don't think need any support from the teeth. Mouth leaks may still be a problem. A chin strap can help, and for me I have found that mouth taping works the best to stop air leaks from my mouth. Some accept it, and some do not. See this video.

Mouth Tape for a Better Sleep

You have probably checked, but make sure the card is unlocked when it goes into the CPAP machine. Have you looked at the card with File Explorer to see if there are still files on it? If you get a new card the original is 4 GB, but those can be hard to find. I believe 8 and 16 GB work as well. Yes, assuming OSCAR is the same as SleepyHead all your data should be saved and backed up in your computer, at least back from the last time you downloaded to the computer.

Normally when you put the SD card into the machine it should show a message briefly saying it is checking the card, and if the card is bad or locked there should be a warning message.

As BUG said, is there any chance there is moisture collecting in the hose? It is probably not a good idea to have a loop in the hose so that water cannot drain out of it. A heated hose usually prevents any moisture build up. The only time I got significant moisture in the tube was when I moved the machine when the humidifier was full of water and some must have leaked into the hose. That was a bit of an experience!

There is a filter on the machine that is to be changed periodically, but that is not a likely cause.