you can just type on google search: micropore and a lot of web sites will appear; also in cvs pharmacy they sell it.

I have traveled all through Europe on business with my CPAP.  No problems having it as a carry on.  Local flights in Europe are pretty strict on carry ons too.  The checklist listed about what you need in he US is spot on for Europe too.  You just need plug adapters for the country you are traveling.  Most of Europe uses a two prong system, but UK and Italy definitely have different plugs.  And where ever you go, the extension cord is a must.  Hotel rooms seem to have limited plugs, esp. some of the older European hotels.

Most security folds at the big European airports know about CPAP.  I have only been questioned once about my extra bag in my travels at Heathrow.  All I had to say was medical device and was waved on.   One of the online CPAP stores even sells a luggage tag that has the TSA info on it.  

Also consider yourself one of the chosen few.  If you felt better right away from CPAP, you are way ahead of the game.  If you read through these posts, you will find people taking months or years to get where you are.

melhaii,
Thanks for the info.  I believe Micropore is a paper tape and Microfoam is thicker, padded with foam. I saw it in a pharmacy today but it was two inches wide and I think one inch would work better. Yes, I know I could cut it with scissors but I think the one inch would be more practical to buy.  I bet CVS carries that as well as Micropore so I will try there.  

tazman, I like the idea of carrying an extension cord. We'll be spending some time at a motel on the Oregon Coast and it's best to be prepared for anything!  I have only had to sleep one night without CPAP since Sept. and it was not a good night.  I may grumble about the masks leaking but I will not give up my CPAP!
Happy Dreams.
Grandma


_________________
ResMed Quattro Full Face Mask, ResMed Micro nasal mask
ResMed S8 Escape with heated humidifier
Pressure set at 11

Grandma, yes, very definitely take an extension cord!  We've needed one more than once when travelling in N.A.  Even if there is a socket near the bed, it may be needed for the bed lamp and the clock, and what's more, it may be under the bed and all but inaccessible.

tazman wrote:

Also consider yourself one of the chosen few.  If you felt better right away from CPAP, you are way ahead of the game.  If you read through these posts, you will find people taking months or years to get where you are.

Could be that I was so wiped out when I started that anything was a major improvement.    But tonight I couldnt sleep with the cursed thing much at all - either I was in the middle of a face tornado, or the mask would be cutting yet another hole in the bridge of my nose.   There doesnt seem to be a middle ground  

While I plan on hunting down some the foam tape referenced here, seems that this SHOULDNT be this hard - Im also calling my supplier when I get back home tomorrow morning.

jc

I accidentally bought the microfoam tape at Walmart in the first aide supplies about a year ago, I was looking for the micropore and grabbed the wrong one. It is a brown tape that looks like a roll of bandaides.

If you can't find the microfoam tape you might check out the kids bandaides. I have bought the microfoam bandaides If I remember the last ones I bought they were manufactured by 3m and were in NEON colors.  (the neon's were the only ones that were the foam)

Quick question... has anyone tried corn pads?????(yes, the ones for feet) :) I have seen them in foam and a gel they look like they could be cut and trimmed easily as well as shaped to fit a nose and actually stuck to the inside of the seal on the mask instead of sticking to the nose each night?  I know there have been alot of things tried and tested, so if it has been cussed and discussed sorry I have not been around long enough to see it and it was a last minute thought.

Trish


_________________
Optilife mask by Respironics
Remstar Plus M with c-flex and heated humidifier
Pressure set at 18
Started Cpap on 12-13-07

I flew from California to Florida for a family funeral two weeks ago.  Thanks to this forum, I was fully prepared.

I started my CPAP therapy 2 months ago.  I was committed to getting used to the machine, but I was also angry and ashamed of having the disease.  I didn't want anyone to know.  I did NOT want to carry the machine onto a plane -- I wanted to pack it in my checked luggage.  Even though I know it's done, I changed my mind because baggage is handled so roughly and sometimes gets mis-routed.  So I decided to carry the machine.

I packed my machine as was mentioned earlier here.  The hose was in one zip-lock, and the other plastic parts (I use nasal pillows) in a smaller zip-lock, then the headgear in a third.  I have a laminated copy of my prescription in the case.  Not wanting to walk around airport sporting a bag that says Respironics, I carried a large tote bag and put the CPAP case in there, along with a small purse.  So, I had 3 separate carry-ons but I put them all together.

I knew I'd have to take the machine out of its case at security check, so I did that as nonchalantly as I could.  I told the TSA it was a CPAP.  The line came to a halt when he hollered "Bag check!" then waited for a supervisor to come over.  They had to carry the bin to a special table to xray again and "swab" the machine.  On my return trip, the TSA actually said, "Oh, we like CPAPs."

I had a rental car and stopped on my way to the hotel to buy a bottle of distilled water.  I had an extension cord in my baggage, and I really needed it in the hotel room.

So, I survived my first trip with CPAP.  In July, I'm going to Alaska for 2 weeks (cruise + tour), so I'm glad I had the trial run first!

Carrie

One of the major milestones I had was convincing myself that I do not need to hide my sleep apenea.  People of all shapes, sizes and ages get it.  Causes of it vary from person to person.  My doctor said one of the contributing factors for me was a large tongue (and of course my weight).  60 minutes just did a segment on lack of sleep and how it has a negative affect on peoples lives.  People that get past the trials and tribulations of starting on CPAP begin to feel better.  Better sleep, better health.  That is what it all comes down.  Nothing to be ashamed about with that.  I am now not only using my CPAP, I freely discuss it.  There are a lot of people out there that probably have apnea and are not getting treated.  Those of us that are should be proponents of the treatment.  And you will be amazed at how many people you  run into that are using a CPAP once you open up about it.  (coworkers, friends, etc.)  It must be fairly common, because all the TSA people I run into know exactly what it is.  I asked them about it and they said they are seeing more and more of them.

I just traveled last week for the first time with my machine.  Outbound (HPN), it wasn't even questioned.  Coming back, it was taken and swabbed (DEN), but they knew exactly what it was and did it correctly.

In the US, each airline must have on staff at all times an employee known as the CRO, Conflict Resolution Officer. If you encounter problems with the airline ("you can't have three carry on bags") or if a piece of medical equipment is damaged when you get there, ask for the CRO. If you have problems while in-flight and the problems are not resolved by the time you land, ask for the CRO to be made available immediately when you do land.

Do NOT leave the airport with damaged medical equipment without first speaking with the CRO. They will never ever admit the damage was their fault if you leave. There are forms that must be filled out. Do NOT let them talk you into taking your xPAP down to cargo to give to you when you land (like they do with strollers and wheelchairs). You will be waiting a long time at your destination and there is a high probability it will be damaged.

The CRO will also assist you with any problems you are having in terms of getting on the airplane with all your luggage. Usually, remaining calm and sticking by your knowledge of what can and cannot be done is sufficient to get through an under-informed airline employee. However, sometimes the CRO is needed. Most of the time, just mentioning the CRO is enough to get even the most stubborn employee to back down.

Whatever happens, be polite but assertive. Most airline staff are overworked and underpaid for the risky, stressful job they have.

PaulaO wrote:

In the US, each airline must have on staff at all times an employee known as the CRO, Conflict Resolution Officer. If you encounter problems with the airline ("you can't have three carry on bags") or if a piece of medical equipment is damaged when you get there, ask for the CRO. If you have problems while in-flight and the problems are not resolved by the time you land, ask for the CRO to be made available immediately when you do land.

Ive been travelling weekly for almost four years now, and did not know this... amazing what you can learn here.   Very good information.

So Im in my second week travelling with the CPAP, and similar to comments above, Im not real fond of talking about the condtion or the machine with people I dont know, but I came very close tonight to getting into a "discussion" with another passenger on the train from the concourse to the terminal at Denver.   As I got on the train, the guy next to me was talking to his colleage in a voice obviously loud enough to be meant for me... something to the effect of "They should make carry on bags illegal - Some people think they can bring everything on the plane".    He kept looking at my CPAP bag (strapped over the handle of my pullman) and shaking his head, looking at me, shaking his head...   After 3 or 4 sarcastic remarks from him, it was about all I could NOT to rip into him for running his mouth about things he clearly didnt understand.  

Something tells me its not the last time Ill experience something like that...

jc

Yes, especially since you probably don't look sick to need the extra bag for medical supplies.

Perhaps we ought to design a patch to be sewn onto our machine's bags. "Medical Equipment" or "What are you looking at?"

Try to stay away from confrontations. If you want to, you can educate. You can say, loudly, as you hand your ticket in at the gate "And this bag is my medical device".

Quote:

... he kept looking at my CPAP bag (strapped over the handle of my pullman) and shaking his head, looking at me, shaking his head.

I would have told him just as loudly in a conversational tone "Oh, this is 'special' equipment and it is exempt from the carryon limit."  If he has any questions put on an arrogant air and direct him to speak to an airline representative, and then ignore him.

Bearded One wrote:

Quote:

... he kept looking at my CPAP bag (strapped over the handle of my pullman) and shaking his head, looking at me, shaking his head.

I would have told him just as loudly in a conversational tone "Oh, this is 'special' equipment and it is exempt from the carryon limit."  If he has any questions put on an arrogant air and direct him to speak to an airline representative, and then ignore him.

I opted to just ignore him figuring he wasnt worth a spike in my blood pressure, but this would have been fun, especially sending him to an airline rep... maybe offering that he should take his complaint to the TSA would have been entertaining too.      Too bad I was too tired to think that fast (but not NEARLY as tired as I would have been two weeks ago!)

jc

It is fun to make jerks like that aware you have an official privilege and to encourage them to ask an authority figure to verify that fact.  You just don't need to tell the jerk that the reason is for the official privilege is that you are carrying a medical device.  

I won't use a tag to identify my bag as being medical equipment because the gate agents should be getting used to identifying CPAP bags based upon their shape and manufacturer name or logo.  Other passengers either know what's inside a Respironics or DeVilbiss bag or it is none of their business.  On my last flight I struck up a long conversation in the waiting area because we were both carrying a CPAP bag.