CPAP machines provide an effective solution to obstructive sleep apnea, a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts.
We know many RVers use these devices, but we wonder how many. One concern with using the machine while RVing is maintaining a dependable source of electricity, which can be a problem. A few inexpensive RVs may not even have electric plugs near the bed, making it an extra challenge to use the machines.
What about you and/or your partner? Do you use a CPAP machine?
I have used a CPAP since 2021, I was driving my wife out of the bedroom with the snoring. I went and saw my doctor, they did a sleep study that I did at home in my own bed, low and behold I had sleep disruptions 60 times in a 8 hr period! It was either low respiratory drive, to stop breathing at times. Scary, so I tried a CPAP. I used the nose pillows which I’ll admit took about two weeks to get used to. I however now sleep like a baby and the times that I don’t put it on as in a nap I sleep terrible. I one would rather have my wife next to me once again and two, I want to wake up in the morning instead of potentially stop breathing and or have a stroke. I am also a fit 52 yo retired fire captain. So the stigma that this is a over weight persons problem is NOT the case. I suggest to get checked out and or at least have your sleep evaluated, it may save your life. I also use a small solar generator AC/DC for my cpap in the rig, I usually get 4 full nights out of a single charge.
Neither my wife nor I need a CPAP machine. We attribute this to the fact we’ve both have had vocal training of which part of that was learning how to use all of the lungs capacity. That’s more than breathing deeply but also exhaling a large portion of the air in our lungs. It’s amazing how much healthier you are when you have more fresh air in your lungs. Even when we had Covid our oxygen levels never went below 97%. I’ll be 70 in Aug and my wife will be 70 in Oct.
Biggest advantage of the CPAP for me is a huge decrease (estimate 90%) in hay fever type allergies.
I get along with a full face mask just fine and use a 12v power cord when in the RV.
I answered no – however, my wife uses an oxygen concentrator with a nose piece due to emphysema. She uses it off and on 24/7. We have the concentrator unit located down the hall and 2 rooms away due to noise. We also have a wheeled portable unit for use in the motor home or other travel. (If you smoke – quit now!)
I have been using a cpap for 17 years. The equipment has come a long ways in that time so if your thinking it is too cumbersome, take another look. Most people need only small nose only pillows versus the full face mask. Nose pillows are good for side sleepers. The machine I use for RVing was designed for the Armed Forces, to rest on a helmet and can use a battery pack. My home model is much more substantial. Using a CPAP was a gamechanger for me. BP 117/76 and rested in the mornings.
I tried a CPAP early last year. Before it became obvious that it was a fail for me, I tried to find out how best to use it while dry camping. I know many folks on the popup forum I’ve been on for years manage that, connecting to the battery, or having a separate one for the CPAP. Since most/all CPAP actually have a transformer and don’t run on 110 it is a waste to use an inverter to change the voltage to 110 and then change it down to what the machine uses.
I didn’t get much of anywhere – the supplier I picked the machine up from (& returned it to) said to look at the website, the website said ask the supplier.
I ended up with an Inspire implant, which is a hypoglossal nerve stimulator, and works for my type of apnea. The implant has a 10-year battery, and the controller uses standard batteries, so no worries about whether we have power or not.
I have sleep apnea and have been told to use one, but no way! There is no way I could sleep with that thing on my face, it’s way too constricting. I’ve seen ads for something new that is a small device that seems to “attach” to your skin that looks interesting that I may look into at some point.
The new device is an Inspire implant, which I had implanted last October. Not as simple as the ads make it seem, what else is new? but working for me.
My wife has one but hasn’t used it since April. Never thought she needed one, but they are ” free with Medicare “. So some Doc makes money on it. All it does is disturb our sleep. Starts out with it on and around 2am it’s hanging on the bedpost.
5 year user. It’s a PITA, but we both get better sleep since I’ve had it.
Surprised the user numbers aren’t higher, given the “senior” demographic of this newsletter.
No – but I suspect the day will arrive for one or both of us.
I use a CPAP, but I HATE it. However, I snore less (or silently) so the WIFE sleeps better. I’d rather suffer a little at night than suffer all the next day (if you get my drift…)
Yep since 2007 been wearing one and will have to for rest of my life, I got the worst of the two versions of sleep apnea, no losing weight will help, central sleep apnea for me. Heck my sleep Dr is amazed I am 100% compliant every year, never sleep w/o it, got battery backup for it, etc.
CPAc was a massive waste of time and $$ for me. It interfered with my sleep pattern and did not improve my quality of sleep.
CPAP destroyed my Dad’s lungs. He shouldn’t have been on one.
A CPAP user for 30 years, today’s machines are quite compatible with the RV lifestyle, even those off of the grid. My current device is the size of a baseball and can run for three days off of a backup battery which easily recharges from solar or any standard outlet. CPAP cords are long and easily stretch to fit most RVs, perhaps with an extension cord. CPAP and RV=Happy Campers
Mark, What make and model CPAP do you have?
Sven, I use the Transcend Micro since January. Prior to that I used Transcend Mini. Small footprint is great for RVs with little space around the bed.
Please, please tell us. I have only seen the kind that has to be recharged every day. 3 days would be great? Can you still have the humidifier attached?
Louise, I use the Transcend Micro. Transcend also makes 8 and 16 hour batteries that charge from any normal outlet. I find the 16 hour is enough for 3 nights, based on how I sleep. That battery is the size of two decks of playing cards but probably only works with their devices (has solar charging capacity as well). Your manufacturer probably has some sort of battery option. Humidifiers will eat up a lot of battery life as well.