Cpap- Carrying on distilled water?

[Tandyc]

You all helped me to figure out that my dh's cpap is a medical necessity, but is a couple gallons of distilled water too? We will not have a car and of course the machine requires the water, but I just can't imagine trying to carry on gallons of water.

If it is frowned on to carry on the water how do you get it at the resorts? We are CSR and have not been before. Would the gift shop have it? I thought about a grocery delivery, but we need nothing else. I assume they have minimums. If this is a good option who should I use?

Once again, I so very much appreciate your expertise!

Tandyc

 

[Ms_Butterfly]

I have a friend who travels with her CPAP. She found small bottles of distilled water (I think she asked her CPAP company person or her doctor where to get such things) to bring with her in her carry-on. I don't know how much water you'll need for your trip (I don't know how long your trip is or how much water one needs each night), but if you don't need gallons of it, the smaller bottles would work well for you. (We were going on a cruise, with two nights in a hotel before that, so she brought the smaller bottles for the hotel and as "just in case" the cruiseline didn't have the distilled water in her cabin on the ship [they did].)

I know some ppl have also called their CPAP person and asked if distilled water is absolutely necessary - I guess for many CPAPs it is perfectly fine to use tap water for a short period, like when going on vacation. You just have to clean them well when you get home to make sure there is no mineral build-up. But be sure to ask about your particular machine before trying this!

Otherwise, grab a taxi the first day and pick up the water you'll need the whole time you're there (or stop to buy some on your way from the airport to the hotel if you use a taxi/car service instead of Disney's bus).

 

[cdhheidi]

I am not sure how it works at the resorts! On the cruise we fill out a medical form and they supply the distilled water for us. It would probably be worth a call though to the hotel and see if there is something they can do for you.

As an aside, we have used non-distilled water in my son's humidifier, but not tap water. For a few days it really did not cause a problem for cleaning it up after, our humidifier bottle is dishwasher safe so it is pretty easy to clean.

Have a great trip!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Carrying a couple of gallons of water is not merely frowned-upon - it's not possible, according to TSA regulations. Sure, you can carry on a reasonable amount of medicinal liquid (to get you through the flight), but two gallons is REALLY not reasonable.

Instead:
- you could pack it in your checked luggage, in smaller leak-proof containers;
- you could contact Turner Drug in the Disney area; they will deliver prescriptions, etc., for $5 - and distilled water is something they both stock and deliver.

 

[Tandyc]

Wow! Grat info.

Thank you all very much

Tan

 

[ninety-seven]

I have had my CPAP for 2 years and I've never used distilled water. Though, mine is the kind that just heats up the water and blows it out, so there isn't anything to get build-up other than the hose and the reservoir. You can easily clan that with white vinegar.

I have traveled several times with my machine and I've never been given any grief about it. They don't even ask what it is anymore.

97

 

[NancyBrew]

Good for you travelling with your CPAP!

I manage a sleep disorders center and have many patients that just do not travel with their CPAP, so it is great seeing people who do.

You should be fine using regular water for a week or so. In fact I know many people that do not use distilled water at all, it is not terrific for the longevity of your equipment, but it is better than nothing... in my view.

When you get home make sure to rinse the humidifier chamber with some vinegar and water solution to get rid of the water deposits! Luckily compared to the west coast the water in Florida is probably a lot less hard and so not as bad as here in CA.

Of course if you can fine mini-bottles too your problem is fixed...

Whatever the case have a wonderful trip!

N

 

[Ms_Butterfly]

The water in FL is pretty hard, actually. I don't recall if Disney softens it or not (I doubt they do).

 

[Camster0307]

Why not just ship ahead the distilled water you'll need? If you use UPS, your box will be waiting at the front desk when you check in. We do this with most of my daughter's medical equipment - have never had a problem.

 

[RACHELSMOM1]

DH just uses bottled water in his when we go to WDW. Works out fine.

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

DH just uses bottled water in his when we go to WDW. Works out fine.

Same here, we order water from Costco to have at the resort and DH uses that just fine.

 

[pumpkinboy]

We get distilled water for DS's CPAP almost as soon as we arrive. There have been times when we have pre-ordered it delivered to the hotel, other times when the hotel has gotten it for us (DS is really cute, and that may help). Other time we rent a car or get a cab for a short ride to the grocery store and drug store and get the distilled water that way.

And as ninety-seven points out, for a couple of days, you can always make due with tap water.

But I'd recommend pharmacy delivery as a cheaper option than shipping water or renting a car or getting a cab. And again, your hotel might be able to get it for you.

Good luck!

 

[DisneyRN1]

Hi,
I don't know about the hotels, but the DCL has a medical needs form that I just fill out and fax to them. When we get on board and go to our stateroom, we just call the desk and they bring up a gallon of distilled water. No extra charge but we always tip the person bringing the water. You might check with the hotel and see if the same deal is available there. Vicki