CPAP & Distilled Water

[Acorn Clubbers]

My sister has to use her CPAP machine for sleep apnea at night & needs to have distilled water to put in the machine while she's at Disney. Does anyone know if there is distilled water available at the resorts (we are staying at All Star Sports)?

Thanks!

22 days & counting!

 

[helenm29]

I believe that you can find it at the local Walmart. We cary Distilled water in ours...usually by the baby area or sometimes with the other water products. I have a CPAP too but I must have an older model because I don't use anything in mine! GOOD LUCK!

 

[hrj01]

Mine needs distilled water also. We are at Pop Century from June 5-12 and we are flying and have the Magic Express taking us from the airport. I have asked my travel agent to find out if they sell distilled water in the area without having to get a cab and leave WDW property. I have not received an answer yet. When I find out I will post it.

I was wondering if I could just use bottled water for those days. I am NOT packing distilled water to fly with.

Have a Wonderful trip.

Heather

 

[Acorn Clubbers]

Mine needs distilled water also. We are at Pop Century from June 5-12 and we are flying and have the Magic Express taking us from the airport. I have asked my travel agent to find out if they sell distilled water in the area without having to get a cab and leave WDW property. I have not received an answer yet. When I find out I will post it.

I was wondering if I could just use bottled water for those days. I am NOT packing distilled water to fly with.

Have a Wonderful trip.

Heather

My sister was wondering the same thing! She is going to call the company she bought the CPAP from & ask that very question. We'll let you know what they say. Thanks for keeping us updated on what your travel agent says!

 

[merrywether]

For what it's worth, my husband has gone without the distilled water on occasion for his machine. From what he's been told, the distilled water is best because it doesn't build up minerals, etc. in the reservoir, the pipes, the mask, etc. as fast as tap water. In a pinch, using tap or bottled water is fine - just make sure you clean it out regularly (my husband was told to use Ivory) and give it a good thorough cleaning once you get home. Hope that's helpful!

 

[Lindamary123]

My husband does not use distilled water is his either when we travel. He has not had any problems so far.

 

[RivaLJ]

I plan on using my CPAP without the water attachment. Lightens the load a bit!

 

[dianna-tn]

I'm a respiratory therapist who works in the homecare setting.
We do encourage distilled water but you may also use bottled water or boil the water and let it cool. Then place in your humidifier.
We teach our patients to clean their hoses and humidifiers with
white vinegar and water. We suggest 1 part white vinegar and 3 parts
water. Let the hoses and humidifier soak in this solution for 30 minutes and
rinse well. Let air dry. If I was going on vacation, I would use bottled
water. The most important thing is to use your CPAP so that you feel
your best while your on vacation. One more suggestion. Don't pack your
CPAP in your luggage if your planning on flying. I've had several patients
to have their CPAP broken by doing this during 2005. Please pack your
CPAP in its bag. I hope you don't think that I'm being too bossy. I was
just trying to give some extra ideas. I guess I get too caught up in my
work. Have a great time. I'm counting down the days!!!

 

[hrj01]

I am glad that you posted and I do not think you are being bossy.

I had planned on having my cpap as a carry on instead of in the suitcase. I will use my bag for it also. I had tossed up the idea of not taking it with flying but like you said, you want to feel your best on vacation.
With a WDW week long vacation and a nine year old daughter and my husband to keep up with I am going to need that machine.

Thanks for your info. Enjoy your trip whenever it might be.

Heather

 

[bopper]

As the spouse of a CPAP user, please do bring it! Nothing worse than being stuck in a hotel room with a sleep-apnea snoring waking them and me up every minute kind of person!

 

[helenm29]

For those of you using a CPAP with a humidifier...Are they a new model? I always bring my CPAP on the plane as cary on because one...I can't sleep without it, Two..they are too expensive to lose or get broken. I don't know why I thought I was the only one out there with one...I guess I just didn't think about it huh?

 

[hrj01]

I have had my cpap machine a little over a year or so. I do need to get the head gear or mask part replaced before we go because I am really getting a lot of air leaks. I am having to really tighten it down and it is making my forehead get bruised (not one you can see) and sore. I try to move it around so it will not keep hitting the same spot all the time. Does anyone else have this problem???

The way my machine is made I could not go without the water in the machine.

Heather

 

[maggiann]

my hubby didn't put water in his last year while at disney but if you need it just buy a 20 oz bottle of water and fill that with distilled water and put it in your carry on or purse, you probally wont need any more than that.

 

[helenm29]

I've had mine for about 6 years now so I guess it's an older model. I occasionally have an air leak problem but not too bad I guess. Do you by any chance have a small ridge in the bridge of your nose where your mask sits? my old mask had a hard ridge to it when I first got my machine and now I have a scar there. I wonder if it's better to have a humidifier with it? what does it do for you?

 

[Servants of Evan]

I wonder if it's better to have a humidifier with it? what does it do for you?

Simply put, it keeps you from waking up with dry mouth or overly dried out sinus passages. It's nice, but not worth scrapping a perfectly good unit for unless dry mouth has been an issue for you.

 

[hrj01]

I am sure my nose being broken 5 diff times has something to do with the way the mask fits. I have not been abused so do not think that. I use to run a daycare and one of the kids was throwing a fit and wacked his hard head right into mine and broke my nose. There has been other silly things that has happened that has caused my nose to be broken also. Just bad luck.

I love having the humidifier on my machine. I would not go without it since I am use to it.

Heather

 

[dianna-tn]

As a homecare therapist, you can still have a humidifier added to your
CPAP if you need one. Its called a passover humidifier. Its a small
flat chamber that holds water and sets underneath your CPAP machine.
It will have a small tubing that connects to your CPAP.

On the situation with the mask leaking. How long have you had your mask?
Some mask last longer than others. If you have had it for a year, I would
think you might want to replace it. Most insurance companies will allow
a mask every 6 months. I do know that some people have high deductibles.
The mask these days are not cheap. If you need help knowing what
paperwork that you need from your doctor in order to get a new mask
just let me know.

We are counting down the days till school is out and the days until we
leave for Disney. We are going June 17 - 24.

Hope you all have a great time on your vacations. I hope you can use
some of my info. Good Luck!

 

[hrj01]

Your info has been very helpful and I want to Thank you for your time and info on the cpap machines and what to do and not do with them on vacation.

I am uneasy about taking my cpap machine because of its cost and the need for it. I am afraid something will happen to it on the flight but it will be one of my carry ons.

I do have a question for you. I have asthma also and was wondering if I should take my nebulizer machine with me also? The heat really can affect me but, I was hoping with my control meds and packing a couple rescue inhalers that it would cut down on medical machines I need to take. I want to have a relaxing and fun vacation and not worry about all the carry ons with the plane. There will be three of us flying my husband, our DD9 and myself. My daughter and myself have never flown before. I am looking forward to this vacation.

I have had my mask for a year so I am sure I need to get it replaced. My husband has changed jobs and has a diff insurance company than when I received my cpap machine. I have not talked with the new insurance company about getting a new mask. I thought about just going to where I got the machine and talking with them about it. What is your thought on this???

Thanks for the help and info

I hope you all have wonderful vacations

Heather

 

[SueM in MN]

I am afraid something will happen to it on the flight but it will be one of my carry ons.
Heather

I just wanted to mention that medical equipment you need because of a disability doesn't count against your carry on allowance.

For the water, the easiest way might be what maggiann suggested:

my hubby didn't put water in his last year while at disney but if you need it just buy a 20 oz bottle of water and fill that with distilled water and put it in your carry on or purse, you probally wont need any more than that.

If you aren't sure how much water you will need, just measure what you put in for a few nights to help estimate what you'll need for your trip.

 

[dianna-tn]

If there is a doubt in your mind that you might need your nebulizer. I would
take it with me. Is your nebulizer a small one or is it large. You might be
able to pack it in your husbands carry on. They do make a portable
nebulizer that can pretty much fit in your hand. Since your insurance has
changed. You might see if they would consider purchasing this for you.
In our state, most insurance companies will purchase the neb. It can work
on electricity but has the capabilities of using a battery. The insurance
in our state usually requires the patient to purchase the battery themselves.
We sell them at cost to our patient's for approx. $75. Remember that
you would need a prescription from your doctor for this. The same
company that you got your CPAP from can probably take care of the
portable nebulizer should you qualify. I would try and get a new mask and
headgear from them since they already have your sleep study in your chart.
All you should need would be for your doctor to call in a prescription or
you take the prescription with you when you go. Hope this information
helps.
God bless ya,
Dianna