Update on DD Sleep study.and a question for cpap users

[mrsmom]

My dd 9 yrs old had her sleep study almost two weeks ago, because she had her palete repaired a couple months ago , well the results are in and she has sleep apnea because of this surgery. she has to go back in the hospital march 1st for three days to get her using the cpcp machine and another sleep study with this on..They are giving her 6 months on this machine , if she isn't better they will have to reverse her palate surgery or do jaw advancement.. Not great for a 9yr old . My question is how is this machine and can i travel with it ,if we ever get the chance?and it is possible she will be able to do over nights withher girl scouts troop or friends? any advice would be great, we are new at this. i have only heard of adults using this machine.

Thanks Kim

 

[Big V]

I have been using a CPap for about 6 months now and my DW has been using hers for about a month. As for travelling, it shouldn't be any problem. It's not that big, maybe a little bigger than a shoebox, but ours came with a bag to carry it. You might want to get a letter from your doctor, if you plan on flying with it. They usually don't count it as your carryon. Good luck to your DD Sorry she has to go through this.

 

[Shannon G]

DH uses a CPAP, and it's no big deal to travel with it. Like another poster said, it's not very big, and it comes with a bag to carry it in. We just returned from vacation, and had no problems with bringing it along.

 

[lizdotcom99]

If you do travel with it, I would get a note from the doctor explaining what the machine is and it does need to be with you at all times!! NEVER let them check it as baggage.

As an adult, I had a bit of a hard time at first with my appearance with my CPAP machine. Yes, I felt like an elephant, trunk and all. Now that I know what real sleep is like, the whole elephant thing does not bother me, or anybody else that had to deal with my snoring problem.

That being said, kids can be so cruel (as can adults). Although I see no problem with going places overnight with the machine, as previously stated, they are small and easily traveled with, kids may be taken a back by the "sight" of the apperatus. I know I was when I first saw mine.

Anyway, if it were me and my dd, I might have a good friend over for a sleep over once the CPAP machine is in your house and your daughter is using it, to test the waters so to speak. That way your daughter can see what the reaction of a single person might be as well as having a bit of moral support while at an overnight outing with lots of people for the first time.

It really is very scary at first....once you realize the help that it gives, you are baffled as how you ever lived so long without one. Of course, that may be easier logic for an adult to understand than a kid. Good luck and keep us posted how it all turns out!!!

 

[mrsmom]

Thank you everyone for you advice, She is a trooper , she has dealt with alot more than this. so this should be a breeze to her. Thanks again!!!
Kim

 

[LuvN~Travel]

The CPAP really isn't hard to travel with. We used it for about three years with our daughter. Luckily she had advancement surgery on her face this past year, and her breathing is so much better now. Have the docs mentioned the RED system to you if she has to have her jaw advanced? Faith(our daughter) had it done last year, and even though it didn't completely pull her jaw down ( we had it pulled out first), it gave her enough room to finally breath almost normal. (in her case she still has further surgery in about three years, so it can be finalized then).
Good luck on using the CPAP for now.
Kim

 

[jfulcer]

I've used a CPAP for a number of years and it has faithfully followed my travels to WDW, Cedar Point and other various destinations. When people ask I tell them it's about the size of a breadbox. It came with a convienent travel bag and as long as there is a plug next to the bed (in every case there has been), you're ok.

It's not that loud really, and I think that it should be ok for girl scout sleep overs. I might talk with whatever adults are going to be in charge so they can make sure she sleeps in an area where there is a plug.

For the airlines, it's considered medical equipment and not subject to checked bagged counting. Most airlines I fly on have it listed on their websites. Every screener that has seen it knows exactly what it is and have no problems with it. DON'T CHECK IT WITH YOUR OTHER LUGGAGE. While they might actually not destroy it on the conveyor, most airlines only cover $100 for lost luggage - a pittance for a $1-2,000 machine.

I'm sure your DD will do fine with it!

 

[AZKathy]

How noisy is a CPAP? My DH is having a sleep study tonite and I fear one will be added to our bedroom decor. <a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/11/11_2_101.gif' border=0></a>

 

[jfulcer]

Originally posted by AZKathy
How noisy is a CPAP? My DH is having a sleep study tonite and I fear one will be added to our bedroom decor. <a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/11/11_2_101.gif' border=0></a>

Think white noise machine. Think fan blowing in your room. Think your car's fan blowing on a medium setting.

Most of all, think of all the sleep you will get without the snoring waking YOU up also.

Seriously, it's not that loud, and it's easy to get used to. DW and DD like the sound of the machine better than my snoring anyday!