[faerie dust]

my DH uses a cpap machine, it has helped him so much when we were in disney we had taken two cases of bottled water with us [ we drove] but i know in other places he has used tap water we just spent two days in MD and he used bottled water.

[KarenWDWCP]

My dad has a CPAP too and I think he just used bottled water for the few days we were on vacation last time. I am pretty sure he checked with the sleep therapist person and she said it was ok.

I'm glad the CPAP has helped you out. My dad has been the world's worst snorer for years, torturing everyone but he always refused to have it checked out. He finally did a few years ago and low and behold, he had sleep apnea. They told him his oxygen level during the night was dangerously low because of the apnea. Those machines are a real lifesaver!

[wdwjeff]

Originally Posted by tinkerbell

I am so impressed that you are using the machine .. my brother has this condition (I do to but not as bad) and refuses to use his. Sounds like you already have plenty of great advice :) so have a great trip !!

I'm a dentist, and I can tell you unequivocally that CPAP machines are completely unnecessary! I also have sleep apnea, and wear a dental device similar to a football mouthpiece, but much more custom fitted. It opens my airway, and I breathe just fine without having to plug anything in or having any air forced down my throat. I used to snore so loudly that I could wake the dead-now I sleep silently. Ask your dentist about it, or PM me and I'll give you the details.

[karliebug]

It wasn't just the snoring that was a problem,Jeff. It is the fact that I stop breathing. When I sleep without it I wake up gasping and choking. It really has improved the quality of my sleep immensly and the fatigue during the day and the headaches are gone.

[wdwjeff]

Karliebug,

Perhaps I wasn't clear enough. The dental device, called a TAP, completely eliminates sleep apnea 100%. I have made it for several people who already have CPAP machines. It's so much easier to deal with, and does the job by repositioning your jaw and throat muscles non-invasively, versus a forced-air(somewhat invasive) technique. I'm tellin' you, this thing is phenomenal. The most severe case I've used it on stopped breathing an average of 70 times per minute! By wearing the TAP, he is completely symptom-free, which has been confirmed by a follow-up sleep study. If you want to PM me, I'll give you my office website, where there is detailed information, unless you feel it's appropriate to post my site's address here. Let me know either way, and good luck no matter what you decide.

[softychik]

Stop @ Wal-Mart

[wdwjeff]

Originally Posted by softychik

Stop @ Wal-Mart

No offense, but the Stop is very flimsy, easily breakable, and not tested by the medical profession or by sleep studies. It's basically a cheap, one size fits all type of thing. On the other hand, the TAP is professionally constructed by a dentist and dental laboratory, each one is custom fitted for each patient, it requires a one hour consultation to understand how to use it correctly, is backed up by sleep studies equating its results to a CPAP, is covered by medical insurance and is recommended by the American Academy Of Sleep Medicine. It works and it's safe. When the Stop breaks, it's possible to aspirate(suck into your lungs) pieces of it. As a dentist, it would actually be considered malpractice for me to recommend it to anyone.

[karliebug]

Can any dentist fit you for one of these,Jeff, or is it a little known item? I have a very strong gag reflex so I'm not sure that I would be able to sleep with anything in my mouth and I tend to breathe through my mouth instead of my nose. Do you think it would work for me?

[lawwin]

Both my stepfather and I use a CPAP and we both need distilled water. Since we usually drive to WDW we take one gallon and share it. If you are flying, I would just make a grocery stop and pick up a gallon. The machine really needs distilled water and I would use it over bottled or tap water.

[wdwjeff]

Originally Posted by karliebug

Can any dentist fit you for one of these,Jeff, or is it a little known item? I have a very strong gag reflex so I'm not sure that I would be able to sleep with anything in my mouth and I tend to breathe through my mouth instead of my nose. Do you think it would work for me?

Not all dentists are aware of the appliance, but any dentist who is could certainly make one for you. The only problem with your gag reflex would be during the impressions, but there are ways around that. The appliance itself does not touch your palate, so you should be ok with it. Breathing through your mouth is no problem-I can even talk while wearing mine. If you can't find a local dentist who makes one, PM me and I'll give you the company website, where many capable dentists are listed. As a last resort, I know West Chester is a hike from the Poconos, but that's where I'm located, and I'd be happy to help you out personally.

[karliebug]

Thanks,Jeff. I'll ask my dentist about it on my next visit.

[dznylvr]

It shouldn't be too hard to lay your hands on some distilled water while you are gone. You have to have your CPAP machine, how else can you have enough energy to do what you need to do. Enjoy your trip and sleep well!!

[rshenry]

If you are flying, call your airlines in advance. They could restrict this as a carry on. If you have it pre-arranged it is OK. Even though my husband won't need it during the flight, he is afraid if our luggage were to get lost he would be in a bad way. I don't understand why there is a restriction since there is no oxygen involved, but I understand why the FAA is doing this.

Robin