Travel Sized CPAP Machines

My husband Don is almost 73. He has had sleep apnea for a very long time now. For a number of years now he has used an oral device, instead of his CPAP. He was fitted for it, as I was, by a specialized dentist. I do not have sleep apnea, but I snore. Don has severe sleep apnea.. Last year he got fitted for a newer device, before having knee surgery. The doctor wanted him to have his CPAP for the two night stay in the hospital. He was also told to use it for about two weeks after the surgery. After he got his new device, in March, 2012, he went in for another sleep over and he passed. So he uses the mouth guard, instead of the CPAP almost full time. It is much more convenient to use the oral device, as long as the patient takes a follow-up sleep study. There are a number of oral specialists who make the devices. We used to have to travel with the CPAP machine. He even had to make arrangements for a seat, with a plug-in option, on Qantas. We were going to Australia and he had to use the CPAP on the plane. It was funny, as his old CPAP machine was made in Australia. We just went to Australia and New Zealand, last October. Don took his oral device, as did I. It is also a coincidence that another traveler sent me a message the other day, from this Rick Steves site. He wanted to thank me for suggesting the oral device. He looked into my suggestion and got fitted for the guard. He said he uses it, instead of his CPAP also.

Everyone with sleep apnea is a little different. When they did my sleep test, my oxygen saturation was low @ 92%. One of my co-workers was 58%, and they were afraid he was going to die during the test.

I have some nights that are better than others, and am not in danger not having my CPAP machine for a week or two. Others need positive air flow worse than others.

I would suggest you contact your pulmanologist or sleep clinic and ask if the mouthpiece that pull your jaw forward might help you temporarily. I can see where it'd help.