Cpap user

[Steve O'Connor]

I'm starting my first Camino in SJPP October 4th. I'm in excellent health except that I have central apnea, requiring my to sleep with a respirator. I would like to stay mostly in albergues but I need to sleep near an electrical outlet. I'll bring a 2 meter extension cord with me. Is it realistic for me to think that this will be possible?
I can afford to stay in pensions but I was only planning to do this occasionally.

 

[Urban Trekker]

I'm starting my first Camino in SJPP October 4th. I'm in excellent health except that I have central apnea, requiring my to sleep with a respirator. I would like to stay mostly in albergues but I need to sleep near an electrical outlet. I'll bring a 2 meter extension cord with me. Is it realistic for me to think that this will be possible?
I can afford to stay in pensions but I was only planning to do this occasionally.

I have mild sleep apnea and have just started to use a CPAP. Its too big and too heavy and I'm not going to pack it. Can you find outlets yes but be warned, there will be competition for the outlets. You might consider Hostels with rooms or private accommodations on your Camino. Buen Camino

Happy Trails

 

[peregrina2000]

I walked about four years ago with a man who had a CPAP with him. He had no problem getting beds near outlets -- no one ever complained about having to shuffle around so he could plug it in. That said, there are lots more electronics on the camino these days, so you might consider bringing along an adapter plug that works in Spain and that has two outlets in it. That way you can turn one plug into two plugs and would never have to worry, I would think.

And btw, the people sleeping near you will rejoice at your machine. I always hustled to get a bunk near my CPAP pal, because the white noise it produces is the best antidote to snoring, WAY better than earplugs! Buen camino, Laurie

 

[jimabfalter]

I'm starting my first Camino in SJPP October 4th. I'm in excellent health except that I have central apnea, requiring my to sleep with a respirator. I would like to stay mostly in albergues but I need to sleep near an electrical outlet. I'll bring a 2 meter extension cord with me. Is it realistic for me to think that this will be possible?
I can afford to stay in pensions but I was only planning to do this occasionally.

We are leaving in ten days for the Camino Frances. I use a cpap. If you have the extra money and are planning more walking hiking wilderness travel you might consider investing in a transcend unit. They are light weight and the battery pack and charger are pretty light also. I think the whole package comes in around 2.5 lbs. I tried mine the last two nights and found I can get 13 hours on one charge. It recharges in about 4 hours, so if I can't get a plug at night I can maybe recharge prior to bedtime. The total cost was around $675.00. A bit high and insurance doesn't pay for these units, or mine doesn't anyway.
Buen Camino
Jim and Ann

 

[amancio]

I would say most hospitaleros are now familiar with the particular needs of pilgrims like you and there should be some solidarity with other pilgrims, I love having a plug near me for charging the mobile, but I would imagine fellow piligrims would understand whose needs are more important.

Buen camino!

 

[Deleted member 3000]

I survived sleep apnea for decades without a CPAP, so even though I am a daily user for seven years now, I leave it at home for walking the camino. Sleep on your side to minimize snoring. What works for me may not work for you. I have never thought of the medical profession as god-like, so I ignore a lot of advice from them. Don't get your medical advice from me...

Statins* are a scam, by the way: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004TBCXBK/?tag=casaivar02-20

* while talking about medicine, not CPAP

 

[jimabfalter]

I survived sleep apnea for decades without a CPAP, so even though I am a daily user for seven years now, I leave it at home for walking the camino. Sleep on your side to minimize snoring. What works for me may not work for you. I have never thought of the medical profession as god-like, so I ignore a lot of advice from them. Don't get your medical advice from me...

Statins* are a scam, by the way: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004TBCXBK/?tag=casaivar02-20

* while talking about medicine, not CPAP

Statins are a scam unless you are the one person in 400 that they actually help, then not so much.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

@falcon269 , the op did say central apnea, sleeping on his side will not help as in this case the issue is with the brain, not the physical blockage of the airways. And frankly I think snoring is the least of the op's concern. The good news is that more and more albergues now have plugs by each bed, to cater to phones, cameras and tablets. I think that between contacting albergues where the op wants to spend the night and asking about outlets and making resevations there based on getting a bed near an outlet and using an extension cord things should be ok. Also, getting there earliwr rather than later can help secure a bed near a plug.

 

[Steve O'Connor]

@falcon269 , the op did say central apnea, sleeping on his side will not help as in this case the issue is with the brain, not the physical blockage of the airways. And frankly I think snoring is the least of the op's concern. The good news is that more and more albergues now have plugs by each bed, to cater to phones, cameras and tablets. I think that between contacting albergues where the op wants to spend the night and asking about outlets and making resevations there based on getting a bed near an outlet and using an extension cord things should be ok. Also, getting there earliwr rather than later can help secure a bed near a plug.

 

[Steve O'Connor]

I want to thank everyone who has responded to my "Cpap user" post, it's been very helpful. Because i have central apnea i actually use an automatic servo ventilator (ASV), it's a Cpap on steroids. It weighs just over 4 pounds with the humidifier removed. Going without it is not an option.
After reading your replies i will definitely try the albergues. If it doesn't work out on a given night i can always move on.
Thanks
Steve

 

[kiwiDavid]

Hi Steve - I walked the Camino in 2012 and was in a room with about 8 people at a hostel where one of them was using a CPAP machine.I found it really good because the steady low volume noise of the machine seemed to blank out the snorers - good one !

 

[t2andreo]

I came across this advert this morning and thought it might help those of you who use CPAP devices and who also either do Caminos, or are planning to do so.

https://www.easybreathe.com/ResMed-AirMini-114.html

I have no commercial interests in this product and do not use one myself.

I hope this helps...

 

[J Willhaus]

We are leaving in ten days for the Camino Frances. I use a cpap. If you have the extra money and are planning more walking hiking wilderness travel you might consider investing in a transcend unit. They are light weight and the battery pack and charger are pretty light also. I think the whole package comes in around 2.5 lbs. I tried mine the last two nights and found I can get 13 hours on one charge. It recharges in about 4 hours, so if I can't get a plug at night I can maybe recharge prior to bedtime. The total cost was around $675.00. A bit high and insurance doesn't pay for these units, or mine doesn't anyway.
Buen Camino
Jim and Ann

Steve,
My husband also uses the Transcend2 unit. The actual unit weigh right at 1 pound.We have the battery, etc., but only use it for camping. We did not take the battery on the camino. My husband had a small note card that explained in Spanish that he had a CPAP and asked if he could be near an outlet at night. He was always accommodated and most people were glad he had it rather than listen to him snoring or worse yet--the tense non-breathing periods when he does stop snoring. There are also other threads on the forum with information about various brands, etc. If you are interested and will do a search, I am sure you will find them. Buen Camino! I'm sure you'll feel better sleeping with the CPAP.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

My husband also uses the Transcend2 unit. The actual unit weigh right at 1 pound.We have the battery, etc., but only use it for camping.

My question now is ... when will they make minimalistic hoses? Who ever thought the hose would be a "bigger" drag to haul than the machine. Those things are bulky and delicate.

 

[J Willhaus]

Yes, had to repair the hose with duct tape toward the end of the Camino, but it did hold up until we returned home.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

Yes, had to repair the hose with duct tape toward the end of the Camino, but it did hold up until we returned home.

CPAP equipment is one of the few reasons I was ok having backpacks transported. And that wa the CPAP equipment only. But with the new Resmed... that ship has sailed.