Bikepacking with Severe Obstructive Slaap Apnea

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Naffa
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Joined: Thu Nov 05, 2015 10:11 pm
Location: Tipton, West Midlands

Bikepacking with Severe Obstructive Slaap Apnea

Post by Naffa »

Does anyone here manage multi day trips with this condition.
I use a cpap machine to help my ability to breathe while asleep but its heavy and bulky and requires 240v power supply.
So far my bikepacking has been limited to overnighters but I'd like to try longer adventures if I could find a way around the cpap machine.
Any suggestions or experiences of a different way of doing things on a temporary basis?

Thanks Nathan
Oli.vert
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Re: Bikepacking with Severe Obstructive Slaap Apnea

Post by Oli.vert »

It might depend where the obstruction occurs. A quick google shows a number of nostril dilators, and clearly these are meant for snoring rather than anything deeper.
But you say 'severe' - which makes me think it's more likely to be more laryngeal than nasal - in which case, is surgery not an option? Have you asked an ENT specialist about remedial interventions?
Alternatively there are travel CPAP machines and battery packs, but you're talking some phat dollar, and a good bit of weight.

I work in disability cycling, but have no direct experience personally. Good luck with it though. I'm guessing you're not on o2 of a night? Be a PITA to carry an o2 bottle around for 2 days.
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Alpinum
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Re: Bikepacking with Severe Obstructive Slaap Apnea

Post by Alpinum »

Meditation instead if medication.

Also self hypnosis.
Naffa
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Location: Tipton, West Midlands

Re: Bikepacking with Severe Obstructive Slaap Apnea

Post by Naffa »

Yes my condition is caused by the muscles in my throat relaxing and then obstructing my airways. Tests show I stop breathing for more than 10 seconds a time approx 72 times an hour so I can manage one night without the cpap sleepwise but the risk of choking to death is great.
viragevitesse
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Re: Bikepacking with Severe Obstructive Slaap Apnea

Post by viragevitesse »

Hi there Naffa. I realise this is an old thread now but did you manage to find any viable solution to bikepacking with your condition?
I too have just discovered I need to sleep with CPAP, although my sleep apnea is not as severe as yours. My research on portable equipment seems its a bit more promising these days with mini travel units and batteries that might get you 16 hours of use on a single charge. Options of solar panel to charge and I'm also wondering if the lithium ion battery could be charged through a dynamo hub.
Travel CPAP machine, battery, mask, might weigh around 1kg but the main problem is finding more space in your bags to fit it and keep it safe and waterproof.
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Boab
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Re: Bikepacking with Severe Obstructive Slaap Apnea

Post by Boab »

Naffa hasn't been seen since Sep 2019, according to their profile. You could try sending them a DM, they may get an email...
There are theories at the bottom of my jargon.
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