I was diagnosed with sleep apnea three months ago and have now started using a CPAP machine. We're taking our very first trip to Europe on a tour in May, and I wonder how difficult it will be to take the machine with me. I know I can take it on the plane as a carry on, but does it count as one of my two items?? I hadn't even thought about the issue of needing distilled water for it. Any suggestions anyone?????

Hi Jane,

My dh traveled with a CPAP machine last summer to Europe. It was not bad at all -it does count as one of your two items - it is what it is.

Make sure you have the right converter. We had an issue in Switzerland but fortunately we got one at the hotel.

Most airlines do not count CPAPs as cabin baggage; their rules generally exempt medical devices.

Check with your provider, but most humidifiers do not require distilled water.

The main recommendation - and in my experience extremely important - is to get a medium-duty extension cord - 12 or 15 feet - and plug adapters for the countries you're visiting. Many times the only electrical outlet in your hotel room will be somewhere far from bedside (sometimes you need to disconnect the TV when going to bed) so the extension cord becomes a necessity.

The machines themselves are virtually all dual-voltage, so the electrical supply is not an issue (you don't need a voltage converter, for example) and you don't need some ultra macho extension cord (the cord only carries the current needed by the machine, which is the same regardless of the line voltage.)

(This should also probably be on the Europe board, but what the hey.)

What Gardyloo said.

I have been traveling with my CPAP since the mid-1990's, and the extension cord and plug adapter are essential, but they have all (I'm on my third) just cranked right up on the local current. It is a happy time when you see the pilot light come on!

The only place I have not been able to use it was in an ultramodern hotel in Rome, where everything was hardwired into the walls and the only outlet was in the bathroom. My extension cord was too short to reach from the bed.

You can skip the humidifier for several weeks at a time if you carry a bottle of Ocean or other saline nasal spray. Saves lots of space and hassle.

I have a 20 inch rollaboard as carryon, and my CPAP goes in that along with meds, toiletries, change of clothes, digital audio player, magazines, and snacks. I had to give up on one-bag traveling when I went on the CPAP!

I forgot to say that you shouldn't even think about not taking it.

The difference it will make in how you feel will more than make up for the very slight hassle of dealing with it.

If you are compliant, it will save your life. It reduced my blood pressure by 20 points in the first year with no medication.

It does not count as a carry on. When I went through security at IAD last year, the inspector apologized when telling me he had to inspect it. No problem coming back at ZRH either.

Mr Cat has travelled with one for several years now. it is not difficult at all, and most baggage inspectors know what it is these days. They do require you to take it out and put it in a bin when going through security (like a laptop). At least in most airports.

extension cord is an excellent idea. and others are correct, a medical device is not suppose to count as a carryon, although we've not really tested that (MrC carries one bag plus his CPap, I carry one bag plus the camera bag).

Distilled water can be a little difficult to find, but they do have in the pharmacies. However, you can use bottled water or even tap water temporarily if you can't find distilled.

You only need to put the actual machine in the bin not the humidifier compartment or the mask.

Sorry, we've been out of town. Thanks to everyone for all of your responses. It helped me a lot. I think I'm going to try to put my CPAP in my carry-on that I'd planned taking because it would be just to much to lug around. I hope it fits! I'd never even thought about not having to use the humidifier for a period of time. I've never gone without it. Also, thanks for encouraging me to even bring it with me because it's already making me feel better even with the short time I've had it. Thanks very much for all of your help!

Depends a lot on where you live and where you are going. My sleep doc tells me that many apnea patients in humid climates (Hawaii?) don't use the humidifier at all. Here in bone-dry Seattle, I have mine on the lowest humidity setting and don't take the humidifier along when we travel.

I did not know it did not count! I do not think dh knows this either... interesting.

I really agree with the person who said "make sure you take it" dh thought for a few minutes about not taking his and I quickly said "please do not do that..you will be miserable"