I have never used a humidfier...what am I missing????

bozmon · Post by **bozmon** » Wed Feb 02, 2005 11:51 am

In my first introduction to cpap during my sleep study, they did not use a humidifier. When I received my machine, my nose was cold for the first two nights. When I mentioned it to my DME, they suggested a humidifier, but also told me that my insurance company would not cover it, so I skipped it. I got very used to the cpap and my nose no longer felt cold, so I have never considered it. From posting here, it seems that I may be the only one that does not use a humidifier? What am I missing? I have no problem with excess nasal drying and can get to sleep very quickly with the mask on.

So, why does everyone love using a humidifier????

Thanks.

Liam1965 · Post by **Liam1965** » Wed Feb 02, 2005 11:58 am

Not everyone loves using a humidifier.... but it seems most do.

You'll get (I'm sure) a lot of comments from the PRO side, so let me present you with the ANTI.

For me, breathing warm/moist air seems to feel to me like I'm breathing air without sufficient oxygen. It's probably psychological, in that warm/moist air is what you get if you breathe in someone else's exhaled breath.

But nevertheless, with a humidifier on and heated, I have to keep taking the mask off and taking a breath of "normal" air, or I feel like I'm suffocating. I have heard this from other folks as well.

However, the PRO side... If you're prone to waking up with sinus headaches or dry/sore throats or numerous other maladies, the moisture will help. The heat will help if the cold still bothers you, and will also help increase the moisture content of the air you're breathing for the other maladies.

For myself, I have found that using the humidifier, but with the heat not turned on (aka just a "pass over humidifier") works pretty well. Yes, it still feels awfully chilly, but I don't feel like I'm asphyxiating, and trust me, that's a plus.

Liam, trying to avoid a pun about "bad breath".

chrisp · Post by **chrisp** » Wed Feb 02, 2005 12:04 pm

What are you missing? I went for years without a humidifier. Finally used mine with a heated hose. Its great. You dont wake with that dried out feeling . Especially in the winter when the heat is on. If your sinus bother you , or, If you have a cold just crank it up. Feels great. The heated hose is the key to prevent rainout in your hose. Rainout can cause the auto units to think you are snoring when it starts to gurgle. Then the pressure goes up to try to prevent it. Not a fun experience.
I had a cold recently . Usually not fun with a nasal mask. Had no problems . What do you do when your kids have a cold? Put a humidifier in their room. This is just the cpap version. Works great. Get your doc to write a Rx for the humidifier if the DME wont provide one.

Cheers,

Chris

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Wed Feb 02, 2005 5:10 pm

Liam, who needs to be more careful about where he is when he takes a breath, said:
For me, breathing warm/moist air seems to feel like I'm breathing air without sufficient oxygen... what you get if you breathe in someone else's exhaled breath.

Look at it as relaxing in the steam room at a luxurious spa and not riding the crowded subway re-breathing some toothless vagrants exhaled breath.

Waverly · Post by **Waverly** » Wed Feb 02, 2005 5:16 pm

Oh wader your so funny. LOL...

Waverly

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Feb 02, 2005 5:19 pm

Waverly wrote:Oh wader your so funny.

I concur.

--Liam, who concurs.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Feb 02, 2005 5:32 pm

RubyKat · Post by **RubyKat** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 4:25 am

Been on CPAP for six months now.
I think I'm halfway between. When I was first trying to get used to the CPAP, I found that the heated humidifier made the difference between waking up 2-3 times in the night, and sleeping all the way through. But it was wintertime then. On warm nights in summer it seems just a waste to turn on the heat in the humidifier, so I've tried it a few times without doing it. But I also tend to get a bloody nose if I go without the humid air for too long... so I guess I'll be on and off it.

Liam1965 · Post by **Liam1965** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 7:55 am

I've been meaning to post this... I don't think I have yet:

I have found that there's a HUGE difference between my opinion on H/H when I'm on full-face mask vs when I'm on nasal mask.

The things I said before, about feeling like I'm not getting enough air? That's when I'm on the Full Face mask, on the days when I'm mouth breathing.

I've now spent several days on the Comfort (ha!) Lite, and found that without the H/H on and cranked up pretty high, I got really bad sinus headaches from the dry and cold.

So let this be a lesson (to me and everyone): Not only does the same treatment not work for all people, the same treatment doesn't even work for all MASKS...

Liam, who just KNEW he was blowing hot (humid) air.

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 8:05 am

Liam,

That's what's great about this forum. You can gather "bits" of information and advice here and there and then when you come across a missing piece in your own puzzle, you might find one you picked up on the forum fits just right.

That's great to hear!

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