Do I really need a Humidifier? -- A lucky discovery.

Now a days a humidifier is almost always automatically included with a cpap machine prescription. Often it is a heated humidifier. About six months ago, when I starte using cpap, I started the same way (with the integrated HH of Respironics M-series). I have some minor nasal allergies. I think at least one night I tried to use the passive mode, and I thought I did not like it that way. So I have been always religiously using the HH every night.

I was pretty convinced that I really needed the HH absolutely. Recently, by chance, I happen to run one night without the HH, not even using the passive mode. I had a very good night's sleep; my AI, HI numbers were excellent. So I tried it again the same way the next night, same good results. So far I have used without any humidifier for 4 nights, I am beginning to think I really do not need the HH at all!!

Of course it is possible that this has to do with my current temperature and humidity, but I will not be using HH until I run into some problems in the future. Cpap without HH simplifies life a lot!! Most of the daily chores around cpap was related to the humidity introduced by me. No rain out, no need to fill up water, no need to dry the hose, ...

So it is possible some of you may not need it either. It is always worth experimenting, often one night's data is not reliable and dependable at all! I am lucky I found this out by chance.

I haven't put any water in mine in over a month, but as I use heat in the house, I'll use it again. Jim

feeling_better wrote:Now a days a humidifier is almost always automatically included with a cpap machine prescription. Often it is a heated humidifier. About six months ago, when I starte using cpap, I started the same way (with the integrated HH of Respironics M-series). I have some minor nasal allergies. I think at least one night I tried to use the passive mode, and I thought I did not like it that way. So I have been always religiously using the HH every night.

I was pretty convinced that I really needed the HH absolutely. Recently, by chance, I happen to run one night without the HH, not even using the passive mode. I had a very good night's sleep; my AI, HI numbers were excellent. So I tried it again the same way the next night, same good results. So far I have used without any humidifier for 4 nights, I am beginning to think I really do not need the HH at all!!

Of course it is possible that this has to do with my current temperature and humidity, but I will not be using HH until I run into some problems in the future. Cpap without HH simplifies life a lot!! Most of the daily chores around cpap was related to the humidity introduced by me. No rain out, no need to fill up water, no need to dry the hose, ...

So it is possible some of you may not need it either. It is always worth experimenting, often one night's data is not reliable and dependable at all! I am lucky I found this out by chance.

Hi Feeling_better, do you know what the relative humidity is in your home?

Never used mine, never missed it and think I've also escaped the congestion many people end up with.

After using heated humidity for years, I tried passover humidity after getting my software, reader and new data capable machine in February and reading this forum.

My old heated humdifier was one of the recalled ones a few years back. My old machine was not data capable but I was feeling terrible waiting for my replacement humdifier! I thought I really needed heated humidity even though I was congested when using it.

Turns out I feel MUCH better and do not have congestion with passover humidity.

Everyone is different but it is worth trying out differences.

I find myself using passover humidification whenever I sleep with a nasal mask, however I have found that when I use my OptiLife pillow mask that my nares get real sore, real fast without the extra humidity. I had never used humidification at all up until the first of September when I purchased a new machine. I had been using an old Sullivan II unit for several years, humidification was not a viable option with that machine without purchasing a bulky stand alone unit.
I have never suffered the stuffy nose or problems that some members report with humidification while using the OptiLife, however if I forget to turn it off when using the nasal mask I do. The IntelliPap water tank is large enough to hold water for about 4 nights so I don't find that a big chore.

freepostg wrote:Hi Feeling_better, do you know what the relative humidity is in your home?

Hi freepostg, I would estimate that was about 70%. I have just moved a meter into the bed room now; if it is any different I will update here. The temperature at night was around 58F-62F, we do not heat the room at night but use electric blankets.

Incidentally, I do have a very very low power level (2 watt) electric warming wire around the 12" small diameter tube which is part of the nose cushions of my Swift LT. This was originally made to reduce rain out. I have not experimented without this small warmer when not using humidifier; however I expect that may not make any signifanct difference for me.

feeling_better wrote:

freepostg wrote:Hi Feeling_better, do you know what the relative humidity is in your home?

Hi freepostg, I would estimate that was about 70%. I have just moved a meter into the bed room now; if it is any different I will update here. The temperature at night was around 58F-62F, we do not heat the room at night but use electric blankets.

Incidentally, I do have a very very low power level (2 watt) electric warming wire around the 12" small diameter tube which is part of the nose cushions of my Swift LT. This was originally made to reduce rain out. I have not experimented without this small warmer when not using humidifier; however I expect that may not make any signifanct difference for me.

Thanks..that's quite a high humidity level to me anyway. thanks for the reply.

I found that for me I dont always need it. Depends on several things, durring the winter with the heat on I Have to have the humidity as it gets so dry in the house that I keep a humidifier going in my bedroom all winter long, however this helps my sinuses ZILCH. Humidifying the room only helps with dry itchy skin I have learned.

Last doctor i had before my switch to my current one was a joke. Her suggestion to my cold dry BLEEDING sinuses was "humidfy the room". This she told me just AFTER I told her we humidify the room. Then she stared at me oddly when I told her she wasn't listening! LOL

In the summer with the air conditioning on I have to have humidity too. Since AC drys out the air. But if its in between weather when the windows are open then I can do without the humidifier totally. Now this winter is my first with a HH but we will have to see if I need the heat. Tried heat in the hosptial in september but i t gave me a horrible sore throat.
We also keep the room coller then the rest of the house or at least used to. May have to change that this winter because ever since i got home from my heart stints in september I am freezing constantly!

freepostg wrote:

feeling_better wrote:

freepostg wrote:Hi Feeling_better, do you know what the relative humidity is in your home?

Hi freepostg, I would estimate that was about 70%. I have just moved a meter into the bed room now; if it is any different I will update here. The temperature at night was around 58F-62F, we do not heat the room at night but use electric blankets.

Incidentally, I do have a very very low power level (2 watt) electric warming wire around the 12" small diameter tube which is part of the nose cushions of my Swift LT. This was originally made to reduce rain out. I have not experimented without this small warmer when not using humidifier; however I expect that may not make any significant difference for me.

Thanks..that's quite a high humidity level to me anyway. thanks for the reply.

Hi freepostg, when I wrote my last post here, I was using an old Springfield hygrometer (humidity). Since then I have purchased a digital hygrometer which appears to be quite accurate by comparing with other meters. These days with the bed room temp around 58-65 at night, our relative humidity in the room has been around 66-59. I have been using my cpap without any humidifier at all for over 2 weeks now, and my AHI results have been the best ever me of the last 9 months'.