Aromatherapy with CPAP machines.

G'day all,

Now that I've had a few nights with my S9 CPAP machine, I was thinking about ways of making the experience with it more pleasurable. With this in mind I was lurking around the cpap.com online store when I found their Aromatherapy products.

I was wondering, has anybody used those before?

If so, what was the scent like? Not too strong in the mask?

Also, I was wondering if you could use essential oils, which can be picked up anywhere, in place of the more pricey Aromatherapy products.

Finally, when using Aromatherapy scents/oils, what possible damage could be inflicted on a CPAP machine?

Alot of use use aromatherapy...I do especially when I'm a bit stuffy I will use pur-sleeps "clear". You put a dab on a small wafer or cotton ball a nd put it at the back intake of your machine....NEVER put in IN your machine. Look up pur-sleep.com for ideas and help. And yes you can use any araomatherapy as long as it is an essential oil.

Definitely a nice addition to those who enjoy aromatherapy. I use http://pur-sleep.com/ products. Clear is wonderful if you tend to be a bit stuffy.....it has eucalyptus in it. I also love Calm lavender. The little absorbant disk is placed just outside the intake on your machine and the scent is carried up the hose and into your nose. It is very soothing and works well. Lots of scents to choose from....

I was wondering about these too. So the CPAP filter doesn't remove it from the air?

Alshain wrote:I was wondering about these too. So the CPAP filter doesn't remove it from the air?

The filter is for dust and other particles, so the smells should be fine.

Yes, any essential oil can be used. As long as the oil is placed on a pad near the air intake and not in the machine itself, no harm will come to the machine, hose, or mask. No, the machine's filter(s) are designed to remove particles, dust, etc., not odors. Even the bacterial filters allow the scent through. Of course, any allergies you might have should be taken into account when selecting a scent for use. I find the essential oils good for use in travel... hotel rooms can smell really stale.

I've used the pur-sleep for years now. I love them!! I have had no problems with my machine due to the use of the pur-sleep. I like to use the calm(lavender) and the clear(mint) together. I think they help me to sleep deeper and longer. They don't seem to have any effect on my AHI, I just feel better when I wakeup. Just remember...a little goes a long way! Start with 1 drop and work your way up if you need to.

Brenda

This was a wonderful find on the forum...I'm new, don't even have my machine yet, but was excited to read this as I love aromatherapy and lavender especially! Thanks for posting as I can see where this would make the cpap experience more pleasant!

Gaga58 wrote:This was a wonderful find on the forum...I'm new, don't even have my machine yet, but was excited to read this as I love aromatherapy and lavender especially! Thanks for posting as I can see where this would make the cpap experience more pleasant!

I have been a user for years, when Bret first started his aromatherapy with an in line bulb. . . Now he advises the use of a wafer stand.

Through desensitization you will become sufficiently "used" to the new sensory inputs from CPAP equipment that you can actually sleep. Unassisted, this process may take weeks or months.By focusing your attention on an aroma that you find pleasant, other sensory inputs cannot compete for your attention. This is called "cognitive distraction" and it's a powerful feature of the sense of smell. Accomodation is another part of olfaction, meaning that the brain quickly adjusts to pleasant smells. This part of olfaction will help your mind accept your therapy more quickly!
I be leave aromatherapy has keep me from quieting the CPAP completely - - - It is GREAT to try the complete product line (Calm, Comfort, Fresh, Deep, Creme, French Vanilla, Strawberry, Peach, Bubblegum, and Black Cherry). http://www.pur-sleep.com


Be sure to look around at the other GREAT Items that make living on the Hoze easier.......

LOVE Pur-Sleep's aromatherapy oils! I also use a couple of other essential oils.

I initially bought the sample set from Pur-Sleep and when I tried the chocolate one, my DH (who works 2nd shift so doesn't go to bed until around 3:00am) was puzzled by who would be baking brownies at that time of night. After a week he finally mentioned this to me.....

I find the aromatherapy very relaxing and certainly makes CPAP more tolerable, not to mention helping with any stuffiness.

Cheers,
xena

I noticed they have "nearly" free samples, but they are sold out

Hopefully they will get them in and I can try to see if I like it first.

I already have a bunch of good essential oils. Could you just put a few drops of an essential oil on a cotton ball and place it near the air input, similar to the way the wafer is shown on the post above?

Or even a nice-smelling bar of soap or a nice smelling candle (unlit of course)?

You sure could. But I'd start with only 1 or 2 drops and work up from there.
Brenda

My wife bought some lavender pillow spray she doesn't like.

I spray it on a cottonball and it works just fine. Just a hint of lavender comes through. Can't wait to try it at the hotel this weekend. Hopefully it will cover up that stale smell.

I'm going to get some eucalyptus oil next.

I use a non-PurSleep oil of eucalyptus on a PurSleep pad when I'm stuffed up. Their mixes tend to have too many combinations of scents for me - but that's just a personal preference thing for sure. The system they use for holding up the pad and the pads themselves are GREAT though.