Best chances of success without humidifier

[JHZR2]

Hello,

CPAP user, 8cm setting is recommended.

My F&P Icon from 2011 just failed. Ill get another home machine through insurance but I bought a Resmed AirMini with my HDHP/HSA since I travel a lot.

Im a mouth breather. Need a mask over my mouth. Have used resmed liberty and Philips amara view as my two masks over my 6 year CPAP tenure with great success. Im not the biggest fan of pillows and pushing up on my nose, so I gave the F20 a shot with the Airmini.

First night with it, I am pleasantly surprised that the lack of humidifier was not an issue. I was very concerned it would be. The F20 does not have a moisture exchanger option yet, so I'm glad it worked. Time will tell. My AHI was 2.7 which is consistent with what my old F&P icon observed and logged.

Since I'll be getting a new home machine too, are there pointers to how to maximize comfort without needing a lot of humidification? Again I'm a mouth breather, but I also hate breathing humid air. I never set the humidifier on my icon machine higher than 2, except for very temporarily.

- does a full face reduce humidification requirements compared to a mouth plus nasal pillows or a nasal mask alone?

[Julie]

Lots of factors here - if your mouth opens in a FFM then a humidifier may help, but lots here use rinses, etc. before bed and your pharmacist could probably recommend something. Depending on where you live climate-wise, you may never need a hum., but you can't assume that off the bat unless you're in Seattle... plus central heat in winter can make quite a difference.

Some people just put a bowl of water near the air intake and find that's sufficient... so you may need to consider all of these to see how it goes.

[ChicagoGranny]

are there pointers to how to maximize comfort without needing a lot of humidification?

- Don't set the machine where an HVAC vent blows on it.

- Stay well hydrated. Unless you are exercising and sweating a lot, this means about 40 ounces of water daily. The "8 glasses per day" that is always quoted is not necessary.

- CPAP humidifiers are not good at treating dry mouth in someone who mouth breathes a lot. If you get dry mouth, ask here, and you will get some suggestions.

I use the Innomed Hybrid mask and never use the CPAP humidifier. My CPAP pressure setting is considerably higher than yours.

First night with it, I am pleasantly surprised that the lack of humidifier was not an issue.

Well, there you go. The humidifier may not be necessary for you. There are a good many of us here that do not use a humidifier. I think there would be many more if they ever tried it without. (Not you, Pugsy. )

[D.H.]

Some people must use the humidifier, some can't stand it, and there are all gradations in-between. You seem to be one who can do without it, so don't worry about it.

However, if at some point you find you need it, please use it.

[Goofproof]

I haven't used mine for four years, I keep a mug of ice water w'straw, by the bed. I drink about a pint a night, more when my sugar levels are way high. Works fine for me.

Note: I run room a/c at max all the time, year around. Jim

[JHZR2]

Thanks very much. I might try a basin of water near the intake.

In case I wasn't extremely clear, my home CPAP (F&P Icon Premo) has a humidifier, and the most I ever set it at was 1 or 2. So I did use it but not a lot. I didn't like the air characteristics if set higher.

Im going on two nights with the ResMed travel machine. Ultimately it will just be a travel machine to keep in my luggage, but until I get a replacement for my F&P, Ill be using it as primary.

I was primarily curious if one sort of mask vs another typically required a higher level of humidification. For example, nasal pillows push a more direct flow of air through the noise. The F20 full face mask just shares the bulk of air in the volume of the mask, there is no directing the way there is with pillows.

So I was curious if the type of mask affects success.

My replacement home machine will have humidifier and heated tube. I suspect for the dry, cold winter, it will be necessary. Im lucky because its the humid months...

[zoocrewphoto]

My mom and I both use the Resmed S9 Autoset with Quattro FX ful face mask. Similar ranges (10-15 and 11-17). We live in the same house, so air conditions should be pretty much the same. She doesn't use her humidifier at all. I use mine as high as I can without rainout.

That said, I do not like hot humid air. I keep the temp set low and use the humidifier at 5 (out of 6). If I am traveling and the place I am staying is cooler than normal for me, I will turn up the temp to avoid water in the hose.

[ajack]

When you are getting your doctor to write the prescription, I would first ask for a resmed airsense 10 autoset, or the respironics dreamstation full auto. ask on the forum if you have any questions