Humidifier settings?

[WorrypasCanada]

Hi,

I don't use my CPAP humidifier reason that the number 1 setting, lowest, is too much humidity. I wake up at night with nasal cavity and mask full of water. What do you think?

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): humidifier

[bap40]

Use it as a pass-over humidifier.. by this I mean keep it filled with water and don't turn it on.. you will get some humidity but should not get the rain-out...

[WorrypasCanada]

No kidding, I never thought about it. Will try out. Thanks a million... so simple. Geez!

[Gerald]

Worry.......

You might also consider that most of the condensation may be coming from your exhaled breath.

Using your humidifier in a "pass over" manner....without heat.....might help a lot.....but, you have enough room in the nose-piece of your mask to insert some absorbant material.

You might try putting a little piece of tightly folded....and maybe even "trussed-up" with string....piece of Bounty paper towell material inside the nose piece of your mask.

The absorbant material probably wouldn't have to soak up over 5 or 6 big drops to get the job done. It might be worth experimenting if the problem is really aggravating.

Gerald

[Captain_Midnight]

I'm still doing testing, but my preliminary results all clearly indicate that I get my lowest AHI using cold, "passive" or "passover" humidification.

I was unhumidified for a few years, but a bad cold finally pursuaded me to hook the humidifier up. I discovered that unheated, passive humidification works quite well, however, heating even at the lowest level, 1, on the dial literally doubles my AHI.

As I recently explained to someone on the AASA board, (in my case) I'm interested in keeping membranes from drying out. Not steaming them like a bucket of clams.

Wulfman Den gets the credit for some persuasive writing on the relative superiority of unheated humidification for some folks. I merely confirm his research.

Regards all - - Tom

[Fredman]

With all due respect, Gerald, I wouldn't be putting any paper towel in the mask. The masks are engineered for the space and the exhalation rate of CO2 (Carbon Dioxide). Don't want to change the balance of incoming fresh air with the CO2.

The humidity in part is because the incoming air from the house already has some moisture in it. The heated moist air of the humidity tries to add to it and what ever is left over condenses in the hose and the shell of the mask.

Best like others say here to use it as a passover humidifier without heat. I noticed you live in New Brunswick not far from Moncton...lots of moisture there!

[roster]

Hi,

I don't use my CPAP humidifier reason that the number 1 setting, lowest, is too much humidity. I wake up at night with nasal cavity and mask full of water. What do you think?

1. If your nasal passages are not too dry, then use the humidifier as a passover or don't even use the humidifier.

2. If your nasal passages become too dry, then use the humidifier, get a cover for the hose and place your machine below the level of your head so that rainout will tend to run back into the machine instead of your mask.

[WorrypasCanada]

If your nasal passages become too dry, then use the humidifier, get a cover for the hose and place your machine below the level of your head so that rainout will tend to run back into the machine instead of your mask.

From others, I want to get a cover for noise reduction. Might have other benefits as noted above. Thanks. When humidifier set at number 1, the whole 6 feet of tubing is wet, including the nose pillow. Will use humidifier as passover. [/code]

[bigk]

You could also try a heated hose....

[Mark_Ferman]

I have also found that as a passover if I cool the water in the fridge before bed, in the summer, it cools me off, at least it did last summer. I think.

[rested gal]

WpC, if you do want to have some humidification, without rainout, check these topics:

LINKS to discussions about the Aussie heated hose - to prevent rainout
viewtopic.php?t=5305