Apart from the comfort, are there benefits from a humidifier

[jonnybee]

I have a humidifier but have not used it yet. I felt no need for humidification before cpap and don't feel a need for it now. I don't have a problem with dryness that I'm aware of. I've hesitated to try it because of the daily servicing requirement.

[dtsm]

Not everyone needs a humidifier. I don't use one and all is fine. I do have room humidifiers for our home -- these have been in place for years before I started cpap and basically are used in the winter months as we have forced hot air heating system.

[Emilia]

I guess it depends on where you live and the humidity levels you have. I live in FL and have not needed to use my humidifier....until now. The need to put the heat on due to our cold wave led me to turn it on very low (level 1) and it has helped greatly with my comfort and sleep. As to daily care...not so! I only need to put more distilled water in after a few days, and washing out the humidifier chamber is only needed weekly -- especially if you are using distilled water. Some folks use a higher setting and go through water more quickly. Some may live in very dry climes and need to refill more often. It is certainly worth trying your humidifier to see if it impacts your comfort and therapy results.

[brazospearl]

Some people find the humidity level (whether high or low) causes stuffiness or sore throats. These can become health issues, not just comfort ones. And many of us don't clean the humidifiers every day...that's a decision to be made based on your own situation. That said, if you've been happy humidifier-free, would there be a reason to change now?

[Janknitz]

Lots of people don't use a humidifier, and that's perfectly OK.

I accidentally turned my humidifier from a setting of C1 to off for a few nights, and the result was sores in my nose from the dryness, but this is not a problem for everyone.

And not everyone does the "daily servicing". I can go up to a week before I have to do anything if running in default mode, 3 days in "classic" mode.

The biggest pain is hauling the distilled water.

[jonnybee]

Thanks to all for your views. Since I have it I guess I probably should give it a try since I don't know what I'm missing, lol.

[Rick B]

I tried using my humidifier at the higher settings and hated it. Too, hot and humid. Just couldn't breathe. I set it at the lowest level, 1, and it feels great. Just enough to keep my nose from drying out and comfortable as well. As far as cleaning the tank, a couple drops of Johnson's baby shampoo every week or two and rinse it out. I can't understand people's complaints about the distilled water. I buy it for less than a dollar a gallon at Walmart and a gallon lasts for a couple months. Less than 50 cents a month is nothing and I keep it in the bedroom closet so it's only a few feet away when I need to refill the reservoir a couple times a week.

[Mary T]

I enjoy breathing in the fresh filtered air. And i neve sneeze while on cpap I might go for the aromatherapy some people use around here too. That will be next to make this more enjoyable.

[mars]

Hi Jonnybee

I am back to using my humidifier on the lowest setting after not using it for about a month.

With the humidifier I find that -

1. My nose is less likely to bleed.

2. My throat is less likely to close, and cause me to wake up not breathing (having a laryngospasm).

3. It is more comfortable than cold air, and does not dry out my nose, mouth and throat.

4. There is a slight build-up of water leaking from my mouth, which I have to dry up every so often. I do not turn off the machine, or take my mask off, to do this. It makes my reported leaks higher, but as I know the cause this does not matter.

For more exhaustive information I suggest the following links -

http://www.ehow.com/facts_5030515_humid ... chine.html

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-cpap-humidifier.htm

http://ezinearticles.com/?What-You-Need ... id=3600496

Experimentation is the answer to most of this stuff.

cheers

Mars

[jonnybee]

Thanks to all.

I set my humidifier up and used it for the first time last night. Used the climateline in auto. Set the temp to 80 degrees. According to the manual, auto provides a humidity level of 80%. Didn't notice a lot of difference but I guess that would be normal in most cases. The water level dropped one increment on the yellow water level tab after seven hours of use. Is that about right?

[xenablue]

Yes!
I was waking up around 4am every day not being able to breathe properly through my nose - like my sinuses were swollen, but as soon as I took the mask off, could breathe just find. I tried less humidity (which works for some), but high humidity definitely works best for me. Because I was then getting rain-out, even with a hose cover, my DME kindly sent me a 'gently used' climateline hose.
It's made a world of difference for me and I still don't have it perfect yet, but once I tweak the settings to get the right humidity and temp, I know it will be great.
I've read here that some don't use a humidifier - YMMV - whatever works for you is the way to go.

Cheers,
xena

[chunkyfrog]

Before CPAP, I suffered year round from dry, itchy nose, numerous respiratory infections and an abundance
of annoying nasty thick and dried bits of mucus. (snot and boogers)
The extra moisture coming through my breathing passages now seems to be just what I needed--This is looking like my best year ever!
Anyone who tries to take away my humidifier better be ready for a FIGHT!