Would an in-room humidifier help?

bipap_in_SA · Post by **bipap_in_SA** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 5:13 pm

I use a Mirage Swift Nasal Pillows mask most of the time and the nasal membranes get very dry and the dried mucus (and sometimes blood when it gets really bad) has to almost be chiseled loose. I do saline spray and Ayr gel (though I could probably do it more often) and I try to use another nasal mask but that mask hurts the bridge of my nose if I wear it too often. I have a heated humidifier but it doesn't seem to help much. I also should mention that I use bipap 24/7 to be able to breathe at all. Should I get an in-room humidifier and would anything else help?

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 5:24 pm

If you are getting that dry, my guess is that you are mouth breathing. The air is probably going up your nose and out your mouth -- thereby losing alot of your therapy.

Are you sure you are turning your humidifier on (if it isn't automatic)?

Have you turned up the heater on your humidifier?

How much water do you use out of the reservoir?

What does the SA stand for? (San Antonio)? A room humidifier or vaporizer wouldn't hurt, but probably won't solve the problem. You need to find out "why" you are so dry.

I could be wrong, but I believe your machine offer up LCD data. Does it show if you have large leaks?

BTY, welcome to the forum. Hope we can help.

Rabid1 · Post by **Rabid1** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 5:28 pm

Obviously a room humidifier isn't going to hurt your cause, however, I would question the efficiency of your HH. You should be able to turn that puppy up to the point of rainout. Are sure it's working properly?

bipap_in_SA · Post by **bipap_in_SA** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 6:14 pm

I'm pretty sure it's working right. It goes through quite a bit of water when I use it. I'm not sure of the brand and how would I know if it's working right?

oldgearhead · Post by **oldgearhead** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 6:24 pm

my guess is that you are mouth breathing. The air is probably going up your nose and out your mouth -- thereby losing alot of your the

..my best guess also...

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 6:24 pm

Do you know how to raise the humidity level of your machines humidifier?

bipap_in_SA · Post by **bipap_in_SA** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 6:43 pm

Is that different than just the temperature?

bdp522 · Post by **bdp522** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 8:05 pm

Nope, same thing. When you raise the temp, it increases the amount of moisture in the air from the machine.

I agree, it sounds like you are leaking, or mouth breathing. That would cause you to use alot of water with out much benefit from it.

Brenda

JimW · Post by **JimW** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 10:19 pm

I also use the Swift, and have an integrated humidifier attached to my Autopap. In our current winter weather, the integrated humidifier by itself is not enough to keep my nose from drying out.

I find that if I use a warm air humidifier to keep our bedroom's relative humidity slightly above 50%, my nose thanks me in the morning. The only times I can get rainout with my integrated humidifier is if the room's relative humidity is in the mid-50s or above.

Discussions in other threads have suggested that a free-standing heated humidifier may provide more moisture than most integrated units.

The mouth-leaking is also a possibility; if your mouth is not dry in the morning but your nose is, then mouth leaks are probably not the problem. Seems like using either a room warm air humidifier or a free-standing xPAP heated humidifier to deliver more humidity to your nose is in order. The warm air humidifier is likely to be more cost-effective in the short-term (less expensive,) the free-standing heated humidifier moreso in the long-term due to likely lower electrical costs.

cflame1 · Post by **cflame1** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 7:00 am

Doesn't have to be a warm air humidifier... I'm using a cool mist version in my room and it seems to be working well for me.

bipap_in_SA · Post by **bipap_in_SA** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 5:44 pm

My mouth is not usually dry at all. I might discuss these things with my respiratory therapist. Thanks for the information.

bipap_in_SA · Post by **bipap_in_SA** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 5:20 pm

I just thought I'd add that I have the Fisher & Paykel hc100 heated humidifier and I don't think it's that good. What might be better?

ExpatDave · Post by **ExpatDave** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 5:25 pm

bipap_in_SA wrote:I just thought I'd add that I have the Fisher & Paykel hc100 heated humidifier and I don't think it's that good. What might be better?

The newer HC150 is great; I was dry as a bone with my M Series humidifier.

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 6:09 pm

Not sure where you are located but ... I'm using the HC150 also and it has done quite well for central Texas climate ... I have not had to crank it more than a quarter of the way. I'll see how well it really does this summer since La Nina is expected to give us a hot and dry one this year.

SleepySandy · Post by **SleepySandy** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 6:23 pm

bipap_in_SA,

I am extraordinarily sensitive to dry air. Just inhaling air in the winter can make my nostrils sore.

I tried Ayr Gel and found it extraordinarily drying. I was given a product called RoEzIt by my DME. It's more of a lotion consistency and is nicely moisturizing. You might want to look for something like that. If you Google RoEzIt you should be able to find it.

I use an in-room humidifier near my CPAP. I figure it won't hurt and if my CPAP is pulling in air with more humidity it might help.

I have an integrated heated humidifier on my RemStar Pro M Series. I don't think it's that great, either. I use a full face mask and even at the top setting (5), I don't get any rain out. I have read posts where people add an in-line humidifier to my setup to get more humidity. I've considered that. I haven't seen a single negative post about the HC 150 - everyone who has it seems to really like it. If I get an in-line humidifier, that's the one I'm going to get.

Humidifier

Additional Comments: 11cm / 17cm