Humidifier Water Poll

[RiverDave]

My DME sends a new water tank every six months whether I need it or not

Yet we wonder why health care costs are so high

[My_Dream]

Sorry to bring up an old thread but how do most clean there humidifier hoses, whether you use distilled or not? I use distilled water and have found the " congested feeling in my lungs. Like I always had a touch of bronchitis or something" as the other member mentioned.

[Sleeprider]

I have been using tap water for quite a while and had no problems with deposits or contamination. I see that puts me squarely in the minority here as far as the poll. Even if you are worried about calcium build-up a weak solution of citric acid or vinegar will clean it out. Water quality varies a lot, so your results may vary.

...but how do you plan to clean those deposits out of your throat and lungs?

There are no particles transmitted to my lungs by the use of tap-water. Evaporative humidifiers work in the exact same way as a water distillation unit does....solid particles (minerals) are left behind, and only vaporized humidity is in the air-stream. In fact, with the fine filter on my APAP, the air I breath at night is considerably cleaner than at any other time. Regardless, the body does a remarkably good job of cleansing the lungs of particulate contaminates.

[Llama]

I use distilled water, but just got a replacement schedule from my DME that seems to indicate that humidifier tanks can be replaced every 6 months. If that is the case, what difference does it make? If the intent for distilled is to reduce mineral buildup I don't see how so much could build up in 6 months as to impair operation.

NOTE: I have been on CPAP for a whole 2 months so I am definitely clueless as to the magic of DME replacing stuff more often than insurance will cover them.

[Jaylee]

Distilled.

[LinkC]

I used distilled water only -- except when traveling -- so as not to get a build up of minerals in the tank.

I try to find distilled water near the hotel, but if I can't, I don't mind a limited period of time of using regular tap water.

And then washing well after I get back home.

If I were on an extended trip, I might bring along a filtration pump that I use for camping.

Why not pack a small bottle of distilled water?

I know this post is 6 months old, but...

Where do you find a "small bottle of distilled water" that is sealed?
The one time I tried to carry distilled water in an 8-ounce water bottle, TSA took it, saying unless it was factory-sealed, I couldn't carry it on. I had marked it "distilled water for CPAP" and it was in my CPAP bag. Made no difference.

[Paul56]

Anyone have a cool mist humidifier... notice the white dust that settles on things after it has been running for a while?

Something to consider.

[LinkC]

There are no particles transmitted to my lungs by the use of tap-water.

Right! No matter what water goes in the tank, you are breathing "distilled water". That's WHY the tank gets cruddy...it all stays behind!

Why is this such a hard concept for some people to grasp?

[Patrick A]

Old Bushmills Irish Whiskey and Coffee oops. Maybe I've had too much I can't remember what I put in my humidifer?

[bearcatx16]

I Where do you find a "small bottle of distilled water" that is sealed?

LinkC,

What has worked for me the last 2 yrs. while flying is a Rx for distilled water from my Sleep Dr. Took the Rx to the pharmacy and they filled it giving me two 16 oz. green bottles with distilled water and then gave me the remainder of the gal. The bottles are not sealed. Once I had a TSA agent use a strip and do Ph test on the water.

Fred

[Doze]

Right! No matter what water goes in the tank, you are breathing "distilled water". That's WHY the tank gets cruddy...it all stays behind!

Why is this such a hard concept for some people to grasp?

Some folks might have a hard time with this due to non-specific use of the general term 'humidifier', which these days includes three basic types: warm mist (steam/traditional), cool mist (disc/traditional), ultrasonic (initially cool mist, but now dual modes for warm or cool). The traditional (disc) cool mist varieties were known to release some degree of minerals/bacteria/mold (eeewwwwww!) from the reservoir. And ultrasonics can be far worse in that regard, despite initial assumptions they would have improved the situation. You would NOT want to breathe that mist through a mask after seeing what it can do to a room in terms of mineral dust. Looking at a quick search of online shopping results - buyers will be generally pointed toward the cool mist and ultrasonics. Last time my wife went looking for a standalone warm mist humidifier, it took several stores before finding one.

Back to CPAP though - Those humidifiers are exclusively warm mist (as far as I know); anything else would seem to be irresponsible from the manufacturers. And with warm mist, you're entirely correct; the concept should be easy to grasp. Only the H2O is evaporated, any other stuff in the reservoir (if present at all) settles down until you dilute it again and repeat the process, or eventually rinse it out.

[bailachel]

I use distilled water except when traveling. Then I use bottled water rather than the hotel tap water.

[Paul56]

There are no particles transmitted to my lungs by the use of tap-water.

Right! No matter what water goes in the tank, you are breathing "distilled water". That's WHY the tank gets cruddy...it all stays behind!

Why is this such a hard concept for some people to grasp?

...because not everyone is a lemming and willing to accept so called "known facts".

[LinkC]

Took the Rx to the pharmacy and they filled it giving me two 16 oz. green bottles with distilled water and then gave me the remainder of the gal.

I shudder to think what the total cost of "prescription distilled water" is! But if it works, go for it.

I don't travel enough to make that worth the cost. I'll stick to tap water (or get bottled water on the plane and save it.)

[Patrick A]

Took the Rx to the pharmacy and they filled it giving me two 16 oz. green bottles with distilled water and then gave me the remainder of the gal.

I shudder to think what the total cost of "prescription distilled water" is! But if it works, go for it.

I don't travel enough to make that worth the cost. I'll stick to tap water (or get bottled water on the plane and save it.)

I had a cut on my leg and the doctor cleaned it with sterile water and wrote me prescription for 3 pints of it. I took it to my Pharmacy the pharmacist said to buy distiled water and use that it was far cheaper.