CPAP without Humidification - help?

[dpmurphy]

I've been on CPAP for just about a year now, with wonderful results. I've had the same machine (the S9) the entire time with no complaints. For a recent overnight trip, I purchased a Transcend II travel CPAP machine. The machine itself is pretty neat. It was easy to setup, small/lightweight, and relatively quiet. However, it does not provide any humidifcation. At home with my S9, I typically have the humidifcation set on 3 and have found that to be comfortable for me. With the Transcend, I almost immediately felt the effects from the lack of humidication within 15-20 minutes, and the next day my throat was sore all day. I had only used it for about 6.5 hours that night, and I knew that this was a possible side effect but didn't expect it to be as bad as it was.

My question is if there is anyway to overcome these side effects, or is it just that my body isn't going to tolerate non-humidified CPAP?

Thanks in advance.
Dan

[Pugsy]

I don't know if the body can adjust or not and if it can...how long does it take.
I couldn't use a machine one night without the added moisture. Found out when I forgot to add water and the tank went dry a couple of times. I would do without my machine before I would try to use a machine without water.
I was totally miserable for 3 full days the 2 times I forgot to fill the tank. Horrible symptoms.

Only thing I can think of is maybe really hydrate yourself before going to bed and use a lot of saline spray to help hydrate the nasal mucosa. You could of course add a stand alone humidifier but that defeats the whole idea of having a small footprint travel machine.

Some people do very well with minimal to none added moisture. Perhaps they live in an area where the air is less humid and their bodies are accustomed to dryness.

[2 B Sleeping Soundly]

dpmurphy,

I know I would certainly be in Pugsy's and your situation without humidification, as I use and need my humidifier year around. Maybe a passover humidifier would fit the bill to provide moisture. The one in the link below is from Respironics, but it looks like it can be used 'universally' according to some of the reviews (see the review at the bottom of page 1). Also, the PAP machine could probably be set on top of the passover humidifier, so it would still fit on a hotel nightstand or similar small table-like surface normally in hotel rooms (also an idea from one of the reviews).

John

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/respir ... eviews#tab

[sleepycarol]

You might try experimenting at home to see if you can adjust to having lower humidity for when you are traveling.

Myself personally, I typically do not use a humidifier in the spring/summer/fall and in winter generally only pass over mode (meaning no heat). I have asthma and have found the higher the humdity in the air (not just during cpap use) the more symptoms I exhibit.

[LSAT]

Would a dish of water next to the air intake work...or...would the moist air damage the machine?

[user from Singapore]

I had a similar problem recently while traveling. The climate was very dry in that place.
As I had no humidifier, I put a glass of hot water next to the machine like LSAT suggested. The next nights I put 2 glasses onto a heater as the temperature was also quite low. I still had quite dry nose (easy bleeding) but it seemed better after the second night. Did the humidity from the glass help, or did I adjust to the dryness, I can't decide

[Guest]

I've been on CPAP for just about a year now, with wonderful results. I've had the same machine (the S9) the entire time with no complaints. For a recent overnight trip, I purchased a Transcend II travel CPAP machine. The machine itself is pretty neat. It was easy to setup, small/lightweight, and relatively quiet. However, it does not provide any humidifcation. At home with my S9, I typically have the humidifcation set on 3 and have found that to be comfortable for me. With the Transcend, I almost immediately felt the effects from the lack of humidication within 15-20 minutes, and the next day my throat was sore all day. I had only used it for about 6.5 hours that night, and I knew that this was a possible side effect but didn't expect it to be as bad as it was.

My question is if there is anyway to overcome these side effects, or is it just that my body isn't going to tolerate non-humidified CPAP?

Thanks in advance.
Dan

dpmurphy,

The transcend has a HME (heat moisture exchange) circuit that you can use for humidification but it only works with 4 nasal masks right now. I notice you are wearing a full face mask. Yes, if your airway is use to humidification it is difficult for the airway to adjust to just straight room air. I use the analogy of sticking your head out the window of a speeding car for hours. Your mouth is going to dry out unless it is moistened. If you can tolerate a nasal mask with the HME you might enjoy it more or you will have to suffer the adjustment faze of no humidification. And yes, your body will naturally adjust to no humidification but it will take some time to get use to. You have to weigh the consequences.

[BasementDwellingGeek]

This posted a few months ago.

Re: Transcend Waterless Humidification, anyone try it?

Postby Arthurs on Wed Apr 04, 2012 9:45 pm
Ok, following up, I bit the bullet and bought the Transcend II CPAP along with the bedside kit for waterless humidification kit
.
.
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The waterless humidification mask is different story. The first night I tried it at home, I could only use it for 5 minutes before my wife complained it was too loud! I measured 70+ dB SPL 1 meter away with my professional SPL meter. Almost all the noise comes from the mask vent when I breathe in.

[Uncle_Bob]

Would a dish of water next to the air intake work...or...would the moist air damage the machine?

Resmed actually recommend that you don't use in room humidifiers, but i doubt a little dish of water would do much harm.

I made the mistake of using an in room humidifier before i knew about the recommendation, I also slept with the bedroom door closed. In the morning my S8 Autoset had condensation on the inside of the LCD screen, I couldn't read the display for days. What a stupid man.

[nanwilson]

What about that stand alone humidifier that is out there. I believe I read that Restedgal uses one, check out cpap.com... its made by Fisher & Paykel called a H150, works with most machines.

[DreamStalker]

Using a FF mask without humidification is tough. Wulfman used a passive humidifier with cold water.

You could try the HC-150 which is what I use (I have two of them).

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/fisher ... ifier.html

If you want passive humidifier you can just buy the replacement chamber for about $15.

[archangle]

What about that stand alone humidifier that is out there. I believe I read that Restedgal uses one, check out cpap.com... its made by Fisher & Paykel called a H150, works with most machines.

That should work from a technical point of view, but is carrying both the Transcend and the external humidifier, extra hose, and power cord going to be any easier than carrying the home CPAP machine?

The unheated Respironics external humidifier would probably work as well, but the air would not be heated, of course.

[archangle]

You could try the HC-150 which is what I use (I have two of them).

I see the small base thing with controls on the front left in the picture? What's the big honking base thing behind everything else? I presume for travel, all you'd need would be the chamber, small base, power supply, and short hose.

Is it true the chambers don't open up for cleaning, other than the hose connectors?

[DreamStalker]

You could try the HC-150 which is what I use (I have two of them).

I see the small base thing with controls on the front left in the picture? What's the big honking base thing behind everything else? I presume for travel, all you'd need would be the chamber, small base, power supply, and short hose.

Is it true the chambers don't open up for cleaning, other than the hose connectors?

The big honking base thing is ... a big honking base thing. I gave mine away to a forum member. No need for it.

True they do not open for cleaning. I've had mine for over five years and never needed to clean it (I rinse it out 2 or 3 times a year). I use distilled water only except when traveling (which is not very often). Still looks and works brand new like the day I got it.

I have used mine in passive mode a few times but if I have a place to plug it in I usually use the heat.

[MZH]

Coupla things. The humidifier for my Resmed SP VPAP stopped heating and I have to turn it in to get another one. So, I tried he machine last night without it. I was surprised to have no trouble. I did use two Xylimelts to keep my saliva flowing. These are little disks that stick to one's inner cheeks. Very handy little things!

Also, we used a vaporizer - not a humidifier - in the bedroom during the winter. It didn't cause any issues with the machine so that's an option too. I do have the heated tubing though so that may be another factor.