Humidity

[Sparky223]

For a long time I have had my humidifier set at 3 and would only use half a tank during the night. Now for the last few weeks I have been using the whole tank. I am also severely congested. I am wondering if I should back down my setting.

[Sloop]

How humid is Lakewood, Colorado?
If it is anything like Virginia, I don't know why anyone would need heated humidifier in the summer months. With my first CPAP, some 20 years ago, I went 3 full years without a humidifier and never saw the need for one. But as the machines evolved and humidifiers were designed to be an integral part of the machine, I decided to let my insurance buy me one, but I've always used it passive. I use about 1/5 of a tank of water per night.

For right now in the hot summer, you ought to be just fine with passive or no humidfier at all. IMO of course.

[sol]

Probably you,re mouth breathing while congested and you could loose more water through mouth leaks. How old your mask cushion?
You could try chinstrap with your nasal mask or full face mask

[Sparky223]

How humid is Lakewood, Colorado?
If it is anything like Virginia, I don't know why anyone would need heated humidifier in the summer months. With my first CPAP, some 20 years ago, I went 3 full years without a humidifier and never saw the need for one. But as the machines evolved and humidifiers were designed to be an integral part of the machine, I decided to let my insurance buy me one, but I've always used it passive. I use about 1/5 of a tank of water per night.

For right now in the hot summer, you ought to be just fine with passive or no humidfier at all. IMO of course.

In this area there is a need for a humidifier. Humidity levels of 18% are considered high. I went on the weather channel online and seen the forcast of 34%. Thats really high for this area.

[archangle]

How humid is Lakewood, Colorado?

Sometimes, the National Weather Service doesn't know what the humidity is in Lakewood. "Our psychrometric charts don't go that low, so we don't know what the relative humidity is. We can tell you it's less than 2%, which is where our charts stop."

[greatunclebill]

I don't know why anyone would need heated humidifier in the summer months.

i live near the gulf coast where it's humid all the time. i use my heated humidifier year round. i have nothing to prove by using it or not using it or even stating why as it's strictly a personal convenience item that has nothing to do with whether anybody else uses it or not. i don't wonder why people don't use it. i wonder why people wonder.

[andersgeorgsson]

I recently started CPAP treatment - and I had my humidifier set to 4, the last few days - I have removed the mask at night because it felt like I couldn't breathe....

Last night - I dialled the humidifier back to 2, and I was able to wear it all night long

Has anyone ever had this happen? I live in north eastern florida - so OUTDOORS it is fairly muggy after Debbie came thru,
but indoor we keep it nicely airconditioned.

[chunkyfrog]

Sparky; if you are anywhere downwind from any of the fires, you could be experiencing irritation due to smoke particles in the air.
I would suggest a buffered saline nasal rinse (like Neti) to clean out those mucous membranes.
Also, I assume you are using your AC more now. Please take a moment and change the filter.
--in your machine and the AC unit.

[Sloop]

i live near the gulf coast where it's humid all the time. .................

i don't wonder why people don't use it. i wonder why people wonder.

I am quite familiar with the Gulf Coast having been raised in Pascagoula. (one block from the sound) I know what "deep summer" is all about.

So -- I stand by what I originally said, especially down there -- "I don't know why anyone would need heated humidifier in the summer months"

[Sparky223]

Sparky; if you are anywhere downwind from any of the fires, you could be experiencing irritation due to smoke particles in the air.
I would suggest a buffered saline nasal rinse (like Neti) to clean out those mucous membranes.
Also, I assume you are using your AC more now. Please take a moment and change the filter.
--in your machine and the AC unit.

We have a major fire both north and south of us. I cannot smell the smoke anymore though. Yes I have been running the AC. Turned my humidifier down to 2 last night and felt better this morning.