Humidification - do we really need it on the East Coast

[socks349]

Over 5 yrs of cpap and know it's a way of life for me, but am wondering how critical the humidifier is for locations that are not dry (eg East Coast/Florida). I've hauled my trusty Remstar on many overseas trips - filled the humidifier with whatever water was available, but now beginning to wonder whether folk have operated their CPAP machines in relatively high humidity climates without the humidifier. Any comments appreciated.

[saltydawg2]

Electric heat is much dryer than, say, gas heat. I can tell the difference when I do not have humidity, like when I forget to add enough to the tank at night. I haven't been through a hot summer, yet, so I can't speak to that.

[Greg Riddle]

In the winter my lips get chapped skin very dry and if I turn down the humidifier I get some blood in my nose

[Sleeprider]

If you're sleeping in non air conditioned space on a warm hot humid summer night, then I'd say leave the humidifier off. Right now we are heating the air in our homes and driving down relative humidity. Do what feels good...that will probably include a humidifier on your xpap.

[Wulfman...]

Over 5 yrs of cpap and know it's a way of life for me, but am wondering how critical the humidifier is for locations that are not dry (eg East Coast/Florida). I've hauled my trusty Remstar on many overseas trips - filled the humidifier with whatever water was available, but now beginning to wonder whether folk have operated their CPAP machines in relatively high humidity climates without the humidifier. Any comments appreciated.

It all depends on the relative humidity INSIDE the dwelling where the user is sleeping. And, it depends on the individual's tolerance and needs. Some people need lots and some people don't need as much. It's mostly personal preference.


Den

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[chunkyfrog]

The humidity and temperature outdoors is often quite different from that indoors, due to aggressive HVAC systems.
In Hawaii, they can sleep on the lanai, the rest of us can get in the most comfortable box we can afford.

[Pugsy]

You know I have often wondered what would happen if I was in a locality with high humidity because my nasal mucosa really need the moisture but I have never been in a locality where the humidity was high and even if I was I don't know if I would risk it because I know what happens when my nose doesn't get the moisture it wants/needs. It's a pretty miserable experience that last for 3 to 5 days and I sure wouldn't want to be miserable if I was on a vacation on the beach somewhere.
I use my humidifier here where I live (and our humidity isn't all that dry) even with the windows open and it raining outside so the humidity in the house is pretty much like it is outside. I am too scared to do without because I have had the dried out nasal mucosa thing happen when I forget to fill the water chamber and it runs dry all night. It's pure misery until the nasal mucosa forgive me and they take a few days to get back to normal even if I am using copious amounts of saline spray to try to fix things.

Now maybe I could get by without the humidifier in special circumstances but I just haven't ever had the guts to try it and despite my enjoying experimentation...that's one experiment that just scares the heck out of me because I have had such bad experiences when I just accidentally didn't get enough moisture.

[greatunclebill]

the humidifier is a personal preference/comfort thing. i use my humidifier every night no matter where or when. i'm good with it. my wife sleeping right next to me doesn't even have her humidifier hooked up. she never uses it. she's fine with it. neither dog has complained either way.