Need Help With Humidifier

Although I haven't posted much (maybe a little shy ), I read the posts very often. This is such a helpful site. I have learned a lot by reading the answers to other folks questions. I only wish that I would have known about this site before I got my machine. Since I knew nothing about CPAP, I took the first thing the DME handed me. Oh well, it's a good machine, but not auto.

Anyway, I have a question about the heated humidifier. I had my sleep study and titration done in IL, north of Chicago, and in the winter. Cold and low humidity. Well, I got my equipment when I got back home in Augusta, GA. Warm and much more humidity. The DME sold me a humidifier, but said I probably wouldn't need it and said it would probably cause problems like rainout. So far, I haven't used it at all (it's still in the box). I have been using the CPAP since April and feel like I adjusted to it fairly quickly. I haven't had the problems that so many others seem to have. I sleep comfortably with the mask. Even though I use the machine, I still have not felt a whole lot better. I still get very sleepy most afternoons, fall asleep on planes or other places where I am sitting still, and lack energy. I am wondering if I should be using the humidifier, or if that would make any difference. What does the humidifier contribute to the treatment of OSA? I figured it was just to keep your mouth and nose from drying out because of the air being forced in. I apologize for the long post. I just really want to get back to feeling good again.

BTW, in case it helps, I am using a Respironics REMstar/plus with C-Flex and a ResMed Mirage Activa mask.

Thanks for the help.

Traveler.

the humidifier is mainly to keep moisture in your nasal pasages and keep your mouth from drying out. The moisture helps keep the swelling of your nasal passages down as the air is forced through your nose. When I first started using the CPAP, I didn't realize the humidifier was set to 1 and I had a terrible time with sneezing and runny nose for the 1st 4 months.

I don't know how long you have been using the CPAP, but everyone seems to have different experiences regarding when they started to feel better. I felt better immediately. Now I find myself a sluggish again. You could feel that way for a number of reasons.. your pressure isn't set high enough or you are experiencing leaks- mouth opening during sleep or the mask shifts partly away from your mouth. there is software out there to use that would help identify the leaks ( or a spouse may be able to confirm). I don't use any of the software but quite a few people here do and can provide with some info on it.

Just keep plugging away at it. Tighten the mask a little bit. Also, if you go a night without the mask, you WILL feel the difference.

Good Luck.

Jim H (forgot to log on)

Traveler wrote: <snip>
Anyway, I have a question about the heated humidifier.
<snip>
I sleep comfortably with the mask. Even though I use the machine, I still have not felt a whole lot better. I still get very sleepy most afternoons, fall asleep on planes or other places where I am sitting still, and lack energy. I am wondering if I should be using the humidifier, or if that would make any difference. What does the humidifier contribute to the treatment of OSA? I figured it was just to keep your mouth and nose from drying out because of the air being forced in. I apologize for the long post. I just really want to get back to feeling good again.

Thanks for the help.

Traveler,

My immediate reaction is that your cms may be too low.
As already pointed out by Jim, the h/h is mainly to help with mouth/throat dryness.

If you trust your DME ask if they are willing to bump up 1 cms.

You should not be feeling the tiredness you speak of. xPAP is intended to greatly reduce that. It doesn't go away completely. I still get bouts of tiredness in afternoon - mostly if in a boring meeting, but I recall that happening since I was in my 20s

So my guess is, cms too low but a good reading of your statistics may be even more informative.

Cheers

DSM

Why not try the humidifier, on very low, to start with? It's the cheapest way of ruling that out as a reason.
O.

Thank you so much for your responses. I really wish I could just sit down and talk with some of you since you know so much about this and can relate to what I am going through.

I did try the humidifier last night and although it took me a long time to get to sleep, I actually felt much more rested this morning. It may just be my imagination, but I felt much better this morning compared to most.

As far as I know, the machine I am using cannot be used with any of the software. I would really like to know what is going on during my sleep and would like to be able to use the software. I know that when my sleep study was done, it was not one of my "typical" nights. They didn't even see any limb movements, and my wife can attest to the fact that BC (before CPAP) I would flail my arms and legs during the night. She had several bruises as a result. My pressure setting of 9 may be alright for a night like the one when they tested me, but may not be enough for my "typical" nights.

Even though it is frustrating to still be feeling bad, I know I would be feeling even worse without the CPAP. I do intend to hang-in-there and I will keep reading here to try and learn more. Hopefully, I will find the right combination of pressure, humidity or whatever, that will work and get me back to being me again.

Thanks again, you all are so helpful and I really appreciate it!

Sleep well,

Traveler