I'm new to cpap, need recommendations

I posted my take on the many benefits of a standalone humifier in a recent thread and am including them here just in case you missed it or don't find it during your CPAP machine/humidifier/mask research.

I highly recommend the F&P HC150. I've owned mine for 5 months and am completely satisfied. As I will likely own different brand machines over the lifetime of a humidifier, a standalone humidifier of high quality looked to me like a very good investment (high ROI). The price was right as my F&P HC150 cost about the same as a brand specific humidifier. Also note that many forum members have reported problems with leakage for their integrated brand specific humidifiers. Being separate, the F&P HC 150 greatly lessens or completely eliminates that problem/concern. The only disadvantage that some mention to using a standalone is that it is "standalone" and occupies its own space on a nightstand, table, or floor. I have the space so this was not a consideration. One other plus to the F&P HC 150 is that it stores a lot of H2O, in most cases more than a brand specific humidifier.

Many other experienced forum members (RestedGal for one) use the F&P HC150 and also recommend it to others.

Just make sure the doc puts Heated Humidifier on the script. Since you are buying OOP it will be your choice exactly which make or model you choose.

It's not often the docs don't add humidity today but you don't want an other copay just to add the words "w/Heated Humidifier" either.

rooster wrote:
....
3. Make sure the prescription calls for an integrated humidifier with the machine.

OK you guys, if I use this blurb in the future, I will drop "integrated". This will give the new user the option to make his own decision about integrated or standalone.

(But I hope he doesn't make a mistake and go with a standalone. )

rooster wrote:OK you guys, if I use this blurb in the future, I will drop "integrated". This will give the new user the option to make his own decision about integrated or standalone.

(But I hope he doesn't make a mistake and go with a standalone. )

Oh I have both.... I have been known to have them both connected during the NE winters here. I am sure my DME wouldn't understand the logic there, but it did help.

The HC150 works so much better and holds more water but is a pain if you are traveling. Even the integrated is a pain when traveling esp. since you can't see if there is still water in it and have to rely on your memory (of which most cpap users have NONE).

Gumby has a theory that many cpaps are damaged by water from integrated humidifiers.

WARNING: If YOU spill water on or in your cpap DO NOT turn it on until it is completely dry inside - even if it takes days. If it is not dry it won't work (in fact, will be damaged) and will take weeks to get it replaced so what's the difference?

rooster wrote:I am familiar with the F&P HC150 and it is an excellent standalone CPAP humidifier. But it brings the inconvenience factor of having another device with another power cord and another hose.

I expect it would also require a pressure recalibration of your machine. Sandman-series xPAP presets, for example, include options with and without the integrated humidifier. Perhaps someone more knowledgeable can comment.

cinco777 wrote:Many other experienced forum members (RestedGal for one) use the F&P HC150 and also recommend it to others.

Absolutely.

cinco777 wrote:

3. Make sure the prescription calls for an integrated humidifier with the machine.

I don't agree with the above recommendation as there are standalone humidifiers that offer advantages not found with integrated humidifiers. I, and many other members of this forum, have purchased a standalone humidifier and are very glad that we did. Check out the F & P HC 150 standalone before you make a decision on what kind of humidifier to get: integrated or standalone.

The only issue that bothers me about this is the cumbersome factor when it comes to travelling but that may not be an issue for the OP.

Paul56 wrote

The only issue that bothers me about this is the cumbersome factor when it comes to travelling but that may not be an issue for the OP.

My standalone F&P HC 150 is definitely more cumbersome to travel with. If I were a still a frequent traveler, I might opt to have a separate travel machine with an integrated humidifier (and take the chance of water leaking into my machine and having it inoperable for the remainder of the trip).

I recently completed a 2-week vacation road trip (2000 driving miles), staying at 4 different hotels/motels. I know that packing, unpacking, and setting up my standalone took more time than someone would take with an integrated humidifier. However, there is a tradeoff. I could easily empty and observe afterwards that my humidifier was completely empty, plus I packed my humidifier in a separate bag than my machine/mask/power "brick". I understand, from reading this forum, that numerous members have accidently packed away their machines with water still residing in their integrated humidifiers and suffered the consequences: a non-working machine or, sometimes, even a damaged/destroyed machine. With my standalone, either here or away, I do not have that concern/worry/problem. I am now more forgetful than I was when I was younger, and having "less worry" is now a higher priority.