CPAP Aromatheraphy

Sillyme wrote:I wouldn't put anything 'in' the machine. I'm thinking that the amount that gets into the air from outside - through the filter- wouldn't be enough to accumulate in the machine.

You don't know that. Basic science says that 1) any molecule that goes THROUGH the machine may lodge there, and 2) people can have extraordinary sensitivity to minute quantities of the offending substance. On the other hand, it seems, from the empirical evidence, that most people are not particularly sensitive to something like this.

Sillyme wrote:I'm going to try putting a few drops of lavender essential oil on a cotton ball tonight and leave it maybe 6 inches from the air intake. I only want to fall asleep more pleasantly, not inhale it all night. I'll post my results tomorrow.

That's a good idea. Please also report on how much ended up inside the machine.

Ouch! When you stop to think about it, we inhale a ridiculous number of 'scents' every day, most of which we have little control over. Even if you are careful at home there are cleaners, air fresheners, antisceptics, exhaust, flowers, gasoline etc. when we venture out. Most people use scented deodorant, soap, shampoo and perfume. Yikes! At least this is one that I can choose and control. Actually, essential oils are very potent and need to be used sparingly. I own a shop that sells essential oils. I recommend trying a small amount of diluted oil on the inside of the elbow before adding to the bath. Might be a good idea to do that before inhaling - especially if you tend to be sensitive.

Sillyme wrote:Ouch! When you stop to think about it, we inhale a ridiculous number of 'scents' every day, most of which we have little control over. Even if you are careful at home there are cleaners, air fresheners, antisceptics, exhaust, flowers, gasoline etc. when we venture out. Most people use scented deodorant, soap, shampoo and perfume. Yikes!

True. This may be why I cough so much, in spite of the care I take to limit my exposure to these things, where I have control. I use unscented deodorant. I do not use soap, shampoo, or perfume. If you're wearing perfume or cologne out there, you have no idea that it may be causing someone else serious lung problems. I will generally not say anything to you in real life, so you will never know that you are harming me by doing it.

Sillyme wrote:At least this is one that I can choose and control.

Yeah. Like by not using it at all, if you are sensitive or concerned that you might become sensitive to it.

Sillyme wrote:Actually, essential oils are very potent and need to be used sparingly.

All the more reason to be careful about running them through a machine. What if you developed a sensitivity to it such that it was harmful to your lungs? Not impossible--I'm an example showing that it DOES happen, so it might happen to others, too.

I cannot tolerate gluten or casein my diet. Not even the tiniest dusting of wheat flour or cream in my coffee. Doesn't mean you or anyone else should limit their diet if it doesn't bother you. We'd probably all be healthier without the toxic volitile compounds in our environment, but lavender flowers, roses, chamomile, cedar, pine needles, lemon zest and aromatic spices are some of the things that make life more pleasurable. I would definately avoid any of these that you may be sensitive to, but aromatherapy is a respected therapy. Sounds like you are super-sensitive. Must be difficult.

Sillyme wrote:I cannot tolerate gluten or casein my diet. Not even the tiniest dusting of wheat flour or cream in my coffee. Doesn't mean you or anyone else should limit their diet if it doesn't bother you. We'd probably all be healthier without the toxic volitile compounds in our environment, but lavender flowers, roses, chamomile, cedar, pine needles, lemon zest and aromatic spices are some of the things that make life more pleasurable. I would definately avoid any of these that you may be sensitive to, but aromatherapy is a respected therapy. Sounds like you are super-sensitive. Must be difficult.

Of course I'm not going to limit my gluten in my diet because of other people's intolerance to gluten. It doesn't affect them either way. Do you genuinely not see any difference between me eating gluten around you and you wearing fragrance around me? The gluten I eat has no chance of affecting you. The perfume you wear DOES affect me when I'm around you.

Here's a better example. There are people, usually children, for whom even a molecule of a peanut could cause a fatal reaction for them. Around THEM, I would completely avoid peanuts and other peanut products. In that case, my incomplete consumption of something could affect them in a drastic fashion.

I generally don't say anything to people about my problem, because I don't think my problem has to become their problem. I am not asking you not to wear or use fragrance products. What I AM saying is that when you do, it DOES affect me in a harmful way. Obviously, I cannot avoid that all the time. People who know about my problem may or may not avoid using fragrances in my presence. Some do, some don't. I think it is a reflection of uber-care when they discontinue using a fragrance product because of me. I think that is an extraordinarly kind thing to do. But I don't think people who don't refrain are being somehow "mean" to me.

The fact that you cannot tolerate even small amounts of gluten or casein is a reason you should understand exactly why I prefer not to be around fragrances. That you would have a similar problem with so little sympathy for others with a sensitivity to something is somewhat perplexing. Is there any possibility that financial matters are complicating your ability to acknowledge that fragrances may be harmful to some people?

You seem very angry. Sorry you're having such a hard time. Do you have the same reaction to flowers and natural fragrances that you have to synthetic ones? Don't quite understand why you see my comments as insensitive. Actually, I don't use perfumed products myself except for lavender and tea tree oils which I add in small amounts to my homemade grain alcohol-based deodorant. There are chemicals in even unscented deodorant that are questionable (aluminum chlorohydrate, parabens, propylene glycol, triclosan, TEA, DEA, FD&C colors, and quaternium 18, among other toxic chemicals). Check the label on your deodorant. I have MS and try to avoid toxins as much as possible - not easy.

I'm not angry at all. Boy, did you misread that. I even said that people who know that I am impacted by their use of fragrances and don't refrain from using them are not being mean to me in my opinion. Does that sound angry to you?


I'm simply trying to get you to see the difference between someone consuming gluten in your presence, which would have no affect on you, and someone wearing fragrance in my presence, which would have a deleterious affect on me. Perhaps the difference is beyond what you can see right now. It doesn't matter. It certainly makes no difference to me if you use fragrances.

Last attempt . . . The use of aromatherapy oils in someone else's bedroom at night should be of no threat to you. I really don't understand the hostility. I wish you well.

Sillyme wrote:Last attempt . . . The use of aromatherapy oils in someone else's bedroom at night should be of no threat to you.

That is not what we were talking about but at last, there is something with which I can completely agree.

Sillyme wrote:I really don't understand the hostility

Me, either. Maybe the lavendar will help you to feel more calm.

Sillyme wrote:I wish you well.

And a good night's sleep to you, as well.

I have a shot glass with a used (and rinsed) air filter from my ResMed S8 placed inside of it. I have a bottle of Oshadhi brand Highland Lavender essential oil. I sniffed many brands till I found one I loved - and did not have an excessive turpentine effulvia.

I put a few drops in the shot glass right on the filter. The shot glass sits next next to the air intake on my CPAP and that works perfectly.

I have found that Lavender scent knocks me right out if I'm having any trouble sleeping.

The shot glass is a good idea. Last night (third night on CPAP) I just twisted a piece of tissue and proped it up about 6" from the air intake. Only oils I had on hand were orange and lemon essentials so I put four drops of each on the tissue. Too much. I had to move it further away. Next time it'll be 2 - 3 drops. It was way more pleasant than the new plastic smell but wouldn't be my first choice for relaxing. It was more refreshing. Actually, pure vanilla extract from the kitchen would probably have worked better. Tonight I'll bring home some lavender. Nice thing about essentials is that they are very volatile and dissipate quickly. I only want to make falling asleep more pleasant. Inhaling it all night may be unhealthy or lead to sensitivities.
Look forward to hearing what works for others. I'm thinking a drop of anise with the lavender might be nice.

silly and red, ru both using the oils meant for the cpap or reg. essential oils u can buy in a store?

sleepymama wrote:silly and red, ru both using the oils meant for the cpap or reg. essential oils u can buy in a store?

I ordered the oils and diffuser from Pur-Sleep but it's not necessary. You could use any scent you like, though I don't like the idea of inhaling synthetic chemicals. You should be careful even with essential oils not to over-do it. I wouldn't use anything that wouldn't be safe to injest. There is a very good FAQ section on the Pur-Sleep site that should answer all your questions. You can find essential oils at health food stores or online. Generally, you get what you pay for. Most aren't too expensive when you consider that you may only use a drop or two a night. I liked the idea that someone else had done the work of finding blends that work and I'm also giving myself a treat for being so 'compliant'.

If people wish to use aromatherapy in their homes or with their cpap, that is their choice. If it helps you, I am all in favour!

I too, unfortunately, have a reaction to most perfumes, scents, many strong scented flowers, scented candles, etc. I don't use them and try to avoid them. Of course, I can't avoid them all or avoid them all the time.

I don't use the pursleep aromatherapy for that reason. I don't know if they would bother me or not. I do, however, have no trouble falling asleep or staying asleep all night almost 100% of the time so I don't need them.

For those who find these things helpful --- Great! I'm for anything that will help a person get the most effective therapy (if it is safe) or otherwise enjoy life!

Last night I put two drops of Lavender and one drop of Anise essential oil on a tissue about 6" from the air intake. The scent was much less than you would get from a typical scented candle (usually synthetic) in the room. It was heavenly, and later that night when I woke up there was not enough scent left to enter the mask. I think that's just right. I saw my doctor this morning. He asked what made me finally start using the CPAP and he asked what he could pass on to other patients who are resisting treatment. I told him some of what I heard from others on the 'compliance' thread here. He really liked the idea of integrating aromatherapy into the treatment. It helps to overcome some of the negative associations with age and infirmity. Last night was my fourth night on CPAP. I was comfortable, woke up only once and felt great all day. Hard to describe. My head was so clear and everything looked a shade brighter. I must have been really, really deprived. I got an Email that the oils are on the way from Pur-Sleep. I'll try their system out and post my opinion. The retail price on the Lavender (lavendula officinalis) was $11.25/.5 oz. The Anise (Pimpinella anisum) was $5.25/.5oz. I couldn't tell from the Pur site if their's is diluted in a base oil. Using a drop or two at a time, .5 oz of pure oil will last a long, long time.