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The Physician sounds a lot like my last sleep physician who I was referred to when my Ear Nose & Throat specialist (who ran a sleep clinic) retired. He sneered when I told him I had my tonsils removed (at age 42), saying "I hope you're happy you wasted your time having an unecessary and painful operation that would have done nothing"... I told him how it improved my breathing by about 40% and reduced my hourly episodes from 80 apneas to 50 hypopneas and just 2 apneas. That shut him up, moron

I don't believe anybody is "needlessly" using a humidifier, and resent the inference that there's some insidious evil plot to sell patients something they don't need just to make money.

I had a pretty stupid first 10 years on a Resmed CPAP set on a constant airflow with no humidifier.

I guess The Physician's next post will be on a Chronic Fatigue Syndrome forum trying to infer that CFS doesn't exist.

prp wrote:I don't believe anybody is "needlessly" using a humidifier,

You make me feel unique. I needlessly used the humidifier for two years because everyone told me how wonderful it was. Three years without it now and no nasal airway drying. (I did use it maybe ten days this year in the coldest part of the winter when the gas heat was running much of the day and night and the room humidity fell to 30 to 35%.)

So I doubt that I am that unique and feel sure there are plenty of people, especially in warm humid climates, who are needlessly using the humidifier.

(There must be something about the user name "Physician" that raises the hackles on the backs of the necks of forum members. )

Roster, did you find that you had a runny nose when you used the humidifier? I know that this is probably not the most common experience but I swear that the additional air blowing into my nose alone makes my nose run a tiny bit. It was ridiculous when I took the DME's advice and tried the humidifier when I was new to cpap.

I'm in Prescott Arizona. A mile up...need I say more?! Try 12% humidity. In the winter with the forced air heat on? Let's talk REALLY dry. I use it when I need it...like tonight. The monsoon just passed again. The humidity is up to 78%...won't need it tonight. Like some have said...depends on location and "need".

When I started Cpap, the sleep tec told me to increase the humidity because of fluttering mouth exhalations which woke me up (I think she called it "puffing" or "flapping" or something). She did give a convincing physiological explanation for dry air being the cause of the problem, but I forget it now.

Moby wrote:When I started Cpap, the sleep tec told me to increase the humidity because of fluttering mouth exhalations which woke me up (I think she called it "puffing" or "flapping" or something). She did give a convincing physiological explanation for dry air being the cause of the problem, but I forget it now.

Do you still have that problem? You are using a nasal mask and any leaking or breathing from the mouth with a nasal mask can render the therapy ineffective.

When I first started to use CPAP (about 20 years ago) a humidifier was NOT an option. About 18 year ago, I paid for a passover humidifier due to drier conditions during the winter. We also had to add a humidifier in our bedroom. I would have too much problems with dry air during the winter. More recently (a couple years back now) I switched to a Resmed Quattro Full Face mask. Unfortunately, I tend to periodically sleep with my mouth open. And I can tell when I do. I tend to have more problems with plaque build up in the winter on my teeth. Essentially, as the air dries, it also dries my mouth, which can lead to a problems with my gums. So, I essentially only use a humidifier during the cooler months.

Is it needless? Nope. As in all things, it depends on the person and on the situation.

JohnBFisher wrote: I tend to have more problems with plaque build up in the winter on my teeth. Essentially, as the air dries, it also dries my mouth, which can lead to a problems with my gums. So, I essentially only use a humidifier during the cooler months.

Ever tried Biotene Gel? viewtopic.php?f=1&t=45133&p=404710#p404710

roster wrote:... Ever tried Biotene Gel? ...

Thanks for the pointer!! I will look into it. Even with higher humidity (when using a humidifier) my mouth tends to dry out. That can not be good for my gums and teeth. After all, they are supposed to remain moist.

never use humidifer ..to much condensation .. water in hose..etc....eight years and no problems ..would like to cut humifier loose but integrated to machine ..don;t need extra bulk

No, I need my humidifier.