Does anyone NOT use a humidifier?

Afternoon all.
Anyone NOT use a humidifier with their cpap? I just purchased a PR M series a-flex without a humidifier from another forum member and wonder if I really do have to use a humidier. I presently do use one with my F&P 604, but wondered if it is a needed thing. I wanted the M series so that I could track my therapy, with the F&P I can't. Do I need to buy a humidifier and secondly, if I do, does anyone have one for sale? I don't use the humidifier when I go camping and have to hook up to my battery system, but I'm in a quandry as to whether I need it full time. Thoughts please.
Thanks
Nan

My father has never used his humidifier whereas I've never gone a day without using it. I'm also curious to see if I really need it or not.

I started out with the heat turned up halfway. Thought I needed it for "cottonmouth". After I got my mask leaks under control, I found the dryness went away and I used it in "passover mode". Last time I traveled I left the humidifier at home and just took the blower with me. It sent machine noise up the hose and into my head. Barely slept!

Now I use the humidifier only as a "muffler"...empty...unpowered. No dryness, no sinus probs...

I have never use an humidifier and everything is just fine for two years. I wouldn't want the extra time to use/clean it, and keeping moisture to a minimum decreases "bug" growth.

As previously posted, it's difficult to understand why if one doesn't need an humidifier with a respiratory rate of 14 and no CPAP, why does one need an humidifier with a respiratory rate of 14 but WITH a CPAP. The tidal volume and respiratory rate are about the same.

I tried the humidifier for one night only, and hated it. i sort of enjoy the dry cool air blowing, but then again, the cold weather has not started yet.

I used to suffer from nasal and sinus dryness --all year long.
I had an itchy, crusty nose all winter; bad thing with my poor self-control (trigger-finger gross-out)
I definitely need a humidifier--if I use it all night, I don't need it in the daytime.
--And I can let my nails grow!

I started CPAP using a humidifier but decided to try without when the weather turned damp and cool. I have not needed the humidifier for several weeks. I suspect I may need or benefit from it when the Santa Ana winds blow. However, for now, I just don't need it.

nanwilson wrote:Afternoon all.
Anyone NOT use a humidifier with their cpap? I just purchased a PR M series a-flex without a humidifier from another forum member and wonder if I really do have to use a humidier. I presently do use one with my F&P 604, but wondered if it is a needed thing. I wanted the M series so that I could track my therapy, with the F&P I can't. Do I need to buy a humidifier and secondly, if I do, does anyone have one for sale? I don't use the humidifier when I go camping and have to hook up to my battery system, but I'm in a quandry as to whether I need it full time. Thoughts please.
Thanks
Nan

I suspect you'll KNOW when you need it. It's a personal thing: some need it, some don't. Some use high humidifier settings, others just use passover mode.

In general, humidification needs are highest in winter when we heat our homes and room humidity levels are lowest. In summer when room humidity levels are higher (depends on where you live), the need for cpap humidification is lowest.

I have seen no statistics on this but my guess is that MOST use humidification at some level for at least part of the year.

My recommendation is that you wait and see this winter whether or not you need to buy a humidifier for the M Series. If you find you need it, then you can always revert to your F&P until you find a humidifier for your M Series.

Thanks Guys
I will try it without a humidifier and see how I do, you are right, I have lived here for so many years and not needed humidification, but I get a cpap 6 months ago and low and behold, I must use the humidifier. .. I am most anxious to see my stats after going 6 months on this machine with no idea how I'm doing, other than I do feel better and have more energy. I will probably ask more questions of you all once I get the info from my M series.
It should arrive in 3 or 4 days, I'm like a little kid (and I'm an old lady) at Christmas or a birthday waiting for that special gift. At least after 6 months I have tweaked all the bugs out of my therapy and should do great on the new (to me) M series.
Thanks for all your advice, it is most appreciated.
Nan

I used a humidifier for about the first year and a half, always int he passover mode. A few months ago, I decided to stop using it. I didn't miss it at all. I do have dry mouth when I wake up. Two nights ago, I hooked it back up. Ran it a bit on 1 and then on 2. I don't notice any difference at all in the dry mouth. Not quite sure what it's doing for me.

Physician wrote: As previously posted, it's difficult to understand why if one doesn't need an humidifier with a respiratory rate of 14 and no CPAP, why does one need an humidifier with a respiratory rate of 14 but WITH a CPAP. The tidal volume and respiratory rate are about the same.

Air is a compressible medium. So with the conditions you specified above, with CPAP, you are moving a lot more air through your lungs. When you raise air pressure by compressing it, it can hold less water. So, even if the relative humidity is higher, the amount of water in the air on a volume basis, is lower. This is why tou tend to 'dry out' on CPAP. The higher the pressure, the worse the effect is.

Try turning off the heat on your current CPAP and not using it with any water and see how you feel after a couple of days.

Rolf

I started off with a humidifier, and boy did I love it turned up high.. I was a swamp princess!
Couldnt get enough of it..

but then I started getting congestion problems, and so I turned it down, down, and down some more, then the doc said..

NO more for you! so I had to put it in the closet....

However, I think on a hot night, its nice to put icecubes in it!

I did love my climateline hose though, but put that away too..

timbalionguy wrote:
Air is a compressible medium. So with the conditions you specified above, with CPAP, you are moving a lot more air through your lungs. When you raise air pressure by compressing it, it can hold less water. So, even if the relative humidity is higher, the amount of water in the air on a volume basis, is lower. This is why tou tend to 'dry out' on CPAP. The higher the pressure, the worse the effect is.

If this were true, water should be condensing in the CPAP machine, and that does not happen. I dared two CPAP buddies to stop their humidifcation. They did, and felt fine. Others here report otherwise. No problem. To each his own.

For the first year I did not use it. I just hit the year mark and I got sick and the doctor told me to try using a humidifier in my room, so I turned the one on for my machine. Now I use it most days. I say try it both ways to see which you prefer.