Poll: Who has never used the humidifier?

I've had successful CPAP (some zero OA/CA nights) for about six months now. Never used the humidifier. Caught one really bad 3-week cold in October that others were getting too. As long as I don't develop tons of colds or have sore nasal passages, is it OK to never use the humidifier? The house is dry (heated) in winter, so I'm kind of surprised I'm doing well without it. Has anyone here gone years without using one, without problems? Just looking for some moral support for this risky(?) behavior. Thanks!

I've been running for 2 years without, then I bought a new apap and started using humidification. Now I would not be without humidification for it feels so comfortable. Have never had any problems either with or without humidification.

surf_rower wrote:As long as I don't develop tons of colds or have sore nasal passages, is it OK to never use the humidifier? The house is dry (heated) in winter, so I'm kind of surprised I'm doing well without it. Has anyone here gone years without using one, without problems? Just looking for some moral support for this risky(?) behavior. Thanks!

Use of a humidifier is completely optional. It all depends on the nose in question.

For example, take my brother: He never uses his humidifier because even the smallest amount of extra humidity makes his nose intensely unhappy. He's been on PAP for 4 to 4.5 years.

But me? Tried it without the humidifier one night and my nose was painfully dry the next morning.

I used it for about a year, then tried it without and got along fine for the next 7 years, and no fuss and muss about cleaning it. You don't need it if you don't want it.

Humidification is a comfort issue...some like it...some don't. Just like in your home. Some areas of the country are humid..some are not.

Do you live relatively near water - as in Seattle, or the Carolinas? I'm 15 mins away and hardly ever need the thing... but I know in Colo. or Arizona I'd want it.

I've been using C-B PAP for over seven years without a humidifier. It was three years before I even knew there was such a thing. I'm also a mouth breather. Have never been able to breathe only thru my nose. A nasal mask or pillow would leave me breathless. Consequently, the use of only a full face mask. Sometimes mouth and/or nose is slightly dry. But it's always been that way.

I only used my humidifier in passover until last spring with something changed. Now I have to have my humidity maxed and I still get dried out. I was recently put on O2 full time and I just got the water bottle for my concentrator last week and it has made a huge difference. If I don't use my mouth guards I wake up feeling like my toungue have been turned to wood. I wish I knew what caused the change.

Julie wrote:Do you live relatively near water - as in Seattle, or the Carolinas? I'm 15 mins away and hardly ever need the thing... but I know in Colo. or Arizona I'd want it.

Eastern PA - it is fairly humid. But inside the house is dry in winter. Skin of my hands gets dry and cracked. Well, it is good to hear that others don't use one. If it ain't broke don't fix it, right?

I am in Arizona so a humidifier is a must here. Mine is set at 4.5.

I went for about 5 yrs without humidification with no issues (other than successful therapy and a low AHI) to report.

This winter has been particularly cold and dry, so just for the heck of it, I've been humidifying at the lowest setting for a few months. No changes (other than a dang cold and cough). Even when I do humidify, I don't travel w the humidifier (too bulky and a bit of a "pain").

As soon as the winter rains finally hit the golden state, I'm putting the humidifier away, hopefully for several more years.

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I used mine for a while at the beginning almost 5 years ago until I discovered my nasal congestion was actually being caused by the humidity, not relieved by it. My doctor gave me some hideous steroidal spray to deal with it but that just made things worse. I finally ditched the humidifier and the spray and have never touched either since. My nose is clear and easy breathing without it.

I'm another ex-humidifier. I travel often. At first I skipped the humidifier on one night outings, just to save trouble, then on longer trips. I realized I sometimes let my reservoir run dry at home as well without noticing. Finally I simply put it away. I'm not saying it's true for everyone, but many people adapt easily to CPAP without humidification.