Humidifiers

[acebass]

As a non-humidifier user, I have a few questions:

Were you given a humidifier when you received you CPAP machine?

If no, did you ask for one?

Did you even know they existed?

If yes, did you question whether you needed it?

Have you tried using your machine without it?

If no, why not?

If yes, what did you notice most?

[acebass]

Thanks,

I only ask because I was not offered, didn't know of their existence and don't suffer the symptoms you speak of.....

[SteveP]

Were you given a humidifier when you received you CPAP machine?

No.

If no, did you ask for one?

Yes I did

Did you even know they existed?

Yes I did (read discussion about that on the Forums)

If yes, did you question whether you needed it?

Yes I did, and the nurse said it was not usual to give a humidifier to newcomers. They preferred we had a real need before giving us one.

Have you tried using your machine without it?

Yes I did for 7-10 days, it was horrible. Day time = blocked nose, very dry mucosa, a few drops of blood coming out when blowing my nose after about 7 days.

If no, why not?

I have used it ever since I was given one. A few problems with rain out the first 2-3 nights, but adjusted temperature on humidifier and all is OK. I seem to "consume" about 250 cc of water per 8-hour nights. The bedroom window has quite a bit more condensation than before even with an open window.

[puffin]

Were you given a humidifier when you received you CPAP machine?

No.

If no, did you ask for one?

Yes

Did you even know they existed?

Not until I got on here.

If yes, did you question whether you needed it?

Have you tried using your machine without it?

Yes, 5 months

If no, why not?

If yes, what did you notice most?

Cold Air, dry mouth.

Hope this helps

[gvader]

Hi acebass,

As a fellow member of the non-humidifier club I thought I'd provide the balance:

Were you given a humidifier when you received you CPAP machine? No

If no, did you ask for one? No

Did you even know they existed? Yes

If yes, did you question whether you needed it? N/A

Have you tried using your machine without it? Yes, every night

If no, why not? N/A

If yes, what did you notice most? Occasional dry mouth but no worse than I've had in the last 20 years of breathing through my mouth

Hope that helps

[Andysee]

Not offered. Didn't ask for one as didn't know they existed until I found this forum after being diagnosed.
Occasional dry mouth but a quick sip of water through a straw (no need to remove nasal mask) sorts it.
Two months of APAP only problem sore nostril which wont go away.

Best regards
Andy

[SteveP]

Not offered. Didn't ask for one as didn't know they existed until I found this forum after being diagnosed.
Occasional dry mouth but a quick sip of water through a straw (no need to remove nasal mask) sorts it....

Even with a humidifier I have a dry mouth. Not sure it is related.

And my most famous tip is I use a baby drinking glass.

[SteveP]

Wow what a superb tip Stevep ,
Do they sell them drinks bottles on eu-pap site ,
A must for every cpap user.
Thanks,

In a shop near you... Tesco, Sainsbury, Asda....

Only problem is the beer doesn't keep cold....

[Andysee]

I must get one of those , much safer to use. You can give yourself a nasty poke in the eye with a straw.

Andy

[SteveP]

I must get one of those , much safer to use. You can give yourself a nasty poke in the eye with a straw.

And with minimum practice you can drink a sip lying down... pure lazyness....

[acebass]

Wow, terrific responses guys, thanks.