Anything other than water in humidifier?

[Sleep Viking]

When I fired up my apap machine for the very first time (about 2 months ago), I felt like I couldn't breathe. As delivered, temp was 80* F and humidity was high (forget the number), and it felt suffocating. I eventually turned both the heat and humidity off, and the air was still a touch warmer than I was used to. It made me wonder - if the humidifier is off, could you put ice in the tank to chill the air?

  From there, I wondered could you put a little vicks vaporub or equivalent in the tank to help clear your sinuses? Maybe something to act as an air freshener when you realize you didn't quite get all the soap out of everything when you washed it?    Or is the humidifier strictly water-only?

[Gary1of2]

Are you feeling starved for air.? The reason you feel that is the lower setting of 4 is often too low try bumping it to 6. Also try downloading you info with sleepyhead . Tgat would be helpful.

[Beej]

There have been folks who used ice or ice water in the humidifier.

As far as putting something in the water - I'm thinking it could leave residue within the machine that might be difficult to clean out and could trap dust, possibly grow bacteria. And it could be more difficult to clean out the humidifier.

[SarcasticDave94]

If it were my machine, I'd stick with water only. Distilled water is recommended, but if your water is not high on mineral content, that can be fine. For myself, I'm sticking with distilled water only, because of that mineral content in my well water.

[chill]

I have considered it, but my wife is adamant that I am not allowed to fill it with Bourbon.  

[Walla Walla]

Might turn in to one of those flaming drinks.

[SarcasticDave94]

I have considered it, but my wife is adamant that I am not allowed to fill it with Bourbon.  

Are you trying to create a Respironics flambe? Results may make it warm in the mask. Or melt some plastic.

[CB91710]

If it were my machine, I'd stick with water only. Distilled water is recommended, but if your water is not high on mineral content, that can be fine. For myself, I'm sticking with distilled water only, because of that mineral content in my well water.

Ditto.

Wife and I joke that our water is hard enough to throw and kill someone without being frozen.

We clean sand from our aerators every year or so.
There is sand in the bottom of our toilet tanks.  Bowl stains require constant attention.

Not going to put that in my machine.



I'm kinda liking the bourbon idea.....

[PaulaO2]

Some online suppliers sell "aromatherapy" stuff to put in the humidifier tank water.

But my thoughts are: I got no way to escape that stink other than taking off the mask. I can't cover my nose, or leave the room, or even just simply put out the incense. There is no smell in this world that I want to be snorting all night long.

As for the ice, it might be better to put in the ice and water but leave the humidifier off. Let it "passively" keep the air cool. This eliminates any possible problem with turning on the heat.

And yeah, if you are using ramp, turn it off. And consider increasing your minimum pressure. You are most likely getting used to the treatment pressure so anything lower is going to feel like smothering. You aren't, it just feels like it. Consider using SleepyHead software to track your data. With it, you can tell what your pressure range truly is and set the machine appropriately.

[trish6hundred]

Hi Sleep Viking,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
Good luck to you with CPAP therapy.