Humidifier question [to use or not to use]

[Big Guy]

I have a built-in humidifier on my CPAP machine. Prior to being diagnosed with sleep apnea, I've never needed to use a humidifier. 

Since having been issued my machine, I've been using the humidifier. I seem to be okay with it. I have it set @ 4, and am going to turn it down further to 2, starting tonight. 

I'm not even sure that I need it on at all. I don't suffer from a dry or irritated throat from what I can tell. 

I looked in my CPAP owner's manual and it doesn't cover anything about not using the humidifier. If I do choose not to use it, do I simply remove the water reservoir from the machine? Or......is there something I need to click on in the menu screen? 

If I really don't need the humidity, I'd like to know.

[Walla Walla]

You can just turn off the heat to the humidifier and leave the tub empty. They also sell a replacement plate which is nice because it reduces the size for travel.

[Big Guy]

Thanks for the reply! I'm going to try and keep reducing the amount of the humidity and see how I feel.

I did order the side replacement plate for my machine today. Figured it's better to have one on hand if the need arises. From what I read up on it, when inserted, it automatically turns the humidifier function off. I like that!

[PaulaO2]

It varies from person to person. Some people never use theirs. Some people can't go without it. I live in the humid US South and once the heater goes off in the spring, I don't use it unless I am ill. But in the dry winter, I gotta have it or I wake up clogged.

Try it without. Try it with just water in the tub and no heat (this is called "passover" humidifying).

[Big Guy]

It varies from person to person. Some people never use theirs. Some people can't go without it. I live in the humid US South and once the heater goes off in the spring, I don't use it unless I am ill. But in the dry winter, I gotta have it or I wake up clogged.

Try it without. Try it with just water in the tub and no heat (this is called "passover" humidifying).

I've been using it w/o the heat. I seem to be doing okay with it. I don't wake up feeling clogged or congested at all. Then again, I've never had any problems being congested. 

I'm curious though, to see how I feel with no humidifying of the air.

[Ockrocket]

I struggled with nasal congestion at night ( I suffer from extremely sensitive nasal lining due to the skin being very thin inside my nose, and assorted airborne allergies give me Hell ).. so I worked my way up to full humidity, which made things even worse with the blocking, and then back down to no humidity at all ( heat off, tank empty ).. 
The no humidity setup is best for me, I get very little blocking overnight now.. 
Over winter I still have the heated tube turned on to take the chill off the air coming through, but nothing more than that for the last 12 months or so now. #happysleeper 

[CB91710]

Never needed one, but during my 2 week "evaluation" period, I had a loaner machine without one and had more than a couple of mornings where I was blowing clots out with the morning snot.
Once I got my permanent machine, I started gradually running the humidifier up until I'd get rainout, then back it down a notch. I've not had any issues in the morning, and my general congestion problems that I've lived with my entire life are pretty much a thing of the past.
Nobody ever suggested that dry air was the cause of my congestion.

[Gideon]

Nobody ever suggested that dry air was the cause of my congestion.

The odd thing is that humid air can do the same thing.  We are all individuals.

Typically we suggest trying to increase humidification if having issues and if that doesn't work to try decreasing it.

[Hydrangea]

It can really depend on you, and what works best for you. Supposedly the humidifier is just for "comfort", and isn't necessary; but I wouldn't be able to use CPAP if there was no humidifier because it makes my air passage dry, scratchy, and painful. Everyone is different.

In that same regard, it really can depend on your environment. When I lived in a humid area, I didn't really need the humidifier. But then I moved to a very dry area, and there's no way I could go without it.