Humidity

topic posted Thu, June 14, 2007 - 9:54 AM by  Unsubscribed
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I've noticed, esp. over the last year or two, that very high humidity at night (in any season, although I'm far enough north that it is much more a summer thing) can keep me very awake for most of the night, countering the good effects of my BiPAP (currently set on 8 and 11 for the past 2 years, using nasal pillows) in a big way. I'm writing this at work, on 2-1/2 hours of Benadryl-assisted (when 3:15am came and went) sleep, and it is far from a pleasant feeling.

Sometimes, if I set the humidifier to a medium-high/high setting (4 and above, on a 0-6 dial), I can eventually get unconscious - but that's not always the case.

I'm also about a month or so away from my next appointment with my sleep specialist, who I also intend to discuss this with. Any tips?
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  • Unsu...
     

    Re: Humidity

    Thu, June 14, 2007 - 2:13 PM
    No tips, but I've noticed that higher humidity in a cooler room (A/C air) has pumped water into my hooter (when I use the nasal pillows or mask). Made my third overnight test pure misery, and gave me a two-day dose of sinusitis another night.

    I have yet to see any bloody benefit from the air-assist. Frankly, I feel as though I can sleep better OFF the dam' machine. (When on it, I'm 12/8 with a 3 setting for humidity).
  • mc
    mc
    offline 63

    Re: Humidity

    Thu, June 14, 2007 - 2:15 PM
    Hey Fred...
    I live in a pretty dry clime area (Southern California) so my experience with humidity is rather limited.

    What about the humidity keeps you up at night? Is it physical discomfort (in general) or an issue with your BiPap or mask? And how does the humidity setting help offset the condition? Sorry for the questions. Not grilling youa t all. I am rather unfamiliar with humidity issues and just trying to understand a bit more.

    In the meantime, my experience witih humidity is limited but goes like this:
    I once went to a summer camp type facility in Maryland near the summer and it was warm, MUCH more humid than SoCal and there was no air conditioning or fan to speak of. I felt like my face was sweaty the whole night and air just kept leaking out of my mask. I use a full face mask so it was a real bear.

    Also, last summer in SoCal we had much more monsoonal type moisture around for a relatively extended period. It was rather warm and humid for a bit. I felt similar problems (like in Maryland) at night as well and all I could do was blow a fan and run the ac a bit (to de-humidify the air a bit). Once the morning arrived and it got warm and I got warm, sleep was pretty much over for me.

    Hope we can help, Fred. In the least, we feel your pain.
    MC
    • Re: Humidity

      Thu, June 14, 2007 - 6:03 PM
      Fred,

      I wonder if you use a heater/humidifier? I can't tolerate breathing warmed air so I just have a plain humidifier. Maybe you could try unheated?

      mc - I lived in MD for three years. To be there in the summer with no a/c or fan is not called summer camp - it's called HELL. Yick.

      And Ned, darling, sorry about the hooter. That does not sound like fun.
      • Unsu...
         

        Re: Humidity

        Fri, June 15, 2007 - 10:19 AM
        The nose knows.... With a full face mask, the outer bridge takes a beating. With a nasal thingee, it either irritates the nostrils or makes me feel like I'm snorting liquid crack.

        Hey! Maybe with my big hooter, I could get a job at that famous restaurant. You know; the one with tight T-shirts and orange shorts....

        Thanks, Darla.
        • Re: Humidity

          Fri, June 15, 2007 - 10:49 AM
          Or form a new band: Hooter and the Blowfish.
          • Unsu...
             

            Re: Humidity

            Fri, June 15, 2007 - 11:50 AM
            Sometimes feel like a blowfish.... I swallow a ton of air from the machine, and as you once mentioned, can no longer be considered "The Quiet Man" when that air passes forth, or fifth....
            • Re: Humidity

              Fri, June 15, 2007 - 1:35 PM
              Maybe you need to take a fifth on the Fourth...

              Ok, you could be Hootie and the Snorefish.
              • Unsu...
                 

                Re: Humidity

                Tue, June 19, 2007 - 7:44 AM
                Perhaps a wee dram o' single malt, distilled from the waters of the Firth of Forth; THAT'll help me sleep for sure, lassie!

                And as for southern rock/ballad bands, it's more like Bloatie and the Snorefish, or Snorty and the Hoofish....

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