cpap in the summer tips

[mibbim]

It's hard to use the cpap mask in the winter with everything on my face. Now the weather is getting warmer, looking for tips to make it easier instead of turning on the air condition all the time to keep cool. I thought I can turn off the humidifier in the summer, so leave the humidifier tank empty? Put the level to 0? But many people here suggest still using it. How about the heated tube since I have a heated tube, not sure if I can turn it down to 0 or still maintain some temperature there? I use a self-made cheek pad warp around the strap that sitting on my face to make it more comfortable, but it probably will be too hot in the summer, any other tips? Thanks!

[chunkyfrog]

Both the heated tube and tank have THERMOSTATS.
I find there is no need to change anything.
A mask liner (Pad a Cheek) or a Sleepweaver cloth mask is nice during hot, sweaty weather.

[nanwilson]

It's hard to use the cpap mask in the winter with everything on my face. Now the weather is getting warmer, looking for tips to make it easier instead of turning on the air condition all the time to keep cool. I thought I can turn off the humidifier in the summer, so leave the humidifier tank empty? Put the level to 0? But many people here suggest still using it. How about the heated tube since I have a heated tube, not sure if I can turn it down to 0 or still maintain some temperature there? I use a self-made cheek pad warp around the strap that sitting on my face to make it more comfortable, but it probably will be too hot in the summer, any other tips? Thanks!

Why would you think its hard to wear your mask in winter, just wear it, its saving your life. As to using it in the summer. I still use my mask straps, humidifier and heated hose, its my life, I wish to make it for many years to come. It has been in the 80's and 90's temperature wise here lately and I only use the air con during the day, just have a fan on me at night.... no problems whatsoever. Don't use any excuse to not use your cpap machine, you will regret in in the long run.
Good luck
Nan

[Pugsy]

My nose doesn't like not having enough moisture so I use the humidifier year round and actually set it to what my nose likes and I just leave it at that setting pretty much year round. If the ambient humidity is higher and the machine doesn't need to add much moisture then it simply doesn't use as much water but the humidity my nose gets is the same all the time.
Now some people do better with less humidity and that's all fine and good. I wouldn't sacrifice whatever my nose needs to make it happy by changing things because when my nasal mucosa gets unhappy my sleep gets trashed as well as my daytime comfort because the nasal issues that come about are miserable.
It's just easier to keep a consistent moisture level and I can adjust the hose air temp as needed for comfort and rain out prevention as needed on a changing season basis.

For the heated hose (which I use year round) I use warmer in the winter (my bedroom gets cold in the winter) and I just turn the hose air temp way down in the summer.
Right now I am using "Auto" humidity on my AirCurve 10 machine which I think is 85% but I have the hose air temp to manual so that I can turn the temp way down and it's at 70 degrees right now...so a lot cooler than my winter hose air temps of the 80s. I still don't get any rain out and the cooler air feels better than warm air right now.

I do use the fleece side cheek wraps because if I don't I get strap marks on my face. I don't notice them causing any extra "warmth" to my face at all. If fact I don't really notice them being there at all except no lines on my face in the mornings.

[nanwilson]

It's hard to use the cpap mask in the winter with everything on my face. Now the weather is getting warmer, looking for tips to make it easier instead of turning on the air condition all the time to keep cool. I thought I can turn off the humidifier in the summer, so leave the humidifier tank empty? Put the level to 0? But many people here suggest still using it. How about the heated tube since I have a heated tube, not sure if I can turn it down to 0 or still maintain some temperature there? I use a self-made cheek pad warp around the strap that sitting on my face to make it more comfortable, but it probably will be too hot in the summer, any other tips? Thanks!

Why would you think its hard to wear your mask in winter, just wear it, its saving your life. As to using it in the summer. I still use my mask straps, humidifier and heated hose, its my life, I wish to make it for many years to come. It has been in the 80's and 90's temperature wise here lately and I only use the air con during the day, just have a fan on me at night.... no problems whatsoever. Don't use any excuse to not use your cpap machine, you will regret in in the long run.
Good luck
Nan

===========

the AASM just said cpap does NOT extend life based on double blind studies
what it does is improve the quality of life

feeling good is still worth using it though

It has saved my life, I had 3 warning heart attacks prior to using cpap. Been on the hose for just over 7 years, no heart attacks since, and am sleeping sooo much better, with less health problems.

[tedtomato]

As the weather has become warmer over the last few weeks, I have removed the humidifier from my Resmed machine, and also put the normal hose back (non-heated one).

I was bothered by the cold air during the winter, but machine is fine as configured now for the summer.

[nanwilson]

It's hard to use the cpap mask in the winter with everything on my face. Now the weather is getting warmer, looking for tips to make it easier instead of turning on the air condition all the time to keep cool. I thought I can turn off the humidifier in the summer, so leave the humidifier tank empty? Put the level to 0? But many people here suggest still using it. How about the heated tube since I have a heated tube, not sure if I can turn it down to 0 or still maintain some temperature there? I use a self-made cheek pad warp around the strap that sitting on my face to make it more comfortable, but it probably will be too hot in the summer, any other tips? Thanks!

Why would you think its hard to wear your mask in winter, just wear it, its saving your life. As to using it in the summer. I still use my mask straps, humidifier and heated hose, its my life, I wish to make it for many years to come. It has been in the 80's and 90's temperature wise here lately and I only use the air con during the day, just have a fan on me at night.... no problems whatsoever. Don't use any excuse to not use your cpap machine, you will regret in in the long run.
Good luck
Nan

===========

the AASM just said cpap does NOT extend life based on double blind studies
what it does is improve the quality of life

feeling good is still worth using it though

It has saved my life, I had 3 warning heart attacks prior to using cpap. Been on the hose for just over 7 years, no heart attacks since, and am sleeping sooo much better, with less health problems.

==============.

if you say so then congratulations

but the data says that the AVERAGE change is not significant for longevity[/quote]

HMMM... just re-read this thread and nowhere did you say .. that the AVERAGE change is not significant for longevity, do you always forget what you have written in a specific thread.
You contradict yourself so many times, you forget when and where you have stated something. How about sticking to the questions asked instead of expounding on what you have read or made up. GO AWAY OR BETTER STILL GO TO THE OTHER FORUM, they will love your for who you are.

[Goofproof]

It's hard to use the cpap mask in the winter with everything on my face. Now the weather is getting warmer, looking for tips to make it easier instead of turning on the air condition all the time to keep cool. I thought I can turn off the humidifier in the summer, so leave the humidifier tank empty? Put the level to 0? But many people here suggest still using it. How about the heated tube since I have a heated tube, not sure if I can turn it down to 0 or still maintain some temperature there? I use a self-made cheek pad warp around the strap that sitting on my face to make it more comfortable, but it probably will be too hot in the summer, any other tips? Thanks!

Why would you think its hard to wear your mask in winter, just wear it, its saving your life. As to using it in the summer. I still use my mask straps, humidifier and heated hose, its my life, I wish to make it for many years to come. It has been in the 80's and 90's temperature wise here lately and I only use the air con during the day, just have a fan on me at night.... no problems whatsoever. Don't use any excuse to not use your cpap machine, you will regret in in the long run.
Good luck
Nan

===========

the AASM just said cpap does NOT extend life based on double blind studies
what it does is improve the quality of life

feeling good is still worth using it though

It has saved my life, I had 3 warning heart attacks prior to using cpap. Been on the hose for just over 7 years, no heart attacks since, and am sleeping sooo much better, with less health problems.

==============

if you say so then congratulations

but the data says that the AVERAGE change is not significant for longevity

Maybe she should write a paper for the AASM, she could pick up a little walk around money, maybe get a grant, but I doubt it because what she says makes sense. They wouldn't want to publish anything like that. Jim

[Janknitz]

My old CPAP humidifier heater died about 3 years in and I continued to use it for another three years. I used water in it in "Passover Mode"--meaning water just passed over but wasn't heated. It was very nice in the summer, actually.

I don't have air conditioning at home unless you count the open window and fan that blows directly on me. When I get really hot, I like to direct the vent air from the CPAP mask onto my arms or hold my hand up a few inches in front of the vent to direct the air to my face--it's cool and lovely on a hot night.

A mask liner helps if the silicone against your face makes you sweat.

[chunkyfrog]

Among physicians, those who can heal, heal.
Those who cannot, publish. Much of that is either plagiarized or made up.
Academia is littered with cut and paste--too often without understanding.
If anything said contradicts what you honestly have experienced, it's time for a small, single grain of salt.
Studies are financed by grants.
Grants of any kind are said to be determined through a "complex process".
Usually, the final decisions are made behind locked doors.
As much as we'd wish it were not so, results are often determined before any studying is done.
I would not discount the possibility that the AASM study was pre-skewed.
On can only wonder in whose interest . . .

[EdNerd]

It's hard to use the cpap mask in the winter with everything on my face. Now the weather is getting warmer, looking for tips to make it easier instead of turning on the air condition all the time to keep cool. I thought I can turn off the humidifier in the summer, so leave the humidifier tank empty? Put the level to 0? But many people here suggest still using it. How about the heated tube since I have a heated tube, not sure if I can turn it down to 0 or still maintain some temperature there? I use a self-made cheek pad warp around the strap that sitting on my face to make it more comfortable, but it probably will be too hot in the summer, any other tips? Thanks!

============

the humidity is higher in summer
you have less need for it

Not in the SW corner of AZ where I live.
Triple-digit temps and single-digit humidity.
AC going like mad day and night, which dries the air.
Won't get humid until the monsoons hit.
And then we'll be lucky to get any rain at all.

Your mileage may vary.
Ed

[ChicagoGranny]

===========

the AASM just said cpap does NOT extend life based on double blind studies

How the hell do you do a double-blind study of using CPAP?

You have a group of patients who are using CPAP, but don't know they are using CPAP??

I want that mask and machine!

Greater time on CPAP was associated with reduced mortality ...

http://www.aasmnet.org/jcsm/ViewAbstract.aspx?pid=29071

[Gryphon]

Ummmmmmmmm.... So let me get this strait. If I'm diagnosed with profoundly sever sleep apnea and my oxygen levels drop to the mid to low 50's during REM sleep each night.

What your saying is that some interesting magical study done by doctors said that. If I use my machine it won't help me live "Longer" just make me more comfy while I die just as quickly anyway?

So your saying that if I don't have horrible desats each night and I don't stress my body to the point of cardiac arrest each night that it won't make any difference to my overall longevity and life expectancy? I'm scratching my head here trying to understand what the heck your talking about or where your coming from.

How can I have two situations, one were I'm having near death experiences every other night as I sleep and the other were I'm wearing a machine that maintains my airway so I can breath like "Normal" people and have none of the adverse effects of sleep apnea and have the same outcome overall?

Why do we need a medical study to tell us that not letting our bodies suffer with lack of oxygen and sleep and stress hormones will let us live longer. How can that even make any sense?

That's like saying that treating diabetes with insulin won't help you live longer it'll just make the food taste better till you die. So don't bother taking insulin if you don't like needles because it won't make any difference anyway.

Can you please stop talking nonsense or at least explain where your thoughts are coming from better so I can attempt to wrap my head around them.

[Gryphon]

In response to the OP's question.

How you handle CPAP as the seasons change depend a lot on you and your environment. For me I keep the AC on at night - not as much during the day - I can't sleep in a hot room. My overall practices don't change as yours might because I keep the room cold all year long. In the winter for me the room gets even colder because I don't turn on the heat unless it gets into the 50's in my bedroom. So I have to crank up the heat on the heated hose as high as it'll go to keep rain out at bay.

For you if you don't want to add extra "Heat" to your breathing air, I'd still leave water in the tank but let it work passively. Just because your turning off the heat doesn't mean you have to run it dry. Most machines the hose and the tank can be operated independently. You can set them up how ever you like. You should be able to turn off the heat on the heated hose if your room is rather warm.

You have a few questions you should ask your self.


Do you like your breathing air to be very humid?

Do you use a high humidity level on your PAP to prevent dry mouth for example?

Does humidity level in your house get higher during the summer or stay the same? Some people's house air becomes dryer in the winter because the central heat can dry it out but may stay the same in the summer.

What kind of fabric is the "Self-made cheek pad" you made created with? I used to have a forehead pad for my Quatro that was made with fleece for winter and cotton for summer. You might find that makes a difference, it may not.

Generally speaking. If your trying to keep cooler during the summer and the humidity doesn't make much of a difference to you I would do this.

Leave water in your humidifier but turn the setting to 0. Turn the heat off on your hose - set to 0. If your self made wrap is made with a heavy insulating fabric see if remaking it with a soft cotton or breathable micro fiber helps with comfort.

Everyone's situation is different so I'd try a few things and find what works best for you. Don't be afraid to make a few minor changes if you feel something isn't working. Just don't stop using your cpap overall.

Best of luck to you as the temps grow warmer. I wish you well.

Gryphon

[Jack Burton]

How the hell do you do a double-blind study of using CPAP?

That is a very good question.