Distilled Water?

I was in Target today and checked. It was with all the other water, red cap, 89 cents per gallon.

Sesq wrote:I was in Target today and checked. It was with all the other water, red cap, 89 cents per gallon.

Thanks. I will check there. However, there seems to be a shortage of it where I live, compared to other parts of the country.

jimnsc wrote:Our humidifiers would "pink" up in short order.

And? How would that affect your humidifier's usability; or more important, your therapy?

I remain in awe of the fixation some people have with distilled water (not necessarily you, Jim! This rant isn't aimed your way...).

Like you're gonna die in your sleep if you dare to use anything less for even one night! In essence, your humidifier creates water vapor which is added to the airflow. Vapor IS "distilled"! Those solids that accumulate in your tank are what DIDN'T make it to your lungs.

Bacteria? I'd bet the average air you take in with every breath already contains more nasties than tap water in your humidifier contributes. That's why the good Lord gave us immune systems to keep them at bay.

"But it keeps me from having to replace the tank." How gunked up does the tank have to get before it will no longer do its' job and actually NEEDS to be replaced? (I've never seen one that bad, myself...). But, at almost a buck per gallon for distilled water, it doesn't take long to exceed what a new tank would cost.

Why do docs and techs recommend distilled? Err on the side of caution. POTENTIAL liability. (And, hey, it's not THEIR money you are throwing away...)

Do whatever helps you sleep at night...but don't buy the lie that distilled is required. Or even preferable in most cases.

>> Our humidifiers would "pink" up in short order.
>
> How would that affect your humidifier's usability;
> or more important, your therapy?

This is the most absurd post I've seen in this forum in a long time.
And potentially the most dangerous, if anyone actually believes it.

Don't take _my_ word for it.
Instead take a look at the wikipedia page on "serratia marcescens", which is what is being discussed here.

<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serratia_marcescens>

Read the whole page. Read it carefully for content.

In particular, read about the experiment the Navy did years ago. "Burst balloons of it in urban areas." Read about the infections that resulted. Well, the _documented_ ones anyway.

Read how the FDA recalled a medical product contaminated by s.m. because of the infections it caused.

None of the above is my opinion.


Now here's my opinion on distilled water. It's so cheap and easy that there's no good reason not to. About 3-4 _cents per night_!

For spending that huge sum of money:

If you choose, you may not need to clean out your humidifier and hose as often as if you used another type of water.

You may avoid an infection.

Bottom line, at this price it's simply the _smart move_ to make.

Elsh, I am stunned -- absolutely stunned -- that you say that you can't find distilled water.
"We didn't find it anywhere."

In my area there is not one grocery store, drug store (CVS, Walgreens, etc), or big box store (Target, Walmart, etc) that does _not_ carry it. They all carry it. You need to go to the counter and ask, in case you're missing it.

xyz wrote:Elsh, I am stunned -- absolutely stunned -- that you say that you can't find distilled water.
"We didn't find it anywhere."

In my area there is not one grocery store, drug store (CVS, Walgreens, etc), or big box store (Target, Walmart, etc) that does _not_ carry it. They all carry it. You need to go to the counter and ask, in case you're missing it.

I have only checked a couple of grocery stores so far, but since I have posted this thread, I have read that this is a problem in my area (finding distilled water). I will keep looking.

I find my local stores that do carry distilled water are often out of stock.

It may be a good idea to ask for it or at least mention it when they ask "did you find everything OK?". It may may the store manager a little more diligent about keeping it in stock.

You may find distilled water where baby products are sold or where over the counter medications are sold. Ask your pharmacist. All pharmacies here carry distilled water. If you still can find it. Call your DME and see where they recommend you buy your water. I get mine from CVS or Walgreens. A gallon last me a month or maybe even more.

Elsh wrote:

xyz wrote:Elsh, I am stunned -- absolutely stunned -- that you say that you can't find distilled water.
"We didn't find it anywhere."

In my area there is not one grocery store, drug store (CVS, Walgreens, etc), or big box store (Target, Walmart, etc) that does _not_ carry it. They all carry it. You need to go to the counter and ask, in case you're missing it.

I have only checked a couple of grocery stores so far, but since I have posted this thread, I have read that this is a problem in my area (finding distilled water). I will keep looking.

The stock seems to go in cycles where I live. I have to believe that others are just buying it up when it comes in. Don't forget lots of folks use it in their (Keurig) coffee pots too.

Re: the purchase of another water chamber - most insurance will allow a purchase after 6 months so just make your list now so you don't forget. The problem is not life or death but just like in an iron the heating efficiency of your humidifier degrades to the point it is useless. However comma IF you use distilled, you will never even realize it
Cheers

xyz wrote:This is the most absurd post I've seen in this forum in a long time.

And potentially the most dangerous, if anyone actually believes it.

Actually, it is your post that fits that description perfectly.

The real bottom line is that if you don't follow basic hygiene principles with using xPAP kit in terms of keeping it clean, distilled water is not going to make any difference at all in terms of possible bacterial infection

xyz wrote:take a look at the wikipedia page on "serratia marcescens", which is what is being discussed here.

Ummm, no. What's being discussed here is iron oxide--rust--deposited on the chamber walls by iron in the water supply. (I might have used "orange" instead of "pink", but that wasn't my call.)

What is "absurd" and "potentially dangerous" is not reading and/or comprehending what was being discussed. It makes you look...well...you know. As someone once said, "Read the whole page. Read it carefully for content."

BTW, if you have SM in your tap water, you probably have bigger issues to deal with than what goes in your humidifier. Just sayin'...

If you want the expense and hassle of DW for reasons of convenience, go for it. Just don't pretend you or your machine will come down with the plague from using anything else.

I would guess that those who don't mind drinking water with fluoride and chloride, won't object to inhaling steam containing fluoride chloride, and other contaminants.
But if the main question *now*, is "will it cause you great harm for a few nights use in your humidifier?" ...of course NOT! Absolutely, of course not! Hey, one lil' old pack of cigarettes can't kill you either, RIGHT?????
However, I know that many dentists are now backing off on the use of fluoride. That stuff is bad news, and they've known it for many years.

Vader wrote:won't object to inhaling steam containing fluoride chloride, and other contaminants.

By that line of cock-eyed reasoning, distilled water is useless as well......

billbolton wrote:

Vader wrote:won't object to inhaling steam containing fluoride chloride, and other contaminants.

By that line of cock-eyed reasoning, distilled water is useless as well......

How so?

Vader wrote:

billbolton wrote:

Vader wrote:won't object to inhaling steam containing fluoride chloride, and other contaminants.

By that line of cock-eyed reasoning, distilled water is useless as well......

How so?

Don't expect an answer....he's just a drive-by, full of one-liners.

GumbyCT wrote:

Vader wrote:

billbolton wrote:

Vader wrote:won't object to inhaling steam containing fluoride chloride, and other contaminants.

By that line of cock-eyed reasoning, distilled water is useless as well......

How so?

Don't expect an answer....he's just a drive-by, full of one-liners.