I live in Calgary Alberta Canada which tends to be pretty dry and was wondering if anyone has an input in regards to using a humidifier with PAP.
Regards,
Daryn
0
clanpark
Jun 4
Daryn,
I have found from personal PAP experience that it is more difficult to breathe in humid air than dry air. Humidifiers can also spew harmful bacteria if not cleaned religiously.
Always keep on top of your nebulizing equipment. I am currently treating PAP with inhaled GM-CSF through a vibrating mesh nebulizer; the Pari eRapid system to be exact. Over the last few months, I barely noticed the degradation of my treatments as it occurred over such a long period of time. Yet recently, my nebulization time was nearing 10 minutes, which I knew was dramatically longer than when I first purchased my equipment. I finally replaced my nebulizer's vibrating mesh head and my nebulizing time (for 1.5ml of saline + GM-CSF) was only 2 minutes! Despite regular cleaning and sanitization, vibrating mesh nebulizers degrade and experience significant performance declines. I have now set up my calendar to automatically remind me every 6 months to replace my nebulizer's vibrating mesh head.
I just wanted to emphasize how important, vital, it is to use your supplemental oxygen if your O2 blood saturation rates (SATs) are low, usually less than <90. My PAP was very aggressive. Even after being lavaged, my SATs improved but still remained low. My vanity kept me from using my oxygen. When I almost passed out in the grocery store I decided it was less embarrassing to use my oxygen than to be known as the guy who "Needed Clean Up in Aisle 5" of the local grocery store! I was on continuous oxygen 24/7 for over 4 years. Sometimes I needed as much as 15L to keep me at 90. I started with compressed air tanks, which proved way too inconvenient. I switched to liquid oxygen hi-flow portables which gave me much greater flexibility and portability. The hi-flow liquid O2 portables allowed me to work and play. I played golf and hunted big game with these hi-flow portables. When I was resting at home I used a concentrator. The supplemental O2 made me feel much better and I was able to get about my life. It also helped keep my body healthy while fighting off PAP. So, please use your supplemental oxygen if you need it! Steve Park - VP for Development, PAP Foundation
Daryn,
I have found from personal PAP experience that it is more difficult to breathe in humid air than dry air. Humidifiers can also spew harmful bacteria if not cleaned religiously.