Re: Positive Pressure Ventilator Humidifier Questions

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/17/2004 1:29:35 PM Pacific Standard Time,

alrt@... writes:

The doctor

ordered a heated humidifier to go with it. The respiratory therapist and I

agreed that the humidifier was overkill - distilled water, daily washing,

extra power cord, etc. She suggested a little valve added to the tubing

circuit called a Heat Moisture Exchange. I like the simplicity of this

alternative, but am bothered by the directive to replace it daily -

Hey Alana,

I use a vent at night and have stopped using the heated humidifier a while

ago. It was just too much work and emptying out the hose every couple hours was

a drag. There'd be times where the water didn't settle to the bottom of the

hose and would end up going down the trache which isn't very fun. I also tried

the little valve and like you, I feel like it's such a waste to replace that

every day or two. Plus, the difference wasn't that noticeable. It was at first

but after repeated use, it didn't seem to be working anymore. So now if i feel

dried out, i either use some saline or albuterol treatments. Oh and we change

tubing every week and a half to two weeks.

Deena

[Guest guest]

Well as being a parent I have of course not the same out look on it as

most do. Personally I dont like the C-pap (I have used it because of

sleep apnea) and it feels like sticking your head outside a car window

with it going 65 miles an hour and trying to breath, so I prefer the

bi-pap. Now as for the humidifier, we do use one for Aschdon and will

not use the bi-pap with out it cause it overly dries his nasel passages

and well everything that has to do with breathing. We do use only

distilled water for it because it helps keep now the mineral deposits

and less cleaning. I know there are chemicals that can make it so you

can even clean it less. Now of course I dont do things like every one

else, and have always done it how I know how to. We clean the hoses and

the water tank of the humidifier only once a week with water and

viniger.

Aschdon uses albuterol to help keep his airways open during allergy

season and when he has a cold. He only weigh 31 pounds so I cant help on

the dosage too much. My daughter is 6 and uses albuterol as well for her

asthma and she weights almost 50 pounds and uses about 3/4 of a vial of

it.

hugs

Kenya

Positive Pressure Ventilator Humidifier Questions

Hi Folks,

I'm transitioning on to a CPAP with nasal pillows at night. The doctor

ordered a heated humidifier to go with it. The respiratory therapist

and I

agreed that the humidifier was overkill - distilled water, daily

washing,

extra power cord, etc. She suggested a little valve added to the tubing

circuit called a Heat Moisture Exchange. I like the simplicity of this

alternative, but am bothered by the directive to replace it daily - So

much

waste!

- How many of you use some form of humidifier?

- How often do you clean and/or replace tubing and filters?

- Do you worry much about bacteria growth?

On a slightly different note, do you use a medication to keep your air

passages clear? What type? What is your dosage? I weigh 50 lbs. and

fear

I'm taking too much.

Thanks!

Alana

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[Guest guest]

Thank you, Kenya, for your response. Funny, BiPAP doesn't work for

me...probably because I'm so accustom to the non-flexible breathing rhythm

of the portable iron lung I've been using.

It's good to hear from someone who's not interested in chemical cleaning

solutions, and who seems content w/weekly tube washing. So far, I haven't

gotten dried out, but if I do I'll switch to the heated humidifier. I have

Albuterol and a nebulizer around just in case. Fortunately, I've only

needed it once in 4 years. Thanks for the practical information.

Cheers!

Alana

[Guest guest]

You are so welcome. I am happy to hear the c-pap works for you though

and you have a point why the bi-pap probably doenst work for you. I am

very anti chemical stuff if I can. The more natural the better as there

is so much crap in everythign already I try to keep stuff simple. Oh and

yes our humidifier is not heated though. Where abouts do you live, that

makes a big difference too. We live in Wyoming and we have to have a

humidifer with it cause everything is sooooo dry. We tried it and he

woke up with crusty boogers and a horse throat so we always use it with

now.

I am interested to hear how the nasel prongs work. I hate the mask and I

am sure Aschdon hates it more than me. I cant wait until he is big

enough to try the nasel prongs.

hugs

Kenya

RE: Positive Pressure Ventilator Humidifier

Questions

Thank you, Kenya, for your response. Funny, BiPAP doesn't work for

me...probably because I'm so accustom to the non-flexible breathing

rhythm

of the portable iron lung I've been using.

It's good to hear from someone who's not interested in chemical cleaning

solutions, and who seems content w/weekly tube washing. So far, I

haven't

gotten dried out, but if I do I'll switch to the heated humidifier. I

have

Albuterol and a nebulizer around just in case. Fortunately, I've only

needed it once in 4 years. Thanks for the practical information.

Cheers!

Alana

A FEW RULES

* The list members come from many backgrounds, ages and beliefs So all

members most be tolerant and respectful to all members.

* Some adult language and topics (like sexual health, swearing..) may

occur occasionally in emails. Over use of inappropriate language will

not be allowed. If your under 16 ask your parents/gaurdian before you

join the list.

* No SPAMMING or sending numerous emails unrelated to the topics of

spinal muscular atrophy, health, and the daily issues of the disabled.

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[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/17/2004 4:29:35 PM Eastern Standard Time,

alrt@... writes:

I'm transitioning on to a CPAP with nasal pillows at night. The doctor

ordered a heated humidifier to go with it. The respiratory therapist and I

agreed that the humidifier was overkill - distilled water, daily washing,

extra power cord, etc. She suggested a little valve added to the tubing

circuit called a Heat Moisture Exchange. I like the simplicity of this

alternative, but am bothered by the directive to replace it daily - So much

waste

I have a himidifier hooked up with my bipbp. I feel MISERABLE the next

morning if I forget to turn on the humidifier that night. I use bottled water,

and

no it doesn't get a daily wash. One of the filters on my bipap I have the

nurses change weekly, the other one monthly. Tubing and nasal pillows get

soaked weekly. I have the night shift nurse rinse off the nasal pillows as

needed

during the week. Bacteria has never been an issue or concern for me.

Sincerely,

s, the Unique Princess.

[Guest guest]

Kenya,

I did not know if you knew this but NasalAire is supposed to be coming out

with like 6 new pediatric sizes by July so they should have a size to fit

all kids in the next couple months- we are excited- we have the extra small

for Brett and of course they are WAY too big and he won't even give them a

chance. How have you and Aschdon been?

Kristal

Mom to Brett- SMA II- 4 years old

" Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you respond to it. " ~anonymous

Visit Brett's website at: http://www.our-sma-angels.com/brett/index.htm

RE: Positive Pressure Ventilator Humidifier

> Questions

>

>

> Thank you, Kenya, for your response. Funny, BiPAP doesn't work for

> me...probably because I'm so accustom to the non-flexible breathing

> rhythm

> of the portable iron lung I've been using.

>

> It's good to hear from someone who's not interested in chemical cleaning

>

> solutions, and who seems content w/weekly tube washing. So far, I

> haven't

> gotten dried out, but if I do I'll switch to the heated humidifier. I

> have

> Albuterol and a nebulizer around just in case. Fortunately, I've only

> needed it once in 4 years. Thanks for the practical information.

>

> Cheers!

> Alana

>

>

>

> A FEW RULES

>

> * The list members come from many backgrounds, ages and beliefs So all

> members most be tolerant and respectful to all members.

>

> * Some adult language and topics (like sexual health, swearing..) may

> occur occasionally in emails. Over use of inappropriate language will

> not be allowed. If your under 16 ask your parents/gaurdian before you

> join the list.

>

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> spinal muscular atrophy, health, and the daily issues of the disabled.

>

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>

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>

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>

> oogroups.com

>

> List manager: (Sexy Mature Artist) Email: Esma1999@...

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> _____

>

>

[Guest guest]

Alana,

My son Brett uses a heated humidifer with a Bi-Pap at night, we do use

distilled water- which I highly recommend. When he is well, I clean the

tubing about every 10 days and replace the filters twice a month. When he is

sick, I clean the tubing every other day and replace the filters twice a

week- this may be overkill- but I figure the chances of bacteria growth are

higher during an illness. I have never worried about bacteria growth though.

We clean with vinegar and water too. Hope this helps!

Kristal

Mom to Brett- SMA II- 4 years old

" Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you respond to it. " ~anonymous

Visit Brett's website at: http://www.our-sma-angels.com/brett/index.htm

Positive Pressure Ventilator Humidifier Questions

> Hi Folks,

>

> I'm transitioning on to a CPAP with nasal pillows at night. The doctor

> ordered a heated humidifier to go with it. The respiratory therapist and

I

> agreed that the humidifier was overkill - distilled water, daily washing,

> extra power cord, etc. She suggested a little valve added to the tubing

> circuit called a Heat Moisture Exchange. I like the simplicity of this

> alternative, but am bothered by the directive to replace it daily - So

much

> waste!

>

> - How many of you use some form of humidifier?

> - How often do you clean and/or replace tubing and filters?

> - Do you worry much about bacteria growth?

>

> On a slightly different note, do you use a medication to keep your air

> passages clear? What type? What is your dosage? I weigh 50 lbs. and

fear

> I'm taking too much.

>

> Thanks!

> Alana

>

>

>

>

> A FEW RULES

>

> * The list members come from many backgrounds, ages and beliefs So all

> members most be tolerant and respectful to all members.

>

> * Some adult language and topics (like sexual health, swearing..) may

> occur occasionally in emails. Over use of inappropriate language will

> not be allowed. If your under 16 ask your parents/gaurdian before you

> join the list.

>

> * No SPAMMING or sending numerous emails unrelated to the topics of

> spinal muscular atrophy, health, and the daily issues of the disabled.

>

> Post message:

> Subscribe: -subscribe

> Unsubscribe: -unsubscribe

>

> List manager: (Sexy Mature Artist) Email: Esma1999@...

>

>

>

>

> oogroups.com

>

> List manager: (Sexy Mature Artist) Email: Esma1999@...

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

i had like a cascade humidifier w/my bipap when i was young that needed

distilled water. it had a removable heating element that i took out b/c the air

would be too moist and hot. w/out though i was very cold so i used lots of

heavy

blankets. i was stronger then so heavy blankets werent a prob. now i have a

fisher paykel humidifier for my vent and heard it can be used w/cpap. i keep

the air very warm and the tubing does get water in it so you have to be

careful it doesnt dump into u. my travel vent does not have this humodifier on

it

and is very cold and dries me out so i wouldnt recommend going w/out somekind

of humidfication. as for tubing changes i do them normally once a week and

everything is disposiblle. if water collects in the tubing and sits there it

can breeed bacteria. i have gone weeks w.out changing the tubing when there r

no nurses to change it and it begins to smell. hope this helps, oh as for

respitory meds i take 2 puffs of flovent bid and have albueterol 3 puffs prn q4.

kimi

[Guest guest]

the little valve you r referring to is it a humidivent or thermavent?

kimi

[Guest guest]

it's a humidi vent.

At 05:48 AM 4/18/04 -0400, you wrote:

>the little valve you r referring to is it a humidivent or thermavent?

>kimi

[Guest guest]

thank you kimi, kristal, brookes, deena and kenya. everybody seems to

handle tube-cleaning and humidification a little differently, though, the

one thing we all agree on is that we don't wash everything daily. so far

the nasal pillows are comfortable but i'm having difficulty keeping my

mouth closed when I doze off. i hope this is only a short-term change for

surgery - then back to my old vent.

cheers!

alana