[CPAP] humidifier settings for high altitude

[wnorrick]

I have a travel Devilbiss cpap machine with humidifier. I live at basically sea level and I am in Colorado mountains on vacation. I keep my heater setting on 4 normally however in the dry climate I am getting a little bleeding nose and waking up with a dry mouth. I haven't had this machine long and haven't had these problems with my ResMed S9 with humidifier set on 80. Of course I haven't used it in this high, dry climate. Would I turn the 4 on the Devilbiss up or down to improve dry mouth and nose? Also will it be a problem for me if I get the nose bleed during the nights while on my machine and don't know it. It is mostly bleeding when I blow my nose not a stream that I have to stop. Any suggestions are welcome. I am new to the forum and so glad I found you.

[trish6hundred]

Hi wnorrick,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
You could try turning it up a notch and see if that would help you.
Hang in there for more suggestions.
Best of luck and have a good vacation.

[iSnooze]

I found the following info from the Divilbiss humidifier brochure:
The heater setting can be adjusted in a range of 1 to 10. The optimum temperature setting is dependent on the ambient temperature and humidity of your room. If your room temperature is low and/or the relative humidity is high, then a lower temperature setting may be necessary for optimum comfort. The heater setting of 1 results in a heater plate temperature of approximately 84°F (29°C). The heater setting of 10 results in a heater plate temperature of approximately 149°F (65°C).

If your humidifier goes up to 10 and you only have it on 4, I would recommend trying it on 6. If that's too much, cut back to 5. If it doesn't seem enough, go up to 7 or 8. Unfortunately in a new situation it's a lot of trial and error.

As long as you are sleeping fine, I wouldn't worry about the nosebleed that is noticeable when you blow your nose. But I will add that I'm no expert on the matter. I'm basing this on the fact that I used to get a lot of nosebleeds as a kid and young adult. I usually only noticed them when I blew my nose.

[wnorrick]

Thank you both for your replies. I will turn it up to 6 tonight and see what happens. I am so happy I found the forum as there is a wealth of information here and people like you so willing to help others.

[zonk]

The heater setting of 1 results in a heater plate temperature of approximately 84°F (29°C). The heater setting of 10 results in a heater plate temperature of approximately 149°F (65°C).

The S9 humidifier temperature can be set between 16-30C (61-86F) 16C (61F) being the lowest and 30C (86F) the highest