I gave that a thought also.

I know that Cpap is sometimes used when a person is being weaned off a ventilator.

Also, with all the talk about ventilators, I wonder if people realize how commonly they are used? I'd forgotten that I have been 'on a ventilator' several times -- during surgeries . (When you are under general anesthesia, a ventilator is used until you're awake again. Sleeperblues can surely talk to this subject with more authority!)

I was wondering about that! Thanks for bringing it up. My dad had used a cpap and now it is just sitting there. I haven’t cleaned it though . . .

There was a segment on NPR yesterday I believe, with exactly that information. I'd have to look to see who is doing it, but someone is refitting CPAP machines to be ventilators for non critical patients. I thought that was very cool. The advantage is that the patient doesn't have to be anesthetized.

good to know!

Thanks mdln...good to know

We had seen something on the news yesterday or today about cpap. They said what mdln said about the aerosolizing issue. But did say that if you were at home and needed to use it as you normally do to continue and to be sure to properly clean your cpap.

If yours has a humidifier remember to use distilled water if you can find it.

The worst cases are being intubated rather than just being on a ventilator.

I always use distilled water in my husband's CPAP, they said it was required.

"I always use distilled water in my husband's CPAP, they said it was required."

This comment has me a bit confused as to who does what but that's okay.

The reason why distilled water is preferred in CPAPs is that in some areas, the tap water mineral content can cause the aluminum heat transfer plate on the bottom of the water reservoir to corrode. I learned this the hard way once on a trip to Europe where I figured it could go a few weeks without distilled water. The corrosion happened so quickly that the aluminum piece separated from the plastic body and it would hold neither water nor air pressure. The lesson was learned. I now leave home armed with how to say distilled water in local languages for where I'm going and call ahead to know what stores sell it and how common it is. Normally, it's in the small urban pharmacies (European countries don't have the large "drug stores" style places like CVS/Walgreens)

If you are using a home CPAP and are covid positive, be aware that it will aerosolize the virus, which is why CPAP and Bi-Pap are not being in hospital settings. Yes, these machines can be converted to ventilators, in the hospital setting.

Chisue, depending on what kind of surgery you had with general anesthesia would determine whether you were intubated and on a ventilator. There is a device called an LMA which can be placed which will allow a patient to breathe normally, with a little assistance, and is less invasive than intubating someone. If the surgery requires paralysis, you are intubated and ventilated. Anyone on a ventilator with covid is intubated, paralyzed, and sedated.

C Pap's can be used without Humidity. My husband and I never used water with ours. No difference in performance but may make your nose dry out without humidity.

I saw this story on a news channel but can't remember which country is using them. Spain or Italy?

Yes, Judy Good, of course you can use a CPAP without humidity. I find it terribly uncomfortable to do so as do most users, that's why units come with a humidity capability. Why would anyone want to use one without humidity?

Well Elmer...... because we don't want to. Is that ok with you? UGH.....

I don't put water in mine....... because I don't want to! LOL

My sister does not put water in her CPAP. She has a problem with her heart and any excess moisture causes her to have water in her lungs.

She had to complain many times and discuss the issue of getting pneumonia many times before a CPAP representative said just keep the water out. No problems and no dryness for her. She has cut her pneumonia re-emergence down to almost nothing! We are all so relieved.

I wonder if one could make a mask for their CPAP so that they would not share the virus with the world when they use it. I don't know if it's possible but it's a thought.

Sure. You don't want to. Why? Doesn't doing so dry out your mouth and throat?

I've done it when using my machine on a battery, there's not enough power for the humidification function. I find it to be an unpleasant sensation in the morning, most uncomfortable.

If you don't dry out then it doesn't matter.

When I have tried it on trips without water in the morning my throat and mouth were extremely dry. Also it felt like the top portion of my lungs were burned. I know that is not possible without high heat or flames but the feeling was similar to having a burn.

My older two did not have the humidifier and became used to being dry.

Exactly, maifleur. I liken the experience to spending an 30 minutes with your nose pinched closed and your mouth affixed to and sucking from the output end of a hair dryer.

I found on Amazon small 16 point something ounce bottles of distilled water that are marked as being eligible for airplanes. I would not take a chance of that but if I can ever travel will be easier than a gallon jug.

Thank you for bringing this up -- I've been wondering about it also. Both my husband and I have cPAPs.

I use RO water. No trouble with sediment or corrosion. I get all I want for free.

In our water-limited area, reverse osmosis systems are discouraged. I don't know if newer ones are better but many in common usage were known to produced 4-6 or more times as much waste water as water for use. For many of us, to take our home water usage and multiply it by 6X or more because of having such a system results in total consumption at a level that in many areas can be a problem. They're definitely not environmentally friendly. Maybe new ones are better

We've had RO for over 20 yrs under our kitchen sink. Hubby uses RO for his CPap. We do not trust tap water, nor like the taste. Not sure how much water it wastes, but my water bills seem about the same as our neighbors in Florida.

When we lived in NY we used it but we had well water and it was nasty. Our undersink RO holds 13 gallons and we use it for drinking and cooking. Some people install full house RO but that would cost a lot of money and I don't feel its necessary.

Jane

Treatment recommendations change...

mdln thanks so much! Good to know.

Would you have a link I could share?

https://www.ficm.ac.uk/sites/default/files/niv_and_cpap_.pdf

https://icmanaesthesiacovid-19.org/news/use-of-cpap-for-covid-19-positive-patients

https://www.ficm.ac.uk/news-events-education/news/letter-regarding-use-continuous-positive-airway-pressure-cpap-covid-19

Thanks so much!