Hello, my husband was recently diagnosed with apnea in June of this year.  He was fine for the first 3-4 weeks.  After that, he started having a cough much like a post nasal drip cough.  We went to his primary care physician and she prescribed a steroid nasal spray and an antihistamine.  He's been using these for 2 weeks now and not much improvement.  My husband does have a humidifier on his unit.  We did run out of distilled water and for a week or so he had no water in it all.  We have been using tap water since then.  Not sure if that makes any difference.  Any advise?

Hello Jameswife,

My husband uses tap water in his CPAP humidifier without any negative results.  Perhaps in some areas of the country where calcium deposits/lime in water is high, it could theoretically build up a lime deposit.  

Otherwise, don't worry about using regular tap water.

Dianne
husband has used a CPCP for 20 years

Helo Dianne,

Thanks for the info on the tap water.  The real concern is not the water but the post nasal drip cough that he has had for several weeks now.  Anyone have the same experience?

Are you sure it isn't GERD- acid reflux that is causing the cough?

Definitely post nasal drip.  The doctor prescribed antihistimines and steroid nasal spray.  Neither is helping with the cough.  He already takes medication for acid reflux.  This cough goes on all day long.  The only other thing I can think of is that he is allergic to the latex in the mask.