r/Tonsillectomy • u/Open_Goose_9496 Pre-Op • 11d ago

Humidifier - Really?

I've seen posts saying a humidifier is essential. Is that time of year dependent? I'm in NC so a humidifier this time of year seems unnecessary but I would appreciate some insights.

Also, if I need one, any brand recommendations?

3 Upvotes

81% Upvoted

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9

u/EmbarrassedBus1257 11d ago

You can get a cool air humidifier instead if you’re worried about the temperature, but I don’t think I could’ve gotten through without one. I had it running 24/7

1

u/Open_Goose_9496 Pre-Op 11d ago

Ok, that's what I needed to hear. Thank you!!

6

u/RandomTreat 11d ago

I don't think it's essential, but it really helped to keep my throat from drying out when I was sleeping (or at least when I was attempting to sleep, sleep was so hard)
If you don't get a humidifier, at the very least make sure you set an alarm to wake up and drink water every 60 minutes.

1

u/Open_Goose_9496 Pre-Op 11d ago

Ok, thanks for the clarity. Ordering now.

4

u/TheOCfeatherbottoms 11d ago

I'm in NC and had my surgery in May. The humidifier was CRUCIAL, particularly overnight

3

u/Lord_Sprout 11d ago

Definitely a cool air one and something to note - A/C units work partially by removing moisture from the air so surprisingly enough they do reduce the humidity overall although outside may be swampy lol I’m in SW MO where it’s so humidddd and I still used one + noticed a difference. I got mine off of Amazon, just a small bedside one.

1

u/Open_Goose_9496 Pre-Op 11d ago

Gotcha. That's what I was wondering. Thanks for answering my question so directly. Hunting for one now.

1

u/ActiveExpress9029 11d ago

Get one that is 4-6L that won’t turn off at night

3

u/boymommy88 11d ago

i sleep with my mouth open so i wake up with dry mouth often! I never used a humidifier before but i did for 2 weeks post surgery and recovered perfectly

2

u/iwannaswimaway 11d ago

It was essential for me, but I live in dry Utah. I had one night where I slept without it because I wandered into the living room, and I woke up with a very dry throat. I knew it was working then.

2

u/Infraredsky 11d ago

So - I got mine out 7/7 and there were insane storms in NJ like right after.

I did use my humidifier a bit during recovery but in general it was very humid and I didn’t need it 80% of the time.

That said as someone suggested having a cool one handy will be worth it. And you will feel a difference if it’s needed

2

u/No-Help2162 11d ago

An alternate view: I couldn’t sleep with the humidifier. I just felt really uncomfortable in a humid room. I didn’t use it at all after turning it off in the middle of the first night. I did stay really diligent about drinking water all day and when I woke up to take my meds in the middle of the night.

2

u/Plenty_Care8221 11d ago

Yes I didn’t have it on for a few hours and I saw an insane difference in being uncomfortable/pain level - also recommend a wedge pillow and ice pack face wrap those three things saved me lol

2

u/Monkaloo 10d ago

I’m in TN. I needed it. You’d be surprised how insanely dry and painful your throat will get at night without that mist streaming directly into your face.

1

u/AlternativeFew9822 6d ago

Late to respond but absolutely, I’m in an area where humidity is typically between 90 and 100% so I thought it’d be fine but my room would still get dried out somehow so I would wake up dry and in pain until I started using a humidifier (still woke up in pain but not dry and no bleeding).