Humidifier question

HelpMeBreath · Post by **HelpMeBreath** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 12:58 pm

When I did my sleep study, they warned me about possibly waking up with water in the mask, which I did. I am wondering if my humidifier is not working on my machine.

I have it set all the way up. I think I remember it being somewhat moist one night, and I do think it warms the air, but as I said, its all the way up and if I remember correctly, the people at the med supply place told me that I shouldnt have to turn it above 4.

Also, before its asked, there is usually water left over after my 5 or 6 hours of sleep, sometimes more than others, but two or three times it has been empty when I was allowed to sleep in on the weekends. I have also touched the pad to see if it was warm and it was, but I have never checked to see if it gets too hot to touch, should it?

RiverDave · Post by **RiverDave** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 1:56 pm

Water in your mask tells you that the humidifier is working (it's called rainout). You have it set too high. The humidifier is loading the air with water. As it travels up the hose, the air cools. Cooler air can't hold as much water as warmer air, so you get condensation. this condensation collects and viola.. water in the mask.

You can either turn down the humidifier or get some form of heated hose.

HelpMeBreath · Post by **HelpMeBreath** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 2:46 pm

I wrote that wrong. What I meant was that I experienced the water in the mask during my sleep study but have not experienced it with my machine at home. I have my humidifier turned all the way up and I am wondering does this signal that something might be wrong with it? Or do some humidifiers like the one I have built into my VPAP III not get so hot that this is an issue.

RiverDave · Post by **RiverDave** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 7:16 pm

The humidifier doesn't put out much heat, and from what I have read here over the last few months, the ResMed humidifiers are very weak. I have run mine at full throttle and used less than 1/2 the tank reservoir. The amount of water that is used is a function of: 1) humidity of the incoming air, 2) temperature of the air, and 3) setting on the humdifier

So, to answer your question:

I think your humdifier is working correctly considering the brand.

Good Luck

Bonnie · Post by **Bonnie** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 9:09 pm

HelpMeBreath,

Off topic, I've sent you a PM.

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 11:29 pm

[quote="RiverDave"]The humidifier doesn't put out much heat, and from what I have read here over the last few months, the ResMed humidifiers are very weak. I have run mine at full throttle and used less than 1/2 the tank reservoir. The amount of water that is used is a function of: 1) humidity of the incoming air, 2) temperature of the air, and 3) setting on the humdifier

So, to answer your question:

I think your humdifier is working correctly considering the brand.

Good Luck

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 11:40 pm

The resmed H2i humidifiers I used with S7 machines were wimpy. Had to be turned up all the way to put out as much humidification as the REMstar and F&P humidifiers do on a low heat setting. I've not used an H3i humidifier but I wouldn't be surprised to hear it's as pitiful at delivering humidification as the 2i's I tried.

If you want better humidification, I'd recommend getting a separate humidifier -- the Fisher & Paykel HC 150. I'd remove the resmed humidifier and use the F&P humidifier instead. It works with any brand/model machine; you just connect it to the machine with a short hose that comes with the F&P humidifier.

RipVW · Post by **RipVW** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 7:51 am

Yep, I had the same issue with the integrated humidifiers with both of my machines. Got the F&P that RG suggested, it's great. And, more recently, I decided to try a passive humidifier, got the LX Oasis Passover Humidifier from cpap.com. I seem to have even less congestion with this cool, moist air.

bap40 · Post by **bap40** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 9:56 am

My sneaky DME, who has and is still lying to me about everything, put me on the F/P 604 because of the great humidity properties and lack of rainout with their heated hose. I love my machine because of that and have hesitated about fighting her too hard for a data capable machine because I am afraid that I won't like another machines heated humidity properties. I do know you can go with a machine and add the humidity separately, but my DME is so sneaky she contacted my doc before I could get a script, and told him I did NOT need any other type of machine. So she blocked me on that before I barely got started. I am not up for the fight over this and really do like my machine's humidity and heated hose that is not offered with any other brands.

dieselgal · Post by **dieselgal** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 10:16 am

I use the ResMed Elite S8 with the integrated humidifier. If I turn my humidifier all the way up I will get a mask full of water. I also have a hose cover. Of course a lot depends on your home heating and cooling and how dry it may be in your home in general. There are nights I can use it higher than others but generally I can't use my humidifier set higher than a 4 or I am gonna get a wet face.

Bonnie · Post by **Bonnie** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 11:48 am

Bap40
I would hope that your doctor would have a better relationship with YOU rather than the DME. Most DME's are concerned about profit NOT your comfort or abilities to monitor your sleep each night. Most of us couldn't imagine not having that capability. I think you need to stand up for your rights and if your doctor isn't willing to work with YOU, find one that is.

Sorry to hijack the thread but sometimes I get so frustrated at the attitudes of the medical profession.
Good luck..

bap40 · Post by **bap40** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 12:58 pm

The hijack is okay. I do have a great relationship with my doc. He did tell me that he would write me a script beforehand. The problem occured when I called my DME and she said she had talked to my doc about and he was supposed to call me on the matter. He didn't and is on vacation until next week. So I have no clue as to what or even if she talked to him. She did know that he is on vacation. For all I know she is lying about that also. I plan on getting in touch with him when he gets back. Ideally I would like the respironics M A/flex with the F/P 150 humidifier. THis gal is just a total lier. She flat out told me that patients cannot "read" their own data.. then when I went in to return my trial opus nasal pillows to recieve my own. I had told her I think I needed the medium size. My box only contained the med size and not all sizes as was indicated. I haven't been able to call her on this yet, but am going to. How does one quit their DME's??? I am sure I signed a contract with her....... I HATE her and she is the one and only person in that place!

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 2:09 pm

bap40 wrote:The hijack is okay. I do have a great relationship with my doc. He did tell me that he would write me a script beforehand. The problem occured when I called my DME and she said she had talked to my doc about and he was supposed to call me on the matter. He didn't and is on vacation until next week. So I have no clue as to what or even if she talked to him. She did know that he is on vacation. For all I know she is lying about that also. I plan on getting in touch with him when he gets back. Ideally I would like the respironics M A/flex with the F/P 150 humidifier. THis gal is just a total lier. She flat out told me that patients cannot "read" their own data.. then when I went in to return my trial opus nasal pillows to recieve my own. I had told her I think I needed the medium size. My box only contained the med size and not all sizes as was indicated. I haven't been able to call her on this yet, but am going to. How does one quit their DME's??? I am sure I signed a contract with her....... I HATE her and she is the one and only person in that place!

You'd need to start with your insurance provider. Explain the problems you'r having and that you're being lied to. If you're in a rental period, the odds get better (in your favor).

Den

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 9:16 pm

I agree with Rested Gal that the S7 H/Hs (2i model H/H) were probably the weakest on the market. The Remstar Tank H/H was much more effective as is the H/H for the PB420 series.

The S8 3i H/Hs are a big improvement over the 2i model. They seem about on par now.

But as with RG, I believe the HC150 is tops unless one has the later F&P CPAPs that had the HC150 built-in (or better yet, the F&P models that have both the HC150 + a Heated Hose built in).

DSM

Mask	Humidifier

Mask	Humidifier

Mask	Humidifier

Humidifier question

Humidifier question

Bonnie

Re: Bonnie