New member here with a mask question.

Been using a Respironics autoSV with heated humidity for one year. I have both central
and obstructive apnea. I was told my oxygen level was dropping to 39% at times.
I started with an Optilife Nasal Pillow. My sinuses were so bad I had to change to
a full face mask and even it was lifting off my face. I finally had nasal surgery and
can breath much better now. When I switched masks my supplier had me send my
nasal pillow mask back for what ever reason. Nationwide Medical, Inc. said Medicare
wouldn't allow me to have both. I'd like to get another to see if it would work now
since I can breathe somewhat normal now and so I can use either one if I want.
I see them for $129 but that is pretty high for my income. Can the Optilife nasal
pillow mask be found cheaper somewhere?
Also, for some reason I have started getting moisture accumulating in my mask
over night. What causes that?

These are the settings on my machine? They are written on my receipt. I basically
know nothing about the machine. I just use it.
Max IPAP +19
Min IPAP +12
EPAP +9
Rate =10
IT 1.2
RT 3

You might find it cheaper at cpapauction.com or you might post just asking here if anyone has one to sell you and you and the seller can negotiate the price.

In either of these cases, the mask might be used but of course can be sterilized. If you post here it might help if you post what size nasal pillows work for you as you might even get separate offers for them or for exchanges of pillows.

Hi, den942. Welcome to the forum!!

den942 wrote:Been using a Respironics autoSV with heated humidity for one year. ... Also, for some reason I have started getting moisture accumulating in my mask
over night. What causes that?

The moisture you're talking about is a condition called "rainout." Here's a good explanation: viewtopic.php?t=1591 Also, Babette offered these excellent thoughts and suggestions yesterday:

Babette wrote:Every single one of us is individual in that arena [of using heated humidity--meb]. I live in a moist climate, and yet I still need some Humidity or I get a very raw throat. Another forum member, same climate, insists he needs the highest setting possible, or he's a basket case. If rainout is your only issue with humidity, try these steps:

1) Lower the machine BELOW the level of your head. In some cases, this will mean the floor. I'm lucky - I have a very tall bed, so I just put it on the lower shelf of the bookcase beside my bed.

2) Make sure ALL hoses are covered in fleece snugglies - main hose, as well as short connector hoses from mask to main hose. [They're available through our host, https://www.cpap.com, and also usually at http://www.cpapauction.com--meb]

3) Adjust humidity up in small increments. Start with 1, and work your way up, until you hit the rainout point, then back down.

4) If you discover an optimum humidity setting for therapy still gives you rainout, contemplate more drastic measures, like the Aussie Heated Hose.

If you do try (1) through (3), but still have rainout and decide to try a heated hose, you could check http://www.cpapauction.com or Google the term and find a number of places that sell it. Yesterday, allinknots had this to say:

allinknots wrote:[about 10 a.m.--meb] But super-good news: the owner of the cpapusa did put my heated hose in yesterday's batch shipment, and since the company is not too far away, I'm scheduled to receive it today! Now that is what I call superior service!!!!
[about 1 p.m.--meb] Wow, cpapusa certainly did keep their promise! The heated hose just arrived on my doorstep. Fantastic service! Of course, I'd recommend going with our forum sponsor whenever possible; but as a back-up, I'd highly recommend cpapusa! (I have no connection with them in any way, just an extremely pleased customer!)

Hope everything works out well for you!!

Marsha

I posted this as an add-on in one of my other posts today, but thought I'd talk about it here, too.

Yes, my heated hose arrived yesterday, and it's WONDERFUL! It does exactly what I was hoping it would do!

Prior to the heated hose, the cool air blowing into my mask was driving me nuts. (You can search my other posts if you want to hear me whine about that.) But seriously, think about it. What good is CPAP therapy if you can't sleep? And I couldn't sleep due to this constant cool air blowing at me.

Yeah, the heated hose is expensive, but worth it--like the cost of staying one night in a somewhat expensive hotel. But I'll get many more nights of enjoyment out of this hose! I was able to turn the humidifier back to level 3, and I KEPT MY MASK ON ALL NIGHT LONG, and slept most of the night too! A huge victory for me. I didn't get any "rain-out" either.

It looks like it's actually cheaper to order the hose shipped directly from Australia, than to order it from cpapusa.com. (Unless I miscalculated.) But I didn't mind paying extra money to have the hose so quickly!
The guy I talked with at cpapusa (Marc) was a really nice guy, too. He spent awhile on the phone discussing the hose with me, etc. He even warned me that the hose doesn't really heat the air--just keeps the air from getting cool between traveling from the machine to the mask. He honestly wanted to make sure I was happy, even if it meant *not* ordering the hose. Very refreshing to find a person who keeps your interests at heart and not just business interests.

I truly have no connection with this company, even though it sounds like I could be their spokeswoman, lol.

I think I'll enjoy having this hose even more now that the weather is getting cooler in the Midwest!

All in Knots

marshaeb wrote:Hi, den942. Welcome to the forum!!

den942 wrote:Been using a Respironics autoSV with heated humidity for one year. ... Also, for some reason I have started getting moisture accumulating in my mask
over night. What causes that?

The moisture you're talking about is a condition called "rainout." Here's a good explanation:

It is too dry in my house in the winter, down to 20% humidity at times, and this summer has been very dry so I guess that is why I haven't seen this before. In the winter, with my heat on 4, the water tank will be empty in the morning. The first time it
happened, I turned over and felt water on my face, I thought it might be drool. Yuck!! lol

Well, been here for less than two days and learned a lot already. I'm glad I decided to ask a few questions. I still know
nothing about the machine settings and what I'm allowed to change or how. I need to do more reading.

Thanks to all who replied...