H4i Humidifier

Because of a very dry mouth i have been given the H4i humidifier to try, does anyone use this model and can give me a little advise of how to get best results. It runs off the R8 series and I use the full face mask. Only been on CPAP for just over a week now and finding it hard to get used to, hope this makes me fell a little more relaxed.

i use the 4i (and i also have the 3i) - the 4i is largely the same but it has a larger heating element. i keep mine set at 2 - if i go higher i get nasty rainout. i do have a tube cover to help prevent rainout (condensation) - without the tube cover i could only go to 1.5 on the unit.
make sure you use distilled water - makes life easier with the cleaning.
otherwise, non 4i related, do the usual stuff - support the hose tube so it doesn't pull, consider aromatherapy (pur-sleep.com), make sure the mask isn't too tight (or consider another mask) and stick with it!
i started doing nasal rinses but i'm not loving it - some folks swear by it.
hope these tidbits help...

Hi
If you breathe a lot through your mouth a humidifier is likely to be essential, and you'll probably need it on a near maximum setting to be effective.

However on a high setting, condensation in the tube and mask can be a problem in winter when the room is colder. Make sure the machine is not higher than your head, and preferably with the hose running downward all the way from your mask to the machine, so that any condensation runs back into the humidifier and not onto your face. Condensation can also cause the hose to become partially blocked reducing the effectiveness of the machine.

If condensation is still a problem you can buy a hose insulating sleeve (e.g. direct by phone from Resmed, about £15). I'm currently using one of those, and in the current freezing weather I'm heating the bedroom at night as well. That way I get enough moist air actually reaching my airways.

You might also consider why it is you breathe through your mouth. If you have restricted nasal breathing then the full-face mask is probably the best solution. If its simply because your mouth falls open, and that's why you have a full-face mask, I found a chin-strap, also from Resmed, solves that. Breathing through your nose is always preferred if possible. Your nose is nature's way to warm and humidify the air you breathe.

I started with a full-face mask, and changed to a chin-strap and nasal mask because of a dry mouth, even with all the above hints applied. It may be an option for you if the humidifier doesn't improve the dry mouth enough.

Just spotted another reply while I was writing this. If distilled water is not easily available or is too expensive, I find Volvic bottled water is much better than tap water. It has the lowest mineral content of any bottled water in the UK. Many bottled waters have higher mineral content than tap water.
Hope this helps.