Water Chamber Not Large Enough

[Snikkers]

Hi,

Machine: Philips Respironic System One
Attachments: Heated Tube with conversion lid
Setting: 12.0 whatevers
Mask: Presently trying out a SleepWeaver Anew (more on that below)

I sleep 10 - 12 hours a night and the humidifier water chamber doesn't hold enough water to last. I have a heated tube with the proper conversion lid. I have tried turning the auto humidify on/off with no effect. I have tried various humidifier/heated tube settings to no effect.

I use a SleepWeaver full face mask. I'm having leaking issues with it but it's getting better with a bit of jerry-rigging. (Trying a great experiment tonight!)

I have leaking problems with all face masks I've tried. The pillows leaks least but during the night I turn onto my back with my mouth open. I've tried various nose masks and a full face plastic masks -- horrible! All leak however the pillows and the SleepWeaver leak least.)

I tried over-filling the chamber but the water spilled out. Now I over-fill the chamber slightly and tilt the entire machine forward to stop the water coming out.

Nothing helps and in the mornings my lips are stuck to my teeth and I have to literally pry my lips off my teeth.

Any thoughts are appreciated!

[Baja]

I had the same problem and its unfortunate the cpap manufacturers still do not offer larger water chambers.

Here are my workarounds:

Use a room humidifer to add moisture to the air before it enters the cpap. I use a 4 or 5 gallon model that I refill daily.

Use a nose pillow mask since the vent rate is lower (less air volume / water needed). There is also anecdotal evidence that lower pressures can be used on nose vs full face masks. It certainly was the case with me and also helped with reducing pressure induced CSA.

Use a chin strap or tape your lips shut. This will reduce / eliminate the mouth leak, which is the main cause of dry mouth. I tried both options and settled on a thin blue chin strap. Takes some time to adjust to it, but it will improve your treatment and reduce the water requirements.

Finally you can also purchase a 2nd water chamber and prefill it before bed. If you wake up in the night its easy to swap chambers.

[ChicagoGranny]

Snikkers

1. Which humidifier setting are you using?

2. Which climate do you live in?

3. What are your bedroom conditions - ambient humidity and temperature?

4. On your machine's display, what is the typical leak level for one night?

[JDS74]

If, as suggested, increasing the room humidity doesn't solve the problem, here is what I did:

Link to external humidifier design:
Here is my setup to solve this problem

[Snikkers]

Snikkers

1. Which humidifier setting are you using?

2. Which climate do you live in?

3. What are your bedroom conditions - ambient humidity and temperature?

4. On your machine's display, what is the typical leak level for one night?

1. Presently using 2 (1 to 5 range).
2. Ontario, Canada: varies from 'my rinsed out bra won't dry overnight' humid in the summer to 'no that's not my dog, it's a pile of dried skin flakes' dry in the winter. Neither extreme has made a difference so far. (I'm into my 6th year with a CPAP.)
3. Bedroom is cool, say 15C or 60F. Not sure about the ambient humidity. The windows in our house tend to fog up with the smallest of encouragements -- like boiling a kettle. So I suspect it's fairly humid.
4. Large Leak Info says 23% leakage over last 30 days. I'm guessing that's high given the trouble I have with the masks (which I'm hoping is going to improve).

[Snikkers]

I had the same problem and its unfortunate the cpap manufacturers still do not offer larger water chambers.

Here are my workarounds:

Use a room humidifer to add moisture to the air before it enters the cpap. I use a 4 or 5 gallon model that I refill daily.

Use a nose pillow mask since the vent rate is lower (less air volume / water needed). There is also anecdotal evidence that lower pressures can be used on nose vs full face masks. It certainly was the case with me and also helped with reducing pressure induced CSA.

Use a chin strap or tape your lips shut. This will reduce / eliminate the mouth leak, which is the main cause of dry mouth. I tried both options and settled on a thin blue chin strap. Takes some time to adjust to it, but it will improve your treatment and reduce the water requirements.

Finally you can also purchase a 2nd water chamber and prefill it before bed. If you wake up in the night its easy to swap chambers.

The room humidifier is a great idea! And I will buy a 2nd chamber and have it ready to go. Thank you!
I did tape my mouth shut one night only to have my allergies act up and my nasal passages clog. I awoke in a huge panic clawing at my face trying to get the tape off. I may have overdone the taping.

[Snikkers]

If, as suggested, increasing the room humidity doesn't solve the problem, here is what I did:

Link to external humidifier design:
Here is my setup to solve this problem

Oh ho! This looks interesting! Thank you for the link!!

[palerider]

4. Large Leak Info says 23% leakage over last 30 days. I'm guessing that's high given the trouble I have with the masks (which I'm hoping is going to improve).

large leaks can easily use up a lot more water.

[ChicagoGranny]

Large Leak Info says 23% leakage over last 30 days.

I sleep 10 - 12 hours a night

I think those are your two primary problems. Leaks mean more air flow carrying more humidity out of the CPAP circuit.

I forgot to ask what your pressure setting is. The higher the pressure setting the more water is consumed.

in the mornings my lips are stuck to my teeth and I have to literally pry my lips off my teeth

I use Orajel for Dry Mouth every night. Put a dab on the tip of your tongue and work it gently between your lower teeth and gums. Repeat for upper teeth. Immediately put on the mask. Try not to suck the gel out before you fall asleep. Usually the application lasts all night for me. http://www.drugstore.com/orajel-dry-mou ... tid=340685

Here are some basic tips on reducing mask leaks:

To reduce unintentional mask leak -

- Make sure the mask is fitted properly. (See mask manufacturer's video.)

- Make sure the headgear is adjusted properly (See mask manufacturer's video.)

- Make sure to use good hose management - the hose should not pull on the mask. Notice how your hose is positioned between machine and mask. It should be positioned to minimize any pull on the mask. Hose management is an individual practice. How it is done depends on the mask, the position of the machine, your sleeping position and other factors specific to the individual.

- If you still have problems, learn from the forum what mask liners are available.

- If your mask still has excessive leak, try other masks. Many people report trying several masks before they find one that works well for them.

Note: Links to just about all of the mask manufacturers' instructional videos can be found on the forum host's website - https://www.cpap.com/cpap-masks.php

- CG

[Snikkers]

Thanks guys! Learning lots here today.

Pressure Setting: 12.0

I will pick up Oraljel for Dry Mouth tomorrow. Thank you, Chicago Granny!!

[CPAP Sarge]

The windows in our house tend to fog up with the smallest of encouragements -- like boiling a kettle. So I suspect it's fairly humid.

The room humidifier is a great idea!

I might be hesitant to add more humidity in an already humid indoor environment. You could be fostering a breeding ground for mold.

I did tape my mouth shut one night only to have my allergies act up and my nasal passages clog.

Perhaps the allergies are from mold spores.

[ChicagoGranny]

I might be hesitant to add more humidity in an already humid indoor environment. You could be fostering a breeding ground for mold.

Good point.

Ideal room humidity range - 40 to 60%

[Snikkers]

Thank you! I'm going to pick up a gauge to measure the level of humidity in my room.

My big jerry-rigging of the SleepWeave Anew was a colossal failure last night and I switched to my nasal pillow. Checked the info this morning and there were no Large Leaks. 0%. Interesting. I guess I was able to keep my mouth closed.

[ChicagoGranny]

Checked the info this morning and there were no Large Leaks. 0%.

Well???? Was the humidifier tank empty?

And were your lips stuck to your teeth?

[Snikkers]

Checked the info this morning and there were no Large Leaks. 0%.

Well???? Was the humidifier tank empty?

And were your lips stuck to your teeth?

No, the chamber wasn't empty. Whoa!

And my lips were stuck to my teeth but didn't require manual peeling off like usual. I will try increasing the humidifier setting tonight to see how much water I use. Making single incremental increases.

This is so weird because I know I am a mouth-breather. Mystified.

Sooooo...
Last night I tried my re-re-revamped SleepWeaver Anew. Checked the Large Leak info: 40%. So I guess that purchase was a complete waste of good money.