Still need more humidity

[SleeplessInLasVegas]

On my 4th night of treatment and my nose is starting to dry out again. Just woke up at 1:30am. Amazing how through years of suffering I have programmed myself. The first thing I do is look at the clock and see how long I had been asleep.

Anyhow, I wake up with my nasal passages dry from lack of humidity, clogged as if I had a cold or flu. At this point I think my auto CPAP is increasing pressure because of the nasal blockage.

I have been scrolling through the stats and see my 7-day apnea index is at 8.8 and the average pressure 90% is at 13.3 CM. The auto range is set for 10 to 14 so I adjusted the level to 10 - 15. When I woke up the unit was at 14.7 and my 7 day apnea index is down to 8.3.

Put a call into my doctor yesterday morning requesting a prescription for the heated humidifier. I never heard back from them. Guess I'll have to drag out the "bitchy-boy" attitude again to get what I need to succeed in my therapy. That means Friday I'll be on the phone nagging again. No wonder so many won't or can't comply. I've had this machine one week now and it seems to me that my "health partner" should have called me to see how I was doing.

[blarg]

I know I need mine on max or I dry out instantly. My doc brought it up before I asked....

But didn't your doc already scrip an HH, but your DME gave you a passover? You might be able to skip a step if you bring this to their attention.

[roster]

I run my heated humidifier on the next to highest setting. I would use the highest setting, but when I do the tank goes dry overnight. You are in a dry climate so I guess you will want to use a high setting.

In the summer it is very humid here, so I turn the humidifier down to a medium setting. This reduces the amount of heat being pumped into my bed and body.

[SleeplessInLasVegas]

I went back to bed at 4:30am and tried to continue my therapy with the Activa Nasal mask instead of the Swift Nasal pillow. I woke up this morning with less congestion and far less irritation to the inside of my nose however still have the cold and flu like symptoms but not as extreme. Has anyone else noticed such a difference in these masks?

[DreamStalker]

Being as how you live in Las Vegas, you should be able to figure out the odds of your "health partner" checking up on 'ya.

You may want to try placing your passover humidifier on one of those small electric heat pads you can buy at Target or Walgreens ... you know, the one used for muscle aches. It will warm up the water and help produce more moisture. You could also order the HC 150 from the forum sponser and place it in series after your passover reservoir. ... that should do the trick.

Best of luck.

[ExpatDave]

I've had humidity issues for a long time but after reading numerous posts here finally purchased my own HC150 (I was given a heated M series by my healthcare provider). All I can say is what a difference! It really is night and day as the HC 150 baby puts out so much humidity I can't run it above 3 or 4 without it raining out on me

[SleeplessInLasVegas]

Three calls to the doctor, three calls to Apria and one call to my insurance, all in one day, and I now have my HEATED humidifier. Looking forward to sleeping with it tonight. I really am a pain in the butt.

My next quest is quiet. My Activa mask seems to be very quiet. I'm sure my therapy will be quieter with my new humidifier since I won't have to listen to the air whistling through the chambers of the passover unit. That thing reminds me of a flatware drawer organizer.

[Linda3032]

Good for you. Now, your next problem will probably be "rainout". .. Just deal with one problem at a time.

It's too bad that the squeaky wheel gets the grease -- but whatever works. We shouldn't have to work so hard to get what we deserve.

[Bonnie]

It pays to be a pain in the butt with Apria.

Congratulations on your HH and your perserverence!!

[Slinky]

Hey, whatever it takes! If the DME doesn't like it - TS! Good on you for sticking to your guns and getting what you need.

With insufficient humidity I run into the same congested problems you've run into. You may even find that the integrated heated humidifier can't cut the mustard at times. In a really dry climate it seems the integrated humidifiers have a tough time keeping up for some of us.

[SleeplessInLasVegas]

That's been on my mind but not sure if I'll have too much problem with that in the desert. The air going into the CPAP is so dry that I doubt it will leave much for condensation. We'll see. If so, I'll be looking to get on of those aussie hoses.

[roster]

[quote="SleeplessInLasVegas"]...................... If so, I'll be looking to get one of those aussie hoses.

[Linda3032]

Here are a few tips to help avoid rainout. BTW, Offerocker makes some nice heavy-duty hose covers. You can contact her or cpap.com

Here are a bunch of ways to help avoid rainout:

1. Keep your xpap machine below the level of the mattress, as low to the floor as possible.
2. Use hose covers – flannel or fleece tubing to cover your hose. Use as many as necessary. (I use three covers on my Aussie heated hose and I still get a few droplets of rainout using my Aura – but I appear to be an exception, not the rule).
3. Run your heated humidifier as low as you comfortably can.
4. If your hose runs up over your head, try not to raise it really high to where it has a long drop back down to your head.
5. Raise your room temperature as high as you are can and still sleep comfortably.
6. Nasal pillows are usually more prone to rainout than masks.
7. If all else fails, purchase an Aussie Heated Hose from Australia. Not only does it help prevent rainout, but it also warms the air before it hits your face and/or up your nose. Here’s the site:
http://www.sleepzone.com.au