Is this rainout?

[WearyOne]

Last night, I woke up several times with moisture IN my nasal pillows of my Hybrid mask and some on my face. (It felt like I was drooling and that's what woke me up.) Is this a type of "rainout."? There was no water in the hose.

I have a heated humidifier (M series). The plates on it were warm, as usual, so I'm assuming it's working. The tank was empty this morning. (I had it set on 4). Also, as a sorta related thing. A heated humidifier doesn't heat the air, right? It heats the water, which produces vapor or steam which is then taken into the air and into your mask. The higher you turn the number, the warmer the water, which produces more vapor/steam, which in turn makes the air your breath more humid. But the air isn't actually supposed to be warm, is it? Mine is chilly and it was particularlly cold here last night. I was thinking the warmth of my breathing connecting with the cool cpap are caused the condenstion wetness in the mask. (My cpap and humidifier are lower than my bed.)

Any insight? Would a hose cover or heated hose help this. I'm about 3 weeks into therapy and still stuggling but trying. Still fighting with some leaks, but thought I was doing a little betting until this.

Thanks, all.

[Rabid1]

Any insight? Would a hose cover or heated hose help this. I'm about 3 weeks into therapy and still stuggling but trying. Still fighting with some leaks, but thought I was doing a little betting until this.

Thanks, all

Yup, that sounds like classic rainout. I'd start with a hose cover first, and if that doesn't work, the heated hose is great.

You may also want to tweak your HH settings.

[TGregg]

Mine is chilly and it was particularlly cold here last night. I was thinking the warmth of my breathing connecting with the cool cpap are caused the condenstion wetness in the mask. (My cpap and humidifier are lower than my bed.)

Any insight? Would a hose cover or heated hose help this. I'm about 3 weeks into therapy and still stuggling but trying. Still fighting with some leaks, but thought I was doing a little betting until this.

Thanks, all.

If the moisture is from exhalation, then a heated hose does not directly address the problem. You exhale, filling the mask with warm moist air, and it hits the cold mask and moisture condenses on the mask.

So stop exhaling, and you'll be set.

Seriously though, if this is the cause perhaps a warmer room would help.

That's not to say a heated hose wouldn't work, or couldn't solve the problem. I'll leave that discussion up to folks who've used them. But I'd try warming up the room a bit.

[WNJ]

Another question worth asking yourself: Do you need the heated humidifier turned up as high as 4? Have you tried lower heat settings?

The lower the HH setting, the less prone it will be to cause rainout. You may find that turning the HH down to 3 or 2 will still leave the air you’re breathing comfortable, but eliminate rainout.

You should be looking for the lowest setting that lets you breathe comfortably without irritating your nostrils, etc. Adding more humidity than you need will only increase rainout, not your comfort.

On the REMstar HH, I use a setting of 2 in wintertime. In summertime, I leave the heat off and use the HH as a passover humidifier. Those settings work well for me, but everybody is different.

Experiment to find the lowest heat setting that works for you.

Wayne

[roster]

First rule for rainout is to get (or make) a hose cover. This may solve your problem inexpensively; it did for many of us. Don't even consider other solutions until you try a hose cover.

[WearyOne]

Wow, thanks everyone--these are wonderful suggestions. I'm going to order a cover today and also turn down the humidifier. And TGregg, I was so frustrated last night, thought about not exhaling, but then that might cause additional problems! We're always fighting over the thermostat in our house, so now I have an excuse to keep it warmer.

Thanks, you guys, wonderfully helpful as always.

Pam

[Guest]

i struggled with rainout in the first week or so of my cpap use. Got myself some fancy dancy fleece hose covers, lowered my cpap unit so it sits closer to the floor, and tweaked my HH setting lower (usually 3 works well for me). I also keep my hose tucked under the covers with me

As far as the option of raising the temp in your room, many say that helps also...but not for me, i need to sleep in a cooler room. So far what i am doing works well for me, but if it ever changes I would consider an aussie heated hose.

[deebatt]

oops above post was from me....didnt realize i wasnt logged in.......sorry