Humidifier Malfunctioning?

[slapmeawake]

I have noticed in the past few days my machine is blowing much cooler air. I took it to Apria and the RT put her fingers on the heating plate after she let it run for a minute or so and said its hot, see feel it. It felt warm to me not hot. She suggested turning up to 2, as I keep it at 1 all the time. I had to turn it up to 5 and it still is blowing cool air and I woke up with a severe headache and didn't sleep well at all, dry mouth etc. I think the humidifier isn't heating up to where it should be. Any advice on how to know for sure and how do I get Apria to even admit it has a problem? I'm so discouraged with all the problems I have had. I am still hanging in there. I tried sleeping without CPAP last night and boy what a bad night I had. I guess I'll call Apria tomorrow or Tuesday if they are closed for the holiday and demand they look at it. Do they usually give you a loaner or something as I just cannot sleep without the humidity? I hate having to even deal with Apria, as they know less than me about alot of things. They always try to brush off your concerns and take the easy way out. They outright lie also, as I have found out the hard way. I dont' understand why she didn't at least get someone more qualified than her to look at my humidifier but she should have sent it in anyway instead of just questioning me. I sleep with it every night of my life so I know when something isn't right. She chalked it up to it being so cold out but that was just the easy way to get rid of me. Thank God for this forum or I would be really lost.

[boston]

when you turn the machine on does the light on the humidifier knob turn on ??

[slapmeawake]

Yes, the lights are on. The plate is warm to the touch. At 5 it does seem hotter. The only thing I can figure is it is either not heating up to where it should be or its going on and off during the night. I think its probably like a coffee pot, the heating element is going and not getting hot enough to make the air blowing warm.

[Outlawswife47]

One thought....is your room cold? If so, do you have a "sock" over the tubing? Could be that it's warming hot enough, but cooling on the way to the mask.

[sleepycarol]

The humidifier doesn't actually heat the air coming from the hose. The warmth you are feeling is due to the warmer air droplets in the air. The weather here has turned frigid (now warming up) and the water droplets are cooling traveling in the hose. I don't believe your humidifer is malfunctioning-- I think it is probably due to colder temperatures. If the humidifier wasn't heating and the light wasn't on -- then I could see it not working.

Is this your first winter on cpap? I noticed you joined the forum in November.

You can purchase an Aussie heated hose (expensive but many find it is worth it) or try one of the self-made heated hoses that other members have come up with. These will keep the air in the hose warmer.

[slapmeawake]

No, this isn't my first winter. I have been on CPAP two years. I do have a hose cover on the hose. My room is the same temperature it always is. I realize it was colder out but it was the same temp in my house. I sleep right under the vent so warm air is always blowing on my side when the heat comes on and the heat was on plenty the last few nights. I have never had the sensation of breathing cold air before so it just seemed to me the unit wasn't getting hot enough to warm the air. I'll see how it does tonight.

[6PtStar]

When I sent a question to Respirionics about the humidifier they told me the heater plate would not get above a maximum of 145 degrees on a setting of 5. This is to keep it from damaging the water chamber if it runs dry of water. This is just enough to make the air absorb more moisture, not make it warm. I would almost bet that your humidifier is working correctly. A Aussie Heated Hose is about the only thing that will warm the air a bit.

Jerry

[GumbyCT]

I have had the very same problem, including trying to get an RT who doesn't use CPAP to understand what you are feeling. Both are very common problems.

Respironics made several changes to the M series humidifier which contribute to this problem. Mainly, they removed the pre-heat timer used in the tanks. They had the circuitry so it had to be just saving 50 cents.

I have to agree with Carol and the others, it is working but the change in outside temps makes it more noticeable to you.

Some thing you can do -
1. Get an HC 150 - this will allow you to pre-heat again plus increase the water volume. You may be able to get Apria to order it. When they tell you - you need another prescription - point out to them that you have one, it's just they decided to give you the integrated HH not the HC150. I would also tell them if they make you get another prescription that you will order it here -
https://www.cpap.com/productpage.php?PNum=24&PAID=582

If they order it they will bill your insurance again. If they are stubborn and you have to get another separate prescription - get all of them mask, machine, HH in hand or you will surely be at their mercy for life.

Don't forget to read this BS -
viewtopic/t37807/My-experience-with-Apria.html

2. You can pre-heat your water chamber in the microwave. I don't want to get into a theoretical debate about things you can't see, real or imagined. It does help, I've done it.

3. Get an Aussie Heated hose. Google Heated cpap hose or tube.

4. For the savvy, make a Repti-Heated hose.

5. Make your room warmer.

Good Luck,
GumbyCT

[mindy]

My first winter on the hose I was doing just fine until one night in November when suddenly the air was brrrr cold! Luckily I had purchased an Aussie hose and had it sitting in the drawer. I got up, hooked it up and no more cold air. I now use it all winter long and never have problems with cold air. A hose wrap just didn't do it for me.

Mindy

[MrSandman]

Hi - Since you have said that this is a new sensation I would agree that you may have a bad humidifier. Seems like some people here are as quick to dismiss you as Apria - sorry for that. That is if you haven't switched from one type of mask to nasal pillows. Nasal pillows and leaking masks of any type can make that air cooler feeling. The user manual should show what temp the plate is at for each setting. Maybe you could set it to each and measure the temp of the plate with something? Always make sure the light on the dial is on when you go to sleep. I have seen where you have it set at 2 and when you start it the next night you assume it should come on but it doesn't until you turn it to zero and then back up.

I was reading one of the APAP manuals and the troubleshooting said for loss of heat to clean the heating plate and the tank plate - no description of how to clean.

[mindy]

Hi - Since you have said that this is a new sensation I would agree that you may have a bad humidifier..

Although I would agree that a bad humidifer can't be ruled out, that cold air sensation does hit one night out of the blue so I don't see how that can be ruled out either. I'd suggest putting hose under the covers to see if the problem goes away. That way it won't cost anything to determine if it's the humidifer or if a heated hose would help.

Mindy

[plr66]

I have seen where you have it set at 2 and when you start it the next night you assume it should come on but it doesn't until you turn it to zero and then back up.

Browser, I've never heard this before. Which specific machines are you referring to here?

[MrSandman]

My first M-series Pro did this sometimes. I would wake with a freezing nose and look over and see no light on the dial and turn the dial to off then back to where I wanted it and the light would be on.

[plr66]

My first M-series Pro did this sometimes. I would wake with a freezing nose and look over and see no light on the dial and turn the dial to off then back to where I wanted it and the light would be on.

Thanks. I was thinking you were describing a machine that was built to function that way, and hoping it wasn't either of mine...though I'm pretty sure I would have noticed....

[MrSandman]

My first M-series Pro did this sometimes. I would wake with a freezing nose and look over and see no light on the dial and turn the dial to off then back to where I wanted it and the light would be on.

Thanks. I was thinking you were describing a machine that was built to function that way, and hoping it wasn't either of mine...though I'm pretty sure I would have noticed....

No- not meant to function this way but I know of one other person who has seen it with thier M-series.