Condensation in mask

tiredted · Post by **tiredted** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 4:54 pm

I've had to turn up the humidifier because my mouth was a desert after a few hours with the cpap on. The problem now is that I get condensation in my mask which is annoying. I have a Respironics Comfort Gel mask. I just got a chin strap to keep my mouth closed which seems to help with the dry mouth. I turned my humidifier down a bit but the moisture is still there. Any suggestions?

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 5:26 pm

Suggestion:

Move to Texas. I asked this question before and I got chided by a Texan who thought I was nuts! (all in fun of course).

You might try getting the Aussie heated hose. http://www.sleepzone.com.au/

This still might not help with condensation in the mask. I switched to a nasal pillow interface and it is not as much of a problem. As a last resort just turn up the heat in your house.

kylersgrandma · Post by **kylersgrandma** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 11:42 pm

Ted,

I cleared my condensation problem up by sewing some flannel material into a tube shape and inserting my c-pap hose into it. It isnt hard to make and could be made without sewing if you want to make the seam with stitch witch which is an iron on tape product found in the sewing department. I used a faux suede-like color that matches the comforter on my bed.

There is also a premade product you can buy that is already made and it is from cpapman I think.

Shelle

Lana · Post by **Lana** » Fri Dec 31, 2004 12:31 am

spap.com is selling "snuggle hose" soft material that a hose slides into. it works great for me, never had any condensation problem but if you have cats whatch out

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Dec 31, 2004 1:24 pm

All good suggestions remember that when a warm hose meets a cooler room than condensation in the hose occurs. Also always try and keep the hose running down back into the conainter, not into your face.

Good luck
Bob

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Sat Jan 01, 2005 1:55 am

I second Wader's suggestion to get the Aussie heated hose. Works wonders to control rainout better than anything else you can do. If you keep your bedroom very cool you might still get a bit of moisture in your mask (as Wader pointed out) just from your warm breath hitting the mask, but it's quite amazing how well the heated hose prevents most condensation. Certainly allows you to turn your humidifier up considerably higher with less condensation problems than you can otherwise, no matter how you cover or route an unheated hose.

iceman · Post by **iceman** » Sat Jan 01, 2005 10:15 pm

I have used the heated hose since last year and it has worked for me. That and the activa mask has made the cpap experience tollerable. You will have to go to radio shack to purchase the adapter to plug it in. Instructions are included with the hose.

Paul1963 · Post by **Paul1963** » Thu Jan 06, 2005 2:57 am

I used to have condensation in my mask also. I looked into the heated hose but found it to be quite expensive. I also looked into making my own insulated tube cover as there isn't much to them but then when I started looking at material, I found I had to buy two yards of material as it is only 45 inches wide (too short) so to get 6 feet you need 2 yards. A lot of left over material so I bought one on eBay from AuctionsRU and it works great! It was only $11.99 so by the time I bought material, which by itself was 10 bucks a yard for polar fleece in the clearance section, it was easier and cheaper to just buy one. The web address for AuctionsRU Tube Socks is http://www.auctionsru.com/hosesock.htm if you're interested.

ldemmery · Post by **ldemmery** » Thu Jan 06, 2005 8:15 am

For your fabric tube for your hoses, you don't need to use polar fleece. You can use flannel or flannette. Much cheaper and machine washable (it does however shrink, so pre-wash the fabric). As for the 2 yards. Try buying 1 yard and put a seam halfway. You can make one for under $5 this way.

Lynne

Paul1963 · Post by **Paul1963** » Thu Jan 06, 2005 12:32 pm

I guess it all comes down to what your time is worth. From what I have read, flannel doesn't work as well as fleece and I agree, you don't need polar fleece but I found that regular fleece was still in the 10 dollar per yard range. Time to go get the material, cutting it out, sewing, my opinion and its just my opinion is that $12.00 is well worth the price. Course if your a seamstress type, you can do it alot faster and you may have the material lying around. Many people don't have the facilities or the time so having a source for buying this type of thing would be important.

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Thu Jan 06, 2005 6:33 pm

To all concerned,

The "suggle hose" home made or not and made of whatever material really doesn't work all that well. The thing that really works is the aussie heated hose. I agree that it should be standard equipment with a heated humidifier.

I sure wish someone would sell them in the USA.

It's worth the effort to get one from "down under"

businessman · Post by **businessman** » Sat Jan 08, 2005 8:33 pm

I really thank you for telling me the heated hose is much better then the insulation type.

I will buy one tomorrow. I dont mind paying more but not if I dont have to. I find it much better to turn the humidifier higher.

It is important for all to know it will reduce the snuffly nose the next day and stop nasal irritation.

Ed · Post by Ed » Wed Jan 12, 2005 8:47 pm

tiredted wrote:This might sound funny but how about using old longsleeves from shirts as a temporary means around the tubing to help keep it warm.

I've had to turn up the humidifier because my mouth was a desert after a few hours with the cpap on. The problem now is that I get condensation in my mask which is annoying. I have a Respironics Comfort Gel mask. I just got a chin strap to keep my mouth closed which seems to help with the dry mouth. I turned my humidifier down a bit but the moisture is still there. Any suggestions?

snugglebunner · Post by **snugglebunner** » Thu Feb 10, 2005 6:40 pm

OK - I live in Texas and have a MAJOR problem with rainout. I too ordered the sleeve thing from E-Bay, it helped some - but I still am awakened in the night with significant water in my mask - I have to wipe it out with a towel 2-3 times a night. My Remstar Pro Plus doesn't have an adjustable heat setting. I can't afford the heated tube, so I guess I'll be sleeping with a towel from here on out...AAARRRGGGHHH!

meister · Post by **meister** » Thu Feb 10, 2005 9:04 pm

Until then, just drill some drain holes in your hose and mask and
the water will drain out. Of course if you sleep higher than the humidifier
it will take longer for the entire hose to fill up with water to get to
you. Need some partners who want to make millions selling the New
Zealand heated mask.

Funny thing about the aussie heated hose. Lots of new PAP machines
are going to be shown in Las Vegas in April. Most have heated hoses
as a new attraction, but none have the heated mask yet.

I think lack of O2 has gone to my brain. I was thinking of putting an
electric heating pad on my face at night to stop mask rainout until
my protoype is ready.

Condensation in mask

Condensation in mask

Hose Problems

the aussie heated hose works well

Ending Condensation

Time Worth - Condensation in Mask

Re: Condensation in mask

New Zealand heated mask solution on the way soon