Newbie question, I use the Comfortlite 2 mask.

[mindy]

I think you said you don't use your humidifier but I would suspect that you still could be having a rainout problem (depending on humidity of the air). I use the CL2 nasal pillows and when I don't use my heated hose in the winter I do get what looks like condensation (and a nose full of water periodically) but with the heated hose that disappears.

Mindy

[Bret L.]

Yes I use my humidifier. Well I have it attached and full of water. I don't always turn it on. But when I use the CL2 Nasal pillows and whether or not I turn the humidifier on, I still get rainout or condensation. Water pooling in mask running into my nose. LOL!!
I've thought of using a heated hose, but I can't find whether or not that would help if I'm haveing condensation from me exhaling.
I have tried turning up my humidifier to each half degree, it goes up to 5, but I get the same water pooling in my nasal pillows. I do have a cover over my hose.

[mindy]

Rainout isn't always obvious and can appear as if it's condensation. You might try a double cover over your hose to see if that makes any difference (or route the hose under the bed covers). If it helps, then the heated hose likely would, too.

Mindy

[Bret L.]

Rainout isn't always obvious and can appear as if it's condensation. You might try a double cover over your hose to see if that makes any difference (or route the hose under the bed covers). If it helps, then the heated hose likely would, too.

Mindy

Ahhhh... see what I thought was condensation may not be. Thank you for the info. Man am I learning alot.
I'll wrap it all this weekend after my weekly cleaning and see how it works.
(Now I need to convice my wife we need a sewing machine.)

[mindy]

Ahhhh... see what I thought was condensation may not be. Thank you for the info. Man am I learning alot.
I'll wrap it all this weekend after my weekly cleaning and see how it works.
(Now I need to convice my wife we need a sewing machine.)

No guarantees, Bret .... we're all still learning all off the time

hmmm ... and who's going to do the sewing ???

Mindy

[Gerald]

Bret....

Many of us have to come up with ways to fix what the manufacturers don't build correctly......so, it's not "wrong" that we have to put string in our masks....it's simply "what works".

I'm the guy who came up with the "string wick" idea....and it works great for me.

I grew up in an industry that required dealers and end users to modify the crappy engineering done by the manufacturer....and that's why I'm comfortable with modifications.

The string modification works......and someday I might be the subject of a Redneck joke...."You might be a Redneck if you have string inside your CPAP mask...." But, that makes no difference to me. All I care about is "Does it work?"

"Git-r-done..........."

[Bret L.]

hmmm ... and who's going to do the sewing ???

Mindy

Well, I'd have to do it just because I'd know exactly how I'd want it.

[birdshell]

<snip>

Next: When I used the CL 2, I tied the leg of an ACTUAL PAIR of PANTYHOSE around the twist tube and then behind my head. It stayed on the mask until I wanted to wash everything and then, since it had only been done with a flat knot, was easily removed. It provided a great deal more stability for me, as a side sleeper.

<snip>

I also used twist ties to keep the metal shaping strips in place and the cushion connected to the hard plastic with medical tape. I also coated the direct seal ever so lightly with lanolin each night to help seal "micro-leaks".

Those fixes can be found on the previously mentioned Lab Rat Awards.

Best wishes!

Karen,
Who may have posted some of this earlier

In fact, I am quoting myself. Bret, the underlined and bold text above is what I did to keep those pesky leaks under control.

I agree it isn't right; I agree that one should not have to do anything to a mask...but until you can get a new mask, how is that working out?

It is as Dr. Phil says, to paraphrase, would you rather be getting good treatment
OR
be right?

Being right doesn't improve things very much, does it?

Ultimately, it is your life, your treatment, and your choice as to how you proceed to accept or reject treatment suggestions and therapies. We all like to feel in control, don't we? All we ask is that the DME providers know a few things and not lie to us; get a mask and machine that provide therapy; and help us to be the boss of our own therapy. Is that too much? I personally think not, but it isn't always so easy to find those things, is it?

Best wishes,
Karen,
Who DEFINITELY wrote some of this before.

[Bret L.]

Well after doing some tweeks to my mask, and covering the hose of the mask and the nose piece, I don't see a change with the condensation issue. The mask is fitting better without leaking unless I really move weird. I really think the Comfort 2 needs a small hole in the bottom by the nasal pillos to allow the water that collects to drain/blow out without entering my nose. I was ready the reviews of the Swift Mirage II and I think I might like it. I needed new hoses and such anyways, so I went ahead and ordered the mask. I did get the return insurance just in case.

Thank you all for your help and ideas. I'm thinking I might drill a small hole in my Comfort 2 nasal pillow and see if it fixes the condensation issue. (I'll use the smaller nasal pillow just in case it doesn't work. )

[Gerald]

Did you try the "string wick" that I suggested back on the 25th?

[mindy]

Well after doing some tweeks to my mask, and covering the hose of the mask and the nose piece, I don't see a change with the condensation issue. )

For most, just covering the hose isn't enough.... heated makes a huge difference!

Mindy

[JoyD.]

by Bret L. on Wed Feb 25, 2009 1:23 pm
Yes I use my humidifier. Well I have it attached and full of water. I don't always turn it on. But when I use the CL2 Nasal pillows and whether or not I turn the humidifier on, I still get rainout or condensation. Water pooling in mask running into my nose. LOL!!
I've thought of using a heated hose, but I can't find whether or not that would help if I'm haveing condensation from me exhaling.
I have tried turning up my humidifier to each half degree, it goes up to 5, but I get the same water pooling in my nasal pillows. I do have a cover over my hose.

Hi Brent,

I've been reading the posts and responses. Glad you came to this forum - welcome!!

Being only about a month on the forum myself, and new to CPAP . . . I still wanted to put my 2 cents in. By the way, I have only the CL2 mask so far, and my pressure is also 13. I keep my room at 65 degrees at night! I NEVER have had the rainout problem that you have! I had a little at first, but the fleece hose cover, and turning my M Series Humidifier down to 1 (even 2) has cured all rainout. (You DO want to keep your hose dry or you will get mold growing, of course.)

I just can't figure out why YOU'RE having SUCH a torrent of water in your nasal pillows. That just shouldn't be . . . poor boy, you'll drown The only thing different between us is our humidifiers (I also have the M Series, but the APAP with AFlex). I'm wondering if it could be the humidifier?? I'd like to hear what RG has to say.

Joy

[Bret L.]

Did you try the "string wick" that I suggested back on the 25th?

Gerald, I'm still looking for the string. I thought I found some at the grocery store, it was the type you tie up food with. I cut a piece and put it in the pillow area, but when I turned on my machine, it kept blowing out. I tried different ways but it kept blowing out. I cut some longer and used the connection point to hold it. It blew around inside the pillows like string on an air conditioner vent.
I must be doing something wrong.

[Bret L.]

Well after doing some tweeks to my mask, and covering the hose of the mask and the nose piece, I don't see a change with the condensation issue. )

For most, just covering the hose isn't enough.... heated makes a huge difference!

Mindy

Mindy, I am getting nice warm air out of the mask/pillow end with just the hose cover. I ordered another snuggle hose that I am going to cut and put it over the mask tube and nasal pillow/mask too. I may even double it up and see if that helps. I use the 6 foot regular hose and I'm getting good heat thru it. (atleast it feels like it. )

[Bret L.]

Hi Brent,

I've been reading the posts and responses. Glad you came to this forum - welcome!!

Being only about a month on the forum myself, and new to CPAP . . . I still wanted to put my 2 cents in. By the way, I have only the CL2 mask so far, and my pressure is also 13. I keep my room at 65 degrees at night! I NEVER have had the rainout problem that you have! I had a little at first, but the fleece hose cover, and turning my M Series Humidifier down to 1 (even 2) has cured all rainout. (You DO want to keep your hose dry or you will get mold growing, of course.)

I just can't figure out why YOU'RE having SUCH a torrent of water in your nasal pillows. That just shouldn't be . . . poor boy, you'll drown The only thing different between us is our humidifiers (I also have the M Series, but the APAP with AFlex). I'm wondering if it could be the humidifier?? I'd like to hear what RG has to say.

Joy

Thank you Joy.

I really like the CL2 pillows better than the old Adams mask I had. I just get water in the pillow area and I thought it was water from the humidifier cooling off and mixing with my breath. Last weekend I played around with my setup, used humidifier turned off, didn't use humidifier, used humidifer turned on, and tried different heat settings. I also keep my room cool, and have the ceiling fan going. Can't sleep when I'm hot. Even the humidifier if set at a 2 or higher warms me up. LOL!
The water in the pillows really seems like condensation and yes, I wake up feeling like I'm drowning. If I use the over the nose mask, I get no water in it at all. I'm going to use the extra snuggle hose and double it up and cover the nasal pillow to see if it's a warm/cool air mix problem.
I'm also thinking about using the smaller nasal pillow mask and drill a small hole in the area the water catches at to see if when it lets out a little air if it will keep the water out. If it does, then I may do my regular nasal pillow mask.
I did order the Swift II mask to see how it works out. I'm going to cover it's hose also.