Wet Pillow

[OldeHeel]

I use a ResMed M Series Auto CPAP with a humidifier. I have had this machine for maybe eight years. Recently, I have begun to wake up with a wet pillow and tee shirt. My machine is slightly lower than my head. My humidifier is set on the lowest level, one. I thought for awhile that I was having night sweats, but now I think my mask/machine is simply blowing excess water out onto my face and pillow. Any suggestions for me to try and correct this problem. Thanks.

[Julie]

Obvious stuff (seeing as you're a veteran), but have you gotten lazy about not overfilling the tank? Have you looked at all appropriate seals? Checked that it goes back together properly after cleaning? Using it in humid weather when you don't need to? Talked to your DME?

[OldeHeel]

Thanks, Julie. It has been extremely humid in southeastern North Carolina lately. I will try turning the humidifier of completely tonight. The past two nights, I have had to get up and change my pillow case and my tee shirt because they were soaked.

[Julie]

You might turn off any heat you're using - it could help if you still really feel the need of the humidifier.

[OldeHeel]

No house heat needed, Outside temps are running 74 to 76 at night. AC running inside house, keep temp at 71 to 72. I will turn heat off of humidifier and leave tank dry. Thanks again.

[Julie]

Yes, I meant the hum. heater Be sure the A/c is not too close if at all possible because it's drying out the humidity!

[avi123]

OldeHeel, I change my T shirts 3 times thru out the night. It has nothing to do with the CPAP machine or the humidifier or the AC in the room (I shut it off at night) nor the ceiling fan if it's on or off. I live near Raleigh, NC. It could be b/c of the 5mg of Amlodipine (generic Norvasc) that I take to control my blood pressure, and/ or other medications that I take, or my underlying medical condition. If I sit outdoor on my porch during the daytime 88 degrees F or at night at 74 degrees F, I would also sweat the same amount. Because of wetting my pillow and the bed cover I spread a pad over them.

[Colonel-Cactus]

Waking up with a wet t-shirt sounds sexy.

As to night sweats, have you been having vivid dreams? When I have a vivid memorable dream I sweat like crazy. I often saturate whatever girl is sleeping with me. But luckily my sweat has a musky pleasant odor like a wet fox not offensive at all.

I've been pushing hard to get someone knowledgeable to comment on dream states and apnea. It is a legitimate area of potential correlation but dream states are such fringe science, so much is unknown, that serious people will not venture in.

[OldeHeel]

Good news for me. I did not use my humidifier last night and I did not have a wet pillow or wet tee shirt. I hope I have found the solution to my problem. I am too old for girl-related night sweats, Colonel, but I can recall such.

[OldeHeel]

Thanks to Julie for pointing out the obvious, the outside humidity has been 75 to 90 and the inside has been running 56 to 60. So I did not need my CPAP humidifier. Now, when/how will I recognize that I do need my humidifier?

[chunkyfrog]

Humidity gauge; under $5 at Wal Mart. You can spend more, but why?
My heated hose prevents rainout, so I leave it on Auto year 'round. No fuss.

[Pugsy]

when/how will I recognize that I do need my humidifier?

Usually the nasal mucosa will give you some rather ugly symptoms if they get dried out.
The symptoms mimic the typical cold symptoms or allergy attach symptoms....runny nose, congestion, sneezing, sinus pressure, etc. So if you think you are having an allergy attack or coming down with a cold...it could be the nasal mucosa are wanting more moisture.