settings for Breas iSleep 20+ and HA20 Humidifer

[odwyersa]

I am using the Breas iSleep 20+ CPAP with the HA01 humidifier, and am having trouble ensuring the equipment my settings are appropriate.

My doctor prescribed a CPAP pressure setting of 9 cmH2O in Feb 2007, and I have set the HA01 Humidifer to 4.

I use a heated tube that I have further insulated (using aluminium foil and cotton material), connected to a nasal mask that inserts directly into my nose, without a mask surrounding my nose nor mouth.

I have set the ambient room temperature set to at least 12 degrees Celsius, using the thermostat on my home's ducted heating unit.
I also have a column oil heater adjacent to the bed, beside the iSleep CPAP, to assist with ensuring the air entering the CPAP air inlet is heated.

I am finding some evenings I remove my nasal mask in my sleep a number of times (a symptom my doctor describes as "dumping"), and I am having trouble using the CPAP device for more than 1 to 3 hours at a time.

In all the literature I have received with the Breas equipment, there is no information about the appropriate level to set the humidifier, depending upon the time of year (season - eg summer, winter), the overnight temperature/humidity range, and my altitude and latititude.

I will be undertaking a sleep test in November 2007, when my doctor will review my prescribed CPAP pressure setting.

All Breas can tell me is to lower the Humidifier setting (it ranges from 1 to 9) if there is condensation in the mask.

Does anyone have any info that recommends the relevant settings for the HA01 humidifier for given ranges of latititudes, altitides, overnight temperatures/humdity.

Alternately, is this information available via academic research / surveys being conducted, or via any online discussion forums anyone knows about?

Thanks
Sharon

[Slinky]

You're getting WAY too technical about this humidifier issue. You can adjust the humidity to whatever FEELS COMFORTABLE to you yet hopefully does not produce "rain out" (condensation) in the flexible hose between humidifier and mask. You certainly do NOT have to go to the extreme measures you are going to!

I'm not familiar w/your particular brand and model of xPAP machine. However, the type of interface (mask) you are describing is what we usually refer to as nasal pillows (also nasal prongs or nasal seals).

The humidity of the pressurized air blowing into your nostrils should feel COMFORTABLE, not so cold and dry your nose is uncomfortable or cold and not so humid and warm that it is difficult to breathe.

If you have a heated hose you shouldn't run into any "rain out" (condensation) as I understand it (I've not needed one). Just a fleece hose cover, or placing your humidifier and xPAP below the level of your mattress, or hanging your hose above your head should eliminate any "rain out" unless you keep your bedroom particularly cool. If you prefer sleeping in a particularly cool room you most likely need less humidity than if you keep your bedroom quite warm.

[ozij]

I use a heated tube that I have further insulated (using aluminium foil and cotton material), connected to a nasal mask that inserts directly into my nose, without a mask surrounding my nose nor mouth.

I have set the ambient room temperature set to at least 12 degrees Celsius, using the thermostat on my home's ducted heating unit.
I also have a column oil heater adjacent to the bed, beside the iSleep CPAP, to assist with ensuring the air entering the CPAP air inlet is heated.

12 Celsius (twelve?) is 53.6 Fahrenheit - I call that cold. Even if 12 is a typo, 22 Celsius (71.6 Fahrenheit) is not too hot either.

Your condensation probably comes from the short mask tube itself - the warm humid air from the hose touches the thin cold tube wall and condenses - prewarming the air before it enters the machine doesn't help when that happens.

My solution to that is to wrap that little tube in 2 or 3 layers of tubular finger gauze - all year around.

Condensation is always a bigger problem for those of us whose pressure is on the low side.

O.