tube rainout!

[rjm]

Anyone out there dealing with water forming in your tubing on nasal pillows? I use the resmed fx nasal pillows system. Also have a problem with phlem forming in my throat. I do use a humidifier-heated.

[kimbo]

What kind of machine do you have? When I run my S9 on auto humidity mode, I never have rainout issues. Tried a few nights on setting 6 (high) and struggled with major rain out (also using nasal pillows). High humidity helped with sleep but the rainout was not worth it.

[ozze_dollar]

I dont usually have a problem with nasal pillows. I can only repeat a few tips .
Put the machine down on the floor,its safer there anyway in case you pull on the tube in your sleep.
Only put enough water for the night in the tank.
Use the auto setting for the humidity setting.

Good luck.

[Sheriff Buford]

The issue you have is called rainout, and it is quite common. It is caused when the steam, generated by your humidifier, condenses in the hose before it enters your mask. If your humidifier tub is too full, you'll get the same effect. The water will "carry over" into the hose and mask. The Resmed S9 Autoset and Elite models deals with it by using a heated hose. The heated hose will prevent the steam from condensing to water as it travels thru your hose. You can do the following:

- make sure your water level is not above the mark on you water tub/chamber. You might put it a little lower.
- make sure you use the climate - line hose, if you have the Resmed S9
- make sure you place the machine below (lower) your head. It's hard for water to travel up hill. The water will fall back into the water chamber. Use something like a plastic milk crate.
- don't use your humidifier.

Sheriff

[Pap365]

You've gotten some good ideas. The only thing I'd add is that if using a regular hose, you could cover it with a hose cover. You could also wrap the small hose on your mask. This will help keep the air from cooling enroute and reduce the rainout.

[Pugsy]

Moisture in the nasal pillows can also be from the moisture in our own exhaled breath which goes into the nasal pillows and condenses in the nasal pillows due to room air being cooler. This can happen even when we have a heated hose or are doing all the other stuff to prevent rain out in the hose.
I use a barrel cozy to help limit this annoying little problem. It's also super comfy against the skin.
http://www.padacheek.com/PACSwiftII_Barrel_cozy.html

[Sheriff Buford]

Also: when you inhale and exhale, the pressure in the hose momentarily changes, due to the quality of each machine's ability to maintain a constant pressure. When you inhale, the pressure drops which will cause the steam vapors to condense. When you exhale, the machine compensates for the pressure drop and can cause the vapors to return to a liquid phase. The noise you may hear when the vapors return to the liquid phase is called water hammer. If your machine is in tip-top shape... it can prevent the rainout because it responds quicker and there is no condensing involved. I know this because I was having rainout issues and I made a "love call' to the Resmed engineer. I know he hates to hear from the Buford. Probably getting a little too technical here, but yes a hose cover may help. I would be hesitant to use a hose cover for the resmed climatline hose. The hose may get too hot, and short out the hose wires. Maybe some folks here use a cover for the climatline... would be interested to hear if they have had any troubles.

[Guest]

Hate to tell you, but if you have a rainout problem, it probably won't be resolved. I had one with my cpap machine and tried a tube sock insulator and that didn't stop it. I even purchased a heated tube-that produced another problem-mucus membrane dryout! I think certanin machines have the problem. If you keep your house cool in the winter months, like I do, condensation will form.

[jencat824]

Hate to tell you, but if you have a rainout problem, it probably won't be resolved. I had one with my cpap machine and tried a tube sock insulator and that didn't stop it. I even purchased a heated tube-that produced another problem-mucus membrane dryout! I think certanin machines have the problem. If you keep your house cool in the winter months, like I do, condensation will form.

I hate to disagree, but I had a major rainout problem, used a hose cozy, which helped some, but then I got a heated hose - no more rainout! I keep my bedroom very cool, summer & winter. The combo of hose cozy & heated hose worked for me, don't give up, you will find something that works for you. You might want to try my combo, it works for lots of people.
Jen

[Frannie]

Used my machine for the second time last night and woke up a little stuffy and a sore throat from post nasal drip. I had my machine on my nighstand, which is about six inches lower than the top of my mattress. I used the heated humidifier but don't have a heated hose. The first night, I didn't use the humidifier as the tech stressed I should use distilled water and I didn't have any. Last night I used tap water--know I shouldn't check went into bank last night and I will have ride to the grocery store in the morning). I also didn't think about washing out the humidifier chamber or the hose before I used it for the first time.

I do have allergies and I live in a duplex. I'm sure the furnace filters haven't been changed for ages and I've emailed the owner about this...she does do maintenance things until we ask her to.

SO...my question is...am I doing something wrong or do I need to change how I have things set up? Don't think I have sinusitis as I'm feeling better after drinking some coffee and tea. I'm not running a fever either so I'm really suspecting the CPAP is aggravating my allergies or it's an issue with the machine. Are my symptoms consisten with tube rainout?

[chunkyfrog]

Re$med sells a hose cozy for both the Slimline and Climateline hoses.
It is half a foot too short for the Climateline.
I suspect their statement is so they can sell you theirs!

[Sheriff Buford]

The first night, I didn't use the humidifier as the tech stressed I should use distilled water and I didn't have any. Last night I used tap water--know I shouldn't check went into bank last night and I will have ride to the grocery store in the morning).
I do have allergies and I live in a duplex. I'm sure the furnace filters haven't been changed for ages and I've emailed the owner about this...she does do maintenance things until we ask her to.

Frannie: distilled water is certainly recommended because it won't leave mineral deposits in the water chamber. Also, you will be inhaling the vapors from the water, so some folks prefer water that may be considered "pure", but.... you can use tap water and it should be ok.

Sheriff

[rjm]

Thanks for all the replies! I turned down the setting on my heated humidifier to "1" and the rainout was not there last night. Lets see how tonight is. I use a resmed elite series 2 machine and the resmed fx nasal pillow system, with the humidifier.