upgrade to a new machine??

[NWgirl]

Hi I posted problems with my humidifier a day ago. As I read these postings I realize that there may be a way to solve the problem.
Does anyone have any advise on getting a new machine with more sophisticated setting and hopefully more effective humidifier than what is on my Remstar Auto System One A-flex? After a year of use I still cant figure out what is making it stop and start. I live in the Pacific NW a very humid environment and have central heating. I might vary two degrees during the night which shouldn't change the humidity that much to turn off the humidifier. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated!
NWgirl

[Pugsy]

I responded in your other thread.
Depending on exactly which model machine you have and if you have a heated hose capable machine...you have additional options.

Before shopping for a newer machine...maybe your machine just needs a little upgrade.
The PR System One machine that uses the heated hose will offer 90% humidity delivery...the S9 AutoSet in automatic mode only offers 80%. I think you have a greater chance of getting more moisture with the PR S1 with heated hose option.
Even there there is no guarantee that your dry mouth issue can be resolved though...explained in more detail in your other thread.

[Pesser]

I have had this problem too. I solved it by reading a PDF manual that I pulled somewhere. This manual gave great detail on how to change my settings. My problem was caused by ambient sensors picking up the same humidity level as I was asking my equipment for! I turned this detection off and re-set my humidity levels a little higher. With the heated hose the system delivers excellent humidity.

[Pugsy]

I forgot to mention but when water consumption doesn't always make sense that in addition to the ambient room humidity being a factor we also have to look at pressures used (especially with auto adjusting pressure mode) because more pressure will use more water even if ambient room humidity is unchanged.
Also...if there is much mask leaking or mouth leaking/breathing (especially with a mask that doesn't cover the mouth) we will see more water used even if pressures don't change and ambient room humidity doesn't change.

Water consumption has a lot of potential variables that need to be looked at before assuming the humidifier is faulty or a person needs a "better" humidifier.

Classic Mode...is the way we added humidity to the air for years..strictly heat..more heat equals more moisture added to the air. This mode uses the greatest amount of water and condensation risk is greater.

The new default humidification system mode (no heated hose) uses sensors and checks out the ambient room humidity before adding heat to add more moisture to the air. It uses much less water especially if the ambient room humidity is already fairly high. So it uses less heat (I hated the cold nose I had with this mode even at the max of 5 setting)...less heat means less water consumed. Condensation risk was greatly reduced but annoying ice cube nose risk appeared.

The 60 series heated hose option..has both the above choices in addition to the heated hose options for specific air temp and specific humidity delivery. It is simply going to offer more choices to customize the air temp (no ice cube nose) and desired humidity.
If someone is complaining of dry mouth and think that it is the humidifier's fault...well if it is related to mouth breathing or leaking (even with a full face mask) the humidifier may not be able to add enough moisture to rehydrate the mouth.
The oral surface is just too large to be able to wet it down enough when it gets really dried out for whatever reason.
It takes very little mouth breathing to dry out the mouth. I know I have woke up with Sahara Desert mouth and mouth breathing for sure but when I go look at the leak lines...sometimes it doesn't even reach large leak territory and might last 10 minutes. So I wasn't mouth breathing all night...maybe 10 minutes or so and mouth dryness was horrible.

Full face mask use doesn't guarantee a fix for dry mouth even with max humidity being delivered.

[sleeplessinaz]

I would def. recommend an S9 Autoset. I have had all great experiences with mine. Have had it for about three years now. It is quiet, settings are easy to read and change, lightweight too.

[purple]

I differ from others in that I found that some of my symptoms, were resolved by using a bi level device.

Ahem. Put another way. I had a sleep doctor who told me that one of the things which sleep apnea patients do is gasp for air, before we get the machine, this creates a sump pump type effect that draws stomach acid upwards. A bit of this vapor can create what feels like dry mouth. Some of this vapor also can cause in me, my sinuses to run.

Given the cost of a Bi-Level machine (called Bi-Pap by Philips Respironics, and VPAP by Resmed) and/or the difficulty of getting insurances to fund you for one. and there is not guarantee getting a bi-level machine will help with the dry mouth.

On the other hand, if your mouth is securely closed during the night, and the air is not going out through your mouth, then the dry mouth is not going to be solved by fiddling with the humidifier of your machine, or its hose. Just to contradict myself a bit, I now have the "Climate Line" hose (the Resmed name for a heated hose) and it is wonderful.

Raising the question whether one of your meds is the issue? For some older individuals there are some -Over the counter- things to help keep the mouth moist which you might try.

Please list your equipment, settings, and perhaps, if you know, whether you are getting leaks. As these can be clues as to the nature of the difficulty, which some here, like Pugsy, would be better able to decipher than me.