Rainout

[Love2Quilt]

Hi everyone! I'm new to the forum. I've been on CPAP therapy for over 4 months now, and feel that I've adjusted well, EXCEPT nights with rainout. I use nasal pillows, and I don't experience the splashing in my nose, but it feels like I'm suffocating, and that's how I know there's condensation in the tubing. I have sewn my own fleece tubing covers which have worked great until last night. The temps have finally dropped here in southern California, so our room temp is now about 5-10 degrees cooler overall. I like a cool room for sleeping. My nightstand is tall and keeps my machine above the level of my head. Is the next step in this to lower the machine or to raise the tubing (somehow attaching it to the wall)? I do not use any type of tubing holder yet. It is really difficult to find something narrow and sturdy to fit in between my nightstand and the bed, and yet still be able to reach the on/off button, so if raising the tubing will work, I'd rather do that. I haven't covered the smaller tubing that is actually part of the mask, but I could try that, also. I'd love to hear any suggestions because I had to sleep without the machine most of the night, so I didn't sleep well and it's been a rough day. Thanks!

[Pugsy]

Check out this thread posts number 2 and 3 I think it is.
viewtopic/t94035/Pugsys-Pointers-3Deali ... -road.html

Which nasal pillow mask are you using....the equipment profile isn't working.
Which machine are you using? How about a heated hose? Is that an option for you?

If you are experiencing condensation at the nasal pillow level from the moisture in your own exhaled breath....I talk about that in that thread above...moving the machine lower may not help much because of the way nasal pillows are made and how the condensation can pool a little and not even make it into the hose for gravity to help out. Lowering the machine can help tremendously with condensation in the hose but not so helpful when the moisture is in the mask (depending on the mask).

Otherwise...I had real good luck with just adding padacheek barrel cozy over the nasal pillows back when I didn't have a heated hose. It helped a lot. I talked about it in that thread above too.
http://www.padacheek.com/PACSwiftII_Barrel_cozy.html

[JDS74]

A couple of things to do:

One do a Google search for "hose hangers" and you'll get several choices. Take a look at images in the response and you can see how they are used. The price, depending on source, should range from about $12 to $20.

Second, take a little time to fill in your equipment using the User Control Panel and select "TEXT" as the display mode. The small images for different machines from the same manufacturer look just the same and don't provide enough information for someone trying to respond.

Third, depending on your equipment, there may be an auto on mode so just masking up will turn the machine on and your can easily reach it when you get up in the morning so a lower placement should help.

When (if) you get a hose support, try to make sure that neither side of the hose has a dip in it that will allow condensed water to pool in the hose. That can cause noise and temporary stoppage of the air flow. I suspect that is what is happening to you. Having the machine above your head means that condensation will run down to you instead of back into the humidifier.

Covering that short hose on your mask will also help as significant condensation can occur there and interfere with your mask.

Glad you are otherwise doing well and welcome to the forum.
Feel free to ask about anything you don't understand.

[Love2Quilt]

I did fill out the equipment in my profile, but it's not showing up. It's a PR System One Auto A-Flex and AirFit P10 nasal pillows. Tubing isn't heated. My machine does have an auto mode, but it is a bit random in triggering "on" so I often need to hit the button.

I really don't notice the condensation in the pillows themselves - it does seem to be in the tubing. I have temporarily rigged up a stand in between the bed and nightstand, but have yet to rig up a tubing holder. I will look at the links suggested and go from there. I will also pull the tubing cover up higher tonight. I made it extra long on purpose!

Thanks for your help!

[JDS74]

If your system is a Respironics series 50 machine, the control panel won't show it. You would then need to put it in text mode in the comments section for it to be seen. The series 50 machines don't support a heated hose.

I use a short Velcro strip at each end of the fleece covering to hold it in place. You can get them in packs of 5 at local big box stores or craft stores.

[Love2Quilt]

My machine is the 560, so I think there is an option for heated tubing. I'll have to check with my respiratory therapist to see what's covered by my insurance. I do like the fleece cover because it reduces noise and is softer to the touch, but I know that can't be used with heated tubing.

I'm definitely going to look into the padacheek supplies - I wanted something for the headstrap where it touches my cheeks, too, because my skin breaks out a little where the strap lies. It'll be nice to cover up the strap there, and the nasal pillow cozy looks nice, also.

[JDS74]

Au Contraire, with Respironics heated hose, the fleece cover works nicely especially at higher humidity levels. It won't hurt your machine or hose at all.

There is an upgrade kit that is a DIY install for the series 60 heated humidifier. You get a new lid with the electrical contacts for the heated hose, a heated hose, and a new power block that can supply the higher current needed for the hose. The cost is not too high about $75 online.

[Love2Quilt]

Good to know! I had read that the covers shouldn't be used with heated hoses, but good to know it's possible.

I cannot figure out how to get comments to show up below to list my equipment - is it just not working at the moment?

[Pugsy]

The 560 machine is heated hose capable with the proper adaptations.
3 things...heated hose, special lid on the humidifier and it needs an 80 watt power supply.
So check your power brick to see if it is 60 watt or 80 watt first. Some machines are heated hose capable already and some are not but there's a little adapter kit available for those that aren't.
The special lid on the humidifier...has a small recessed area for the electric plug in...fairly easy to see.

You can still use a hose cozy with a heated hose if you want to.
As far as I know the only heated hose that can't be covered with a cozy is the Hybernite stand alone heated hose and that's because it has no thermostat capability..it's either on or off and if you cover it the air gets way too warm.
You can use a hose cozy in conjunction with the PR S1 or ResMed heated hose without a problem....I have done both. What happens is the heater coils don't have to work so hard to keep the hose air temp at whatever you have it set at.

If you think the condensation is in the short hose...they make short hose cozies too or it wouldn't be difficult to put a homemade cozy on the short hose.

Be careful with the P10 vent holes and condensation...those holes are tiny and there have been reports of moisture blocking the holes and if that is what you are experiencing then the barrel cozy might still be useful.

The comments section in the equipment profile won't show up either...it's tied to the overall equipment profile and right now that has the AWOL bug in it.

[JDS74]

User Control Panel, User Signature block.

[Love2Quilt]

I talked to my respiratory therapist today, and my insurance does cover heated hoses! I am taking my machine in on Friday to get it upgraded. So, now, will I be able to keep the machine on my nightstand after all (it sits just a bit higher than my pillow) and still prevent rainout? Does rainout still happen with heated hoses? I'd like to turn the humidity up (currently at 3) if possible.

[Pugsy]

Rain out could still possibly happen when using a heated hose but it would take some rather specific conditions....mainly a really cold bedroom with max humidity chosen...and that's a really cold bedroom.

I have use a PR S1 heated hose (without any hose cozy) in winter and my bedroom gets quite cold when it is really cold outside (like mid 50s) because I turn the thermostat way down to start with and then my bedroom is away from the thermostat and has 2 big windows and the house is old and not much insulation.
I also max out my humidity setting (with the heated hose you get 3 choices for humidity and must be in the clinical menu setup area to set humidity 1 is 70%, 2 is 80% and 3 is 90%) and I have yet to have any rain out with my settings.
Read up on what having that hose attached will offer.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/pr-sys ... ifier.html
With the heated hose attached the knob you are using now for humidity will only control air temp.

[Love2Quilt]

Thanks, Pugsy! Good info to know. We are going to Yosemite in a couple weeks and staying in a heated tent cabin....how warm it will be inside a heated tent with canvas sides, I have no idea! But, they recommend bringing sleeping bags if you tend to get cold. It snowed there today. I'm told there is an electrical outlet in each tent cabin, so I'm bringing my CPAP with me so we can all sleep better.

I'm really looking forward to putting the machine back on the nightstand where it's easier to reach the on/off button and to see/manage the water level.