Newbie question...

cinderella · Post by **cinderella** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 11:34 am

I just got my heated humidifier and used it for the 1st time last night. It was all going great except after an hour or so I had water dripping down my cheeks from my mask. Is this rain-out ? My machine is on a bedside table and is just ever so slightly higher than my bed. If I move the unit lower than the bed or even on the floor will this help with the condensation? Any suggestions you can make will be much appreciated!

birdshell · Post by **birdshell** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 11:53 am

It sounds like rainout to me!

Yes, the machine should be lower than the bed--in fact, I usually set mine on the floor. This was the advice of the RT who trained me in the use of CPAP.

In addition, I put my machine inside a plastic (14 quart) storage bin. In the morning, I may then throw the hose and headgear on top, and put on the top of the bin. It protects the gear from cats who believe their mission in life is to chew into bits every string or string-like object!

I hope this helps. If the lowered machine does not do the trick, you may want to check into Offerocker's Comfort Sleeve to insulate your hose, or the Aussie heated hose.

snoregirl · Post by **snoregirl** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 11:53 am

Yes putting the unit on the floor will cause some of the condensation in the tube to drain back in to the water tank.

Also consider turning down the setting on your humidifier.

Also wrap you hose in some material (polertec or the like) to insulate it from the cold room. Condensation occurs when warm moist air in the tube is exposed to a colder temperature (winter time room temp's). This cools the air on its way up the tube to your mask and as it cools, the air can hold less moisture. It drops the excess moisture in the form of condensation both in the tube and in your mask. If the tube runs downhill to your mask any condensation in the tube will run at your face. This is why the unit should be lower than your mask.

The tube wrapping, will keep the air in the tube from cooling down as fast if the air in the room is cooler than the air in the tube which it usually is if you are using a heated humidifier.

Some people here use an Aussie heated hose. I suspect that they keep their bedrooms cooler at night than I do as I don't have need.

Another thing I do is put the extra hose under the bed covers with me. This also keeps it warm. Side benefit is it doesn't yank on my interface. Some people are more comfortable hanging their hose over the headboard and they wouldn't be able to run the hose under the bed covers.

Any of these things you can do alone or in combination to reduce rainout.

cinderella · Post by **cinderella** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 11:55 am

thanks for the info, and the storage bin is a good idea, I never know what to do with the hose and mask, they just lay on my bed....I'll try that.

littlebaddow · Post by **littlebaddow** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 11:56 am

Lots of advice on dealing with rainout if you do a search.
Includes:
turn down the heated humidifier
turn up the room temperature
keep as much of the hose under the bedclothes as you can
insulate the hose - get a hose cover, heated or just fluffy!

Good luck[/list]

Machine	Mask