Why Is There No Humidity When Using F 30 Mask?

[drutgat]

Hi,
I have been using my Respironics DreamWear Nasal (pillow) mask, and a heated tube, for several years, but switched to the F 30 about two weeks ago because I am a mouth breather.

I quite like the F 30, but am getting no humidity at all, to the extent that my nose is very dry, and I wake up several times each night because of this.

I have gone back to using the DreamWear, with the same machine and tube, and the only setting difference I have made is changing between the 'Nasal' and 'Full Face' settings for the type of mask.

Any ideas of what I could do to introduce some humidity into the mask?

I am going to contact the medical supply place I deal with, in order to get their ideas, too.

Thanks.

[Pugsy]

What is your humidity setting?
What is the ambient humidity in your bedroom?
Is the water level changing in the water chamber?
Have you tried increasing the humidity setting?

[LSAT]

The mask would not make a big difference. With the machine on, remove the water tub and feel the heating plate to see if it is hot.

[drutgat]

What is your humidity setting?
What is the ambient humidity in your bedroom?
Is the water level changing in the water chamber?
Have you tried increasing the humidity setting?

Humidity is on maximum setting, which is 8.

Ambient temp. of my bedroom - not sure, but even in the widely varying seasons we have here the humidity that I get out of the nasal mask and my heated tube remains constant (which means that I turn the humidity down in the Summer because it can get very humid here).

So, the ambient temperature really has no effect on my usual nasal mask plus heated tube combination, and should have no effect on the F 30.

Water level in chamber is at the maximum (indicated by the line on the chamber).

[drutgat]

The mask would not make a big difference. With the machine on, remove the water tub and feel the heating plate to see if it is hot.

Yes, the heating plate is hot.

I know the mask *should not* make a difference, but it is the only variable in the whole 'equation' here.

Going to 'phone the place I bought it now, and will post an update.

[chunkyfrog]

I purchased a simple humidity meter for two dollars at WalMart.

[drutgat]

I purchased a simple humidity meter for two dollars at WalMart.

Thanks for this suggestion, but I am not really interested in measuring the humidity 'scientifically'; rather, I just want my nostrils to be moist and to not dry out, and there is such a huge difference between using the F 30 and the DreamWear masks that they really are at polar opposites of the spectrum in this regard.

Thanks again.

[chunkyfrog]

My meter is not accurate enough to be "scientific".
It just gives me an idea how much water will last the night.
In the summer, a half tank is nearly enough.
In the winter, I need a full tank to last the night.
Unless it rains/snows or doesn't.

[drutgat]

My meter is not accurate enough to be "scientific".
It just gives me an idea how much water will last the night.
In the summer, a half tank is nearly enough.
In the winter, I need a full tank to last the night.
Unless it rains/snows or doesn't.

I fill my humidifier/water tank up to the 'max.' line - that lasts me in summer or winter (and the temperatures here vary from minus 30 in the winter, to close to 40 - factoring in humidity - in the summer), so I really have no need of any other way of measuring how much water I need.

Another way of saying this is that even though the amount of water used does vary greatly from summer to winter, when I fill the tank to the 'max.' line, there is always enough water available.

And back to my specific problem, when I use the F 30, there is significantly less water used (i.e., a negligible amount, and the tank is fuller) than when I use the DreamWear nasal pillow mask.

The only conclusion is that the mask is somehow faulty, so I have arranged to go and pick up a replacement and try that.

Fingers crossed.

[LSAT]

Mouth breathing will cause the machine to use more water. Now that you have switched to a FF mask less water is consumed.

[chunkyfrog]

Mouth breathing will cause the machine to use more water. Now that you have switched to a FF mask less water is consumed.

THAT.

[drutgat]

Mouth breathing will cause the machine to use more water. Now that you have switched to a FF mask less water is consumed.

THAT.

Exactly, so there should be more water available to moisten nostrils, throat and so on.

As I said above, the issue is NOT how much water is or is not available.

I do NOT run out of water. Ever.

[palerider]

Mouth breathing will cause the machine to use more water. Now that you have switched to a FF mask less water is consumed.

THAT.

Exactly, so there should be more water available to moisten nostrils, throat and so on.

As I said above, the issue is NOT how much water is or is not available.

I do NOT run out of water. Ever.

The point was that the machine would use less water, while still providing the same humidification, since less would be lost to leaks.

[Pugsy]

This is so weird. I use pretty much maximum humidity and I have never had a problem when I switched masks even when I experimented with full face masks. My primary mask has always been a nasal pillow mask.
My nose is super sensitive to getting dried out easily.
I have never tried the F30 though.
Changing masks shouldn't cause the machine to deliver less moisture.

[chunkyfrog]

I don't believe it does.
This seems to be an issue with perception.