New CPAP user having difficulty

JosephKeith · Post by **JosephKeith** » Sat Sep 15, 2007 6:23 am

Hi everyone,
This seems like the place to get answers. I have a problem with my mouth,throat and lungs being so dry after using my machine that I can only use it for about 2 hours and then I wake up. I have a heated humidifier that the plate does get warm yet it doesn't seem to be working properly. How much water should it use a night? I haven't been using it because of this and the company that sold me the machine says it is working properly(without ever looking at it). I am really frustrated especially since I know I need this. During the study I stopped breathing over 120 times before they put the CPAP on me. I slept the rest of the night at the clinic with no problem.

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Sat Sep 15, 2007 6:36 am

What setting do you have your Humidaire 3i set at? I also have the Elite and Humidaire 3i.

How much water used by the Humidaire 3i depends on how high you have it set. During a real cold spell last winter when the furnace was running full blast and drying the house air out there were several days, not quite 2 weeks all told, that my Humidaire 3i could NOT keep up. There were those w/Respironics xPAPs and integrated humidifiers who had the same problem.

I was fortunate in that a fellow xPAPper gave me his old, used, Fisher & Paykel HC 100 stand alone heated humidifier. THAT baby WORKED! If you have your Humidaire 3i turned all the way up to 6 and it still isn't cutting the mustard you might have to consider getting the F&P HC 150 stand alone heated humidifier. It seems to be way and above the best heated humidifier available.

How is your leak rate? I don't know if large leaks can contribute to drying your mouth and nose since you have a full face mask or not but it is worth checking. I'm sure one of our full face mask old timers will be able to better answer that.

JosephKeith · Post by **JosephKeith** » Sat Sep 15, 2007 7:48 am

I have the machine set all the way up to 6 and the water hardly evaporates from the chamber. I don't think that mask leakage is a big problem.

SleepGuy · Post by **SleepGuy** » Sat Sep 15, 2007 7:54 am

The volume of water used is generally a function of how humid the ambient air is so it's hard to compare. Humidity is relative to temperature so your HH (if working properly) will result in the same level of humidification regardless of the humidity of the intake air. If the incoming air is dry more water will be used; if it's already humid, less water will be taken in.

It can take a while to get used to the back pressure and for your body to adjust to the practical realities of exhaling in a pressurized circuit.

If your mouth is dry you're likely "mouth breathing" and losing your therapeutic pressure through your mouth. There's a lot of information on the forum about mouth breathing--start with the yellow light bulb.

JosephKeith · Post by **JosephKeith** » Sat Sep 15, 2007 8:51 am

I don't think that the air is too moist with humidity because we have an aquarium in the living room and it evaporates water daily as well. I am going to test the machine and see if it is evaporating at all.

I read the lightbulb info and I use a full face mask and I really am not having a real problem with it fitting my face.

RosemaryB · Post by **RosemaryB** » Sat Sep 15, 2007 9:05 am

If the water is hardly evaporating at all and you have it set to the highest setting, it does sound like it's not working. When I set mine to the highest setting during the summer, the air felt so humid that it felt suffocating to me. So, even if the air outside the machine is humid, you should still be getting something from the humidifier. With my machine on medium setting I use quite a bit of water and Michigan is not particularly dry right now.

Sounds like your DME is just trying to stonewall you. If they haven't chhecked the equipment, how do they know if it's working or not. How long have you had your equipment? If it's still under rental it is possible to threaten to return it and go elsewhere. There are lots of ways to deal with these %#*#@ DMEs when they pull this stuff. My tactic is to be super nice but extremely insistent that they give me what I need if I have a right to it via my insurance. My DME's not too bad (some major flaws, but some good points), though. I know some people have contacted the state insurance commission and other things like that.

I, too, got a used HC 100 on ebay for $25 including shipping. I plan to use it during the dryest part of winter, but if I have to I'll get the HC 150 new. I've only had one night without the humidifier and it really messed me up!

BarbarainCT · Post by **BarbarainCT** » Sat Sep 15, 2007 9:05 am

I'm not a scientist and I'm not very knowledgeable about CPAP's (just enough to get by) but humidity in general in Florida is quite high and I wonder if any humidifier could raise the humidity is that kind of situation.

Just brainstorming here. I hope you find a satisfactory solution soon. I would start with taping your mouth or using a chin strap.

Barbara

GumbyCT · Post by **GumbyCT** » Sat Sep 15, 2007 9:13 am

FWIW:
My therapist tells me that a mask leak will dry out your mouth. Prob. true as it also consumes more water. She says using a humidifier is the answer.

I think, with me, the wind rushing thru my mouth while I am sleeping also contributes. If you are a mouth breather like me, it certainly may be a contributing factor.

I keep a bottle of "Propel" by the bed just for that reason. I just swish it around my mouth, I don't take a gulp. It seems to be Ph balanced & more readily absorbed by the body tissue than tap water. Back to sleep I go.

Maybe you need a different mask or chin strap to help?

HTH,
Also a new user; GumbyCT

JosephKeith · Post by **JosephKeith** » Sat Sep 15, 2007 9:13 am

I didn't even know that you could rent a machine. I don't have any insurance and I have paid cash for everything so far. The sleep lab cost me $1600.00 and the machine cost me $1450.00. My wife has watched me sleep and has not noticed very much air leaking.

As far as the dry mouth I am even using dry mouth stopper and a moisturizing gel that helps keep you moist.

drummergirl410 · Post by **drummergirl410** » Sat Sep 15, 2007 9:13 am

I have the same himidifier as you. I have rarely needed myne past 2.5 or 3 over the summer. It really doesn't put out much head on those settings. I went up to 3.5 and noticed a respectable difference in the humidity and kind of liked it. I think the ResMed humidifiers just don't have that big a jump in temperature. Either that or mine isn't workind properly either. I would have it checked out and insist on having it done just to rule it out if I were you. You might also want to get a hose cover or a heated hose as well. That willl help prevent heat loss as the air travels through the hose from the machine to the mask. I've also heard that the HC humidifiers are really good, though I don't think I'll need that much humidity myself.

FirstTimer · Post by **FirstTimer** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 12:18 pm

I have been using my Humidaire H3i Humidifer about 5 days. I just fill it up again last night. I have a new furnace in my home with a hunidifier on it.
Will I have to fill-up more in the winter. I live in Nebraska it does get cold in the winter late December and stay's that way till April.

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 12:53 pm

JosephKeith wrote:I don't think that the air is too moist with humidity because we have an aquarium in the living room and it evaporates water daily as well. I am going to test the machine and see if it is evaporating at all.

I read the lightbulb info and I use a full face mask and I really am not having a real problem with it fitting my face.

Use of a FF Mask correctly, will insure you get yout threatment, but if you still breath through your mouth, it will dry out, as your lungs weren't designed for mouth breathing.( A much larger hole than your nose) The FF Mask will trap enough pressure for treatment to work. Jim

Wulfman... · Post by **Wulfman...** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 1:15 pm

FirstTimer wrote:I have been using my Humidaire H3i Humidifer about 5 days. I just fill it up again last night. I have a new furnace in my home with a hunidifier on it.
Will I have to fill-up more in the winter. I live in Nebraska it does get cold in the winter late December and stay's that way till April.

You can say THAT again!!! Grew up about 40 mi. south of where you're at and moved to "balmy" Wyoming in '73.

Hate the humidity back there. Damn hot in the summer, too.

Looked like the Cornshuckers had a little trouble with USC last weekend......

Den

Wulfman... · Post by **Wulfman...** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 1:26 pm

JosephKeith wrote:Hi everyone,
This seems like the place to get answers. I have a problem with my mouth,throat and lungs being so dry after using my machine that I can only use it for about 2 hours and then I wake up. I have a heated humidifier that the plate does get warm yet it doesn't seem to be working properly. How much water should it use a night? I haven't been using it because of this and the company that sold me the machine says it is working properly(without ever looking at it). I am really frustrated especially since I know I need this. During the study I stopped breathing over 120 times before they put the CPAP on me. I slept the rest of the night at the clinic with no problem.

I'm going to "guess" that your mouth is falling open after you fall asleep and you're mouth-breathing. You CAN get dry mouth with a full face mask and that's how. Probably doesn't have anything to do with your humidifier.....I NEVER use mine heated.....even in the winter time.
Make sure your nasal passages are clear before going to bed and then train yourself to keep your mouth shut.....tongue pushed to the roof of your mouth behind your top teeth.....and breathe through your nose.

Den

cflame1 · Post by **cflame1** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 6:14 pm

I can tell you that in Iowa... I find that I end up needing to turn on more humidity in the winter... and I hate hot moist air.

New CPAP user having difficulty

New CPAP user having difficulty

RE: New CPAP user having difficulty

Re: New CPAP user having difficulty