water in the tubing = loud "percolating" noise

[springsteenfan75]

I'm relatively new to using my CPAP. I have yet to be able to wear the mask the whole night, although I have been able to fall asleep with it several nights in a row. I'm wondering first of all if anyone can kindly give me any words of wisdom on this matter.

I'm still finding my preferred setting on the humidifier. Last night I went to bed with the humidifier cranked all the way up, since the air produced naturally by the machine still seems quite cold to me.

And, last night something frustrating happened, and it's at least the second time it did. I woke up in the middle of the night, and the primary tubing and mask tubing were filled with water. In fact, they were so saturated that I couldn't run the machine because it was making a loud "percolating" noise. I let everything dry for about ten minutes, but nothing dried very much, so I had to go back to sleep without benefit of the machine. Even running the machine with the humidifier off created the noise at this point, since there was so much water in the system.

What to do? I bet this is a common problem. Oh, and I was experimenting with a new mask: the Mirage Swift LT, which I think I like. Thanks, and happy new year!

Ross

[rjjayrt]

when setting your humidifier the goal is to increase humidity by increasing the number, increasing the number to heat the air is a bad idea because it causes excessive rainout in your tubing. Set your humidifier at a point it corrects any dryness you may be experiencing. As far as collness of the humidity there are several tricks you can try, one would be to use a fleece hose sleeve, or warming the water prior to putting it in the humidifier.

[ScrappinMom]

Hi Springsteenfan!
This is called "rain out". You can search and find MANY threads about it with different suggestions. To my thinking, the term "heated humidifier" is really not correct...it doesn't warm the water enough to warm the air, but just enough to humidify the air.

You may want to looked into getting a heated hose if you can't eliminate your rain out with other methods, or just want it warmer, especially in the winter. You'll find many posts about the heated hose, also. Many people on here love theirs.

[Komodo]

I don't think that's "rain out".
Because you mention the percolating noise, I think it might just be that you slightly overfilled the humidifier with water. I did that myself one time, and thought I was going to drown! Check your water level and be sure it's below the level line.

[Gerryk]

The gurgling noise you heard was from water gathering in the hose at the low point. It acted kind of like a trap on a sink. Now if that happens just raise the hose up enough so the water runs back into the humidifier. To prevent this from happening if you do get condensation in the hose you will need to use some kind of hose management. Hose management will also help hold the hose overhead so it doesn't pull you interface(mask) of your face.
Hose management is basically using some type of device to hold the hose up and prevent it from looping down where moisture will gather. You can buy a commercially available hose management device or make your own up. Go to cpap.com and take a look at the hose buddy, the hozer or the hose lifter. I use both the hose buddy and hose lifter, with the latter one used for travel. You can also use a picture hanger in the wall with some string. Also try a hose cover to see if that helps reduce the amount of condensation in the hose. If you want to try covering the hose before buying anything, try removing the sleeves off an old long sleeve shirt and cover the hose with them.
If you have your humidifier turned up and the room you are in is cold you will still get condensation in the mask.

Gerry