Hi all

[dial888]

Hi all, new member here, xPAP user for around 3.5 years. Just thought I'd say hello.

Since I got my first machine I think I've only maybe missed 5 nights of using it and I'm still no closer to seeing a benefit, if anything I actually feel worse with symptoms like clogged up throat etc. I'm currently trying to get my (second) APAP machine and (second) humidifier to work properly but I'm getting a lot of rainout. When I mentioned the fact that my mask was full of water to my doctor and the staff at the sleep centre they didn't really say much, even when I told them my throat was bunged up.

Anyway, after lurking these forums for a while I finally have a goal to work towards - get my humidifier working with no rainout. I feel like I've gained a lot of knowledge here, which I plan to take back to the sleep centre within the next couple of weeks and demand a heated hose. Fingers crossed this works - I'm sick of going to bed at 8pm because I can't keep my eyes open!

So thanks in advance. Thanks for making me seemingly more knowledgable than the professionals I've been dealing with!

[OutaSync]

I believe the new Resmed S9s come with a heated hose. See if they will upgrade your machine while you are there. In the meantime, you can wrap your hose in a towel, baby blanket or any soft material and secure the ends with rubber bands. This will insulate it until you get something better.

[dial888]

It's funny you should say that - I actually wrapped the full 2m tune up in a towel last night and was pretty optimistic (it seemed really well insulated), but an hour after going to sleep I was coughing on a mask full of water (the humidifier was only at 50%). I ended up just removing the humidifier completely as I needed some kind of sleep. Walking about like a zombie today with a dry throat...!

[Sheriff Buford]

Try not using the humidifier at all. I did, because I was having trouble with my humidifier. I got it replaced and it works good, but I realized that I really didn't need it. I only use it when I'm clogged up.

Sheriff

[Emilia]

Most of us snake our hose up and over the headboard to allow moisture to run back down into the humidifier. Be sure your machine is also a bit lower than your head is while lying down.

[danimal71]

Is the unit above or below the level of your head?

Mine is below and I have it cranked to 5 right now to see if it would help with my sinuses and I usually half 1/4 to 1/2 of the tank left after about 6 to 7 hours.

[dial888]

Just to follow up on some of the replies: my machine sits very low, around 2 feet below head level. I tend to hang the hose over the headboard but the mask still fills with water. I recently tried using the machine without the humidifier but the dryness (and therefor swollen feeling) got worse.

I'm currently in a battle with the sleep centre who are saying that my humidifier wont work with a heated hose and they wont supply one that does. Basically I think they've went as far as they're prepared to go with the problem and are now trying to fob me off. Bottom line is theyve given me equipment thst they say I need but its not working properly and my adverse symptoms continue. I get more angry the more I think about it! Lying here at 3:30 am unable to sleep....

[Julie]

Try the humidifier at the lowest setting you can tolerate - give it a chance for a few days, as improvement will not necessarily happen overnight. Having gone from what I imagine must have been a high setting to nothing was a big change, but try a smaller one and you might get a decent result.

[dial888]

I had the humidfier at a low setting (where it didn't cause rainout) for a few months and the dryness/clogged up symptoms persited.

I've just came from a respiritory clinic where they've ran tests and confirmed that its a cpap issue. I dont think the sleep clinic can avoid the issue much longer....

[sister]

Hi, I don't understand why you're having rainout,my machine has always been a little lower that my bed,[maybe 6 to 8 inches,I take the hose under the covers with me,and I have never had rainout except on night when i got a new water chamber and the gave me the wrong one.
Of course I took it back and told them it was not the correct one for my machine,got the right and have no problems.
I have a cover on my hose now but at that time I didn't.
Best of luck to you!

[ozij]

If you want a heated hose, you can get one from http://www.sleepzone.com.au They call it a "heated tube". I've had mine for 5 years, have used it on a Resmed Autoset S8 II fine for a year -- no problem at all.

If you're trying to force the sleep clinic to change your present machine (an S8) to one with an integrated heated hose, (an S9) that's a whole other story.

Resmed's Climateline heated hose will not work with your present machine.

Rainout happens more to those whose pressure is low, and those whose room is colder.

[rested gal]

LINKS to discussions about dealing with "rainout"
viewtopic.php?t=5305

[guest2]

With a low setting on the humidifier have you tried using a nasal spray before bed (such as Ayr)? It may help.

[M.D.Hosehead]

my machine sits very low, around 2 feet below head level. I tend to hang the hose over the headboard but the mask still fills with water.

Is your headboard higher than your face? As I visualize your setup, there's an incline from your face up to the headboard. Condensate that forms in the portion of the hose that's higher than the mask will run downhill.

Sleeping on my side, my hose goes down from the level of my mask to the level of the mattress. It's tucked between the mattress and my rather-too-ample belly and from there drops down to the floor. Body heat under the covers does the job of a hose warmer.

[dial888]

Ahhh - fair point. I'll try that out. Cheers.