humidifier rate?

[Doubtful Tom]

First few nights, with humidifier set at 2, the water level barely budged, and I was waking up with pretty dry mouth and sinus in morning. On advice of DME, I increased setting to 3, with no real change. But last night the water level dropped a full line, and I woke up with a good bit of sinus drainage, which has continued since -- and despite what seemed like a relatively good night of sleep, I feel more tired than usual. Not sure if there's a connection. Last night was also the first time I programmed it to warm up the water before going to bed. Would that make a difference?

Other factors?
* 2nd night on nasal mask after switching from FFM
* 2nd night on apap after switching from cpap

So I guess my main question is, what's considered a "reasonable" rate of water usage in humidifier? Can too much evaporation cause problems -- ie, water in lungs, etc? I imagine this is a individual matter, but wondered what others have experienced.
Thanks, tom

[JohnBFisher]

... Last night was also the first time I programmed it to warm up the water before going to bed. Would that make a difference? ...

Sure would. It means the water is warmer when the air starts to move over it. It will tend to evaporate more rapidly.

... and I woke up with a good bit of sinus drainage, which has continued since ...

It could be the increased moisture. It could also just be the fact that you are getting used to the new therapy. The increased air pressure can cause the increased sinus drainage. That often happens to me when I

A word of caution: Do NOT get hooked on the sinus sprays. They can cause a horrible rebound effect when you try to stop using them.

Rather than nasal decongestants, try to use a saline spray. That will moisten your nasal passages and the salt will help keep any germs for turning it into a cold.

... First few nights, with ...

Remember, sleeping with increased pressure in your airway is NOT normal. It often takes a while (weeks, even months) for your body to adjust to the new "norm". You will get used to it.

... So I guess my main question is, what's considered a "reasonable" rate of water usage in humidifier? Can too much evaporation cause problems -- ie, water in lungs, etc? I imagine this is a individual matter, but wondered what others have experienced. ...

It depends on a LOT of factors. Do you have a humidifier in your room / house? Do you mouth breathe? (Of course it won't matter for you with a Full Face Mask). How long do you sleep? What level do you have the humidifer heater?

I live in a humid area of the country, where I don't need a humidifier until winter time. During the start of the winter, I will use one tank of distilled water over three nights. During the middle of winter, it may last only a night.

I've not had any problem with water in lungs. If that was a big issue, none of us would take steamy showers. I guess it might not be good if it was a LOT more humid than our machines could provide. But the moisture level is not all that high. And a lot of it is expelled throuth the vents.

In fact, if you have the moisture turned up too high, without a cover for your hose, or a heated hose, then you will have a lot of rainout. That is, condensation will build up on the cooler hose and mask, which then drips onto your face.

In other words, I would not worry about that too much water usage.

[FlyingB]

I have the S9 Elite and quit trying to find the right moisture point. I now just leave it on Auto Climate Control and set the temp to be comforable.

[Doubtful Tom]

How do you set it on Auto Climate Control? I've just been trying but can't figure it out.

I have the S9 Elite and quit trying to find the right moisture point. I now just leave it on Auto Climate Control and set the temp to be comforable.

[Doubtful Tom]

Thanks, John. This is helpful.
I don't have another humidifier running, just the S9.
Yes, I'm a major mouth breather -- and I'm using a nasal mask now, not the FFM.

... Last night was also the first time I programmed it to warm up the water before going to bed. Would that make a difference? ...

Sure would. It means the water is warmer when the air starts to move over it. It will tend to evaporate more rapidly.

... and I woke up with a good bit of sinus drainage, which has continued since ...

It could be the increased moisture. It could also just be the fact that you are getting used to the new therapy. The increased air pressure can cause the increased sinus drainage. That often happens to me when I

A word of caution: Do NOT get hooked on the sinus sprays. They can cause a horrible rebound effect when you try to stop using them.

Rather than nasal decongestants, try to use a saline spray. That will moisten your nasal passages and the salt will help keep any germs for turning it into a cold.

... First few nights, with ...

Remember, sleeping with increased pressure in your airway is NOT normal. It often takes a while (weeks, even months) for your body to adjust to the new "norm". You will get used to it.

... So I guess my main question is, what's considered a "reasonable" rate of water usage in humidifier? Can too much evaporation cause problems -- ie, water in lungs, etc? I imagine this is a individual matter, but wondered what others have experienced. ...

It depends on a LOT of factors. Do you have a humidifier in your room / house? Do you mouth breathe? (Of course it won't matter for you with a Full Face Mask). How long do you sleep? What level do you have the humidifer heater?

I live in a humid area of the country, where I don't need a humidifier until winter time. During the start of the winter, I will use one tank of distilled water over three nights. During the middle of winter, it may last only a night.

I've not had any problem with water in lungs. If that was a big issue, none of us would take steamy showers. I guess it might not be good if it was a LOT more humid than our machines could provide. But the moisture level is not all that high. And a lot of it is expelled throuth the vents.

In fact, if you have the moisture turned up too high, without a cover for your hose, or a heated hose, then you will have a lot of rainout. That is, condensation will build up on the cooler hose and mask, which then drips onto your face.

In other words, I would not worry about that too much water usage.