Rainout question and help needed

[beanfruit]

I was so excited this weekend to hook up all my newly acquired "goodies" (I've decided to only make changes to my setup on the weekend - that way if it doesn't go well, I have an opportunity for a nap!) My plan: hook up my new 10 ft hose, wrapped in a Snugglehose, bring it up behind my mattress, rig it up on the Hose Buddy and use my new Pad-A-Cheek barrel cozy.

Sunday in the a.m., I woke up at 5am with more rainout than I've had in the past. This was my first night with all the contraption set up and my humidity level was set at 3. I did increase my humidity to a 4 for about an hour, trying to deal with a stuffed up nostril, but the rainout was definitely happening at a 3.

This morning, I wake up at 4am with the same rainout problem (humidity still at 3) - to the point where I was actually inhaling droplets.

My question - can the rainout be harmful or is it such a small amount that you don't need to worry about it?

Any thoughts on resolving the problem? Nothing has changed about my environment - was sleeping with the A/C on as usual - and I thought that w/ the help of the Snugglehose and barrel cozy it would totally resolve the small rainout I had before. The only thing I can think of is that my hose is now above my head on the Hose Buddy and dangling down...whereas before it was coming up from the floor. My plan tonight is to decrease the humidity to a 2. That's what I had it at my first 1-2 days on PAP, but I thought it made me dry, which is why I increased to a 3.

[kaiya2465]

I had problems with rainout, no hose snuggle. I nailed a piece of velcro to the wall above my bed, helped with rainout & I no longer argue with the hose. Hope this helps.

[Lee Lee]

If the rainout doesn't bother you, then it's OK. I put up with a bit of it here and there. For me, it changes with the humidity level in the air, so some nights, no moisture, others, a lot. What I cannot deal with is no humidity. I get very dried out and proceed to have sinus infection-like symptoms. I actually welcome the excess humidity for that reason.
Lower the humidifier a one notch, and you should be OK.
Otherwise, if you're really bothered, you can buy a heated hose and that will end the problem . Search for "heated hose" for recommendations.
Best!
Lee Ann

[ozze_dollar]

Just a couple of points. Dont overfill your water tank. Make sure the machine is well below your level. If all else fail I just change my mask and go back to sleep.

[GumbyCT]

Moving the hose overhead is likely why you notice more rainout. Plus with some mask water will condense right in the mask, so try to insulate there using a sock or get creative.

[Pugsy]

The only thing I can think of is that my hose is now above my head on the Hose Buddy and dangling down...whereas before it was coming up from the floor.

Most likely it is rain out condensing in the nasal pillow despite the barrel cozy and water cannot run up hill so guess where it goes? A disadvantage to hanging the hose over head. Might need a second barrel cozy.
Do you have the short hose covered?

Other than annoying, the water droplets aren't a danger. While it feels like a lot, it really isn't. We won't drown.
They will sure disturb the sleep though and that isn't good.

I can't do less humidity or I am miserable so I just try to find ways to limit the rain out. When I added a space heater last winter that helped a lot. I do like a cool bedroom though so I was in trouble from the start. I don't hang my hose and I still got sprayed often. No problems during the summer though even with A/C on. The barrel cozy and covering the short hose helped me a lot.

[beanfruit]

Thanks everyone - I think I'm covered with my water level (never filled above the 75% line) and my machine is on a small step stool, so it is at least below my level. I never thought of covering my short hose though. I think I might try to make my own

I like a cool bedroom too - it is about 68-70 in the summer and we keep it about 62 in the winter, so I'm hoping to figure out a solution before it gets colder!

I think my machine is one that auto-adjusts based on the humidity in the room. Has anyone ever tried putting a regular humidifier near their machine and turning their machine's humidifier down a notch or two? I was thinking maybe then the air would still be humidified but wouldn't need as much humidification from the machine itself.

[GumbyCT]

Has anyone ever tried putting a regular humidifier near their machine and turning their machine's humidifier down a notch or two? I was thinking maybe then the air would still be humidified but wouldn't need as much humidification from the machine itself.

Maybe in the winter but not while the AC is on.

[Carl LaFong]

I don't know where you are, but you might want to crank down the humidity setting. When you wrap the hose it will skew the humidity readings, probably increase it because the wrapping keeps the air warm.

[Gerald]

Beanfruit.....

There are (2) sources of rainout: condensation inside the hose caused by moist air from the humidifier....and condensation inside the mask caused by moist air from your exhaled breath.

I suspect your problem is caused by exhaled breath.

There is a simple solution to the problem...a short piece of heavy cotton string....like the stuff used in a butcher shop to tie up a rub roast.

Thread a piece of heavy cotton string through the inside of your nosepiece, It will act as a wick that will soak up the one or two drops that are the offenders. This technique will solve your problem.

I've been using this system for about (3) years and I have no rainout problem.

Gerald

[ozze_dollar]

Beanfruit.....

There are (2) sources of rainout: condensation inside the hose caused by moist air from the humidifier....and condensation inside the mask caused by moist air from your exhaled breath.

I suspect your problem is caused by exhaled breath.

There is a simple solution to the problem...a short piece of heavy cotton string....like the stuff used in a butcher shop to tie up a rub roast.

Thread a piece of heavy cotton string through the inside of your nosepiece, It will act as a wick that will soak up the one or two drops that are the offenders. This technique will solve your problem.

I've been using this system for about (3) years and I have no rainout problem.

Gerald

How interesting? Do you mean push it through the air hole and just let it sit there?

[Gerald]

Inside my nosepiece I have a strand of string about 6" long. It's completely encased by the nosepiece....and soaks up any drop large enough to make me wake up as it tries to go up my nose.

Each mask is different....each one requires a little creativity when placing the string.

[robysue]

I too started to get condensation from my own breath in my nasal pillows near the start of the growing season this past spring. I tried turning down the humidifier, but that caused problems with drying me out. I've used a pillow cozy and hose cover right from the start----including a cover for the small hose. I finally stumbled on what seems to work for me about a week ago: I simply put a second pillow cozy on top of the first one. That little bit of extra insulation seems to do the trick for me.

[robysue]

I too started to get condensation from my own breath in my nasal pillows near the start of the growing season this past spring. I tried turning down the humidifier, but that caused problems with drying me out. I've used a pillow cozy and hose cover right from the start----including a cover for the small hose. I finally stumbled on what seems to work for me about a week ago: I simply put a second pillow cozy on top of the first one. That little bit of extra insulation seems to do the trick for me.

[beanfruit]

Gerald - I'm still trying to picture what you describe, but it is an inventive solution - so glad it works for you!

robysue - Thanks for that suggestion. Last night I tried to be on a 2, but got pretty dry so I ended up switching back to 3 around 4am. Of course in the next 2 hours I didn't really have enough condensation to bother me, so we'll see what happens tonight.

I agree, it probably is coming from my exhaled breath!