Titration Study Tips

[khauser]

Thanks Randy.

As we're moving into air conditioning season up here, what are some things I might consider to minimize rainout?

You have the climateline system ... Rainout isn't too likely, except possibly in the mask itself. If that happens you could make/buy a "cozy" for it...

[RandyJ]

Thanks Randy.

As we're moving into air conditioning season up here, what are some things I might consider to minimize rainout?

If you are using the ClimateLine hose with your S9, that is all you should need. Just make sure that ClimateControl is enabled (or set to "on" or "auto", I can't remember which it is at the moment), so all you should be able to set on your S9 is the temperature (the automatic ClimateControl chooses the humidity level to maintain 80% in function of ambient temperature and humidity and avoid rainout).

[caffeinatedcfo]

You have the climateline system ... Rainout isn't too likely, except possibly in the mask itself. If that happens you could make/buy a "cozy" for it...

If you are using the ClimateLine hose with your S9, that is all you should need. Just make sure that ClimateControl is enabled (or set to "on" or "auto", I can't remember which it is at the moment), so all you should be able to set on your S9 is the temperature (the automatic ClimateControl chooses the humidity level to maintain 80% in function of ambient temperature and humidity and avoid rainout).

I just have a basic slimline hose. Guess I'll have to invest in the Climateline hose before summer.

[khauser]

You have the climateline system ... Rainout isn't too likely, except possibly in the mask itself. If that happens you could make/buy a "cozy" for it...

If you are using the ClimateLine hose with your S9, that is all you should need. Just make sure that ClimateControl is enabled (or set to "on" or "auto", I can't remember which it is at the moment), so all you should be able to set on your S9 is the temperature (the automatic ClimateControl chooses the humidity level to maintain 80% in function of ambient temperature and humidity and avoid rainout).

I just have a basic slimline hose. Guess I'll have to invest in the Climateline hose before summer.

I must have misread your equipment...

Yes, one option is to get the Climateline, or a standalone heated hose (but given you have a compatible humidifier, I would suggest the Climateline).

Another option is a hose cover.

How high do you run the humidity? Air conditioning season is typically a time I need less humidity anyway. All of my rainout issues were in the winter, when the room temperature was below comfortable if one were not under a blanket...

[Pugsy]

Sometimes I have had rain out only in the nasal pillows and even with the ClimateLine set to auto with temp set to 80 degrees.
This I know is from the moisture in my own exhaled breath condensing in the nasal pillows.

You may not have any problem with condensation like that at all this summer. Sort of depends on your bedroom preferred temp and just how low you set the air conditioner.

Padacheek makes a little coat for the pillow barrel...called the barrel cozy. This adds a little insulation to the barrel of the pillow so that the chances for the air cooling down a bit to be less likely to allow condensation.
I originally got the barrel cozy from Karen at Padacheek.com in Feb 2011 for this problem in the nasal pillows.. once I put it on I decided it was probably the best money I ever spent for a comfort item. It greatly helps with the condensation but a really nice plus to it was the feel of the material next to my skin. It's like silk. While I never really felt that there was a problem with the silicone of any nasal pillow.....it sure was nice to feel something like silk.
So I used the barrel cozy year round.
When I finally got my machine with the ClimateLine hose in Feb 2012 I elected to not use the barrel cozy...I discovered that with my preferred cold bedroom temp that I still had a bit of condensation occur in the nasal pillows themselves...not a lot...just enough for sometimes maybe a little cold shower as the vented air went out the vent holes carrying a little moisture. Not hugely annoying but annoying and since I really liked the barrel cozy feel anyway....I put it back on to use all the time even with the ClimateLine.

So I used it pretty much year round...for comfort if nothing else. I am not trying to figure out some way to get it on my Tap Pap.. It's a challenge since the Tap Pap doesn't have any barrel to it.

So you may not need anything in regards to rain out prevention at the nasal pillow level....but if you do the barrel cozy works great and it feels so good that you may want to use it all the time anyway...even when minimal chance of rain out is present.

I am so happy that you had a good experience with the Swift FX. Some people get some minor tenderness at the nostrils because this is pretty much virgin territory...just not used to having anything against it. The Lansinoh ointment helps a lot.
Anything more than minor tenderness though...that means something is not fitted properly. Most common culprit is that people get the straps too tight and especially the top strap. If you look in the mirror and you see a nose that looks like a piggy nose with the nostrils pulled up a little...that's from the top strap being too tight.

I don't even own a Full Face Mask. I have never not been able to make a nasal pillow mask work for me...even during a bad cold. Once a person gets used to "less on the face"...they don't like to go back to the other stuff.

[quietmorning]

Thanks Randy.

As we're moving into air conditioning season up here, what are some things I might consider to minimize rainout?

If you have a climate hose, definitely use it. Keep a humidifier running in the room in addition to the one in your cpap machine (I know this is counter intuitive with air conditioning, but it keeps the room from drying out TOO much). I don't know if the S9 auto adjusts the humidity level like the PR system one does, but if it does, and your room stays below 65, you may want to turn this feature off if your machine has it. (Then turn your machine a notch or two LOWER than you previously had it.) Get a GOOD thick hose cover if you do not have a climate hose. (Karen at pad-a-cheek has wonderful THICK hose covers that really do the job of keeping the hose warm.) or sleep with the hose under your covers. Cover the mask and short tube as well. Karen at padacheek has a barrel cover that fits the Swift FX perfectly - I use it and am currently using it, now. I purchased an 8foot hose cover to cover both my 6foot hose and the short hose - works well. If you use Karen's hose cover, you will want to call her to ask her to make you a short hose cover that's two feet long so that you have enough to go under the hose cover and don't leave a gap uncovered with the short hose.

If all else fails, keep the air conditioner between 68 and 72 degrees - though that's not as comfortable for cold sleepers.

I'm so glad your titration study went well!! I'm sorry I got to this post too late to be of any help - but for next time you may want to add:

Take a thermos of coffee if you are a coffee drinker and your own mug and ask them to warm it up for you the next morning. (Keeps you from getting that migraine.)
When you get into the room for your study, adjust the lights to LOW, or turn off as many lights as you can and still read to let your brain begin to get the hint that it needs to sleep as SOON as you get into the room and ask the tech to talk to you in soft tones - keeping unnecessary stimuli down to as low as possible.

[RandyJ]

I just have a basic slimline hose. Guess I'll have to invest in the Climateline hose before summer.

As khauser says, rainout is more likely in the winter if your bedroom gets below 60 degrees. You will probably be fine with your slimline hose until next winter. You could put a cover on it (as khauser said) but it's unlikely you'll need it.

Some insurances won't pay for the heated hose, so people end up paying most of the $50 something it costs, but worth every penny in the winter to feel that warm air on your nose instead of freezing your nose....

I used a PR System One Bipap Auto model 750 from April to November last year (no heated hose) and keep the A/C in my house at a constant 70 degrees all summer, and never experienced rainout.

EDIT: Sorry if I repeated any info, just saw that I was typing at the same time as Pugsy and quietmorning...

[caffeinatedcfo]

Thank you for the feedback.

I've been using the humidity setting of 3.0. Last night we used 2.0 at the lab and I will try that if I have issues.

The coffee is a good tip - unless you use my sleep lab as the tech there grabs me a coffee while I'm getting up and dressed.

As far as room temp goes - we don't go crazy with the A/C. I generally have it set to 70 (central air) and the upstairs tends to hold on to a little extra warmth so our bedroom will flux from 70-72.

I'll grab the barrel cozy just to have it in case of rain out. Plus maybe the soft soothing silky feeling will contribute to my sleep hygiene.

[RandyJ]

Make sure you change your mask type on your S9 to "Pillows" so that it reports your leak rate correctly.

[caffeinatedcfo]

Make sure you change your mask type on your S9 to "Pillows" so that it reports your leak rate correctly.

Wow! Thanks Randy - I didn't think of that!

[Pugsy]

I'll grab the barrel cozy just to have it in case of rain out. Plus maybe the soft soothing silky feeling will contribute to my sleep hygiene.

It will help with the life of the nasal pillows...less skin oil to get to the nasal pillows...don't need to wash as often (which I like because I am a lazy sot).
It does get a big ugly though. I still have my original barrel cozy that is now 2 years old. Had to make a slight repair to the velcro (just used Gorilla Glue to stick on a couple of tiny pieces of new velcro) and it has held up wonderfully.
Looks horrible though...even when freshly washed.

So it feels good, promotes the life of the nasal pillow, and lessens cleaning work load....and of course reduces chance of rain out.
It really is probably the best money I have ever spent on a cpap comfort item.

[quietmorning]

Thank you for the feedback.

The coffee is a good tip - unless you use my sleep lab as the tech there grabs me a coffee while I'm getting up and dressed.

I AM OFFICIALLY JEALOUS!!

[Kenwood]

Great news....so glad to hear things went so well. I was looking forward to reading this thread this morning.

[danielqk]

I will have an overnight for sleep study and after reading your tips,
agreed all but

Why you want to sleep on supine position ?

Sleep on your back will increase AHI

[caffeinatedcfo]

Why you want to sleep on supine position ?

Sleep on your back will increase AHI

Not if my machine is doing it's job. I am simply more comfortable on my back vs. side sleeping. More comfort = better sleep.