New user questions

I was just diagnosed with severe sleep apnea and started using cpap on Saturday. I already see a big improvement. I wake up feeling refreshed and not like I havent slept. I have felt more awake and alert during the day and able to make it through with out having/ feeling like I need a nap. I have a few questions. I am using the swift lt for her mask which seems to be working well except for a sore nose in the AM. Which from other posts seems should go away once I get more used to the mask. My machine has a humidifyer set at 2. The first 2 nights seemed fine then last night I kept waking up feeling like I was breathing in water. When I took my mask off there was a puddle in the nose pillow. Is that due to the humidity? Any ideas how it should be adjusted so this doesnt happen? Also I find that I am waking up and feeling like I need to take a breath or 2 through my mouth instead of my nose. Like I dont feel like Im getting enough air - although I know I am has anyone else experianced that? is it just part of getting used to the machine? I also just want to say that I am so thankful for finding this site and for everyone on it who shares thier wealth of information. It has definatly made this whole diagnosis and process less scary for me so I want to say THANK YOU!

It sounds like you're on your way to better health and sleep already, Frenchie! That's good news.

It sounds to me like you are experiencing what's called "rainout" with the water in your mask. It's caused by the room temperature being cooler than the heated, humidified air passing through your hose and the condensation then collecting in the hose and your mask. It can also be that your water chamber is overfilled or that the setting is too high, but at 2, that might not be the case. They make hose covers of varying brands (mostly of fleece) that can be purchased on line or from DME's. Most often the online route is much cheaper. They worked for me and ended my rainout issue.

As for feeling like you are not getting enough air, perhaps you are losing air through your mouth. Are you using a chinstrap or tape with your nasal mask?

frenchie wrote: I am using the swift lt for her mask which seems to be working well except for a sore nose in the AM. Which from other posts seems should go away once I get more used to the mask. My machine has a humidifyer set at 2. The first 2 nights seemed fine then last night I kept waking up feeling like I was breathing in water.

The snuggle hose cover eliminated my rainout. Your hose is most likely six feet, but order the 8 foot so you can also cover the hose that hangs off of your mask. I also cut off a couple of 6 inch pieces and used little rubber bands to pad the lower straps on my Swift LT. That little tab they have on there digs into my face when I sleep on my side.

I use Laninsoh Lanolin (for nursing mommies, I get mine at Walgreens in the baby section) on my nares (about 3/8 of inch will do), and it helped me a lot with the tenderness. I continue to use it even though I've "toughened up" some because it also helps with the seal (thus allowing for a "less tight" fit of the mask).

frenchie wrote:I was just diagnosed with severe sleep apnea and started using cpap on Saturday. I already see a big improvement. I wake up feeling refreshed and not like I havent slept. I have felt more awake and alert during the day and able to make it through with out having/ feeling like I need a nap. I have a few questions. I am using the swift lt for her mask which seems to be working well except for a sore nose in the AM. Which from other posts seems should go away once I get more used to the mask. My machine has a humidifyer set at 2. The first 2 nights seemed fine then last night I kept waking up feeling like I was breathing in water. When I took my mask off there was a puddle in the nose pillow. Is that due to the humidity? Any ideas how it should be adjusted so this doesnt happen? Also I find that I am waking up and feeling like I need to take a breath or 2 through my mouth instead of my nose. Like I dont feel like Im getting enough air - although I know I am has anyone else experianced that? is it just part of getting used to the machine? I also just want to say that I am so thankful for finding this site and for everyone on it who shares thier wealth of information. It has definatly made this whole diagnosis and process less scary for me so I want to say THANK YOU!

mdbarthe's correctly identified 'rainout'. If you know someone who's handy with a needle, they can make a hose cover with cheap fleece from any fabric store. All it is basically is 2 hems and a long seam. Another thing you'll want to consider is to put your machine either in a drawer or on a table that's lower than the top of your mattress. And I've got my hose suspended from my headboard with a piece of elastic. Both help to funnel the condensation back into the chamber and the hose above my head also helps me avoid getting tangled up in it when I turn over....I'm a pretty active person when I sleep. I'm also using the Swift LT and have loved it since day one. My pressures (bi-level) are pretty high but I have NO problems with getting a good seal and have 0 leak rate 99% of the time.
Glad to hear you're feeling so much better. You're one of the lucky ones!

All the best,
LKTNKY

Frenchie,

I just posted this earlier today. Let me know if you would like to have it . . .

Since I'm "color coordinating" my CPAP regalia with my BR . . . I won't be needing the light blue "snuggly" I made for my 6 ft. hose. SO . . . I'd be happy to mail my light blue one (about a month's use) plus the extra fleece for mask padding to someone who would like to have it (no charge).

I'd prefer sending it to a Newby who is just getting started, and who hasn't already purchased one. I'll mail it at my expense if you are in the U.S.

Just send me a "private message" giving me your address.

Joy

Welcome to the forum! Glad to hear you are doing well! Lots of good hints for battling rainout. Since my machine sits level with the bed I drape my hose up the wall onto a Command Hook so that most of the water runs back down into the humidifier. Also, not having the skills to make a hose cover and not wanting to wait to purchase one, I just snagged an older towel out of the cupboard (with Mrs Alnhrwd's permision of course!) cut it to fit wrapped it around the hose. It has worked so well I still use it.