New AirMini - Problems

Will definitely try the wet washcloth trick tonight! Thanks!

Resmed is aware of this problem, but they offer no guidance. That bugs me. I used the air mini fairly successfully for 2 nights, but then last night I got the severe allergic reaction again.

Marylynn35 wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 22, 2018 10:29 am

Resmed is aware of this problem, but they offer no guidance. That bugs me. I used the air mini fairly successfully for 2 nights, but then last night I got the severe allergic reaction again.

Some people simply need more added moisture than the humid x thing can offer. The nasal mucosa need the added moisture and a lot more of it.
Hard to do tiny and water chamber at the same time.
This is the main reason I don’t even bother considering one of those tiny travel machines. I know how miserable I would be with nasal symptoms with not enough moisture.
It’s a lot more miserable than the small inconvenience of traveling with a grown up machine that includes adequate humidification.

I've been using the AirMini (Airfit P10 mask, Humid-x plus) for a bit over a year now. I've found two things, at least in my experience, that have a noticeable effect on its ability to maintain humidity:

• The age of the cartridge (new units seem to need a little 'seasoning' not to be overly dry

• The overall humidity of the air you're in

After some trial and error, I've found that a good, strong, jet or two of plain saline spray, directly into the Humid-x, helps get things going. If I'm in a really dry climate, I usually hit my nose a couple times with the spray just before putting my mask on, and then again if I wake up at night with any dryness.

I have been using the AirMini for many months. Humidifying the air has always been a problem for me. At first I got the sinus infection symptoms previously described so I tried the HumidX filters. That worked for a one or two day trip but not longer. I have started washing the HumidX filter before going to sleep and using nasal gel. That seems to work most of the time in normal humidity situations. Rinsing the filter under the tap seems to wash off foreign substances and add just enough moisture to give the rehumififier a running start on the night. I still sometimes wake up in the night due to dry nasal passage pain and just rinse off the filter again. Be careful not to put it back in its housing with loose water on it or the previously described noise and cold shower will happen.

I would love it if Remed would develop some small inline water reservoir for the AirMini that could be carrried on the road.

I have just bought the AirMini and tried it for two nights without the HumidX.

Does the AirMini have any humidity when using it without the HumidX? I woke up during these two nights with a desert-dry mouth that I could barely open.
I am using my N20 mask with it.

Don't know if the AirMini is completely humidity-less without these HumidX inserts, of which I received two. They are god-awful expensive.

Sweden wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 13, 2019 3:23 pm

I have just bought the AirMini and tried it for two nights without the HumidX.

Does the AirMini have any humidity when using it without the HumidX? I woke up during these two nights with a desert-dry mouth that I could barely open.
I am using my N20 mask with it.

Don't know if the AirMini is completely humidity-less without these HumidX inserts, of which I received two. They are god-awful expensive.

Without the HumidX or HumidX plus cartridges, the only humidity you'll get when using an AirMini is what's in the air, minus whatever gets stripped away as it passes through the filter into the unit. The cartridges make a huge difference, and I personally see a noticable difference between the standard and the plus (I only use the plus now). They're not obscenely expensive in bulk (~$5/each) when you consider that they last a full month.

sburke91 wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 14, 2019 2:17 pm

Sweden wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 13, 2019 3:23 pm

I have just bought the AirMini and tried it for two nights without the HumidX.

Does the AirMini have any humidity when using it without the HumidX? I woke up during these two nights with a desert-dry mouth that I could barely open.
I am using my N20 mask with it.

Don't know if the AirMini is completely humidity-less without these HumidX inserts, of which I received two. They are god-awful expensive.

Without the HumidX or HumidX plus cartridges, the only humidity you'll get when using an AirMini is what's in the air, minus whatever gets stripped away as it passes through the filter into the unit. The cartridges make a huge difference, and I personally see a noticable difference between the standard and the plus (I only use the plus now). They're not obscenely expensive in bulk (~$5/each) when you consider that they last a full month.

In reality you will get the same humidity as room air, no great amount will be taken by unless you see frost on it. Won't Happen. The reason you have dry mouth is moving air will pick up moisture inside your body (mouth) making it dry our. If you mouth doesn't pass air, you are good. When you sleep you aren't aware of air leaking from your mouth. Jim

sburke91 wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 14, 2019 2:17 pm

Sweden wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 13, 2019 3:23 pm

I have just bought the AirMini and tried it for two nights without the HumidX.

Does the AirMini have any humidity when using it without the HumidX? I woke up during these two nights with a desert-dry mouth that I could barely open.
I am using my N20 mask with it.

Don't know if the AirMini is completely humidity-less without these HumidX inserts, of which I received two. They are god-awful expensive.

Without the HumidX or HumidX plus cartridges, the only humidity you'll get when using an AirMini is what's in the air, minus whatever gets stripped away as it passes through the filter into the unit. The cartridges make a huge difference, and I personally see a noticable difference between the standard and the plus (I only use the plus now). They're not obscenely expensive in bulk (~$5/each) when you consider that they last a full month.

Thanks. Where do you get your cartridges?
And, if I only use them for a short period while travelling, how does one use them later? Freezing them, maybe?

Goofproof wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 14, 2019 2:37 pm

sburke91 wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 14, 2019 2:17 pm

Sweden wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 13, 2019 3:23 pm

I have just bought the AirMini and tried it for two nights without the HumidX.

Does the AirMini have any humidity when using it without the HumidX? I woke up during these two nights with a desert-dry mouth that I could barely open.
I am using my N20 mask with it.

Don't know if the AirMini is completely humidity-less without these HumidX inserts, of which I received two. They are god-awful expensive.

Without the HumidX or HumidX plus cartridges, the only humidity you'll get when using an AirMini is what's in the air, minus whatever gets stripped away as it passes through the filter into the unit. The cartridges make a huge difference, and I personally see a noticable difference between the standard and the plus (I only use the plus now). They're not obscenely expensive in bulk (~$5/each) when you consider that they last a full month.

In reality you will get the same humidity as room air, no great amount will be taken by unless you see frost on it. Won't Happen. The reason you have dry mouth is moving air will pick up moisture inside your body (mouth) making it dry our. If you mouth doesn't pass air, you are good. When you sleep you aren't aware of air leaking from your mouth. Jim

Thanks for sharing. Actually, I am a nose breather, but it is possible air escapes my mouth.
As to the humidity, it is dry here in winter, even with the door open to let some of the humid cold air in.
Fortunately, I bought the AirMini only for travel. Next to wonder if I can plug it in on the plane.

Sweden wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 14, 2019 3:49 pm

Thanks. Where do you get your cartridges?
And, if I only use them for a short period while travelling, how does one use them later? Freezing them, maybe?

I usually get mine in 6-packs from CPAP.com, and just put a new one in every month, whether I travel 4 weeks out of the month or 1. I figure $5/month, regardless of how much I use it, is a small price to pay for the added space in my roller, not having to dry out the reservoir, and not having to replace the reservoir every year or so due to mineral build-up (I just used tap water when traveling before the AirMini).

sburke91 wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 15, 2019 4:11 pm

Sweden wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 14, 2019 3:49 pm

Thanks. Where do you get your cartridges?
And, if I only use them for a short period while travelling, how does one use them later? Freezing them, maybe?

I usually get mine in 6-packs from CPAP.com, and just put a new one in every month, whether I travel 4 weeks out of the month or 1. I figure $5/month, regardless of how much I use it, is a small price to pay for the added space in my roller, not having to dry out the reservoir, and not having to replace the reservoir every year or so due to mineral build-up (I just used tap water when traveling before the AirMini).

Hmmm.... I checked there, and they show 6 cartridges for $59. Unless you are a special member?

I have only been using tap water in my PhiliDream Station. I do clean out the reservoir, and run it through the dishwasher occasionally.

I too have problems using the Resmed Airmini. Whether I use humidex or not, I wake up with runny nose, sneezing a lot and a very dry throat. What will fix this problem?

pawisngtren wrote: ↑

Sun Nov 17, 2019 8:53 am

I too have problems using the Resmed Airmini. Whether I use humidex or not, I wake up with runny nose, sneezing a lot and a very dry throat. What will fix this problem?

After almost 2 years with the AirMini, in all sorts of climates, I've found the following works best:

'Juicing' the Humid-x with a good blast of plain saline spray just before use
Keeping a bottle of the above close by, in case I wake up with dry sinuses in the middle of the night (this happens to me periodically in dryer climates), so I can give the cartridge another hit

I've also found that brand new Humid-x cartridges tend to be dryer than ones that have been used for a night or two

All in all, the AirMini's not perfect, but I've found that the packing space I've gained, and the extreme convenience when using on planes nets out to an acceptable compromise.

I have tried the AirMini for 3 nights so far, and have used ResMed AirSense 10 Autoset for 3 years. I've decided to keep the AirMini (was offered a 30 day trial). Here are my impressions, in case they are helpful to others:

--> Many complain about the noise. My perception -- the noise is no worse than a small air purifier and did not interfere with my sleep quality

--> HumidX Plus was insufficient humidity for me; after first night my nose ran all day and I was ready to return the machine. Inspired by another post on this forum, just before going to sleep I dumped about 1/2 capful of distilled water directly into the HumidX. I did not measure it but I'd guess no more than 2 ml, and it made a huge difference. I slept well and had no adverse effects. I repeated this last night too. Anyone else try this? How did it work for you?

--> Very annoying that the data from my two ResMed machines cannot be combined automatically. The MyAir and the AirMini iOS apps are so similar, you'd think they could handle it. I doubled checked with ResMed directly on this. I called the compliance department of the sleep therapy company that my insurance company requires me to use, they opened a second account for me and will manually combine the data for my doctor and my insurance company.

--> Initially my AirMini settings were not entirely equal to the AirSense. Reading others' advice (THANK YOU!), I pushed the bluetooth symbol on the AirMini iOS app, then simultaneously pushed and "held" the ResMed logo and the AirMini logo to reveal the hidden clinical settings. Matching the settings made a huge difference. I still think the AirMini is a bit 'harsher' or less sophisticated than the AirSense, but can't prove that

--> If you care about electromagnetic radiation, keep the AirMini as far away from your head as possible. My EMF meter showed the AirMini had twice the radiation of the AirSense at the machine itself; though without a heated hose, the radiation near my head was quite acceptable as long as I moved the AirMini a few feet away. Some will consider me silly to be concerned, but the heated hose of the AirSense throws off more EMR than the 2 milligauss which I understood to be safe, so I use a 18 inch unheated extension hose which reduces the radiation by a great deal. (https://www.cpap.com/productpage/18-inc ... ubber-ends -- $6.49)

--> ResMed asks us to remove 3 pieces from the mask assembly and wash them daily: (a) the pillow, if you use P10; (b) the detachable vent at the end of the hose; and (c) the mask frame. This compares to just washing the pillow on the AirSense. I wonder if it is overkill. If am traveling to a different hotel everyday, I may bring a second set of these small parts so the first set can dry out overnight while I use the second set. I'd love to hear from experienced users on how they handle this.

--> So far, I think this will be a useful product. Besides saving space during travel, the AirMini serves as a backup machine in case the AirSense breaks down. Also I was recently evacuated on short notice due to a wildfire in California near my home. If that happens again, I'll have the AirMini packaged and ready.