New Member looking for humidifier & Mask for High Pressure

Hello,

I'm new to the forums. I was diagnosed with SA a little over a year ago. I ended up in the hospital with pneumonia and while there found I I had SA when every time I feel asleep my O2 levels dropped. I also was diagnosed with COPD and have been on oxygen since. After I had the Titration study done I was prescribed a BiPAP at IPAP of 26 & EPAP of 18 with 3 litters oxygen. I was given a velocity passover humidifier. It worked OK until now when the temperature dropped. In South Florida we don't' get many days in the 30's. It just isn't cutting it in this cold.

I'm interested in either the Respironics H2 heated humidifier or the Fisher & Paykel HC150 Heated Humidifier and was wondering which would be the better choice. I'm using a Respironics BiPAP Synchrony ST in S mode with a Utra Mirage II Nasal Mask and a Mirage Quattro Full Face mask. I've been having trouble finding a mask that is both comfortable and does not have excessive leaking. I've tried the Serenity Nasal Gel Mask and also the Comfort Gel Full Face masks. The Serenity seemed to leak severely if I moved my head during the night. The ComfortGel was caused a sore jaw at the pressures I'm using.

Anyone having experience at high pressures that can offer any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I don't have insurance and haven't been able to work in the last year so finding the best one the first time is important.

Ron

rhuszar wrote:Hello,

I'm new to the forums. I was diagnosed with SA a little over a year ago. I ended up in the hospital with pneumonia and while there found I I had SA when every time I feel asleep my O2 levels dropped. I also was diagnosed with COPD and have been on oxygen since. After I had the Titration study done I was prescribed a BiPAP at IPAP of 26 & EPAP of 18 with 3 litters oxygen. I was given a velocity passover humidifier. It worked OK until now when the temperature dropped. In South Florida we don't' get many days in the 30's. It just isn't cutting it in this cold.

I'm interested in either the Respironics H2 heated humidifier or the Fisher & Paykel HC150 Heated Humidifier and was wondering which would be the better choice. I'm using a Respironics BiPAP Synchrony ST in S mode with a Utra Mirage II Nasal Mask and a Mirage Quattro Full Face mask. I've been having trouble finding a mask that is both comfortable and does not have excessive leaking. I've tried the Serenity Nasal Gel Mask and also the Comfort Gel Full Face masks. The Serenity seemed to leak severely if I moved my head during the night. The ComfortGel was caused a sore jaw at the pressures I'm using.

Anyone having experience at high pressures that can offer any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I don't have insurance and haven't been able to work in the last year so finding the best one the first time is important.

Ron

Hi, Ron, and welcome to the forum.

I can't speak to your mask issues, as my pressure requirements are nowhere near as high as yours. (But there are others here who can - and will, I'm sure - offer you their advice on that.)

What I can tell you that I have the F&P HC150 heated humidifier, and I love the thing. It holds more water than my old M-Series humidifier did, and it works quite well for me. If you haven't discovered it yet, check out the forum's sister site (http://www.cpapauction.com) for good deals on new or lightly-used equipment.

Hope that helps, good luck, and welcome aboard.

I have the Fisher & Paykel HC150 humidifier and I also really like it.

The integrated humdifier that comes with my machine is too small and I can't preheat the water as I can with the F &P. I've had it for over a year and really appreciate it these cold Canadian winter nights we've been having for the last while!

I use it in passover mode for the rest of the year but need the heated humidity right now.

I can certainly recommend it!