CPAP Newbie: Pressure and Condensation

Hi everyone, this is my first time posting on the board though I've been here for reference several times.

Condensation
I'm having condensation build up in the mask and nasal pillows, so I stopped using the humidifier. The only problem is that I'm still having the build up in my nasal pillows, and when I roll over in the morning it blows right into my nose and wakes me up! Is there anything I can do to manage the condensation? Should I start using the humidifier again? I do keep the room cold for my fiancee, which I'm sure is exacerbating the problem but cannot change.

Pressure
My nose get stuffed up periodically thoughout the day (first one side, then the other, then both, then none) and I have a hard time breathing through the default setting of 8 CM. so I changed it to 8.5 to see if that would help. The problem is I can breathe in fine at 8.5, but have a hard time breathing against the pressure; conversly I have a hard time breathing in a 8, but I can breathe out fine. I'm also worried that it's too early in my therapy to begin making changes, I feel better (which after only a couple months of therapy makes me an exception to the rule) but I'm having a harder time adjusting to sleeping with the pillows still.

I do have a mask, but it's too small and I have a rather thick beard. I also have a copy of the clinician's manual for the CPAP so I can change any settings that you think might help.

Resmed offers a Climate line hose that for me eliminates the problem. It works with the humidifier installed. I have been using it since Nov 2010 with
great success. https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... ntrol.html

Does your ResMed S9 Escape have EPR enabled? This is the exhale relief feature. Each setting is a brief 1, 2 or 3 cm drop in pressure during exhalation which should make it much easier to breathe out against.

Are you aware the Escape offers zero meaningful data if you need or wanted to make sure therapy is optimal. There is software available to use to monitor data. Might want to consider getting a fully data capable machine.

Heated hose or hose huggy helps with some rain out issues but condensation in the nasal pillow can happen simply from the moisture in our own breath as it condenses in the pillow despite hose huggy or heated hose.
This might help. I got one for my Swift FX pillow and I love it. They may a Swift LT barrel cozy also.
http://www.padacheek.com/PACSwiftII_Barrel_cozy.html

Also make sure machine the machine is lower than mattress to use gravity to help condensation to run towards the machine. It won't help much with the pillow moisture though. I have had this issue myself. The barrel cozy helped a lot and I use a high humidifier setting anyway because my body needs the moisture.

Thank you both for the quick replies!

@Bobby269
I wasn't sure if the climate line tubing was only for the Elite/Autoset versions of the S9, but I see now that it works for the humidifier, I think that's in line for me!

@Pugsy
I saw the EPR setting, but I didn't want to tinker with it because I didn't know what the numbers meant, and didn't have the time to look them up before bed last night. Should I try a 1, and increment till I find the best setting on it?

I am aware it's effectively useless for data logging purposes, but my insurance will only pay for an autoset or elite model after this one "wears out", which is 5 years according to them (I've already had to replace it once in 3 months!).

The barrel cozy is interesting, I was wondering if I was going to have to manufacture something with hot glue and felt! This might also be on the purchase list! I also found this viewtopic/t34883/My-fix-for-rainout-con ... illow.html link that details how to create a wick to sit inside the pillows for absorbing the condensation... I have stuff to try for tonight!

Condensation in the tube isn't really an issue for me, my CPAP is about 3 feet over my head and the tube runs down below the level of my mattress and up to my mask.

Any idea if it's too early to adjust my overall pressure of 8 CM/H2O? I feel like enabling EPR of 1 and setting the pressure at 8.5 might make good difference.

ZombieHack wrote: Any idea if it's too early to adjust my overall pressure of 8 CM/H2O? I feel like enabling EPR of 1 and setting the pressure at 8.5 might make good difference.

EPR of 1 drops the pressure 1 cm.. give it a try see how it goes. Each person has different comfort levels, I start with 10 cm, no ramp and have no real problem exhaling against it even if I turn of the exhale relief feature in my machine.
Setting of 1 would be where I would start if I were in your shoes.


With no data available you have to go by how you feel when considering changes.
How are you feeling? Is there a reason why you are thinking of changing pressure? That said since you can only go on how you feel a minor 0.5 cm may or may not alter how you feel but you won't know until you try. It is a small change and at your relatively low level of pressure probably quite safe. Before doing huge increases though get copies of your sleep studies to make sure no centrals were present. For a very small percentage of cpap users pressure increases can bring on centrals. Normally at pressures over 10 cm but could occur at less.

No data machine means you have no way to even check to see if centrals are a factor. So go slow with any dial a winging

The main reason I wanted to adjust the pressure was because I'm having difficulty breathing in during the night because of my congested nose, and the higher pressure of 8.5 made it difficult to breathe out. The EPR setting should solve that though! I feel fine, actually fantastic compared to pre-CPAP. No centrals during my study, so I think this is the way to go for now.

In regards to the wick, I'm wondering if making a disposable variety using a twist tie and a US brand of paper towels called Viva would work? The Viva towels are very thick, and have no fibers falling/peeling off.