HI all,

I just wanted to see if anyone else had this problem and if they were able to fix it.  Basically I get water building up in my mask at and when I change positions it will drip out onto my face.  I have a Respironics ComfortGel size small mask.  I use a chin strap to keep my mouth closed.  I have hose cozies on my hoses to cut down on condensation and I use short hoses so any water that does happen flows right back down to the humidifier.  This is water that is JUST in the mask and it is forming all on the bottom of the mask.  My hubby thinks it's condensation in the mask because I keep the room so cold.  I even get water in there when I turn off the humidifier but it is greatly reduced when I turn it off.

I was told that this mask was like one of the most popular and less complained about masks so hearing that I would have to think that this doesn't happen on a regular basis.  Does anyone have any ideas for this?  I keep a cloth beside my for wiping it off when needed and that happens 2-5 times a night (I sleep about 12 hours).

Is it just condensation from my breathing (cause the room is very cold and I sleep only a few feet from the AC)?
Any ideas on how to cut this down (making the room warmer is not an option)?

Would going down to the Petite size of this mask make a difference or would it just end up fitting me funny?  I have often wondered if I should be using the Petite anyways but I think maybe I am a small...but there is no way for me to try the Petite on (without costing me money) so I suspect I am stuck with the small.

Anyways, let me know what you think.

What you have is called "rainout". You're right, it is condensation and you have already identified several of the "fixes" for this problem.

First is using a hose cover -- you might try adding another layer of insulation. Try moving your cpap down lower in order to try to get more water flowing back into the humidifier tank. Turning the humidifier down (less humidity) is another "fix" that you have already identified. You can raise the temperature in the room because yes again, the cool temperature of your bedroom is directly related to your problem. Finally, it appears, anecdotally, that some brands of masks are more prone to rainout than others. (Since this is a costly fix, you may want to exhaust all other possibilities first )

You are definitely on the right track brainstorming the possible solutions. I'm sure you'll get there!

Well I have already lowered the machine as far as I can without it being on the floor...and I am using really short hoses as well so everything does empty back into the humidifier (I use like a 2 foot and an 18" hose put together).  So I guess I should probably start looking at masks.  I really don't want to just start trying random masks all willy nilly so does anyone know of any masks that are known to produce less condensation or "rainout" that I could start with?  That would make the process easier and less expensive.

Thanks

Just to check.

Have you turned down. or turned off the heat under the humidification chamber?

I have to play a balancing game of how high the heat is.. to what the room temperature is. to keep "rain out" down.

The other thing to try might be.. try no heat... and no humidification at all (empty humidification chamber).. see if your moisture goes away. You might find that the drier air drys out your nose and mouth too much.

I use some nasal irrigation sprays to help with the dry nose problem.. but I use a nasal pillow style mask.

You are on the right track trying things to make it work for you.

Good Luck.


_________________
Just a truck driver with sleep apnea

Try filling your humidifier with water only half way or less.

pdmike wrote:

Try filling your humidifier with water only half way or less.

I can't always do that.  Due to some other health issues that I have I sometimes sleep like 12 -14 hours and if I did that on half a tank then the machine would dry out and that would cause damage.

[quote="truckerdad57"]Just to check.

Have you turned down. or turned off the heat under the humidification chamber?

I have tried turning down or off the humidifier but I haven't played with the heat at all.  To be honest I didn't really know you could turn off/down the heat (I am not sure my machine has that option), I will check though.

I have been able to lessen the water a bit by playing with the sizes of my hoses and whatnot and it has been working some and the water is definitely down.  I am trying a new mask tonight and I a hoping the different size will make a difference too.

dragon06 wrote:

I use short hoses so any water that does happen flows right back down to the humidifier.

Why the short hose? Seems to me that a short hose would make your problem worse ... A long hose might give more area for water to collect in, thus less collecting in the mask. Just a thought

jessy 49 wrote:

dragon06 wrote:

I use short hoses so any water that does happen flows right back down to the humidifier.

Why the short hose? Seems to me that a short hose would make your problem worse ... A long hose might give more area for water to collect in, thus less collecting in the mask. Just a thought

I use a short hose for a few reasons...1) because my cpap machine is less than a foot away from me and long hoses coiling up and getting in the way annoy me.  2) before when I was using the longer hose I was having trouble with condensation gathering in the hoses and staying in the loop and getting to the point where I couldn't breathe properly and I would wake up.  3)  with the shorter hose and my cpap lowered all the condensation on the hoses runs back into the humidifier instead of gathering or flowing back into the mask.

The water I am getting in the mask in forming in the mask and staying in the mask until it drips down my face, it is not coming from the hoses.  It would be nice if the water would run back down the hose like all the other condensation but the way the mask is made the water can't go up to the outlet to get back down the hose.

I have the exact problem - let me know if you find a solution. I have the ComfortGel petite so I can't go smaller. What happens to me is not from the humidifier but from the condensation from my breathing. It seems to get "caught" in the mask and then drips on my face which then wakes me up. There is no water in the hose - it is only on the mask. This happens with the humidifier and also without it on the machine at all. I also have a hose protector thing but that hasn't helped with this problem at all.

jessy 49 wrote:

Finally, it appears, anecdotally, that some brands of masks are more prone to rainout than others. (Since this is a costly fix, you may want to exhaust all other possibilities first )

If the fixes have failed, you may find that the problem lies with your brand / model of mask