[CPAP] xirokx - Therapy Thread

[SarcasticDave94]

On your rainout issue, do you use a heated hose? Hose holder? Hose cover? All 3 will help with the condensation issue.

Try having the hose travel up to some anchor point like your headboard, then travel back down to your mask. This inverted V shape will have condensation drain back to the CPAP. It will only go to the humidifier tub not into the blower.

[xirokx]

On your rainout issue, do you use a heated hose? Hose holder? Hose cover? All 3 will help with the condensation issue.

Try having the hose travel up to some anchor point like your headboard, then travel back down to your mask. This inverted V shape will have condensation drain back to the CPAP. It will only go to the humidifier tub not into the blower.

Yes I have all three, a heated hose, hose holder and hose cover in an inverted V shape.

Thanks for your reply

[xirokx]

Some suggestions…

1. Decide where you want to get and listen to advise. Getting conflicting information from “Redditors” and folks here will do nothing but confuse you.

2. Please read the link from my signature “Formatting OSCAR Charts” for future posts. If anyone wants to see something other than the recommendation graphs they will ask for them.

3. Nasal issues i.e. enlarged turbinates and/or deviated septum does not mean you need a full-face mask. I have both and use nasal pillows just fine. There is nothing wrong with a full-face mask, but it is not a requirement for those issues.

4. Try the following setting. 

Mode APAP
Min pressure 7
Max pressure 12
EPR 3 full-time
No ramp
Climate control auto
Tube temp auto

Give that a go for a few days and let us know how it goes.

Tested these settings before bed time by having a nap and I get condensation in the mask (see attached images), this is what I want to get rid of totally as it turns into water during the night and then I have to change masks over to a second mask as the one I start sleeping with becomes dripping wet within 2-3hrs of me sleeping. So I end up waking up 2-3-4-5 times a night. Its a freaking nightmare

[PeaceLoveAndPizza]

How did we learn about things? For me it started with using a CPAP for years with limited success. I started reading everything I could find and also found this forum. I read posts for years before posting about my challenges. The advise I was given allowed me to reach a point where CPAP was working well, but it took months of experimenting. We all want to help others not go through the same stumbling about the darkness as most of us went through. 

The best place to start learning is with the wiki. It is an excellent resource.

The original settings on your machine were based on a sleep study, but are not optimised for you specifically as things change as one becomes used to using the machine. Most, if not all, need to be tweaked for individual needs. That is what we do here. Unfortunately there is quite a bit of trial and error involved, which we try to minimise as best we can.

Give the suggested settings a few nights and let us know how it goes.

[xirokx]

How did we learn about things? For me it started with using a CPAP for years with limited success. I started reading everything I could find and also found this forum. I read posts for years before posting about my challenges. The advise I was given allowed me to reach a point where CPAP was working well, but it took months of experimenting. We all want to help others not go through the same stumbling about the darkness as most of us went through. 

The best place to start learning is with the wiki. It is an excellent resource.

The original settings on your machine were based on a sleep study, but are not optimised for you specifically as things change as one becomes used to using the machine. Most, if not all, need to be tweaked for individual needs. That is what we do here. Unfortunately there is quite a bit of trial and error involved, which we try to minimise as best we can.

Give the suggested settings a few nights and let us know how it goes.

Thats precisely were I find myself now. After 9 years of using a cpap, the last 2 years have been torturious to the extent were I feel its just not working for me anymore.

I appreciate it takes time however when it limits my ability to work and live , I wish I could learn it all like yesterday. Day time napping is horrible and although I try not to, sometimes i just dont have a choice. What to speak of my poor memory and concentration. Its quiet a miserable existence. I am sure you have been there.

By the wiki, do you mean OSCAR The Guide?

I am glad and grateful people like yourself exist and give back to the community, seriously it got so bad I have considered ending it all. Not being heard by my sleep clinic and having to sleep walk through life is no fun.

Did you see my photos of the condensation, do you know what that happens? As that is causing water build up inside my mask.

Also I have reconfigured the OSCAR chart as per the guide but cannot for the life of me get the chart titles to move away from the chart making them legible, any ideas how I do this? As I could not find that part in the guide. Thanks

Thanks so much for your help and support.

[SarcasticDave94]

Likely a reference to Apnea Board wiki. Search it for CPAP subjects and expand knowledge.

[xirokx]

Likely a reference to Apnea Board wiki. Search it for CPAP subjects and expand knowledge.

Thank you

[PeaceLoveAndPizza]

As Dave said, I meant the apneaboard wiki. A wealth of information is there on many CPAP topics. Just pick a topic and follow it down the rabbit hole. 

I still struggle with condensation on occasion when I change from tube temp/humidity on auto. It is a fine balance to get those right and it may vary season to season. Typically as one increases humidity you need to increase tube temp, but it varies based on room temp and humidity. 

If you need more humidity, then set it to what you want to try and start increasing tube temp a bit to see if it helps with the condensation. 

Here is a chart from ResMed that may help.

https://document.resmed.com/documents/pr...sa_eng.pdf

[xirokx]

Thanks

Which wiki are you referring to? Do you have a link? Only as there are many ..thanks

You asked me my aim, my aim is to get rid of condensation like you most nights. I appreciate nothing is perfect

On those settings you suggested yesterday I slept more using the Cpap but I still have to change over masks middle of night due to condensation.

What settings would you recommend I try next, to reduce the condensation pls? It's the mask condensation that is waking me up. Otherwise no dry mouth or anything like that. It's condensation in the mask 4-5 times a night that is ruining my sleep.

Appreciate you help so much , I would be grateful for any further setting tweaks to significantly reduce the mask condensation

Thank you

[SarcasticDave94]

Find the lowest humidity level that is comfortable for you. Try both manual and auto humidity as well. Also add as much heat to the heated hose that's comfortable. For the heated hose, that likely will be a manual setting. You will likely need both actions. Be certain your hose travels uphill to get to the mask, with a hose holder somewhere in the middle being helpful too.