Newbie 2nd night on cpap

[40winks]

I spoke to the clinic about the EPR and was informed it was already on and dropping 3 when I breath out....
Still having a hard time, but am only 2 weeks in 4 nights on this machine so expect it will get better.

Since having the humidifier I have noticed the mask starts to whistle a lot when the condensation has built up, usually in the early morning 6 oclockishish .
Is there a simple cure to this ? (I have taken the mask off the last 2 mornings and gone back to sleep)

The hose fills with water at the lowest level which I assume an insulated cover for the hose will solve.

Michael

[davejwhite]

Hi Lorraine,
I grew up in Tilgate and when I was a lad .... we were right next to Ashdown Forest - Furnace Green didn't exist. Used to spend hours playing in the woods.

Michael, condensation problems.
I think you have to play with the humidifier settings a bit to get it right. I imagine a hose sleeve would help - I've not used one though.

Whistling machines - maybe time for tea? Is it the machine or the mask?

I've changed my regime. I'm now not attempting to eliminate leaks altogether, rather to 'contain'; i.e. if the darn thing is going to blow, I'll try and get it not to try to take my eye out. Also found that if I get a moisture build-up in the nostrils, it makes the nasal pillows slip and leak. So am waking up around 2.30 - 3.00 to give everything a quick wash over with soapy water and a dry before 'remounting'. Seems to work and avoids me chasing leaks for the rest of the night.

[40winks]

Thanks for reply Dave,
I have a full face and the whistle comes from the small holes on the front of the mask when the condensation builds and tries to escape from the holes.
I have realised it is a balancing act between the setting of the humidifier and the ambient temperature of the room. I think I read somewhere about sticking some scotchbrite (green plastic meshy stuff) over the holes as a diffuser (makes sense).

Might try that, cant look any worse, can it ?

Michael

[davejwhite]

Good luck, Michael ..

I don't know how mine looks - I've usually got my eyes shut :-)

[Grumpy]

Gurgling

I get a gurgling sound when the hose starts filling up with water and have to raise the hose to tip it back into the humidifier. Wondering if I can get a shorter hose or some sort of hose support to stop this happening?

[Tigers Fan]

Deal with the cause, not the symptom

Hi Grumpy

Welcome!

At this time of year, you should get away with a hose sheath and a Hose Lift, both available from Intus.

Longer term, get an Oz heated hose (£80-ish).

Meantime, make sure the machine is a little below the mask, without sags in which the condensation would collect - and gurgle.

TF

[Grumpy]

Hose Lift - essential equipment

Got a hose lift yesterday from hope2sleep; expensive for what it is but cheap for what it does!
Actually its very well made with a nice lacquered finish and it folds up nice and small for taking on hols.
Already made a difference to comfort (since the weight of the pipe is no longer pulling on the mask) and reduced the rainout issue.
Just under 20 quid including p&p.

[Tigers Fan]

Great little gizmo!

Hi Grumpy

Glad you like the Hose Lift. Before James told me about them, I had built my own version http://forums.cpap.co.uk/showthread.php?t=592 which is still doing sterling service. I use the Hose Lift when I travel.

Kath at Hope2Sleep is great, isn't she! A super outfit for your bits and pieces, make CPAP tolerable without importing from the States.

TF