Topic: got CPAP w/cushioned nostrel pillows; the air from humidifier is FREEZING me!! tips??
bettyg
Unregistered
posted
for the last 2 weeks, i have been trying to adjust to a brand new, QUIET cpap machine with cushioned pillows for nostrel.
headstrap is something else; wierd feeling, but i'm coping.
thing i'm struggling with is the humidifier blows out cool/FRIGID air and my NOSE IS FREEZING.
told dealer about this; suggested i MICROWAVE the distilled water first, then promptly get it turned on for warmup and start using it.
HOT air last 10-15 MINUTES ONLY! i've been heating up the water at least 3-4 times a night!
what tips do you use? my hands, feet, and nose are cold all the time, but this is god-awful.
i've used many of your wonderful hints folks like sonic.... and others gave me! i printed them off and when talking w/dealer i read them 1st what was suggested by you good folks.
i threw off his rhythm of his presentation! he informed me it takes 1 hr. only to give instructions and he was failing his job if it took longer.
well, he failed; took him 1.5 hrs. due to all my questions i wanted answered.
so how else do you get WARM air to hit your face.
hubby has said i'm not coughing like i was during sleep times.
my nose isn't plugged up like it was but it's hard to tell because i open my mouth up often.
it is nice and quiet until i get a LEAK...nose pads aren't fitting right w/nostrel! uffda
thanks for any/all help you can give me friends!
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posted
lately i myself have been sitting in a tub with very hot water just for my feet...
im not sure why, but the feet are alwasy cold,
seems to help before i go to bed.
also this has been an old remedy for colds and flus, for my old school Mom and many others that came here from Europe...
Posts: 570 | From philadelphia, pa | Registered: Dec 2008
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I found, Bed Buddy warming mittens and booties at my local Bed, Bath, and Beyond to be very helpful. They are a littled sented, cause they are advertized for aromatherapy.
You warm the bean pouches in the microwave, then insert them in to fleece mittens and or booties. They give a moist heat, that last a long time.
They were abt $10.00 a set. I use them for pain relief too.You can find them online.
This company makes microwaveable large heating pads/wraps too. Maybe you could hug one of those to your stomach?
Or maybe try getting those gel packs that you can heat or chill for pain relief. I found those lasted a long time when I put those in boiling water, rather than the microwave.
When I was having all the low temp issues, I took some cayenne pepper pills, they helped raise the body temp.
Hope this helps.
-------------------- Take Care, DakotasMom01 Posts: 371 | From NJ | Registered: Dec 2007
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posted
do you have a heated humidifier? if so you should be able to turn the temp up. i have a remstar/pro2 and it will evaporate all the water at night so next night i put warm water in, turn on heater and sleep.
if you need more info go to cpaptalk.com, good info
Posts: 18 | From pittsburgh pa | Registered: May 2008
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
dakota's mom; thanks ... i'll look into that as we have 1 of their stores 8 blocks from me!
truckboss, mine is RES MED S8 ESCAPE 2 ... has heated humidifier but NOT WARM/HOT by any means!!
does have some numbers on it; they recommended 3; didn't work.
i took it all way up to top and got moisture bubbles in my hose; dealer said i should NOT be on that; adjust to eliminate bubbles.
does your bubble on warmest heat available?
i'll check out the website you recommended as well!!
thanks all for your suggestions in my trying to overcome this to HELP me!
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TerryK
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 8552
posted
First of all, if your mask is leaking, your throat will not be held open so you need to solve that problem. See about getting re-fitted for a different size mask or play around with straps etc. to get a better fit. You can also try sleeping in a different position, pillow etc.. I have to sleep with my head elevated and hanging off the edge of a pillow in order to keep my mask from leaking.
If your mouth is open, you will lose all benefit from the machine because your throat will not be held open. Try a chin strap to hold your mouth closed or try a full face mask.
Sorry, I don't really know the type of mask that you have and those are all suggestions based on my type of mask which is one that covers the nose but not the mouth.
Consider trying some of the sleep forums for advice. Many people have similar issues and there are a lot of experienced people there.
Even with a heated humidifier, my setup blows cold air out of the face mask vent. I can position the hose so that it flows away from my face and then I cover my body with a blanket and it hasn't been a problem. So, try positioning the hose.
Your best bet is to join a group and ask your quesitons there.
I hope you get the problems solved. Keep trying, don't give up. It will make a big difference in your health including improve your blood sugars.
Terry
Posts: 6286 | From Oregon | Registered: Jan 2006
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sparkle7
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10397
posted
I don't use a cpap but my partner does. Just some guesses....
Try changing the angle of the hose. I think the hose has to be elevated. I think they have hose holders to elevate it. I'm not sure of the angle, though.
The machine may need to be lower than your bed.
I would think that in order for the humidifier to work - it has to be heating. Is it a heated humidifier? Do all machines have heated humidifiers? I'm not sure. Maybe there's a malfunction?
Can you cover the machine with a towel to keep the heat in (sort of like a tea cozy)?
Does the nostril pillow fit properly? I think they are only good for a certain size nose-type.
Posts: 7772 | From Northeast, again... | Registered: Oct 2006
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
terry and sparkles, thanks for your comments.
my cpap sits on the floor. i haven't covered it with towel as it has some air outlets, and they do say NOT to cover them up.
yes, i agree about keeping hose as far from me as possible. mine is in MIDDLE. and nose has 2 air holes,
yes, i try adjusting as much as possible.
i know i'll spend time tomorrow going to cpap board to read and ask questions.
i just hate the COLD AIR blowing into my face, and yes, my MOUTH is open alot but at least my nostrels don't seem to be plugging up all night long when it's on!
yes, i do have my hose elevator going up and behind my head.
i'll try your suggestions, and getting a better fit by using mirror to see how it's fitting, and lining up pillow nostrels to ARROWS so it fits in those 2 areas.
i'm really trying, and terry, thanks for telling me it will improve blood sugars since i have diabetes 2 now for 5 years!
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posted
Betty, I too am a CPAPer. Doing it a few years now. Ain't it grand??!!
You do need to wear a chin strap if your mouth opens when you sleep, otherwise you're losing pressure and it won't work.
I find with the nasal pillows, let the air run a few seconds so they are inflated efore putting them in your nostrils. Also, you can adjust the angle of the pillows by turning the plastic part they are attached to. Sometimes just fooling around with that will solve the problem of air leaking.
If you're getting cold air instead of warm, it may not be working right. Have a tech look at it.
-------------------- Sick since at least age 6, now 67. Decades of misdiagnosis. Numerous arthritic, neuro, psych, vision, cardiac symptoms. Been treating for 7 years, incl 8 mos on IV. Bart was missed so now treating that. Posts: 765 | From nw ct | Registered: Sep 2008
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
paulie, i think it's time i got out there on tuesday as i have other errands tomorrow to do.
don't want to be rushed going there.
i will check out that web site "when i get some time" for what i do on this board ha
i tried this 4 yrs. ago using my good friend's deceased husband's NOISY unit and buying new masks/hose. no way; tried humidifier then ... same problem as now! I FREEZE!
but thanks for input, and i'll print these off so i remember to mention it to dealer!
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treepatrol
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 4117
posted
Can you run the hose through a heating pad set at a safe level???
-------------------- Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Remember Iam not a Doctor Just someone struggling like you with Tick Borne Diseases.
lymemomtooo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5396
posted
Betty, I rarely use the humidifier. I always forget to take it apart daily and am afraid of bacteria from that.
I have trouble sleeping without mine. Have had them for years. Hate them but also is the first thing I panic over if something goes wrong.But have discovered that they have loaners.
I have a full face mask due to deviated septum and required mouth breathing.
Put a thermal blanket over your head or something that will keep you warm. You are getting your air thru the machine. You can have your head completely covered. this should help..Good luck lmt
Posts: 2360 | From SE PA | Registered: Mar 2004
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
tree,
i'm trying to visualize your suggestion; meaning wrapping the electric heating pad around the top part of cpap hose next to face??
lmt, thanks for your suggestion as well! i think i'll have to pass on that one since i'm claustrophic.
as a young girl, around 6-8, my younger bro. 3 yrs. younger, pulled the car trunk down on us as i finished emptying trunk of groceries for mom.
we were stuck in there 2-4 hrs. since we lived on a farm and would entertain ourselves outside so mom thought we were just playing.
came supper time and she came looking for us. she was yelling for us outside of rear end of car. i yelled back going to brake light area since she couldn't hear me/us otherwise.
thankfully, she heard me and let us out. i can't be in any confined areas since, and i panic fast and brings back those awful memories for me.
we had just lifted the last of the many grocery sacks to the ground, and middle bro. pulled this stunt. do you think he ended up like me, NO! that turkey.
but keep suggestions coming; i need to get over to cpap board and start reading there.
with so many PMs, sending llmds info, and sending welcome letters to newbies, i'm swamped! uffda
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klutzo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5701
posted
Hi Betty, You definitely need a chin strap if you are opening your mouth, otherwise your CPAP machine will not prevent apnea at all.
I hate my chin strap, but if you are a mouth breather, your CPAP is useless without one.
I got some great advice about my nasal pillows from the owner of a DME on a CPAP forum. He told me to always get the nasal pillows one size larger than the size they say I should wear.
This eliminates the feeling of air coming into your nose, and it feels just like normal breathing. I can't feel cold air, because I can't feel the air at all with the larger size of nasal pillows.
I've been using nasal pillows for more than two years now, and despite my deviated septum, they are the only thing I can tolerate.
You can turn up your heated humidifier, but that may cause "rain out" in cold weather, where water runs out of your nose and down your face at night. Not fun.
They sell heated hose warmers that you could try. My RT told me not to use them, but I live in Florida, so I just turn off the humidifier on the few cold nights we have, and put KY jelly in my nose to keep it from drying out.
If you turn off the humidifier, don't use anything but KY in your nose. Vaseline, or any other petroleum product, can destroy the nasal pillows.
I agree with trying the CPAP forums. They are very helpful for newbies at CPAP, just like LymeNet helps us.
Good luck,
klutzo
Posts: 1269 | From Clearwater, Florida, USA | Registered: May 2004
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
quote:Originally posted by klutzo:
You can turn up your heated humidifier, but that may cause "rain out" in cold weather, where water runs out of your nose and down your face at night. Not fun.
They sell heated hose warmers that you could try. My RT told me not to use them, but I live in Florida, so I just turn off the humidifier on the few cold nights we have, and put KY jelly in my nose to keep it from drying out.
If you turn off the humidifier, don't use anything but KY in your nose. Vaseline, or any other petroleum product, can destroy the nasal pillows.
kelmo, great ideas/suggestions.
i made myself a fleece wraparound the hose; didn't make any difference and keeps sliding DOWN those hose...uffda
i'm glad you said NOT to use VASELINE, as that's what i've been doing since 2nd night. don't want to ruin nose pad.
i've been using SMALL size, will find my Medium and put in there for tonight! good suggestion too.
TerryK
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 8552
posted
Betty wrote: i made myself a fleece wraparound the hose; didn't make any difference and keeps sliding DOWN those hose...uffda
Me too. I use a rubber band around the top of the hose to hold the fleece wrap in place. I also use one at the bottom. No sliding at all. It does stop rain out. That is a very unpleasant feeling.
My humidifier was broken the first year even though my doctor's office insisted it wasn't. Turns out the heater was broken. My throat became very swollen and sore during that time. Could have been a coincidence but the tech thought it was a factor in my sore, swollen throat.
My humidifier chamber opens so I open it every day and dry it out. Then put it back together before I fill it with distilled water right before bed.
Terry
Posts: 6286 | From Oregon | Registered: Jan 2006
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
terry, explain this would you about rain out? "No sliding at all. It does stop rain out. That is a very unpleasant feeling." good idea on rubberband!
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TerryK
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 8552
posted
Sorry Betty, I didn't see your question till today.
I was very glad to read this morning that you are having success with your CPAP!!
Terry
Posts: 6286 | From Oregon | Registered: Jan 2006
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seekhelp
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 15067
posted
Do you need a chin strap is you have a full face mask but are still a complete mouth breather? I too use a BiPAP. I've used it a year and it's done ZERO for my fatigue. My sleep doc didn't order a chin strap. I've tried both hybrid masks (cover mouth completely with nasal pillows [ i.e., Liberty Mirage mask) and a full face type.
I had mild sleep apnea mostly of the central apnea form.
5+ years ago, I tried a CPAP and failed miserably. Partly out of disgust trying it and I couldn't handle equal pressures. People with neuromuscular disorders (which I was thought to have) tolerate BiPAP MUCH MUCH better. Costly as hell though.
My first sleep doc insisted on a chin strap. This new doc doesn't seem educated about it at all.
I have a heated humidifer, but wake up every morning with my mouth bone dry. Not a drop of saliva anywhere. It's horrible. I'm used to the machine though. It's been useless to date and very disappointing. It seems like every treatment I try yields the same result: nothing. I am so frustrated when I hear others get great success from this or that and I fail again. Posts: 7545 | From The 5th Dimension - The Twilight Zone | Registered: Mar 2008
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
terry, thx for replying and the outstanding link of rainout; i learned a lot from that, and do have that since when i go to bed in the WEE AM hours; house is at its coldest ... so my microwaved water lasts 5-10 minutes only and then it freezes~!
yes, i'm glad i've made progress on this one vs. 4 yrs. ago when it was hopeless and sounded like a BASS DRUM! this barely has any noise; tolerable for my noise sensitivities.
quote:Originally posted by seekhelp:
Do you need a chin strap is you have a full face mask but are still a complete mouth breather? I too use a BiPAP.
I have a heated humidifer, but wake up every morning with my mouth bone dry. Not a drop of saliva anywhere. It's horrible.
seek, if you have a FULL face mask, you would not need it since your jaw stays in place; MINE doesn't ... it moves freely so chin strap helps.
bad point on chin strap, where they put the clasps on the side on each side hits me right in the eye temple area; VERY uncomfortable; will write, complain, and suggest they relocate it higher so it's comfy vs. intolerable.
i too wake up BONE dry all night long, so must have my water jug right by bed drinking constantly; and me too .... NO SALIVA.
i do think drinking extra water and making sure water is still in the humidifier help tremendously. good luck.
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TerryK
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 8552
posted
Sorry you are frustrated seek.
I'm not an expert on full face masks but my understanding is that they are made to circumvent the need for a chin strap. That said, your mask may still be leaking.
I'm not an expert on machines either but my first machine wasn't much help. My Aunt told me that she got an autopap because her first machine didn't help her much either. The autopap automatically adjusts itself to various pressures throughout the night as needed.
My machine records sleep sessions and my doctor said the new machine was showing that I needed pressures from one end of the scale to the other. This is probably because my throat swells off and on or maybe it has to do with the mask leaking. In any case, both my Aunt and I found the new machine much more beneficial.
If you don't feel that you are getting much benefit, keep pushing your sleep doctor to figure it out. Change doctors if you have to. It is a dangerous condition if left untreated.
Hope you get something figured out so that you can sleep better.
Terry
Posts: 6286 | From Oregon | Registered: Jan 2006
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TerryK
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 8552
posted
Glad you found the link helpful Betty.
We've been keeping our house cooler at night lately and I took my mask off this morning and got a face full of cold water. ugh!
I haven't tried this but found that some manufacturers make special hoses that might prove useful. Not sure if your machine would take it or not but you could ask your manufacturer if there is a hose such as the one below that is compatible with your machine.
http://tinyurl.com/d8y3ku THERMOSMART HEATED CPAP TUBING from FISHER & PAYKEL ThermoSmart Heated CPAP Tubing delivers optimal levels of humidity during therapy and because the tubing itself is heated you don't have to worry about room temperature or rainout effecting your therapy. For use exclusively with Fisher & Paykel SleepStyle 600 Series CPAPs. (Part 900HC522)
Posts: 6286 | From Oregon | Registered: Jan 2006
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
terry, that looks interesting!! $44 is quite reasonable.
enjoyed the part about room temp not being affected and no RAINOUT !! THANKS for the good info terry
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It seems like every treatment I try yields the same result: nothing. I am so frustrated when I hear others get great success from this or that and I fail again. 
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