I have had the worst congestion of my life since I have been using the CPAP.  My throat is raw, I am hoarse, I am sriously congested.  I went to my regular physician and he did a chest xray and said my it was clear.  I can't imagine that since I am coughing up awful stuff and feel miserable.  My first couple of nights with the resperonics machine, the mask filled with water and I sucked that up.  I kept taking it back in and the therapist said it was a bad design but my insurance compay had purchased it so I was stuck with it.   Found this was untrue as I am on Medicare and they were renting it.  I don't know if the is really a bad design or if my was defective, but my husband woke me up frantic when my nasal pap was bubbling with water. He said I was going to drown.  My cpap provider suggested I put the machine on the floor.  Go figure that one.

I am miserable. I know I am breathing through my mouth so could this be the problem. I can't take this much longer and I have used the machine, non-stop, every night, all night since July 7th.  I have felt worse since I got this machine than I have felt in a long time.  I haven't been able to get back in to see my Pulmonary Physician as he only sees you after 8 weeks on the machine.  I need help.


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Thanks everyone for your help and information. Sleepless in Tennessee

if you are using a humidifier, try without it
if its a nose mask then maybe use a strip of sticking plaster across the middle of the lips

What is sticking plaster?  I am new to that term.  Went to the Doctor today and they have put me on an antiobotic and have stopped my machine until I get better. Got a steroid shot, cough medicine and an inhaler too.  And I thought this was suppose to make me feel better - go figure!  Doctor also said I should move to a full face mask since I am a mouth breather.  Tried the chin strap but it didn't really help except to give me a headache since I have to have it so tight.  I am so frustrated.  Thanks for replying.  I really need some encouragement with this as I have religiously used the machine.  I have been using the humidifier as the doctor prescribed heated humidifier.  Have others had this problem with the humidifier?  Hope to hear from you soon.


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Thanks everyone for your help and information. Sleepless in Tennessee

Hi Sleepyville,

Turn down the heat on the humidifier, it is putting too much water into the air.  Put your CPAP lower than the hose so condensed water runs back into the humidifier and not your mask (this is where the suggestion to put it on the floor came from).  Empty the water out every morning so that bacteria doesn't grow and hang your hose up to air dry.  Wash your mask daily with Ivory dishwashing liquid and make sure it can air dry as well.  Only use distilled water in your humidifier.

Personally, I don't need a humidifier, but if you use one you need make sure you follow the above suggestions to keep from getting infections.

If you need a full face mask, I can give you some suggestions.  A chin strap didn't work for me either.  What is your pressure?

Vicki

Vicki, you answered a few of the questions I had with regards to cleaning the mask structure. Ivory dishwashing soap is one of them. But as to how to wash the mask, I'm not clear. Do I just wask the part that touches my face? Do I submerse the whole mess in water, or just use a wash cloth? What do I do about the straps, is it OK to get them wet? How often do you recommend washing the mask? OK, I see in the previous post, you said once a day. Like THAT is gonna happen! I'll consider that a goal more than a rule.

And while on the subject, do I need to do any kind of cleaning to the hoses?

Being a DUDE I am by nature cleaning CHALLENGED.    Please explain it to me like I'm a 10 year old.

Thanks...

Hi PapaJim,

Yeah, I talk a good talk, don't ask me how often I wash my mask, but once a day is what you are suppose to do.  If it starts smelling you'd better wash it, or you are sick, really, wash it daily for sure.

Since I can detach my headgear easily, I don't wash it everyday, but once a week would be good.  It doesn't hurt it to get it wet.  Its just that putting on soggy headgear is about a fun to me as wet shoes.  Ideally, the mask should be taken apart daily and washed and the hose rinsed as well.

But let's be realistic...

The easiest thing to do is to take the mask and hose in the shower with you.  Put a little (and I mean a little) Ivory in the hose and let it run through and out the mask.  I make sure I take my hand and slosh the soapy water around the mask and rub the seal part good.

Rinse the hose and mask really good with cool water (simply because cool water gets rid of soap better).  Shake the mask out and loop the hose with mask attached over something to dry.  Once a week, take the mask apart before you wash it.  

If you can find the time to take the mask apart to dry, that is better.  Water has a hard time drying in the tight spots and after time, you might find yourself with some fungal friends.  That is why I take it apart to wash it good once a week.

See, this isn't so bad, even I can almost find the time for this routine.

Vicki

Check out sleepzone.au for the "heated hose" that many of use to eliminate "rain-out" (this is the name for what you are experiencing. Also check out cpaptalk.com for many posts by happy users.

Rainout can be more severe depending on the mask/hose combination.  With my aura mask, I HAVE to use a heated hose.  With the Comfort Curve I do not.  Each night I use the same amount of water.  The heated hose works great, but it is not cheap, and unfortunately not covered.  And by all means feel free to find info on any resource, regardless of the hype.


Couple of suggestions that might reduce the rainout in the meantime:

1) Put the hose under the covers with you, it will raise the temperature and reduce condensation

2) Lower the humidifier setting.  Sometimes reducing the humidifier setting by one number can make a big difference on rainout.



Good luck, and please let us know how you are doing...