Happy Halloween everybody!
I got my cpap on Friday and have a couple of questions:
1)The instructions say to make sure the machine isn't higher than your head when you sleep.  My night stand is kind of tall so the machine sits about one or two inches higher than my pillow, is that OK?
2)Should the water in the heated humidifier be changed every day?
3)When I wake up the first thing I smell is a burning smell from the heated humidifier, it is an awful smell and almost sufficates me in the mornings, is there anything I can do about this?  Does anyone else experience this?
4)Air is constantly and forcefully pouring out of the ventilation holes of my nasal pillow device all night, I was under the impression that air only came out of the ventilation holes when I exhaled, is this true, am I doing something wrong?  I have the Mirage nasal pillows.

Thanks for the replies!!!!

JoshB wrote:

Happy Halloween everybody!
I got my cpap on Friday and have a couple of questions:
1)The instructions say to make sure the machine isn't higher than your head when you sleep.  My night stand is kind of tall so the machine sits about one or two inches higher than my pillow, is that OK?
2)Should the water in the heated humidifier be changed every day?
3)When I wake up the first thing I smell is a burning smell from the heated humidifier, it is an awful smell and almost sufficates me in the mornings, is there anything I can do about this?  Does anyone else experience this?
4)Air is constantly and forcefully pouring out of the ventilation holes of my nasal pillow device all night, I was under the impression that air only came out of the ventilation holes when I exhaled, is this true, am I doing something wrong?  I have the Mirage nasal pillows.

Thanks for the replies!!!!

Hi Josh,

I can't answer all of these, and others will likely help.
But I also have my cpap on my nightstand and it's an inch or so higher.  I'm not sure but I think that the height helps to cause "rainout" or condensation to flow inside your tube from your humidifier, not certain.  But that is fixable.  Many people  have their machine on their night stand.

Be sure you are using distilled water and not tap water.  If you use distilled water, the reservoir should remain clean for awhile and all you have to do is add more water.  But you will have to clean it out from time to time.  Don't use tap water, but if you have to briefly, then I would say clean it out every day.  Trust me, you don't want to be using tap water.  The reservoir gets yucky REAL fast (amazing what's in our tap water!) and it can be a big pain to clean.  Distilled water is a must.  Plus, it's healthier for you.

Not sure about the other questions.  What brand cpap and humidifier do you have?  That might help someone to answer your  humidifier question.


Oh, you might consider registering here as a member.  It is not necessary, you can post comments whenever you like.  But there are some nifty other features if you register that can come in handy.  Registering is easy, free and safe.  If not, you can always post as a guest.


Linda

Josh,

I have all the same questions so I hope some people can get them all answered.

I would also like further clarification on the water. Is bottled water as good as distilled? By bottled water I mean something along the lines of Dasani, which is much more pure than a mineral spring water like Arrowhead.

I have bottled water delivery that is highly purified, and would like to use that instead of distilled if I could, although distilled water doesn't cost much.

As far as water goes, look at the bottle ingredients.  Many bottled waters are either mineral water (don't use that), or has had minerals added back to it to improve the taste (don't use that either).  Use water which has been purified by one of the two following procedures, either distilled or reverse osmosis.

Vicki


_________________
That which does not kill you makes you stronger-Friedrich Nietzsche
Friedrich must of had apnea.

JoshB wrote:

Happy Halloween everybody!
I got my cpap on Friday and have a couple of questions:
1)The instructions say to make sure the machine isn't higher than your head when you sleep.  My night stand is kind of tall so the machine sits about one or two inches higher than my pillow, is that OK?
2)Should the water in the heated humidifier be changed every day?
3)When I wake up the first thing I smell is a burning smell from the heated humidifier, it is an awful smell and almost sufficates me in the mornings, is there anything I can do about this?  Does anyone else experience this?
4)Air is constantly and forcefully pouring out of the ventilation holes of my nasal pillow device all night, I was under the impression that air only came out of the ventilation holes when I exhaled, is this true, am I doing something wrong?  I have the Mirage nasal pillows.

Thanks for the replies!!!!

Hi Josh,

The idea of keeping the machine below your head is to stop rainout and mainly to stop water falling from the humidifier into the hose. It has a habit of accumulating in the 'u' bend and eventually stop air getting through at pressure. Best to keep it below your head.

If you are using distilled water, it should not be a problem. Just add water each day to make sure it is at the right level. You need to keep an eye on the heater plate as 'gunge' will build up. Probably best to clean it out weekly. The steel plate can be placed in the dishwasher.

If you are getting a burning smell in the morning I think something must be wrong. Is your water level OK ? Any strange bodies or materials lodging on the steel plate ?

Can't help you with the nasal pillows. Sorry.

Daniel


_________________
The untreated Sleep Apnoea sufferer died quietly in his sleep.......
Unlike his three passengers who died screaming !!!!!!

(Anon)

"4)Air is constantly and forcefully pouring out of the ventilation holes of my nasal pillow device all night, I was under the impression that air only came out of the ventilation holes when I exhaled, is this true, am I doing something wrong?  I have the Mirage nasal pillows. "


Constant air folw is  nornal with the nasal pillows

Hi JoshB--I got inventive when it came to placement of the machine--I turned a small, square clothes basket upside down, put some shelving material on it so it wouldn't slip and put it next to my bed so it's quite a bit lower than my head.  No, it doesn't look real pretty but better that than a mask full of water---it works fine.
Humidifier---every day I dump out what wasn't used, fill with warm water, a little squirt of baby shampoo, swish around, rinse well and let air dry.  (I do the same with my mask so I have a good seal and get the oil from my face off).  Yes, you need to use the distilled water.  The "burning" smell should be checked, I've never smelled that with mine.  It may be faulty.
Good luck!!  
Kathy