For quite a while now, my humidifier on my ResMed CPAP machine does not seem to be working. I'm wondering if the connection between the humidifier and CPAP is not working. There is some sort of gasket there that I can remove. When I put it back in, there's no way to tell if it's connecting correctly. Also, my mouth is so dry. I know my nasal mask moves when I move during the night. I have problems sleeping and this doesn't help. I live in Ecuador and do not have access to any specialists who treat sleep apnea in my city. Also, the equipment is very expensive. What do you think is happening with my humidifier and is it possible a full mask would work better for me? Thank you.
Welcome and glad you stopped by for help. If the gasket you are referrig to is the binyl piece that sits between the two halves of the water reservoir, it is doubtful that would be the cause of the lack of water use. Most Resmed machines have settings between 1 and 10 for humidity levels I think. What is your machine set to? As for dry mouth, it is likely you are breathing through your mouth at night BUT that would also cause you water reservoir to go down very quickly.
For instance, I have my humidity level (Resmed machine also) set at 3 and it takes about 3 nights to go from full to just a bit left in the reservoir. I am not sure of the mechanics of these machines but suspect your machine may not be working correctly if it doesn't use any water if your setting is in the higher level of the range.
I agree with wiredgeorge. Your machine should use at least a little water if the water is evaporating at night. When you remove the water tank in the mornings (or when you stop your treatment), do you notice that the plate on the bottom of the reservoir or inside the machine is warm? If not, the humidifier might not be properly connected. Some models also allow the humidifier to be turned completely off. Many ResMed machines that separate from their humidifiers have lights or power indicators on both the flow generator and the humidifier. Do you see any lights or displays on your humidifier? It might be that the connection between the two is not firm. Please let us know what you find, and glad to have you here on the Forum!
The only light I have is where the knob is to adjust the setting; it goes off after a few seconds. So, does that mean that the connection is OK? The plate has never seemed really warm to me but, I've lived in warm climates. I think I'll get my instruction manuals and check them out for anything that will help. I really just thought it was that vinyl gasket thingy. Thanks.
I finally remembered to check the plate this AM but it was cold. Since last night was one of those nights that the water level didn't move, I'm assuming the whole humidifier wasn't working. I'll have to remember to check the plate when the water level changes. My humidifier seems to be part of the whole CPAP machine. The lights around the button work all the time.
I have had 3 different Resmed machines all with humidifiers and whilst it is possible to switch the humidifier off it still used a little bit of water when you did so. The LCD advises if the humidifier is connect. I would turn up the humidifier setting to at least 4 (out of 5) to see if that gets it to kick in.
If you have it turned on then it is sounding faulty.
As an alternative there is a setting to warm up the humidifier before you start sleeping for the night, try that and as DanM said see if the base of the reservoir heats up (which is necessary to get the humidifier going).
I finally remembered to check the plate this AM but it was cold. Since last night was one of those nights that the water level didn't move, I'm assuming the whole humidifier wasn't working. I'll have to remember to check the plate when the water level changes. My humidifier seems to be part of the whole CPAP machine. The lights around the button work all the time. If I just turn the humidifier off and not even use it, air still has to go through it to get to the hose. Does that affect the pressure with no water?
hi warmheartedapricottapir, if your heated humidity doesn't seem to be working and you are having dry mouth, have you tried a room humidifier in addition to using the cold water humidity to help with that? I would think that not using any water with the cpap should not affect the pressure. even if your heat is not working though, just using water will help more with the dryness issue than no water at all.
