3 ms·

I'm wondering how that happens. All CPAP masks have vents in them to prevent CO2 buildup, and those vents work regardless of the pressure settings.

_nalply 3y ago
I have a Resmed Airsense 10 with nose pillow, and if the meshed vent gets wet it does not work so well anymore. I experience this as a shortness of breath and wake up from it. I can imagine that this is dangerous for people who don't wake up from this. I have a replacement so I can swap in the middle of the night if neccessary. I regularly clean the mesh with warm soapy water and an electric toothbrush and I replace the mesh every 6 months.
- gettodachoppa 3y ago
  Can you clarify what you mean by mesh vent, and what it is exactly you replace? I could not find any info. My father uses this machine so you have me worried.
  - _nalply 3y ago
    You can use a Resmed AirSense with a nose pillow or a face mask. I only use the nose pillow. It covers the nostrils. You breathe through the nose. The mouth stays uncovered. If you manage to keep the mouth closed while sleeping, this is enough. Between the tube and the nose pillow there's a piece with two mesh vents. When the CPAP increases the pressure, some air is vented through the meshes. When you breathe out, most of the breathed air leaves by the vents. I feel the air: when breathing in only a little and when breathing out a lot. It is a fine mesh creating some resistance but it works because when you breathe out, you temporarily increase the pressure and the mesh lets your stale air out. However when the mesh gets wet by condensation, not enough stale air is vented and you get the feeling of not having enough air. It feels like the head being under the blanket. The first time this happened I was confused. Now I know to recognize and to avoid this situation. If the room air is very cold, this can happen because the air you breathe out can condensate. If you use an air moisturizer, you need to find a balance between temperature and too much moisture. You need to position the tube such that moisture can't flow downwards to the nose pillow. This all sounds a bit complicated and dangerous, but in reality this works surprisingly well. It really works and it is helpful. I know CPAP devices are a nuisance and need a lot of time and dedication to get used to, but they are able to fix sleep apnea. They give me a good sleep. I needed about three months to find the sweet and deep sleep we humans all need thanks to this bloody contraption. It is a hate-love relationship.
    - bmarquez 3y ago
      It sounds like you're using the Resmed P10 nasal pillow. I've tried that before and agree the mesh vents get clogged easily (not just because of condensation, but also because it gets dirty easily). There are other similar pillow masks out there that don't have that problem. I found the Philips Nuance, Philips Dreamwear, and F&P Brevida to not have any venting issues. The Brevida has a cloth mesh that still works when wet, and probably is the best if you want that "resistance" feeling on exhale.

_nalply 3y ago

I have a Resmed Airsense 10 with nose pillow, and if the meshed vent gets wet it does not work so well anymore. I experience this as a shortness of breath and wake up from it. I can imagine that this is dangerous for people who don't wake up from this. I have a replacement so I can swap in the middle of the night if neccessary. I regularly clean the mesh with warm soapy water and an electric toothbrush and I replace the mesh every 6 months.

gettodachoppa 3y ago
Can you clarify what you mean by mesh vent, and what it is exactly you replace? I could not find any info. My father uses this machine so you have me worried.
- _nalply 3y ago
  You can use a Resmed AirSense with a nose pillow or a face mask. I only use the nose pillow. It covers the nostrils. You breathe through the nose. The mouth stays uncovered. If you manage to keep the mouth closed while sleeping, this is enough. Between the tube and the nose pillow there's a piece with two mesh vents. When the CPAP increases the pressure, some air is vented through the meshes. When you breathe out, most of the breathed air leaves by the vents. I feel the air: when breathing in only a little and when breathing out a lot. It is a fine mesh creating some resistance but it works because when you breathe out, you temporarily increase the pressure and the mesh lets your stale air out. However when the mesh gets wet by condensation, not enough stale air is vented and you get the feeling of not having enough air. It feels like the head being under the blanket. The first time this happened I was confused. Now I know to recognize and to avoid this situation. If the room air is very cold, this can happen because the air you breathe out can condensate. If you use an air moisturizer, you need to find a balance between temperature and too much moisture. You need to position the tube such that moisture can't flow downwards to the nose pillow. This all sounds a bit complicated and dangerous, but in reality this works surprisingly well. It really works and it is helpful. I know CPAP devices are a nuisance and need a lot of time and dedication to get used to, but they are able to fix sleep apnea. They give me a good sleep. I needed about three months to find the sweet and deep sleep we humans all need thanks to this bloody contraption. It is a hate-love relationship.
  - bmarquez 3y ago
    It sounds like you're using the Resmed P10 nasal pillow. I've tried that before and agree the mesh vents get clogged easily (not just because of condensation, but also because it gets dirty easily). There are other similar pillow masks out there that don't have that problem. I found the Philips Nuance, Philips Dreamwear, and F&P Brevida to not have any venting issues. The Brevida has a cloth mesh that still works when wet, and probably is the best if you want that "resistance" feeling on exhale.