Persistent Rainout with AirSense 11 – Looking for Advice

[Bonsai8519]

Hi everyone,

This is my first post here – I was recently diagnosed with sleep apnea and started therapy with a ResMed AirSense 11. Since day one, I’ve had constant issues with rainout. No matter what I do, I can’t seem to stop the condensation in my tube and mask.

Here’s what I’ve tried:

• Turned off “Auto” mode for humidity and tube temperature
  
• Raised and lowered the temperature
  
• Lowered humidity (which helped the rainout but left me with a painfully dry mouth and throat)
  
• Tried a different nasal mask sent by my DME provider
  

The only time I get relief from rainout is when I turn the humidity all the way down to 1 or off completely – but then I wake up with a dry throat. Meanwhile, my wife sleeps right next to me using an AirSense 10 with a full face mask and never has a single drop of moisture in her hose or mask.

The DME company keeps saying there’s nothing wrong with the machine or tubing, and that it’s just a matter of tweaking the settings. But I’m wondering: is this a common issue with the AirSense 11, or could something actually be defective?

I’d really appreciate any thoughts or experiences from more seasoned users. Should I be pushing harder with the DME for a replacement, or is this just something I need to dial in with trial and error?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

[super7pilot]

Humidity & Temperature are what determines the dew point. There of course can be manufacturing variances in the tubes sensor. But it shouldn't be substantially different.

So to have the air humid enough to be kind to your nose without it forming fog in the tube. Turn up the tube temp. The bedroom temp and humidity is also a big factor. So, It helps to have a fleece tube cover if you like to have the bedroom cool or cold.

I run my AS11 tube temp at 78F and humidity at 4. we keep the house at 69 at night. But, if i forget to run the room humidifier. I blow through a full tank of water. When I run the room humidifier at 45%. I only use 1/2 a tank. Walla Walla, Wa. is a very dry place.

So it does end up being a situation where you need to experiment with the settings.

[mlmollenkamp]

Its possible the heated tube is defective.  Its unusual to have rainout with the heated tubing.  Perhaps your DME would send another to be sure.  When you attach it to the machine does it prompt back that a climateline tube has been connected?

[Big Guy]

You didn't mention using a hose holder / hanger. If you're not, get one soon. It will take care of the problem. 

And, it will improve hose management 100%.

[super7pilot]

When I plug it in it announces that it sees it.

[lsparks1]

I have the same problem with water dripping on my face only when I use the F40 mask. Not sure why this only happens with this particular mask.

[Bonsai8519]

Thanks everyone for the advice! I do get the message that the ClimateLine is detected when I attach it to the machine. However I’ve noticed that the tube seems warm to the touch in some areas and cold in others, going to see if the DME would be open to sending me another to check it. Also bought a hose holder!

While I wait for everything to arrive, I’ll play around with the settings as well.

[Deborah K.]

A hose holder should solve the rainout completely, and it is more comfortable to have the hose lifted away from your body.